Biosynthesis of 5-(p-aminophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroxypentane by methanogenic bacteria

✍ Scribed by Robert H. White

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 1985
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 561 KB
• Volume: 143
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0302-8933
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00414758

✦ Synopsis

The biosynthesis of the 5-(p-aminophenyl)-l,2,3,4tetrahydroxypentane moiety of methanopterin was studied in methanogenic bacteria. By comparing the extent of deuteration of the benzyl group of 5-(p-aminophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroxypentane with the benzyl group of phenylalanine isolated from cells grown with [2,2,2-2H3]acetate, it was shown that the aromatic portion of the 5-(p-aminophenyl)-l,2,3,4-tetrahydroxypentane was derived from an intermediate in the shikimic acid pathway which is produced prior to the formation of prephenic acid. The ready incorporation ofp-aminobenzoic acid into 5-(paminophenyl)-l,2,3,4-tetrahydroxypentane indicates that this intermediate is chorismic acid and that p-aminobenzoic acid, a component of folic acid, is an intermediate in the formation of methanopterin.