Antonella Del-Corso1,2, Mario Cappiello1,2, Roberta Moschini1,2, Francesco Balestri1,2, Umberto Mura3,4. 1. Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via San Zeno, 51, 56127, Pisa, Italy. 2. Interdepartmental Research Center Nutrafood ''Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. 3. Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via San Zeno, 51, 56127, Pisa, Italy. umberto.mura@unipi.it. 4. Interdepartmental Research Center Nutrafood ''Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. umberto.mura@unipi.it.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: While the evolutionary adaptation of enzymes to their own substrates is a well assessed and rationalized field, how molecules have been originally selected in order to initiate and assemble convenient metabolic pathways is a fascinating, but still debated argument. OBJECTIVES: Aim of the present study is to give a rationale for the preferential selection of specific molecules to generate metabolic pathways. METHODS: The comparison of structural features of molecules, through an inductive methodological approach, offer a reading key to cautiously propose a determining factor for their metabolic recruitment. RESULTS: Starting with some commonplaces occurring in the structural representation of relevant carbohydrates, such as glucose, fructose and ribose, arguments are presented in associating stable structural determinants of these molecules and their peculiar occurrence in metabolic pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Among other possible factors, the reliability of the structural asset of a molecule may be relevant or its selection among structurally and, a priori, functionally similar molecules.
INTRODUCTION: While the evolutionary adaptation of enzymes to their own substrates is a well assessed and rationalized field, how molecules have been originally selected in order to initiate and assemble convenient metabolic pathways is a fascinating, but still debated argument. OBJECTIVES: Aim of the present study is to give a rationale for the preferential selection of specific molecules to generate metabolic pathways. METHODS: The comparison of structural features of molecules, through an inductive methodological approach, offer a reading key to cautiously propose a determining factor for their metabolic recruitment. RESULTS: Starting with some commonplaces occurring in the structural representation of relevant carbohydrates, such as glucose, fructose and ribose, arguments are presented in associating stable structural determinants of these molecules and their peculiar occurrence in metabolic pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Among other possible factors, the reliability of the structural asset of a molecule may be relevant or its selection among structurally and, a priori, functionally similar molecules.
Authors: David R Hall; Charles S Bond; Gordon A Leonard; C Ian Watt; Alan Berry; William N Hunter Journal: J Biol Chem Date: 2002-04-08 Impact factor: 5.157