Biopterin
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Names | |
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IUPAC name
2-Amino-6-(1,2-dihydroxypropyl)-1H-pteridin-4-one | |
Identifiers | |
22150-76-1 ![]() | |
ChemSpider | 392795 ![]() |
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Jmol-3D images | Image Image |
KEGG | C06313 ![]() |
MeSH | Biopterin |
PubChem | 445040 |
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Properties | |
C9H11N5O3 | |
Molar mass | 237.216 g/mol |
Except where noted otherwise, data is given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa) | |
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Infobox references | |
Biopterin refers to a number of pterin coenzymes produced and utilised by many species including humans and animals. Biopterins and similar compounds are also found in some bacteria and fungi. Biopterins act as cofactors for aromatic amino acid hydroxylases, which produce a number of neurotransmitters including dopamine, norepinepherine, epinepherine, and serotonin. They are also required for the production of nitric oxide, which is also used in cell-cell signalling, most notably in regulating blood pressure by dilating blood vessels.
Compounds
Biopterin compounds found within the body include both BH4 and BH2.
Synthesis
Biopterin synthesis occurs through two principal pathways; the de novo pathway involves three enzymatic steps and proceeds from GTP, while the salvage pathway converts Sepiapterin to biopterin.[1] BH4 is the principal active cofactor, and a recycling pathway converts BH2 to BH4.
The link below shows how biopterin is produced in the body. http://home.sandiego.edu/~cloer/loerlab/biopterin_syn.gif
Another link shown below provides another image, but complete with molecular structures. http://www.pnas.org/content/104/38/15081/F3.expansion.html
The final image in the link below shows biopterin rearranged in three different forms. http://ebm.rsmjournals.com/content/228/11/1291/F2.expansion.html
Biopterin disorders
A number of disorders of biopterin regulation exist.
Single-gene defects affecting the gene GCH1 block the first step in biopterin synthesis, and lead to Dopamine-responsive dystonia, also known as Segawa's syndrome. This is due to the role of BH4 in synthesising neurotransmitters, including Dopamine, and is treated with supplementation with levodopa, which does not require BH4 for conversion to dopamine. GCH1 defects are autosomal dominant, meaning that only one defective gene copy is required for the condition to occur. Mouse gene knockout models that block biopterin synthesis completely die shortly after birth due to their inability to produce catecholamines and neurotransmitters.[2] Biopterin synthesis disorders are also a cause of hyperphenylalaninemia; phenylalanine metabolism requires BH4 as a cofactor.[3]
References
- ↑ Nichol, C. A.; Lee, C. L.; Edelstein, M. P.; Chao, J. Y.; Duch, D. S. (1983). "Biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin by de novo and salvage pathways in adrenal medulla extracts, mammalian cell cultures, and rat brain in vivo". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 80 (6): 1546–50. doi:10.1073/pnas.80.6.1546. PMC 393638. PMID 6572916.
- ↑ Elzaouk, L; Leimbacher, W; Turri, M; Ledermann, B; Burki, K; Blau, N; Thony, B (2003). "Dwarfism and low insulin-like growth factor-1 due to dopamine depletion in Pts-/- mice rescued by feeding neurotransmitter precursors and H4-biopterin". Journal of Biological Chemistry 278 (30): 28303–11. doi:10.1074/jbc.M303986200. PMID 12734191.
- ↑ http://www.uic.edu/classes/phar/phar332/Clinical_Cases/aa%20metab%20cases/PKU%20Cases/bioh4.htm
External links
WiseGeek. (2012). What is biopterin?. Retrieved from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-biopterin.htm