Biosynthesis of Secondary Metabolites

Biosynthesis of Secondary Metabolites

• Secondary Metabolites are synthesized from building blocks derived from primary metabolites. These building blocks are primarily derived from photosynthesis, glycolysis, and the Krebs cycle.
• Acetyl-CoA, Shikimic acid, Mevalonic acid, and Malonic acid are important building blocks in secondary metabolite biosynthesis.
• Shikimic Acid Pathway is a seven-step pathway used by various organisms for the biosynthesis of folates and aromatic amino acids (phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan).
  • Starts with phosphoenolpyruvate and erythrose-4-phosphate and ends with chorismate.
  • This pathway is crucial for the production of phenols, alkaloids, and other aromatic compounds.
  • Environmental stresses such as pathogen attacks, pH fluctuations, temperature changes, UV radiation, and heavy metal stress can trigger the expression of these aromatic compounds.
• Malonic Acid/Acetate Pathway: Involves acyl carrier protein (ACP) to produce fatty acylthioesters, crucial intermediates in fatty acid synthesis.
  • Acetyl-CoA contributes to the formation of even-numbered fatty acids from butyric to arachidic acid.
  • Malonyl-CoA is formed by the addition of CO2 to acetyl-CoA using the biotin cofactor of acetyl-CoA carboxylase.
• Mevalonic Acid (Mevalonate) Pathway: Another pathway known as isoprenoid pathway involved in the synthesis of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR).
  • This pathway is crucial for various cellular metabolisms in eukaryotic, archaeal, and bacterial organisms, including cholesterol biosynthesis and protein production.

This quiz covers the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, focusing on key pathways like the Shikimic Acid Pathway and their building blocks. Uncover the connections between primary metabolites and the synthesis of important aromatic compounds. Further, explore the impact of environmental stresses on metabolite production.