Prokaryotes physiological functions

Blackmore CG, McNaughton PA, and van Veen HW. Multidrug transporters in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells physiological functions and transport mechanisms. Mol Membr Biol 2001 18 97-103. 

Amine oxidase occurs in all types of organisms, from prokaryotes to animals and plants. While its catalytic function is understood, its physiological function remains unknown. Various functions have been suggested [114] ... 

The glyoxylase system consists of two enzymes, glyoxylase I and glyoxylase II and GSH. Although these enzymes are widely distributed in many prokaryotic and eukaryotic species, their physiological function is poorly understood. It is generally... 

When exposed to heat shock or other types of stress, a large number of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells synthesize a small family of proteins that have been termed heat shock proteins. These proteins complex with many other proteins, and a wide variety of physiological and molecular functions have... 

Some T. have major physiological significance. Thus, lanosterol is converted biosynthetically to cholesterol, the precursor of all steroid hormones, bile acids, and vitamin D3. In fungi, lanosterol is converted to er-gosterol (see sterols), an essential component of the fungal cell membrane. Plant cell membranes also incorporate steroids (phytosterols). In prokaryotes, the hopanoids take over the functions of steroids in the cell membranes. As a component of animal and plant waxes T. strengthen the structures. They protect the plant surface from desiccation and attack by microorganisms (e.g., betulin, lupeol, oleanolic acid, and ursolic acid). 

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