Formation of the -Carbon of Serine from Formaldehyde.

Abstract

C14-Formaldehyde, formate, and methanol were each tested in liver homogenate for incorporation into the beta-carbon of serine. The C14 from formaldehyde showed the greatest uptake. It is suggested that formaldehyde is the biological precursor of the serine beta-carbon in the biosynthesis of serine or that formaldehyde is closer to the immediate precursor than either formate or methanol.