DIHYDROPTEROATE PYROPHOSPHORYLASE Meaning and
Definition
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Dihydropteroate Pyrophosphorylase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the biosynthesis of folate, a vitamin required for several key metabolic processes in all living organisms. It is an essential enzyme found in bacteria, fungi, and plants, but is absent in mammals, making it an attractive target for antibiotic development. Dihydropteroate Pyrophosphorylase catalyzes the transfer of a pyrophosphate group from ATP (adenosine triphosphate) to the substrate, dihydropteroate, to form dihydropteroate pyrophosphate. This reaction is a vital step in the folate biosynthesis pathway.
The enzyme is involved in the production of tetrahydrofolate (THF), an essential cofactor in the synthesis of purines, pyrimidines, and certain amino acids. THF is crucial for DNA and RNA synthesis, as well as for the metabolism of homocysteine, an amino acid associated with cardiovascular diseases.
Dihydropteroate Pyrophosphorylase is an example of a transferase enzyme, as it facilitates the transfer of a phosphate group from one molecule to another. This enzymatic reaction is highly specific, ensuring that only dihydropteroate is phosphorylated, thereby maintaining the integrity of the folate biosynthesis pathway.
Inhibition of Dihydropteroate Pyrophosphorylase by certain drugs, such as sulfonamides, disrupts folate synthesis, leading to the inhibition of bacterial growth. This property has been exploited in the development of antibiotics to target and kill pathogenic bacteria.
Common Misspellings for DIHYDROPTEROATE PYROPHOSPHORYLASE
- sihydropteroate pyrophosphorylase
- xihydropteroate pyrophosphorylase
- cihydropteroate pyrophosphorylase
- fihydropteroate pyrophosphorylase
- rihydropteroate pyrophosphorylase
- eihydropteroate pyrophosphorylase
- duhydropteroate pyrophosphorylase
- djhydropteroate pyrophosphorylase
- dkhydropteroate pyrophosphorylase
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- d9hydropteroate pyrophosphorylase
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- digydropteroate pyrophosphorylase
- dibydropteroate pyrophosphorylase
- dinydropteroate pyrophosphorylase
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- diuydropteroate pyrophosphorylase
- diyydropteroate pyrophosphorylase
- dihtdropteroate pyrophosphorylase
- dihgdropteroate pyrophosphorylase
Etymology of DIHYDROPTEROATE PYROPHOSPHORYLASE
The word "Dihydropteroate Pyrophosphorylase" has its etymology rooted in chemistry and biology.
1. Dihydropteroate: The term "dihydropteroate" consists of three parts.
- "Dihydro" is a prefix meaning "containing two hydrogen atoms".
- "Pteroate" refers to "pteridine", a class of chemical compounds, particularly "folic acid" or "pteroylglutamic acid". The suffix "-ate" indicates the presence of "an ester or salt" of such acid.
So, "dihydropteroate" refers to a compound derived from pteridine with two hydrogen atoms added.
2. Pyrophosphorylase: The term "pyrophosphorylase" also consists of two parts.
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