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Activity of Aspartate Transcarbamylase in Mammary Tumours induced by 7,12-Dimethyl-benzanthracene in the Rat

Abstract

IT has been shown that all biosynthetic reactions involved in the formation of ribonucleic acids (RNA), proteins and phospholipids, become accelerated in rapidly proliferating tissues. This requires, however, the presence of related precursors; in the case of an increased synthesis of RNA, the presence of pyrimidine bases and ribose. Beaconsfield et al.1 demonstrated the existence of a direct correlation between the extent of RNA synthesis and ribose formation by way of the oxidative pentose phosphate cycle. Similarly, an increase of RNA synthesis must be accompanied by an increase in the synthesis of pyrimidine bases. The first step in the pyrimidine synthesis is the transformation of the carbamoyl group from carbamoyl phosphate to L-aspartic acid, forming ureidosuccinic acid. This reaction is catalysed by the irreversibly acting aspartate trans-carbamylase (ATC).

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GÖRLICH, M., HEISE, E. Activity of Aspartate Transcarbamylase in Mammary Tumours induced by 7,12-Dimethyl-benzanthracene in the Rat. Nature 213, 934–935 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1038/213934a0

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