Phosphoserine aminotransferase in soybean root nodules : demonstration and localization.

Phosphoserine aminotransferase activity was detected in the plant and bacteroid fractions from soybean (Glycine max) root nodules. Both total and specific activities increased in the plant fraction during nodule development. Serine-pyruvate aminotransferase activity was not detectable in the plant or bacteroid fractions of these nodules. Sucrose density gradient fractionation indicated a proplastid localization for phosphoserine aminotransferase. The data presented support a role for this enzyme in carbon supply to purine biosynthesis in the pathway of ureide biogenesis in soybean nodules.