Mutations affecting the enzymes involved in the utilization of 4-aminobutyric acid as nitrogen source by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We present genetic evidence for the enzymes 4-aminobutyrate: 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.19) and succinate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase [NAD(P)+] (EC 1.2.1.16) constituting the functional pathway for the utilization of 4-aminobutyric acid as a nitrogen source by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We show that the pathway is induced by 4-aminobutyric acid and that the presence of the pathway enzymes probably requires the integrity of a positive control element.