title: An evaluation of 4-s-methyl-2-keto-butyric Acid as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of ethylene.
abstract: Stimulation of ethylene production by cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) tissue in buffer solution containing 4-S-methyl-2-keto-butyric acid is not due to activation of the natural in vivo system. Increased ethylene production derives from an extra-cellular ethylene-forming system, catalyzed by peroxidase and other factors, which leak from the cauliflower tissue and cause the degradation of 4-S-methyl-2-keto-butyric acid. This exogenous ethylene-forming system is similar to the ethylene-forming horseradish peroxidase system which utilizes methional or 4-S-methyl-2-keto-butyric acid as substrate. We conclude that 4-S-methyl-2-keto-butyric acid is probably not an intermediate in the biosynthetic pathway between methionine and ethylene.
authors.affiliation: Pioneering Research Laboratory, Market Quality Research Division, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland 20705.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lieberman
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Kunishi