Investigations of Canavanine Biochemistry in the Jack Bean Plant, Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC

Abstract

The canavanine content of developing leaves of jack bean, Canavalia ensilormis (L.) DC., increases during leaf develop- ment. The leaf possesses the enzymes required for synthesizing canavanine by a cyclic series of reactions analogous to the orni- thine-urea cycle. This reaction series involves the sequential formation of canaline, 0-ureidohomoserine, and canavanino- succinic acid