METABOLISM OF GLUTATHIONE, GLUTAMINE AND ASPARAGINE
Abstract
IN THIS FINAL REPORT ARE DESCRIBED THE MAIN RESULTS OF INVESTIGATIONS CARRIED OUT SINCE 1951. The investigations dealt with the metabolism of the dicarboxylic amino acids, glutamic and aspartic acids, and some of their metabolic derivatives, such as glutamine, asparagine, glutathione, and other peptides. Since various glutamic acid derivatives have been claimed to be breakdown products of histidine metabolism the enzymatic degradation of histidine was studied and a labile intermediate isolated and identified. The identification of formamidinoglutaric acid as a labile intermediate in enzymatic histidine breakdown led to an elucidation of the catabolic pathway of histidine and to a study of the mechanism of synthesis of histidine in bacteria. Another aspect of interest in glutamic acid metabolism led to the discovery of two enzymes which catalyze the exchange of the amide groups of free glutamine (glutamotransferase) and of protein bound glutamine (transglutaminase). Parallel with these studies, investigations on the metabolism of proteins, glutamic acid and ammonia in vitro and in vivo, particularly in the nervous system, were carried out. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0259748
Entities
People
- Heinrich Waelsch
Organizations
- New York State Psychiatric Institute