Q. 18.92 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

What metabolic substrate$\left(\mathrm{s}\right)$ can be produced from the carbon atoms of each of the following amino acids?

a. histidine

b. isoleucine 

c. serine

d. phenylalanine

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

a. The carbon atoms of the amino acid histidine can be used to yield $\alpha ‐\mathrm{ketoglutarate}$.

b. The carbon atoms of the amino acid isoleucine can be used to yield$\mathrm{succinyl}-\mathrm{CoA} \mathrm{and} \mathrm{acetyl}-\mathrm{CoA}$.

c. The carbon atoms of the amino acid serine can be used to yield $\mathrm{pyruvate}$.

d. The carbon atoms of the amino acid phenylalanine  can be used to yield  $\mathrm{acetoacetyl}-\mathrm{CoA} \mathrm{and} \mathrm{fumarate}$.

Part (a) step 1: Given Information

We need to find a metabolic substrate$\left(\mathrm{s}\right)$ that can be produced from the carbon atoms of histidine acid.

Part (a) step 2: Explanation

The carbon skeleton of amino acids can be utilized as intermediates of the citric acid cycle to generate reduced coenzymes for electron transport. In this case, the carbon atoms of the amino acid histidine can be used to yield $\alpha ‐\mathrm{ketoglutarate}$.

Part (b) step 1: Given Information

We need to find a metabolic substrate$\left(\mathrm{s}\right)$ that can be produced from the carbon atoms of isoleucine acid.

Part (b) step 2: Explanation

The carbon skeleton of amino acids can be utilized as intermediates of the citric acid cycle to generate reduced coenzymes for electron transport. In this case, the carbon atoms of the amino acid isoleucine  can be used to yield $\mathrm{succinyl}-\mathrm{CoA} \mathrm{and} \mathrm{acetyl}-\mathrm{CoA}$.

Part (c) step 1: Given Information

We need to find a metabolic substrate$\left(\mathrm{s}\right)$ that can be produced from the carbon atoms of

serine acid.

Part (c) step 2: Explanation

The carbon skeleton of amino acids can be utilized as intermediates of the citric acid cycle to generate reduced coenzymes for electron transport. In this case, the carbon atoms of the amino acid serine can be used to yield $\mathrm{pyruvate}$.

Part (d) step 1: Given Information

We need to find a metabolic substrate$\left(\mathrm{s}\right)$ that can be produced from the carbon atoms of

phenylalanine acid.

Part (d) step 2: Explanation

The carbon skeleton of amino acids can be utilized as intermediates of the citric acid cycle to generate reduced coenzymes for electron transport. In this case, the carbon atoms of the amino acid phenylalanine can be used to yield $\mathrm{acetoacetyl}-\mathrm{CoA} \mathrm{and} \mathrm{fumarate}$.