title: Alterations in glycosaminoglycan metabolism in beta-aminopropionitrile-treated chick embryos.
abstract: 1. Na(2) (35)SO(4), [1-(14)C]glucosamine and [1-(14)C]acetate were used as precursors of the sulphated glycosaminoglycans to study the biochemical effect of beta-aminopropionitrile in chick embryos. The incorporation of all three precursors was decreased in the treated embryos between days 7 and 10 of embryonic development. No inhibition of incorporation of these precursors occurred between days 16 and 20 of embryonic development at the dosages of beta-aminopropionitrile used. 2. beta-Aminopropionitrile treatment also decreased the amount of N-acetylhexosamines in the chick embryo and decreased the percentage of the hexosamine esterified by nucleotides. Respiration was decreased by homogenates prepared from treated embryos. Likewise, UDP-xylosyl- and UDP-galactosyl-transferase activities were decreased in treated embryos and cartilage from embryos and growing chicks. 3. The data suggest that beta-aminopropionitrile, in addition to the known lathyrogenic activity, either is or gives rise to a potent metabolic poison that interferes with basic cellular metabolism. The results are consistent with a decreased rate of ATP generation as an explanation for the decrease in glycosaminoglycan synthesis.
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000378:metabolism; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000629:Aminopropionitrile / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D002356:Cartilage / Q000196:embryology; D002642:Chick Embryo; D005690:Galactose; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006595:Hexosamines / Q000378:metabolism; D006602:Hexosyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D007842:Lathyrism / Q000139:chemically induced; D009711:Nucleotides / Q000378:metabolism; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010430:Pentosyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D013431:Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism; D013462:Sulfur Radioisotopes; D013997:Time Factors; D014539:Uridine Diphosphate Sugars; D014994:Xylose
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D006595:Hexosamines; D009711:Nucleotides; D013431:Sulfates; D013462:Sulfur Radioisotopes; D014539:Uridine Diphosphate Sugars; D000629:Aminopropionitrile; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D014994:Xylose; D006602:Hexosyltransferases; D010430:Pentosyltransferases; D005944:Glucosamine; D005690:Galactose