Purification and Properties of β-Alanine Synthase from Calf Liver

Gunter      Waldmann; Paul   F.   Cook; Klaus   D.   Schnackerz

doi:10.2174/0929866053405904

Abstract

β-Alanine synthase (EC 3.5.1.6) catalyzes the conversion of N-carbamyl-β-alanine to β-alanine, ammonia and CO2. The enzyme has been purified to apparent homogeneity from calf liver. The molecular size, pH optimum and substrate specificity have been determined. Sequence alignment of β-alanine synthases with N-carbamyl-D-amino acid amidohydrolase from Agrobacter sp. revealed the conservation of a catalytically important triad Glu-Lys-Cys, most likely involved in the breakdown of N-carbamyl-β-alanine.

Keywords: balanine, balanine synthases, pyrimidine degradation, neurotransmitter

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