Biomaterial Database

Ubiquinone biosynthesis in Leishmania major promastigotes. 1995

G Ranganathan, and A J Mukkada

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA.

Promastigotes of Leishmania major contain a ubiquinone which has a side chain made up of nine isoprene subunits (UQ9). Incorporation of radioactivity from [14C] acetate and [14C] mevalonate into ubiquinone as well as the identification of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG CoA reductase), and mevalonate kinase indicate that the isoprenoid portion of the molecule is synthesized by the acetate-mevalonate pathway as in mammalian cells. Incorporation of [14C] tyrosine into ubiquinone is low, but [14C] parahydroxybenzoic acid is readily incorporated. Distribution of radioactivity from [14C] acetate indicates that about 60-80% is associated with the side chain and about 20% with the ring. Label from parahydroxybenzoic acid is, however, incorporated preferentially into the ring. L. major is capable of synthesizing the aromatic ring of ubiquinone from acetate, parahydroxybenzoate being an important intermediate. In this behaviour it resembles procaryotes. Ubiquinone biosynthetic pathway in L. major thus shares characteristics with mammalian and bacterial systems.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008798	Mevalonic Acid	A dihydroxy monocarboxylic acid and precursor in the biosynthetic pathway known as the mevalonate pathway, which produces terpenes and steroids that are vital for diverse cellular functions.	Mevalonate,Acid, Mevalonic
D010084	Oxidation-Reduction	A chemical reaction in which an electron is transferred from one molecule to another. The electron-donating molecule is the reducing agent or reductant; the electron-accepting molecule is the oxidizing agent or oxidant. Reducing and oxidizing agents function as conjugate reductant-oxidant pairs or redox pairs (Lehninger, Principles of Biochemistry, 1982, p471).	Redox,Oxidation Reduction
D010226	Parabens	Methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. They have been approved by the FDA as antimicrobial agents for foods and pharmaceuticals. (From Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11th ed, p872)	4-Hydroxybenzoic Acids,Paraben,para-Hydroxybenzoic Acids,4 Hydroxybenzoic Acids,para Hydroxybenzoic Acids
D002784	Cholesterol	The principal sterol of all higher animals, distributed in body tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in animal fats and oils.	Epicholesterol
D005947	Glucose	A primary source of energy for living organisms. It is naturally occurring and is found in fruits and other parts of plants in its free state. It is used therapeutically in fluid and nutrient replacement.	Dextrose,Anhydrous Dextrose,D-Glucose,Glucose Monohydrate,Glucose, (DL)-Isomer,Glucose, (alpha-D)-Isomer,Glucose, (beta-D)-Isomer,D Glucose,Dextrose, Anhydrous,Monohydrate, Glucose
D006903	Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases	Enzymes that catalyze the reversible reduction of alpha-carboxyl group of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A to yield MEVALONIC ACID.	HMG CoA Reductases,3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA Reductase,HMG CoA Reductase,Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductase,3 Hydroxy 3 methylglutaryl CoA Reductase,CoA Reductase, 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl,Reductase, 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA
D000085	Acetates	Derivatives of ACETIC ACID. Included under this heading are a broad variety of acid forms, salts, esters, and amides that contain the carboxymethane structure.	Acetate,Acetic Acid Esters,Acetic Acids,Acids, Acetic,Esters, Acetic Acid
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012765	Shikimic Acid	A tri-hydroxy cyclohexene carboxylic acid metabolite of the shikimate pathway. It is important in the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids, flavonoids and alkaloids in plants and microorganisms.	1-Cyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid, 3,4,5-trihydroxy-, (3R-(3alpha,4alpha,5beta))-,Shikimates,Shikimic Acid Derivatives,Acid, Shikimic
D014443	Tyrosine	A non-essential amino acid. In animals it is synthesized from PHENYLALANINE. It is also the precursor of EPINEPHRINE; THYROID HORMONES; and melanin.	L-Tyrosine,Tyrosine, L-isomer,para-Tyrosine,L Tyrosine,Tyrosine, L isomer,para Tyrosine