The synthesis of aspartic acid inRhizobium lupini bacteroids

InRhizobium lupini bacterioids enzymes catalysing biosynthesis of aspartic acid have been found. The first enzyme termed aspartate dehydrogenase catalyses synthesis of aspartate from oxaloacetic acid and ammonia in the presence of NADH. The second enzyme, aspartase (L-aspartate ammonialyase, EC 4.3.1.1.), catalyses synthesis of aspartate from fumaric acid and ammonia. These data show that ammonia can be assimilated not only in the plant part of nodules but also in bacteroids. Biosynthesis of aspartate plays a very important role in the assimilation of ammonia in nodules.