5-aminolevulinate synthesis in permeabilized filaments of the blue-green alga Anabaena variabilis

Filaments of the blue-green alga Anabaena variabilis permeabilized by dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) produce increased amounts of 5-aminolevulinate in the presence of levulinic acid. The metabolic activity of the filaments remains unperturbed in the presence of up to 7.5% (v/v) DMSO. Studies utilizing DMSO-permeabilized filaments confirm that 5-aminolevulinate is synthesized preferably from glutamate and, to a lesser extent, from α-ketoglutarate in this organism.