Biosynthesis of the Amino Acids of the Glutamic Acid Family and Its Regulation

This reaction is carried out by an enzyme, glutamine synthetase, whose occurrence is not restricted to microorganisms. It is esential not only for the synthesis of glutamine, a building block of proteins. Glutamine contributes also through its amide group to the synthesis of many nitrogen containing substances; in addition, it is an obligatory intermediate in ammonia assimilation in ammonia-limited media.