Biosynthesis of the pigments of life: formation of the macrocycle.

Nature ·Vol. 285 ·No. 5759 ·1980-05-01 ·Pages 17-21

Battersby AR, Fookes CJ, Matcham GW, McDonald E

Abstract

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.

MeSH Terms

Ammonia-Lyases/metabolism Animals Chemical Phenomena Chemistry Euglena gracilis/enzymology Humans Hydroxymethylbilane Synthase/metabolism Isomerases/metabolism Porphyrins/biosynthesis Pyrroles/metabolism Uroporphyrinogen III Synthetase/metabolism Uroporphyrinogens/metabolism Vitamin B 12/biosynthesis

Chemicals

Porphyrins Pyrroles Uroporphyrinogens hydroxymethylbilane Hydroxymethylbilane Synthase Uroporphyrinogen III Synthetase Ammonia-Lyases Isomerases Vitamin B 12

Authors & Affiliations

4 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID

Battersby A R

Fookes C J

Matcham G W

McDonald E

Article Info

Journal

Nature

Abbr.

Nature

ISSN

0028-0836

DOI

10.1038/285017a0

Published

1980-05-01

Pages

17-21

Language

English

Region

England

NLM ID

0410462

Subset

External Links

PubMed source DOI: 10.1038/285017a0 View journal details

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Biosynthesis of the pigments of life: formation of the macrocycle.

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