T. H. Morgan School of Biological Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506.
Plant Physiol. 1990 Sep;94(1):1-3. doi: 10.1104/pp.94.1.1.
Massive accumulation of l-canavanine, the 2-amino-4-(guanidinooxy)butyric acid structural analog of l-arginine, occurs in many legumes. Accumulation of large amounts of this nonprotein amino acid results in large part from canavanine's protective efficacy; it forms an effective chemical barrier to predation, disease, and even competition with other plants. Diversion of metabolic resources for the synthesis and storage of appreciable canavanine does not place an inordinate burden on the plant. Catabolism of this nonprotein amino acid provides respiratory carbon, generates essential primary metabolites, and ammoniacal nitrogen for the developing plant.
大量的 L-刀豆氨酸（L-精氨酸的 2-氨基-4-（胍基氧基）丁氨酸结构类似物）在许多豆类中积累。这种大量非蛋白氨基酸的积累在很大程度上归因于刀豆氨酸的保护效力；它形成了一种有效的化学防御，防止捕食、疾病，甚至与其他植物竞争。为合成和储存可观的刀豆氨酸而转移代谢资源不会给植物带来过重的负担。这种非蛋白氨基酸的分解代谢为发育中的植物提供了呼吸碳、生成必需的初级代谢物和氨态氮。
