Polyisoprenoids: structure, biosynthesis and function.
The polyisoprenoid alcohols and their derivatives are highlighted here. These linear polymers of isoprenoid residues are widespread in nature from bacteria to human cells. This review presents their structures, distribution and biogenesis. Attention will be focused on the biosynthesis of polyisoprenoid alcohols in plants in the context of two coexisting isoprenoid pathways, mevalonate and the recently described methylerythritol phosphate pathway. Structural aspects including modeling of the polyisoprenoid conformation will be presented and finally the postulated biological role of polyisoprenoid alcohols will be discussed including polyisoprenylation of proteins.
Swiezewska
Ewa
E
Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5a, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland. ewas@ibb.waw.pl
Danikiewicz
Witold
W
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D004286:Dolichols / Q000378:metabolism; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006031:Glycosylation; D008798:Mevalonic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D013729:Terpenes / Q000378:metabolism*
D004286:Dolichols; D010940:Plant Proteins; D013729:Terpenes; D008798:Mevalonic Acid