Page last updated: 2024-10-24

UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine biosynthetic process

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the formation of UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine, a substance composed of N-acetylgalactosamine, a common structural unit of oligosaccharides, in glycosidic linkage with uridine diphosphate. [GOC:ai]

The UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine biosynthetic process is a crucial pathway in the synthesis of various glycoconjugates, including glycosaminoglycans, glycoproteins, and glycolipids. These molecules play vital roles in cellular communication, adhesion, and structural integrity.

The process begins with the conversion of UDP-glucose to UDP-galactose by UDP-glucose 4-epimerase. This enzyme catalyzes the epimerization of the C4 hydroxyl group of UDP-glucose, converting it to the D-galactose configuration.

The UDP-galactose is then acted upon by UDP-galactose 4-epimerase, which catalyzes the transfer of an N-acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to the C4 hydroxyl group of UDP-galactose. This reaction generates UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine, the final product of the biosynthetic pathway.

The UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine molecule is then utilized by various glycosyltransferases to synthesize different glycoconjugates. These enzymes transfer the N-acetylgalactosamine moiety from UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine to specific acceptor molecules, including proteins, lipids, and other sugars.

The UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine biosynthetic process is tightly regulated to ensure the appropriate levels of this essential sugar nucleotide are available for glycoconjugate synthesis. Defects in this pathway can lead to various disorders, including mucopolysaccharidoses, which are characterized by the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in lysosomes.'
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Proteins (1)

ProteinDefinitionTaxonomy
UDP-N-acetylglucosamine 1-carboxyvinyltransferaseA UDP-N-acetylglucosamine 1-carboxyvinyltransferase that is encoded in the genome of Escherichia coli K-12. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:P0A749]Escherichia coli K-12

Compounds (9)

CompoundDefinitionClassesRoles
bromonitromethanebromonitromethane: structure in first source
alantolactonealantolactone : A sesquiterpene lactone that is 3a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-octahydronaphtho[2,3-b]furan-2-one bearing two methyl substituents at positions 5 and 8a as well as a methylidene substituent at position 3.

alantolactone: allergenic sesquiterpene lactone; crystalline mixture of alantolactones from group of sesquiterpenes; structure
naphthofuran;
olefinic compound;
sesquiterpene lactone
antineoplastic agent;
apoptosis inducer;
plant metabolite
dehydrocostus lactonedehydrocostus lactone : An organic heterotricyclic compound and guaianolide sesquiterpene lactone that is acrylic acid which is substituted at position 2 by a 4-hydroxy-3,8-bis(methylene)decahydoazulen-5-yl group and in which the hydroxy group and the carboxy group have undergone formal condensation to afford the corresponding gamma-lactone.gamma-lactone;
guaiane sesquiterpenoid;
organic heterotricyclic compound;
sesquiterpene lactone
antimycobacterial drug;
antineoplastic agent;
apoptosis inducer;
cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor;
metabolite;
trypanocidal drug
parthenolidegermacranolide
cynaropicrincynaropicrin: structure given in first source; RN given for ((3aR-(3aalpha,4alpha,6aalpha,8beta,9aalpha,9bbeta)))-isomersesquiterpene lactone
fosfomycinfosfomycin : A phosphonic acid having an (R,S)-1,2-epoxypropyl group attached to phosphorus.

Fosfomycin: An antibiotic produced by Streptomyces fradiae.
epoxide;
phosphonic acids
antimicrobial agent;
EC 2.5.1.7 (UDP-N-acetylglucosamine 1-carboxyvinyltransferase) inhibitor
costunolidegermacranolide;
heterobicyclic compound
anthelminthic drug;
antiinfective agent;
antineoplastic agent;
antiparasitic agent;
antiviral drug;
metabolite
eupatoriopicrinegermacranolide
2-bromo-5-(2-bromo-2-nitrovinyl)furan2-bromo-5-(2-bromo-2-nitrovinyl)furan: structure in first source