SYNTHESIS OF N-ACETYLGLUCOSAMINE-6-PHOSPHATE IN THE BOVINE PAROTID GLAND EXTRACT

A reaction mixture was devised for the synthesis of N-acetylglucosamine-6-phosphate in the bovine parotid gland extract. The reaction products were identified qualitatively as the phosphate esters of glucosamine and acetylglucosamine. The presence of three enzymes in the parotid gland, hexokinase, acetate activating enzyme and glucosamine-6-phosphate N-acetylase has been suggested. Cysteine, a component of the earlier mixture, inhibited the production of N-acetylglucosamine-6-phosphate probably by inhibiting the acetylation of glucosamine-6-phosphate. Cysteine was found to inhibit the color reaction in the procedure of Morgan-Elson method for the detection of N-acetylglucosamine.