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β-N-Oxalyl-l-α,β-diaminopropionic Acid (β-ODAP) Content in Lathyrus Sativus: The Integration of Nitrogen and Sulfur Metabolism Through β-Cyanoalanine Synthase

β-N-Oxalyl-l-α,β-diaminopropionic Acid (β-ODAP) Content in Lathyrus Sativus: The Integration of Nitrogen and Sulfur Metabolism Through β-Cyanoalanine Synthase

Quanle Xu, Fengjuan Liu, Peng Chen, Joseph M Jez, Hari B Krishnan

Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Feb 28;18(3):526.

PMID: 28264526

Abstract:

Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is an important legume crop grown mainly in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. This underutilized legume can withstand harsh environmental conditions including drought and flooding. During drought-induced famines, this protein-rich legume serves as a food source for poor farmers when other crops fail under harsh environmental conditions; however, its use is limited because of the presence of an endogenous neurotoxic nonprotein amino acid β-N-oxalyl-l-α,β-diaminopropionic acid (β-ODAP). Long-term consumption of Lathyrus and β-ODAP is linked to lathyrism, which is a degenerative motor neuron syndrome. Pharmacological studies indicate that nutritional deficiencies in methionine and cysteine may aggravate the neurotoxicity of β-ODAP. The biosynthetic pathway leading to the production of β-ODAP is poorly understood, but is linked to sulfur metabolism. To date, only a limited number of studies have been conducted in grass pea on the sulfur assimilatory enzymes and how these enzymes regulate the biosynthesis of β-ODAP. Here, we review the current knowledge on the role of sulfur metabolism in grass pea and its contribution to β-ODAP biosynthesis. Unraveling the fundamental steps and regulation of β-ODAP biosynthesis in grass pea will be vital for the development of improved varieties of this underutilized legume.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	Structure	CAS Number	Price
AP5302454	β-ODAP		5302-45-4	Price

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