The use of asparagine and glutamine for the biosynthesis of casein and plasma proteins

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Abstract
Experiments with asparagine labeled with C14 and N15 indicated that the lactating mammary gland of the goat takes free asparagine from the blood stream to provide asparagine, but not aspartic acid, residues of casein. This agrees with the finding of little synthesis of casein asparagine from glucose within the mammary gland. Asparagine and glutamine were also in the biosynthesis of plasma proteins, to provide asparagine and glutamine residues. Since glutamine and glutamic acid, and asparagine and aspartic acid, are not interconverted during or after their incorporation into casein or plasma proteins, they should be considered as 4 distinct non-essential amino acids.