3-Aminocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid: Synthesis and some neurochemical properties

The paper describes synthesis of 3-amino-cyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid and its resolution into diastereoisomers. Preparations of cerebral 4-aminobutyrate: 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase were capable of utilizing both diastereoisomers for transamination. In the uptake of (2,3-H 3 )-4-aminobutyric acid by slices of rat cerebral tissue the two isomers fUllction as simple competitive inhibitors. The inhibitary potency of the uptake and the utilization in transamination of the cis isomer was higher than that of the trans isomer. This reflects specific steric pre-requisites for the two processes.