title: Anaerobic Metabolism in the N-Limited Green Alga Selenastrum minutum: III. Alanine Is the Product of Anaerobic Ammonium Assimilation.
abstract: We have determined the flow of (15)N into free amino acids of the N-limited green alga Selenastrum minutum (Naeg.) Collins after addition of (15)NH(4) (+) to aerobic or anaerobic cells. Under aerobic conditions, only a small proportion of the N assimilated was retained in the free amino acid pool. However, under anaerobic conditions almost all assimilated NH(4) (+) accumulates in alanine. This is a unique feature of anaerobic NH(4) (+) assimilation. The pathway of carbon flow to alanine results in the production of ATP and reductant which matches exactly the requirements of NH(4) (+) assimilation. Alanine synthesis is therefore an excellent strategy to maintain energy and redox balance during anaerobic NH(4) (+) assimilation.
authors: Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada.
authors: G C
authors: GC
authors: Vanlerberghe
authors: K W
authors: KW
authors: Joy
authors: D H
authors: DH
authors: Turpin