Biopterin
Biopterins are pterin derivatives which function as endogenous enzyme cofactors in many species of animals and in some bacteria and fungi. The prototypical compound of the class is biopterin (6-(1,2-dihydroxypropyl)-pterin), as shown in the infobox. Biopterins act as cofactors for aromatic amino acid hydroxylases (AAAH), which are involved in the synthesis of a number of neurotransmitters including dopamine, norepinephrine, epinepherine, and serotonin, along with several trace amines. Nitric oxide synthesis also uses biopterin derivatives as cofactors. In humans, tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is the endogenous cofactor for AAAH enzymes. As with pterins in general, biopterins exhibit tautomerism. In other words, there are a number of forms that readily interconvert, differing by the placement of hydrogen atoms. Depictions of the chemical structure may therefore vary among sources. Compounds Biopterin compounds found within the animal body include BH4, the free radical BH3•, and ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Biopterin-dependent Aromatic Amino Acid Hydroxylase
Biopterin-dependent aromatic amino acid hydroxylases (AAAH) are a family of aromatic amino acid hydroxylase enzymes which includes phenylalanine 4-hydroxylase (), tyrosine 3-hydroxylase (), and tryptophan 5-hydroxylase (). These enzymes primarily hydroxylate the amino acids L-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine, and L-tryptophan, respectively. The AAAH enzymes are functionally and structurally related proteins which act as rate-limiting catalysts for important metabolic pathways. Each AAAH enzyme contains iron and catalyzes the ring hydroxylation of aromatic amino acids using tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) as a substrate. The AAAH enzymes are regulated by phosphorylation at serines in their N-termini. Role in metabolism In humans, phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency can cause phenylketonuria, the most common inborn error of amino acid metabolism. Phenylalanine hydroxylase catalyzes the conversion of to . Tyrosine hydroxylase catalyzes the rate-limiting step in catecholamine biosynthesis: ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Pterin
Pterin is a heterocyclic compound composed of a pteridine ring system, with a "keto group" (a lactam) and an amino group on positions 4 and 2 respectively. It is structurally related to the parent bicyclic heterocycle called pteridine. Pterins, as a group, are compounds related to pterin with additional substituents. Pterin itself is of no biological significance. Pterins were first discovered in the pigments of butterfly wings (hence the origin of their name, from the Greek ''pteron (πτερόν)'', wing) and perform many roles in coloration in the biological world. Chemistry Pterins exhibit a wide range of tautomerism in water, beyond what is assumed by just keto-enol tautomerism. For the unsubstituted pterin, at least five tautomers are commonly cited. For 6-methylpterin, seven tautomers are theoretically predicted to be important in solution. The pteridine ring system contains four nitrogen atoms, reducing its aromaticity to the point that it can be attacked by nucleo ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Guanosine Triphosphate
Guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP) is a purine nucleoside triphosphate. It is one of the building blocks needed for the synthesis of RNA during the transcription process. Its structure is similar to that of the guanosine nucleoside, the only difference being that nucleotides like GTP have phosphates on their ribose sugar. GTP has the guanine nucleobase attached to the 1' carbon of the ribose and it has the triphosphate moiety attached to ribose's 5' carbon. It also has the role of a source of energy or an activator of substrates in metabolic reactions, like that of ATP, but more specific. It is used as a source of energy for protein synthesis and gluconeogenesis. GTP is essential to signal transduction, in particular with G-proteins, in second-messenger mechanisms where it is converted to guanosine diphosphate (GDP) through the action of GTPases. Uses Energy transfer GTP is involved in energy transfer within the cell. For instance, a GTP molecule is generated by one of the enz ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Levodopa
-DOPA, also known as levodopa and -3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, is an amino acid that is made and used as part of the normal biology of some plants and animals, including humans. Humans, as well as a portion of the other animals that utilize -DOPA, make it via biosynthesis from the amino acid -tyrosine. -DOPA is the precursor to the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and epinephrine (adrenaline), which are collectively known as catecholamines. Furthermore, -DOPA itself mediates neurotrophic factor release by the brain and CNS. -DOPA can be manufactured and in its pure form is sold as a psychoactive drug with the INN levodopa; trade names include Sinemet, Pharmacopa, Atamet, and Stalevo. As a drug, it is used in the clinical treatment of Parkinson's disease and dopamine-responsive dystonia. -DOPA has a counterpart with opposite chirality, -DOPA. As is true for many molecules, the human body produces only one of these isomers (the -DOPA form). The enant ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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GCH1
GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH) () is a member of the GTP cyclohydrolase family of enzymes. GTPCH is part of the folate and biopterin biosynthesis pathways. It is responsible for the hydrolysis of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) to form 7,8-dihydroneopterin triphosphate (7,8-DHNP-3'-TP, 7,8-NH2-3'-TP). Gene GTPCH is encoded by the gene ''GCH1''. Several alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been described; however, not all of the variants give rise to a functional enzyme. Clinical significance At least 94 disease-causing mutations in this gene have been discovered. Mutations in this gene are associated with two disorders: autosomal recessive GTP cyclohydrolase I deficiency and autosomal dominant GTP cyclohydrolase I deficiency. These may present with malignant phenylketonuria (PKU) and hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) and lead to a lack of certain neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine and serotonin). The dominant form, with m ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Sepiapterin Reductase
Sepiapterin reductase is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ''SPR'' gene. Function Sepiapterin reductase (7,8-dihydrobiopterin:NADP+ oxidoreductase; EC 1.1.1.153) catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of various carbonyl substances, including derivatives of pteridines, and belongs to a group of enzymes called aldo-keto reductases. SPR plays an important role in the biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin. Reaction Sepiapterin reductase (SPR) catalyzes the chemical reaction L-erythro-7,8-dihydrobiopterin + NADP+ \rightleftharpoons sepiapterin + NADPH + H+ Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are L-erythro-7,8-dihydrobiopterin and NADP+, whereas its three products are sepiapterin, NADPH, and a single hydrogen ion (H+). This enzyme belongs to the family of oxidoreductases, to be specific, those acting on the CH-OH group of donor with NAD+ or NADP+ as acceptor. The systematic name of this enzyme class is 7,8-dihydrobiopterin:NADP+ oxidoreductase. This enzyme ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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GTP Cyclohydrolase I
GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH) () is a member of the GTP cyclohydrolase family of enzymes. GTPCH is part of the folate and biopterin biosynthesis pathways. It is responsible for the hydrolysis of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) to form 7,8-dihydroneopterin triphosphate (7,8-DHNP-3'-TP, 7,8-NH2-3'-TP). Gene GTPCH is encoded by the gene ''GCH1''. Several alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been described; however, not all of the variants give rise to a functional enzyme. Clinical significance At least 94 disease-causing mutations in this gene have been discovered. Mutations in this gene are associated with two disorders: autosomal recessive GTP cyclohydrolase I deficiency and autosomal dominant GTP cyclohydrolase I deficiency. These may present with malignant phenylketonuria (PKU) and hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) and lead to a lack of certain neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine and serotonin). The dominant form, with m ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Neopterin
Neopterin is a catabolic product of guanosine triphosphate (GTP), a purine nucleotide. Neopterin belongs to the chemical group known as pteridines. It is synthesised by human macrophages upon stimulation with the cytokine interferon-gamma and is indicative of a pro-inflammatory immune status. Neopterin serves as a marker of cellular immune system activation. In humans neopterin follows a circadian and circaseptan rhythm. Neopterin as disease marker Measurement of neopterin concentrations in body fluids like blood serum, cerebrospinal fluid or urine provides information about activation of cellular immune activation in humans under the control of T helper cells type 1. High neopterin production is associated with increased production of reactive oxygen species, neopterin concentrations also allow to estimate the extent of oxidative stress elicited by the immune system. Increased neopterin production is found in, but not limited to, the following diseases: *Viral infections incl ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Dihydrobiopterin Reductase
In enzymology, 6,7-dihydropteridine reductase (, also Dihydrobiopterin reductase) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction : 5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteridine + NAD(P)+ \rightleftharpoons 6,7-dihydropteridine + NAD(P)H + H+ The four substrates for this enzyme are a 6,7-dihydropteridine (dihydrobiopterin), NADH, NADPH, and H+ and its three products are 5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteridine (tetrahydrobiopterin), NAD+, and NADP+ This enzyme participates in folate biosynthesis. In the human genome, the enzyme is encoded by the QDPR gene. Nomenclature This enzyme belongs to the family of oxidoreductases, specifically those acting on the CH-NH group of donors with NAD+ or NADP+ as acceptor. The systematic name of this enzyme class is 5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteridine:NAD(P)+ oxidoreductase. Other names in common use include 6,7-dihydropteridine:NAD(P)H oxidoreductase, DHPR, NAD(P)H:6,7-dihydropteridine oxidoreductase, NADH-dihydropteridine reductase, NADPH-dihydropteridine reductase, NADPH- ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |