THE ENZYMATIC ACTIVATION OF AMINO ACIDS VIA THEIR ACYL-ADENYLATE DERIVATIVES

Abstract
Synthesis of certain amino acyl-AMP compounds is described, and some of the properties of such compounds indicated. Rapid formation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from leucyl-AMP and inorganic pyrophosphate by a purified extract of Escherichia coli which catalyzes the leucine-dependent exchange of pp32 and ATP is reported. This finding suggests that amino acyl-AMP compounds are intermediates in the exchange reaction. The properties of these compounds as well as those of the enzyme system are discussed in relation to their possible participation in protein synthesis.