Clayton J. Morris

Conversion of m-carboxyphenylalanine to m-carboxyphenylglycine in Wedgewood iris leaves

Abstract Radioactive meta -carboxyphenylalanine-2-C 14 was synthesized and fed to different tissues of Wedgewood iris and to Reseda leaves. Only iris leaves showed any appreciable metabolism of the labeled amino acid, with the label appearing in meta -carboxyphenylglycine and not in other amino acids. m -Carboxyphenylglycine was isolated by paper chromatography, and its identity was established by radioautography and crystallization to constant specific activity. Degradation of this amino acid established that the label was in the α-carboxyl group. These results strongly suggest that m -carboxyphenylalanine has been converted to its next lower homologue with loss of the carboxyl carbon, a transformation that has not heretofore been demonstrated to occur naturally.

The separation of amino acids on ion-exchange resins by elution with water and aqueous ethanol.

Abstract The elution pattern of amino acids from columns of ion-exchange resins in various forms has been studied. A sulfonic acid resin in the sodium form, a carboxylic acid resin in the acid form, and quaternary ammonium resin in the chloride form give the most useful separations. Water and 25% alcohol were the solvents employed. Acidic, basic, and neutral non-alpha amino acids were most highly purified. Partial resolution of neutral α-amino acids, β-alanine, and γ-aminobutyric acid and the basic amino acids were obtained on Dowex 1 in the chloride form. These procedures are characterized by relatively high capacity under mild conditions and have been useful in isolation of three nitrogen compounds from plants.

Conversion of 5-hydroxylysine to 5-hydroxypipecolic acid in honey locust leaves

Abstract The feeding of dl - and dl -allo-5-hydroxylysine-6-14C to honey locust leaves resulted in complete recovery of radioactivity in three compounds. Most of the radioactivity was recovered in two compounds that were identified as cis- and trans-5-hydroxypipecolic acids. The third product was identified as N6-acetyl-5-hydroxy-lysine. The results strongly indicate that 5-hydroxylysine is the normal precursor of 5-hydroxypipecolic acid in the honey locust. The formation of N6-acetyl-5-hydroxy-lysine appears to be unrelated to the formation of the 5-hydroxypipecolic acid. 5-Hydroxypipecolic acid was not actively metabolized in honey locust leaves.

Metabolism of some meta-carboxy aromatic amino acids

Abstract Radioactive meta -carboxytyrosine was synthesized and administered to detached leaves of Reseda odorata, Lunaria annua, Reseda luteola , and to Wedgewood iris ( Iris tingitana X Iris xithium ). Phenylalanine- 14 C was fed similarly. There was a small but significant conversion of meta -carboxytyrosine to 3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenyl-glycine by iris leaves; the only other leaves that brought about the conversion were R. odorata , and they produced up to four times as much as did iris leaves. Phenylalanine was converted to meta -carboxyphenylalanine by R. odorata and iris.