Ureide catabolism in Arabidopsis thaliana and Escherichia coli

The availability of whole genome sequences boosts the identification of biochemical pathways conserved across species using tools of comparative genomics. A cross-organism protein association analysis allowed us to identify two enzymes, ureidoglycine aminohydrolase and ureidoglycolate amidohydrolase, that catalyze the final reactions of purine degradation in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. A similar pathway was found in Escherichia coli, while an alternative metabolic route via ureidoglycine transaminase can be predicted for other organisms.