The biosynthesis of coenzyme a in bacteria

• Published in: Cofactor Biosynthesis: a Mechanistic Perspective Vol. 61; pp. 157 - 171
• Main Authors: Begley, Tadhg P, Kinsland, Cynthia, Strauss, Erick
• Format: Book Chapter Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Science & Technology 2001; Academic Press
• Subjects: Analytical, structural and metabolic biochemistry; Animal physiology; bacteria; Bacteriology; biochemical pathways; Biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; biosynthesis; coenzyme A; Coenzyme A - biosynthesis; Coenzymes, vitamins; Decarboxylation; Endocrinology; enzymes; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli - enzymology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Metabolism. Enzymes; Microbiology; nutrition physiology; Other biological molecules; Oxidation-Reduction; Pantothenic Acid - administration & dosage; Pantothenic Acid - metabolism; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Saccharomyces cerevisiae - enzymology; Yeast; Enzyme; Metabolic cycle; Escherichia coli; Biosynthesis; Review; Fungi; Regulation(control); Bacteria; Coenzyme A; Ascomycetes; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Enterobacteriaceae; Thallophyta
• ISBN: 9780127098616; 0127098615
• ISSN: 0083-6729; 2162-2620
• DOI: 10.1016/S0083-6729(01)61005-7

Coenzyme A ( I) and enzyme-bound phosphopantetheine ( II) function as acyl carriers and as carbonyl activating groups for Claisen reactions as well as for amide-, ester-, and thioester-forming reactions in the cell. In so doing, these cofactors play a key role in the biosynthesis and breakdown of fatty acids and in the biosynthesis of polyketides and nonribosomal peptides. Coenzyme A is biosynthesized in bacteria in nine steps. The biosynthesis begins with the decarboxylation of aspartate to give β-alanine. Pantoic acid is formed by the hydroxymethylation of α-ketoisovalerate followed by reduction. These intermediates are then condensed to give pantothenic acid. Phosphorylation of pantothenic acid followed by condensation with cysteine and decarboxylation gives 4′-phosphopantetheine. Adenylation and phosphorylation of 4′-phosphopantetheine completes the biosynthesis of coenzyme A. This review will focus on the mechanistic enzymology of coenzyme A biosynthesis in bacteria.