Page last updated: 2024-10-24

gamma-aminobutyric acid biosynthetic process

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the formation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA, 4-aminobutyrate), an amino acid which acts as a neurotransmitter in some organisms. [GOC:ai]

The biosynthesis of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a crucial metabolic pathway in the central nervous system. It involves the decarboxylation of L-glutamate, catalyzed by the enzyme glutamate decarboxylase (GAD). This reaction occurs within neurons and is the primary route for GABA synthesis.

GAD requires pyridoxal phosphate (vitamin B6) as a cofactor and utilizes a specific mechanism for decarboxylation. The process begins with L-glutamate binding to the enzyme's active site. The enzyme then facilitates the removal of a carboxyl group from L-glutamate, converting it into GABA.

The newly synthesized GABA is then transported into synaptic vesicles, where it is stored until released into the synaptic cleft. GABA acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, mediating neuronal communication and regulating various brain functions, including anxiety, mood, and sleep.'
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Proteins (3)

ProteinDefinitionTaxonomy
4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase, mitochondrialA 4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase, mitochondrial that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:P80404]Homo sapiens (human)
Excitatory amino acid transporter 1An excitatory amino acid transporter 1 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:P43003]Homo sapiens (human)
Retinal dehydrogenase 1An aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:P00352]Homo sapiens (human)

Compounds (43)

CompoundDefinitionClassesRoles
gamma-aminobutyric acidgamma-aminobutyric acid : A gamma-amino acid that is butanoic acid with the amino substituent located at C-4.

gamma-Aminobutyric Acid: The most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.
amino acid zwitterion;
gamma-amino acid;
monocarboxylic acid
human metabolite;
neurotransmitter;
Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite;
signalling molecule
4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol: the aglycone of gastrodin

p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol : A member of the class of benzyl alcohols that is benzyl alcohol substituted by a hydroxy group at position 4. It has been isolated from Arcangelisia gusanlung.
benzyl alcohols;
phenols
plant metabolite
4-hydroxybenzaldehydehydroxybenzaldehydeEC 1.14.17.1 (dopamine beta-monooxygenase) inhibitor;
mouse metabolite;
plant metabolite
4-hydroxybenzoic acid4-hydroxybenzoic acid : A monohydroxybenzoic acid that is benzoic acid carrying a hydroxy substituent at C-4 of the benzene ring.monohydroxybenzoic acidalgal metabolite;
plant metabolite
anthranilic acidanthranilic acid : An aminobenzoic acid that is benzoic acid having a single amino substituent located at position 2. It is a metabolite produced in L-tryptophan-kynurenine pathway in the central nervous system.

anthranilic acid: RN given refers to parent cpd; structure in Negwer, 5th ed, #565
aminobenzoic acidhuman metabolite;
mouse metabolite
4-aminobenzoic acid4-aminobenzoic acid : An aminobenzoic acid in which the amino group is para to the carboxy group.

4-Aminobenzoic Acid: An aminobenzoic acid isomer that combines with pteridine and GLUTAMIC ACID to form FOLIC ACID. The fact that 4-aminobenzoic acid absorbs light throughout the UVB range has also resulted in its use as an ingredient in SUNSCREENS.

4-ammoniobenzoate : A zwitterion obtained by transfer of a proton from the carboxy to the amino group of 4-aminobenzoic acid.
aminobenzoic acid;
aromatic amino-acid zwitterion
allergen;
Escherichia coli metabolite;
plant metabolite
vanillinVanilla: A plant genus of the family ORCHIDACEAE that is the source of the familiar flavoring used in foods and medicines (FLAVORING AGENTS).benzaldehydes;
monomethoxybenzene;
phenols
anti-inflammatory agent;
anticonvulsant;
antioxidant;
flavouring agent;
plant metabolite
alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acidalpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid: An IBOTENIC ACID homolog and glutamate agonist. The compound is the defining agonist for the AMPA subtype of glutamate receptors (RECEPTORS, AMPA). It has been used as a radionuclide imaging agent but is more commonly used as an experimental tool in cell biological studies.non-proteinogenic alpha-amino acid
disulfiramorganic disulfide;
organosulfur acaricide
angiogenesis inhibitor;
antineoplastic agent;
apoptosis inducer;
EC 1.2.1.3 [aldehyde dehydrogenase (NAD(+))] inhibitor;
EC 3.1.1.1 (carboxylesterase) inhibitor;
EC 3.1.1.8 (cholinesterase) inhibitor;
EC 5.99.1.2 (DNA topoisomerase) inhibitor;
ferroptosis inducer;
fungicide;
NF-kappaB inhibitor
perphenazineperphenazine : A phenothiazine derivative in which the phenothiazine tricycle carries a chloro substituent at the 2-position and a 3-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]propyl group at N-10.

