CH4036 Bio-organic Chemistry

Biosynthetic pathway to hematoporphyrin. The shikimic acid pathway. Routes to the shikimate-derived amino-acids phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan. Evidence for the details of the various steps involved in these pathways as provided by isotopic labelling and by mechanistic studies. The importance of mutant micro-organisms in facilitating the study of multi-step biosynthetic pathways. The coenzymes NAD and pyridoxal phosphate and their functions. Alcohol dehydrogenase and transaminase enzymes.