MEVALONATE PATHWAY
Introduction -
The mevalonate pathway, also known as the isoprenoid pathway or HMG-CoA reductase pathway, is a metabolic pathway that produces isoprenoids, a large and diverse class of biomolecules.Stages
The mevalonate pathway is divided into three stages:Stage 1: The first step is the condensation of two molecules (acetyl-CoA and acetoacetyl-CoA). 
- Acetoacetyl-CoA is then converted to 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) by HMG-CoA synthase.
 - HMG-CoA is then reduced to mevalonate by HMG-CoA reductase.
 
Stage 2: Mevalonate is phosphorylated twice and decarboxylated to form IPP.
Stage 3:
- IPP is condensed with DMAPP to form geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP).
 - GPP can then be condensed with another IPP to form farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), or with two IPPs to form geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP).
 - GPP, FPP, and GGPP are the precursors to a wide variety of isoprenoids, including cholesterol, vitamin K, coenzyme Q10, and steroid hormones.
 
Significance of Mevalonate Pathway -
- Cholesterol synthesis: Cholesterol is a major component of cell membranes, and it is also used to synthesize steroid hormones.
 - Protein prenylation: Protein prenylation is a post-translational modification that is essential for the function of many proteins, including small GTPases.
 - Ubiquinone synthesis: Ubiquinone is a component of the electron transport chain, which is responsible for generating ATP.
 - Isoprenoid synthesis: Isoprenoids are a diverse class of biomolecules that play a variety of roles in cells, including signaling, defense, and energy storage.
 

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