Precursor in the biosynthesis of l-phenylalanine and l-tyrosine, distributed widely in nature. Pseudomonad bacteria and plants use both the prephenate and arogenate pathways for l-tyrosine biosynthesis. In cyanobacteria, coryniform bacteria and at least one yeast organism the arogenate pathway has been identified as the sole route of l-tyrosine biosynthesis. Identification of arogenate (pretyrosine) in blue-green algae biosynthesis of l-tyrosine: S. L. Stenmark et al., Nature 247, 290 (1974). Dual enzymic routes to l-tyrosine and l-phenylalanine via arogenate (pretyrosine) in P. aeruginosa: N. Patel et al., J. Biol. Chem. 252, 5839 (1977). Isoln and prepn: R. A. Jensen et al., J. Bacteriol. 132, 896 (1977). Confirmation that arogenate is an obligatory intermediate of l-tyrosine biosynthesis: A. M. Fazel et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77, 1270 (1980). Structure and config: L. O. Zamir et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 102, 4499 (1980). Synthesis via immobilized microbial proteins: eidem, Bioorg. Chem. 11, 32 (1982). Arogenate pathway of tyrosine and phenylalanine biosynthesis in P. aureofaciens: B. Keller et al., J. Gen. Microbiol. 128, 1199 (1982).