G. Rosenthal
1991
Citations
1
Influential Citations
77
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
Phytochemistry
Abstract
Abstract l -Canavanine, l -2-amino-4-(guanidinooxy)butyric acid, is a potentially toxic analogue of l -arginine. Canavanine-sensitive organisms activate and aminoacylate this non-protein amino acid and thereby create structurally aberrant, canavanine-containing proteins. Incorporation of canavanine into protein can alter the conformation and disrupt the function of the native macromolecule. Production of functionally impaired, canavanyl proteins affects developmental processes and contributes significantly to the expression of canavanine's potent antimetabolic properties in insects.