Beta-hydroxy-alpha-ketobutyric acid in Drosophila melanogaster, with reference to biosynthesis of drosopterins.
A substance designated as compound D, which reacts spontaneously with 7,8-dihydropterin to give drosopterins, is found in Drosophila melanogaster. The compound was partially purified from the extract of flies by column chromatography and identified as beta-hydroxy-alpha-ketobutyric acid by analysis of its 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone, mass spectrometry and reactivity with 7,8-dihydropterin. A highly significant correlation (r=0.969, p less than 0.001) was found between the amounts of the compound and drosopterins in the eye-pigment mutants of Drosophila. Changes of the compound during development of flies were also closely related to those of drosopterins. Based on these observations, a role of the compound in biosynthesis of drosopterins has been discussed.
D000818:Animals; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D005127:Eye Color; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D011621:Pteridines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011622:Pterins / Q000302:isolation & purification
D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D011621:Pteridines; D011622:Pterins; C025596:7,8-dihydropterin; C025597:beta-hydroxy-alpha-ketobutyric acid; C020306:drosopterin