Beta-cyanoalanine formation by Chromobacterium violaceum.

Nonproliferating cells of Chromobacterium violaceum incubated with glycine, methionine, and succinate as substrates accumulated beta-cyanoalanine in the culture fluid. Tracer experiments showed that carbons-2, -3, and -4 of beta-cyanoalanine are derived from the 2-carbon of glycine. When methionine-methyl-(14)C, succinate-1,4-(14)C, or succinate-2,3-(14)C was used as substrate, beta-cyanoalanine did not become labeled. If K(14)CN and serine were used as substrates, the cyano group of beta-cyanoalanine was labeled. Radioactive beta-cyanoalanine, labeled in the 3-carbon, was formed when glycine and H(14)CHO were used as substrates. (14)C-formic acid did not replace formaldehyde. Asparagine also accumulated in the incubated mixture and was found to be labeled in the amide carbon. Incubation of cells with beta-cyanoalanine-4-(14)C produced labeled aspartic acid in cell hydrolysates.