Asparagine metabolism in higher plants

The factors causing the production of large amounts of asparagine in seedlings, excised leaves, and in the transport system of legumes and certain trees are discussed. An attempt has been made to correlate the radioactive precursor studies with the known enzymology of asparagine synthesis. Although asparagine is considered to act as a nitrogen store, there is little evidence to demonstrate its breakdown. Three possible routes of asparagine degradation are investigated.