Branched chain oxo-acid decarboxylase

In the case of hyperphenylalaninaemia, which occurs ia phenylketonuria because of a congenital absence of phenylalanine hydroxylase, the observed phenylalanine inhibition of proteia synthesis may result from competition between T.-phenylalanine and L-methionine for methionyl-/RNA. Patients sufferiag from maple symp urine disease, an inborn lack of branched chain oxo acid decarboxylase, are mentally retarded unless the condition is treated early enough. It is possible that the high level of branched-chain amino acids inhibits uptake of L-tryptophan and L-tyrosiae iato the brain. Brain iajury of mice within ten days after thek bkth was reported as a result of hypodermic kijections of monosodium glutamate (MSG) (0.5—4 g/kg). However, the FDA concluded that MSG is a safe kigredient, because mice are bom with underdeveloped brains regardless of MSG kijections (106). 

Branched-Chain Oxo-acid Decarboxylase and Maple Syrup Urine Disease The third oxo-add dehydrogenase catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of the branched-chain oxo-acids that arise from the transamination of the branched-chain amino acids, leucine, isoleuctne, emd vtdine. It has a similEU subunit composition to pyruvate and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenases, and the E3 subunit (dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase) is the stune protein as in the other two multienzyme complexes. Genetic lack of this enzyme causes maple syrup urine disease, so-called because the bremched-chain oxo-acids that are excreted in the urine have a smell reminiscent of maple syrup. 

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