Perphenazine: An antipsychotic phenothiazine derivative with actions and uses similar to those of CHLORPROMAZINE.
N-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine;
N-alkylpiperazine;
organochlorine compound;
phenothiazines
antiemetic;
dopaminergic antagonist;
phenothiazine antipsychotic drug
thiramthiram : An organic disulfide that results from the formal oxidative dimerisation of N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamic acid. It is widely used as a fungicidal seed treatment.

Thiram: A dithiocarbamate chemical, used commercially in the rubber processing industry and as a fungicide. In vivo studies indicate that it inactivates the enzyme GLUTATHIONE REDUCTASE. It has mutagenic activity and may induce chromosomal aberrations.
organic disulfideantibacterial drug;
antifungal agrochemical;
antiseptic drug
vigabatringamma-amino acidanticonvulsant;
EC 2.6.1.19 (4-aminobutyrate--2-oxoglutarate transaminase) inhibitor
cysteinecysteine;
cysteine zwitterion;
L-alpha-amino acid;
proteinogenic amino acid;
serine family amino acid
EC 4.3.1.3 (histidine ammonia-lyase) inhibitor;
flour treatment agent;
human metabolite
cystamine dihydrochloride
aspartic acidaspartic acid : An alpha-amino acid that consists of succinic acid bearing a single alpha-amino substituent

Aspartic Acid: One of the non-essential amino acids commonly occurring in the L-form. It is found in animals and plants, especially in sugar cane and sugar beets. It may be a neurotransmitter.

L-aspartic acid : The L-enantiomer of aspartic acid.
aspartate family amino acid;
aspartic acid;
L-alpha-amino acid;
proteinogenic amino acid
Escherichia coli metabolite;
mouse metabolite;
neurotransmitter
4-hydroxypropiophenoneacetophenones
uvitex swnUvitex SWN: optical brightner from Ciba; structure7-aminocoumarinsfluorochrome
bis(1-piperidylthiocarbonyl)disulfidebis(1-piperidylthiocarbonyl)disulfide: indicator for analysis of copper; structure
3-aminobenzoic acid3-aminobenzoic acid : An aminobenzoic acid carrying an amino group at position 3.

3-aminobenzoic acid: RN given refers to parent cpd
aminobenzoic acid
4-hydroxyacetophenone4-hydroxyacetophenone: promotes secretion of bile & bile salts, which promotes griseofulvin absorption in the duodenum

4'-hydroxyacetophenone : A monohydroxyacetophenone carrying a hydroxy substituent at position 4'.
monohydroxyacetophenonefungal metabolite;
mouse metabolite;
plant metabolite
win 18446WIN 18446 : A carboxamide that is 1,8-diaminooctane in which a hydrogen attached to each of the amino groups has been replaced by a dichloroacetyl group. Inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1a2 (ALDH1a2). Inhibits the biosynthesis of retinoic acid from retinol in neonatal and adult murine testis. It down-regulates sex related genes in zebrafish.organochlorine compound;
secondary carboxamide
EC 1.2.1.3 [aldehyde dehydrogenase (NAD(+))] inhibitor
d-glutamateD-alpha-amino acid;
glutamic acid
Escherichia coli metabolite;
mouse metabolite
4-anisaldehyde4-anisaldehyde: RN given refers to cpd with specified locants for methoxy moieties; structure in Merck, 9th ed, #696

p-methoxybenzaldehyde : A member of the class of benzaldehydes consisting of benzaldehyde itself carrying a methoxy substituent at position 4.
benzaldehydesbacterial metabolite;
human urinary metabolite;
insect repellent;
plant metabolite
glutamic acidglutamic acid : An alpha-amino acid that is glutaric acid bearing a single amino substituent at position 2.

