Urea cycle: Chemical simulation of arginine biosynthesis

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00295a022

We have successfully simulated the salient features of the urea cycle. In this effort an appropriately protected ornithine was transformed to citrulline, via use of a novel amide transfer reagent; the citrulline, in turn, was converted into argininosuccinate which necessitated a new activation procedure to enable acceptance of dimethyl aspartate. Fragmentation of argininosuccinate under carefully controlled conditions afforded arginine. The final step in the cycle, namely, the hydrolysis of arginine to urea and ornithine, has already been accomplished. Amino group transfer from aspartate has also been demonstrated in the conversion of hypoxanthine to adenine.