Anaerobic Accumulation of γ-Aminobutyric Acid and Alanine in Radish Leaves (Raphanus sativus, L.)

In leaves, the anaerobic accumulation of alanine was accompanied by a loss of aspartate, and these changes preceded gamma-aminobutyrate accumulation and glutamate loss. Changes in keto acid content did not appear to be the cause of amino acid changes. Accumulation of gamma-aminobutyrate was due to acceleration of glutamate decarboxylation and arrest of gamma-aminobutyrate transamination. Changes in enzyme content did not explain the changes in reaction rates in vivo. Most of the aspartate may be converted anaerobically to alanine via oxalacetate and pyruvate.