The re-assimilation of ammonia produced by photorespiration and the nitrogen economy of C3 higher plants.
Photorespiration involves the conversion of glycine to serine with the release of ammonia and CO(2). In C(3) terrestrial higher plants the flux through glycine and serine is so large that it results in the production of ammonia at a rate far exceeding that from reduction of new nitrogen entering the plant. The photorespiratory nitrogen cycle re-assimilates this ammonia using the enzymes glutamine synthetase and glutamine:2-oxoglutarateaminotransferase.
Keys
Alfred J
AJ
Rothamsted Research, Crop Production & Improvement Division, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK. alfred.keys@bbsrc.ac.uk
D000641:Ammonia / Q000378:metabolism*; D019069:Cell Respiration / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D050841:Glycine Dehydrogenase (Decarboxylating) / Q000378:metabolism; D006016:Glycolates / Q000378:metabolism; D049673:History, 20th Century; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012106:Research / Q000266:history
D006016:Glycolates; C031149:glycolic acid; D000641:Ammonia; D050841:Glycine Dehydrogenase (Decarboxylating); D009584:Nitrogen