fucose metabolic process

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The chemical reactions and pathways involving fucose, or 6-deoxygalactose, which has two enantiomers, D-fucose and L-fucose. [ISBN:0198506732]

Fucose metabolic process is a fundamental biological process that involves the biosynthesis, degradation, and interconversion of fucose, a deoxyhexose sugar. This process plays crucial roles in various cellular functions, including cell signaling, cell adhesion, immune responses, and development.

**Biosynthesis of Fucose:**

* **GDP-mannose pathway:** Fucose biosynthesis primarily occurs through the GDP-mannose pathway, starting from GDP-mannose. GDP-mannose is converted to GDP-fucose by a series of enzymatic reactions catalyzed by GDP-mannose 4,6-dehydratase (GMD) and GDP-4-keto-6-deoxymannose-3,5-epimerase-4-reductase (FX).

**Degradation of Fucose:**

* **L-fucose isomerase (FucI):** L-fucose isomerase catalyzes the conversion of L-fucose to L-fucose-1-phosphate.
* **Fucose-1-phosphate guanylyltransferase (FPT):** FPT converts L-fucose-1-phosphate to GDP-fucose, which can be further metabolized.
* **Fucose aldolase:** This enzyme breaks down L-fucose into dihydroxyacetone phosphate and L-lactaldehyde.

**Interconversion of Fucose:**

* **Fucose can be interconverted with other sugars:** For example, fucose can be converted to galactose through the Leloir pathway.

**Biological Functions of Fucose Metabolic Process:**

* **Cell signaling:** Fucose is involved in the synthesis of fucosylated glycoproteins and glycolipids, which serve as cell-surface receptors and ligands in cell signaling pathways.
* **Cell adhesion:** Fucose residues on glycoconjugates play a crucial role in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion.
* **Immune responses:** Fucose-containing glycoconjugates are involved in immune responses, such as leukocyte trafficking and antibody production.
* **Development:** Fucose metabolism is essential for proper embryonic development, particularly in the formation of tissues and organs.

**Clinical Significance:**

* **Defects in fucose metabolism:** Genetic defects in fucose metabolic enzymes can lead to rare inherited disorders, such as fucosidosis, characterized by neurological and developmental impairments.
* **Fucose as a therapeutic target:** Fucose and its derivatives have been explored as potential therapeutic targets for various diseases, including cancer, inflammation, and infectious diseases.'
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Proteins (1)

Compounds (3)