title: Esmond E. Snell--the pathfinder of B vitamins and cofactors.
abstract: Esmond E. Snell (1914-2003) was a giant of B-vitamin and enzyme research. His early research in bacterial nutrition had lead to the discovery of vitamins such as lipoic acid and folic acid, and an anti-vitamin avidin. He developed microbiological assay methods for riboflavin and other vitamins and amino acids, which are still used today. He also investigated the metabolism of vitamins, discovered pyridoxal and pyridoxamine as the active forms of vitamin B(6) and revealed the mechanism of transamination and other reactions catalysed by vitamin B(6) enzymes. His research in later years on pyruvoyl-dependent histidine decarboxylase unveiled the biogenesis mechanism of this first built-in cofactor. Throughout his career, he was a great mentor of many people, all of whom are inspired by his philosophy of science.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki 569-8686, Japan. hayashi@art.osaka-med.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hideyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Sumio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanase
authors.forename: Toshiharu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yagi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001173:Arthrobacter / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D001671:Biochemistry / Q000266:history; D003067:Coenzymes / Q000266:history* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D008828:Microbiological Techniques / Q000266:history; D010205:Pantothenic Acid / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D012440:Saccharomyces / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D025101:Vitamin B 6 / Q000266:history / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000266:history* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D003067:Coenzymes; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D010205:Pantothenic Acid; D025101:Vitamin B 6