δ-Aminolevulinic Acid Transaminase in <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i>

Abstract

An enzyme catalyzing the formation of delta-aminolevulinic acid by transamination of gamma,delta-dioxovaleric acid with l-alpha-alanine, l-glutamic acid, or l-phenylalanine has been detected in extracts of Chlorella vulgaris. The activity of this enzyme does not appear to parallel changes in chlorophyll content in a Chlorella mutant which requires light for chlorophyll production. The role of this enzyme in delta-aminolevulinic acid metabolism in plants is not clearly understood.