L-arginine degradation L-arginine degradation via AST pathway Degradation of L-arginine via arginine succinyl transferase pathway. One function of this pathway is to provide nitrogen during nitrogen restriction. The ammonia produced is assimilated into glutamate and glutamine, which in turn provides nitrogen for the synthesis of virtually all nitrogen-containing compounds. GO:0019545 PMID:12003934 arginine succinyl transferase (AST) pathway pathway UPa:UPA00185 PMID:9393691 KEGG:map00330 L-glutamate and succinate biosynthesis PMID:9696779 PMID:2865249 amino-acid degradation