Central role in metabolism

Aconitase [citrate(isocitrate) hydro-lyase, EC 4.2.1.3] is the second enzyme of the citric acid cycle, which plays a central role in metabolism for all aerobic organisms. This enzyme catalyzes a dehydration-rehydration reaction interconverting citrate and 2R,3S-isocitrate via the allylic intermediate ds-aconitate. 

Nucleotides play central roles in metabolism. They serve as sources of chemical energy (ATP and guanosine triphosphate (GTP)), participate in cellular signalling (cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)) and are incorporated into important cofactors of enzymatic reactions. Nucleotides are molecules that, when joined together, make up the structural units of RNA and DNA (Scheme 3). 

In the second stage, these numerous small molecules are degraded to a few simple units that play a central role in metabolism. In fact, most of them—sugars, fatty acids, glycerol, and several amino acids—are converted into the acetyl unit of acetyl CoA (Section 14.3.1). Some ATP is generated in this stage, but the amount is small compared with that obtained in the third stage. 

The plasma lipoproteins play a central role in metabolic homeostasis. As discussed in Chapter 20, a lipoprotein is a complex composed of triacylglycerol, protein, cholesterol (free or esterified), and phospholipids. The phospholipid and protein form an external coat to render the particles soluble in plasma for transport around the body. The roles of lipoproteins in metabolic homeostasis are presented in Chapter 20. 

Nicotinic acid (niacin) is a precursor of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) which plays a central role in metabolism as a coenzyme. It can be synthesized from tryptophan. Tryptophan and nicotinate deficiency lead to pellagra, which is characterized by diarrhea, dermatitis, and dementia. Maize-rich diets... 

The central role of the citric acid cycle in metabolism The citric acid cycle plays a central role in metabolism. It is the first part of aerobic metabolism it is also amphibolic (both catabolic and anabolic). 

B-complex vitamins A family of water-soluble vitamins that include thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12. B-complex vitamins play central roles in metabolism, protein synthesis, and cell multiplication. 

Nitrilases are widespread in plants, fungi, archaea, and bacteria [23-25], possibly owing to their central role in metabolizing organocyanides as carbon and/ or nitrogen sources [26]. The enzyme family can be divided into three groups according to substrate specificity [27] ... 

The wide range of inflammation-related factors that adipocytes secrete is linked to the inflammatory response that the tissue exhibits in obesity [1]. Obesity in general, like an increasing number of other diseases, is characterised by a state of mild chronic inflammation, and adipose tissue plays a central role in this. The production of most inflammation-related adipokines increases markedly in obesity and there is an elevated circulating level of a number of these factors as well as of other inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP). The increased production of inflammatory adipokines (and decreased production of adiponectin with its anti-inflammatory action) in the obese is considered to play a critical role in the development of the obesity-associated pathologies, particularly type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome [1]. 

The citric acid cycle is the final common pathway for the aerobic oxidation of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein because glucose, fatty acids, and most amino acids are metabolized to acetyl-CoA or intermediates of the cycle. It also has a central role in gluconeogenesis, lipogenesis, and interconversion of amino acids. Many of these processes occur in most tissues, but the hver is the only tissue in which all occur to a significant extent. The repercussions are therefore profound when, for example, large numbers of hepatic cells are damaged as in acute hepatitis or replaced by connective tissue (as in cirrhosis). Very few, if any, genetic abnormalities of citric acid cycle enzymes have been reported such ab-normahties would be incompatible with life or normal development. 

THE LIVER PLAYS A CENTRAL ROLE IN LIPID TRANSPORT METABOLISM... 

Important products derived from amino acids include heme, purines, pyrimidines, hormones, neurotransmitters, and biologically active peptides. In addition, many proteins contain amino acids that have been modified for a specific function such as binding calcium or as intermediates that serve to stabilize proteins—generally structural proteins—by subsequent covalent cross-hnk-ing. The amino acid residues in those proteins serve as precursors for these modified residues. Small peptides or peptide-like molecules not synthesized on ribosomes fulfill specific functions in cells. Histamine plays a central role in many allergic reactions. Neurotransmitters derived from amino acids include y-aminobutyrate, 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin), dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Many drugs used to treat neurologic and psychiatric conditions affect the metabolism of these neurotransmitters. 

Thiamin has a central role in energy-yielding metabo-hsm, and especially the metabohsm of carbohydrate (Figure 45-9). Thiamin diphosphate is the coenzyme for three multi-enzyme complexes that catalyze oxidative decarboxylation reactions pymvate dehydrogenase in carbohydrate metabolism a-ketoglutarate dehydro-... 

ViTAMiN B2 (RiBOFLAViN) HAS A CENTRAL ROLE iN ENERGY-YIELDING METABOLISM... 

Pantothenic acid has a central role in acyl group metabolism when acting as the pantetheine functional moiety of coenzyme A or acyl carrier protein (ACP) (Figure 45-18). The pantetheine moiety is formed after combination of pantothenate with cysteine, which provides... 

Transferrin (Tf) is a Pj-globulin with a molecular mass of approximately 76 kDa. it is a glycoprotein and is synthesized in the liver. About 20 polymorphic forms of transferrin have been found, it plays a central role in the body s metabolism of iron because it transports iron (2 mol of Fe + per mole of Tf) in the circulation to sites where iron is required, eg, from the gut to the bone marrow and other organs. Approximately 200 billion red blood cells (about 20 mL) are catabolized per day, releasing about 25 mg of iron into the body—most of which will be transported by transferrin. 

The authors chose pyruvic acid as their model compound this C3 molecule plays a central role in the metabolism of living cells. It was recently synthesized for the first time under hydrothermal conditions (Cody et al., 2000). Hazen and Deamer carried out their experiments at pressures and temperatures similar to those in hydrothermal systems (but not chosen to simulate such systems). The non-enzymatic reactions, which took place in relatively concentrated aqueous solutions, were intended to identify the subsequent self-selection and self-organisation potential of prebiotic molecular species. A considerable series of complex organic molecules was tentatively identified, such as methoxy- or methyl-substituted methyl benzoates or 2, 3, 4-trimethyl-2-cyclopenten-l-one, to name only a few. In particular, polymerisation products of pyruvic acid, and products of consecutive reactions such as decarboxylation and cycloaddition, were observed the expected tar fraction was not found, but water-soluble components were found as well as a chloroform-soluble fraction. The latter showed similarities to chloroform-soluble compounds from the Murchison carbonaceous chondrite (Hazen and Deamer, 2007). 

Proteins of the cytoskeleton play a central role in the creation and maintenance of cell shapes in all tissues. They serve multiple roles in eukaryotic cells. First, they provide structural organization for the cell interior, helping to establish metabolic compartments. Second, cytoskeletal structures serve as tracks for intracellular transport, which creates and maintains differentiated cellular functions. Finally, the cytoskeleton comprises the core framework of cellular morphologies. 

Purines such as ATP and adenosine play a central role in the energy metabolism of all life forms. This fact probably delayed recognition of other roles for purines as autocrine and paracrine substances and neurotransmitters. Today it is recognized that purines are released from neurons and other cells and that they produce widespread effects on multiple organ systems by binding to purinergic receptors located on the cell surface. The principal ligands for... 

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