Canavanine

L-(+)-(S)-Canavanine is a non-proteinogenic amino acid of certain leguminous plants. It is structurally related to the proteinogenic amino acid, L-arginine. Canavanine is accumulated primarily in the seeds where it serves both as a defensive compound against herbivores and a vital source of nitrogen for the growing embryo. Organisms that consume it can mistakenly incorporate it into their own proteins in the place of arginine, thereby producing structurally aberrant proteins that may not function properly. Some specialized herbivores tolerate L-canavanine either because they metabolize it efficiently or avoid its incorporation into their own nascent proteins.

Dioclea megacarpa seeds contain high levels of canavanine. The beetle, Caryedes brasiliensis is able to tolerate this however as it has a modified arginine-tRNA synthetase. The beetle uses canavanine as a nitrogen source to synthesise its other amino acids to allow it to develop.

See also

Canaline

Translation

The word "Canavanine" occurs as such in the following languages: English, French.

Translation(s) in other languages: German: Canavanin, Spanish: Canavanina.