Biosynthesis of the pigments of life: formation of the macrocycle.
The organic nuclei of chlorophylls, haems, cytochromes and vitamin B12 are biosynthesised from a single tetrapyrrolic intermediate which has an unexpected, rearranged structure. The mechanism of biosynthesis of this key intermediate has now been characterised in detail. Some of the information thereby obtained is also of use in the investigation of human diseases such as the porphyrias.
D000642:Ammonia-Lyases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D005056:Euglena gracilis / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D011163:Hydroxymethylbilane Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D007535:Isomerases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000378:metabolism; D014576:Uroporphyrinogen III Synthetase / Q000378:metabolism*; D014577:Uroporphyrinogens / Q000378:metabolism; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000096:biosynthesis
D011166:Porphyrins; D011758:Pyrroles; D014577:Uroporphyrinogens; C024393:hydroxymethylbilane; D011163:Hydroxymethylbilane Synthase; D014576:Uroporphyrinogen III Synthetase; D000642:Ammonia-Lyases; D007535:Isomerases; D014805:Vitamin B 12