Metabolic intermediate
Encyclopedia
Metabolic intermediates refers to molecules which are the precursors or metabolites of biologically significant molecules.
Although these intermediates are of relatively minor direct importance to cellular function, they can play important roles in the allosteric regulation of enzyme
s.
Because they can represent unnatural points of entry into natural metabolic pathways, some (such as AICA ribonucleotide
) are of interest to researchers in developing new therapies.
Although these intermediates are of relatively minor direct importance to cellular function, they can play important roles in the allosteric regulation of enzyme
Enzyme
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions. In enzymatic reactions, the molecules at the beginning of the process, called substrates, are converted into different molecules, called products. Almost all chemical reactions in a biological cell need enzymes in order to occur at rates...
s.
Clinical significance
Some can be useful in measuring rates of metabolic processes (for example, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid or 3-aminoisobutyrate).Because they can represent unnatural points of entry into natural metabolic pathways, some (such as AICA ribonucleotide
AICA ribonucleotide
5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribotide is an intermediate in the generation of inosine monophosphate....
) are of interest to researchers in developing new therapies.
See also
- metabolismMetabolismMetabolism is the set of chemical reactions that happen in the cells of living organisms to sustain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments. Metabolism is usually divided into two categories...