Increased beta-aminoisobutyric acid in rat liver with 6-azauracil and its enantiomer.

When 6-azauracil was subcutaneously injected, beta-aminoisobutyric acid and beta-alanine contents were increased 22 and 61-fold, respectively, in rat liver. Incorporation of [methyl-14C]thymine into beta-aminoisobutyric acid was increased to 42-fold by 6-azauracil treatment. The absolute configuration of this amino acid was proved to be the (R)-form by means of a gas-chromatographic technique. 6-Azauracil inhibited beta-alanine-pyruvate aminotransferase activity with an I50 of approx. 2.5 mM.