The Effect of Biuret on Protein Synthesis in Plants.

Abstract

Biuret, which elicits marked leaf injury in urea-treated Xanthium pennsylvanicum plants, has no effect on the following processes involved in nitrogen metabolism: absorption of urea by Xanthium leaves, hydrolysis of urea, oxidation of amino acids, decarboxylation of gluta-mate, hydrolysis of arginine, and breakdown of leaf protein. In contrast, biuret produces a sharp decrease in total leaf protein and inhibits the incorporation of amino acids into leaf proteins. It is concluded that biuret, either directly or indirectly, inhibits protein synthesis.