Biochemistry- Metabolism (2) Flashcards
Describe the 1st step in the urea cycle
Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I converts Co2 + NH3 (using N-acetylglutamate as a cofactor and converting 2ATP to 2ADP) to carbamoyl phosphate
this occurs in the mitochondria
Describe the 2nd step in the urea cycle
carbamoyl phosphate + ornithine to citrulline via orithine trancarbamylase
occurs in the mitochondria
Describe the 3rd step in the urea cycle
citrulline to argininosuccinate by adding aspartate and via argininosuccinate synthetase (ATP to AMP + PPi)
occurs in cytosol
Describe the 4th step in the urea cycle
argininosuccinate to arginine via argininosuccinase and giving of fumarate
occurs in cytosol
Describe the 5th step in the urea cycle
arginine to ornithine via arginase and converting water to urea to be transported to the kidneys for waste
occurs in cytosol
What is the purpose of the urea cycle?
to convert NH3 byproducts of amino acid catabolism to urea for excretion by the kidneys
Describe the initial transport of ammonia by alanine and glutamate through the body
Amino acids (NH3) are converted to a-ketoacids as a-ketoglutarate is converted to glutamate (NH3)
glutamate (NH3 carrier now) is then reconverted to a-ketoglutarate as pyruvate is converted to alanine (NH3)
All of this occurs in muscle
Describe the later transport of ammonia by alanine and glutamate through the body
alanine (NH3) then transports to the liver (Cahill cycle) and is reconverted to pyruvate as a-ketoglutarate is convertd to glutamate (NH3) to be converted to urea
Describe hyperammonia
Can be acqiured (e.g. liver disease) or hereditary (e.g. urea cycle enzyme deficiency) resulting in excess NH4+ which depletes a-ketoglutarate, leading to inhibiton of the TCA cycle
How is hyperammonia tx?
limit protein in diet.
give lactulose to acidify the GI tract and trap NH4+ for excretion
give rifaximin to decrease colonic ammoniagenic bacteria
give Benzoate or phenylbutyrate (both of which bind AAs and lead to excretion) to decrease ammonia levels
How does ammonia intoxication present?
tremor (ataxia), speech slurring, somnolence, vomiting
cerebral edema, vision blurring
What is the result of N-acetylglutamate synthase deficiency?
this is a required cofactor for carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I and its absence leads to hyperammonia. This presents in neonates as porly regulated respiration and body temp, poor feeding, developmental delay, intellectual disbaility (same presentation as phosphate synthetase I deficiency)
What is the most common urea cycle disorder?
ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency
Describe ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency
X-linked recessive (vs other urea cycle enzyme deficiencies which are AR) disorder that interferes with the body’s ability to eliminate ammonia.
How does ornithine trancarbamylase deficiency present?
Often very evident within the first few days of life, but may present later
the excess carbamoyl phosphate is converted to orotic acid (part of the pyrimindine synthesis pathway) so you will see elevated orotic acid in blood and urine, decreased BUN, symptoms of hyperammonia, but NO megaloblastic anemia (v.s. orotic aciduria)
What are the AA derivaties of phenylalanine?
Tyrosine (and Thyroxine), Dopa (and Melanin), Dopamine, NE, and Epi
What are the AA derivaties of tryptophan?
niacin (requires B6) and then NAD+/NADP+
serotonin (requires BH4, B6) and then melatonin
What are the AA derivaties of histidine?
histamine (requires B6)
What are the AA derivaties of glycine?
porphyrin (requires B6) and then heme
What are the AA derivaties of glutamate?
GABA (requires B6)
glutathione
What are the AA derivaties of arginine?
creatine, urea,
and nitric oxide (requires BH4)
Describe the 1st step of production of epinephrine
phenylalanine converted to tyrosine using phenylalanine hydroxylase (deficiency:PKU)(cofactor: BH4)
What two things can happen to tyrosine?
conversion to DOPA via tyrosine hydroxylase using BH4 or
conversion to homogentisic acid
What happens to homogentisic acid?
conversion to maleylacetoacetic acid via homogentisate oxidase (deficiency: alkaptonuria).
Note that maleylacetoacetic acid is then converted to fumarate to enter the TCA cycle













