Studies of the pathway of HCN formation from glycine in a psychrophilic basidiomycete

Eleven 14C-labeled amino acids were tested for their ability to serve as precursors of HCN in cultures of a psychrophilic basidiomycete. Only glycine and, to a much lesser degree, L-serine and L-aspartic acid were effective. By using 2-14C, 15Nglycine, it was demonstrated that the C–N bond remains intact during the conversion to HCN. No evidence was obtained for the participation of N-hydroxyglycine or glyoxylic acid oxime as intermediates in the pathway of HCN formation.