Metabolic pathways of delta-aminolaevulinic acid in Rhodopseudomonas spheroides.

Incorporation of delta-aminolaevulinic acid 5 14C and 4 14C into the inosine monophosphate pool and into porphyrins, was studied in cell suspensions of R. spheroides. The results contradict a direct incorporation of delta-aminolaevulinic acid into the purine ring of nucleotides through gammadelta-dioxovaleric acid. It would suggest a nonspecific incorporation after degradation of delta-aminolaevulinic acid without a transamination as a first reaction.