title: L-Canaline Detoxification: A Seed Predator's Biochemical Mechanism.
abstract: The seeds of the Neotropical legume, Dioclea megacarpa, the sole food source for developing larvae of the bruchid beetle, Caryedes brasiliensis, contain about 13 percent L-canavanine (dry weight). Canavanine detoxification and utilization produces L-canaline, a potent neurotoxic and insecticidal amino acid. This seed predator has developed a unique biochemical mechanism for degrading canaline by reductive deamination to form homoserine and ammonia. In this way, canaline is detoxified; canavanine's stored nitrogen is more fully utilized and its carbon skeleton is conserved.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Dahlman
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Janzen