Glutamic Acid: A non-essential amino acid naturally occurring in the L-form. Glutamic acid is the most common excitatory neurotransmitter in the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.
glutamic acid;
glutamine family amino acid;
L-alpha-amino acid;
proteinogenic amino acid
Escherichia coli metabolite;
ferroptosis inducer;
micronutrient;
mouse metabolite;
neurotransmitter;
nutraceutical
4-(diethylamino)benzaldehyde4-(diethylamino)benzaldehyde : A member of the class of benzaldehydes carrying a diethylamino substituent at position 4.aromatic amine;
benzaldehydes;
tertiary amino compound
EC 1.2.1.3 [aldehyde dehydrogenase (NAD(+))] inhibitor
d-aspartic acidaspartic acid;
D-alpha-amino acid
mouse metabolite
sym 2081
4-hydroxybenzylamine4-hydroxybenzylamine: RN given refers to parent cpdaromatic amine
dihydrokainatedicarboxylic acid
daidzindaidzein 7-O-beta-D-glucoside : A glycosyloxyisoflavone that is daidzein attached to a beta-D-glucopyranosyl residue at position 7 via a glycosidic linkage. It is used in the treatment of alcohol dependency (antidipsotropic).

daidzin: a potent, selective, and reversible inhibitor of human mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase
7-hydroxyisoflavones 7-O-beta-D-glucoside;
hydroxyisoflavone;
monosaccharide derivative
plant metabolite
gastrodingastrodin: the glucoside of 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (gastrodigenin); isolated from Gastrodia elata Blume;glycoside
serine o-sulfateL-serine O-sulfate : A non-proteinogenic L-alpha-amino acid that is the O-sulfo derivative of L-serine.

serine O-sulfate: RN given refers to (L)-isomer
L-serine derivative;
non-proteinogenic L-alpha-amino acid;
O-sulfoamino acid
hinokininhinokinin : A lignan that is dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one (gamma-butyrolactone) substituted by a 3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl group at positions 3 and 4 (the 3R,4R-diastereoisomer).

hinokinin: suppresses expression of both HBsAg and HBeAg
benzodioxoles;
gamma-lactone;
lignan
trypanocidal drug
3-hydroxyaspartic acid, (threo-l)-isomer(3S)-3-hydroxy-L-aspartic acid : The (3S)-diastereomer of 3-hydroxy-L-aspartic acid.3-hydroxy-L-aspartic acidmetabolite
7-butyl-8-[[4-(3-chlorophenyl)-1-piperazinyl]methyl]-1,3-dimethylpurine-2,6-dionepiperazines
2-amino-3-phenylmethoxybutanedioic acidaspartic acid derivative
baicaleintrihydroxyflavoneangiogenesis inhibitor;
anti-inflammatory agent;
antibacterial agent;
anticoronaviral agent;
antifungal agent;
antineoplastic agent;
antioxidant;
apoptosis inducer;
EC 1.13.11.31 (arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase) inhibitor;
EC 1.13.11.33 (arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase) inhibitor;
EC 3.4.21.26 (prolyl oligopeptidase) inhibitor;
EC 3.4.22.69 (SARS coronavirus main proteinase) inhibitor;
EC 4.1.1.17 (ornithine decarboxylase) inhibitor;
ferroptosis inhibitor;
geroprotector;
hormone antagonist;
plant metabolite;
prostaglandin antagonist;
radical scavenger
dl-threo-beta-benzyloxyaspartate
2-acetylfuranonaphthoquinone2-acetylfuranonaphthoquinone: has antineoplastic activity; structure in first source
l-beta-threo-benzyl-aspartateL-beta-threo-benzyl-aspartate: structure in first source
helicidehelicide: structure given in first sourceglycoside
ucph 1012-amino-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-7-(naphthalen-1-yl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-chromene-3-carbonitrile: structure in first source
nct-501NCT-501: inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1; structure in first source