Chapter 20- Pentose Phosphate Pathway Flashcards
Pentose phosphate pathway
A pathway that is common to all organisms. It provides a means by which glucose can be oxidized to generate NADPH- this is the currency of readily available reducing power in cells. Occurs in the cytoplasm. Used for protection against oxidative stress
Uses of the pentose phosphate pathway (3)
- The catabolism of pentose sugars from the diet
- The synthesis of pentose sugars for nucleotide biosynthesis
- The catabolism and synthesis of less common 4 and 7 carbon sugars
2 phases of the pentose phosphate pathway
- The oxidative generation of NADPH
- The nonoxidative interconversion of sugars
NADPH vs NADH
NADH is oxidized by the respiratory chain to generate ATP, while NADPH serves as a reductant in biosynthetic processes
Pathways requiring NADPH (6)
- Fatty acid biosynthesis
- Cholesterol biosynthesis
- Neurotransmitter biosynthesis
- Nucleotide biosynthesis
- Detoxification- reduction of oxidized glutathione
- Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases
Oxidative phase of the pentose phosphate pathway
NADPH is generated when glucose 6-phosphate is oxidized to ribulose 5-phosphate. This reaction requires 2 NADP and water. It yields 2 NADPH, 2H+, and carbon dioxide
Nonoxidative phase of the pentose phosphate pathway
The pathway catalyzes the interconversion of 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 carbon sugars in a series of nonoxidative reactions. Excess 5 carbon sugars may be converted into intermediates of the glycolytic pathway. All of these reactions take place in the cytoplasm
Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase
Catalyzes the dehydrogenation of glucose 6-phosphate at carbon 1. The enzyme is highly specific for NADP+. The product is 6-phosphoglucono-δ-lactone, which is an intramolecular ester between the C-1 carboxyl group and the C-5 hydroxyl group.
Oxidative phase of the pentose phosphate pathway (3 steps)
- Glucose 6-phosphate is oxidized to 6-phosphoglucono-δ-lactone to generate one molecule of NADPH (NADP+ is reduced to NADPH)
- The lactone product is hydrolyzed to 6-phosphogluconate
- 6PG is oxidatively decarboxylated to ribulose phosphate with the generation of a second molecule of NADPH. Carbon dioxide is also released
When Glucose 6-phosphate is converted into ribulose 5-phosphate, how many NADPH are generated?
2 NADPH molecules are generated
2 enzymes that link the pentose phosphate pathway and glycolysis
- Transketolase
- Transaldolase
Phosphopentose isomerase
Isomerizes ribulose 5-phosphate to ribose 5-phosphate
In which situations would ribose 5-phosphate be converted into glycolytic intermediates?
Ribose 5-phosphate is a precursor to many biomolecules, but many cells need NADPH for reductive biosyntheses more than they need ribose 5-phosphate to make nucleotides. Certain tissues, like adipose tissue and the liver, require large amounts of NADPH for fatty acid synthesis. In these cases, ribose 5-phosphate is converted into glycolytic intermediates (glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and fructose 6-phosphate) by transketolase and transaldolase. These enzymes create a reversible link between the pentose phosphate pathway and glycolysis by catalyzing 3 successive reactions
3 reactions of the nonoxidative phase
- C5 + C5 yields C3 and C7- transketolase
- C3 and C7 yields C6 and C4- transketolase
- C4 and C5 yields C6 and C3- transketolase
Net result of the nonoxidative phase reactions
The formation of two hexoses and one triose from 3 pentoses is the net result of this phase. 3C5 yields 2C6 and C3
Nonoxidative phase- 1st reaction
The first reaction is the formation of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and sedoheptulose 7-phosphate from two pentoses. The donor of the 2 carbon unit in this reaction is xylulose 5-phosphate (an epimer of ribulose 5-phosphate)
When is a ketose a substrate of transketolase?
Only if its hydroxyl group at C-3 has the configuration of xylulose rather than ribulose. Ribulose 5-phosphate is converted into the appropriate epimer for the reaction by phosphopentose epimerase
Phosphopentose epimerase
Converts ribulose 5-phosphate into the appropriate epimer (xylulose 5-phosphate) for the transketolase reaction.
Epimers
Epimers are diastereomers that contain more than one chiral center but differ from each other in the absolute configuration at only one chiral center.
Nonoxidative phase- 2nd reaction
Synthesis of a 4 carbon sugar and a 6 carbon sugar. Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and sedoheptulose 7-phosphate (first reaction) react to form fructose 6-phosphate and erythrose 4-phosphate. This reaction is catalyzed by transaldolase.
Nonoxidative phase- 3rd reaction
A 4 carbon and 5 carbon sugar are converted to a 6 carbon and 3 carbon sugar. Erythrose 4-phosphate and xylulose 5-phosphate (reaction 2) are used to form fructose 6-phosphate and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate. Transketolase catalyzes this reaction
Sum of the reactions catalyzed by the epimerase, transketolase, and transaldolase
Shows the conversion of 3 five-carbon sugars into components of the glycolytic and gluconeogenic pathways. 2 xylulose 5-phosphate and ribose 5-phosphate yields