4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 2-phosphate

4-Diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 2-phosphate (CDP-ME2P) is an intermediate compound in the methylerythritol phosphate pathway (MEP pathway), which is a crucial biosynthetic pathway for the production of isoprenoids in many bacteria, algae, and plants. This pathway is an alternative to the mevalonate pathway found in animals and some microorganisms.

Structure and Function

CDP-ME2P is a phosphorylated derivative of 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol (CDP-ME). It is formed by the action of the enzyme 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol kinase (IspE), which catalyzes the phosphorylation of CDP-ME to produce CDP-ME2P. This reaction is a key step in the MEP pathway, which ultimately leads to the synthesis of isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP), the building blocks of isoprenoids.

Biosynthesis

The biosynthesis of CDP-ME2P occurs in the following steps:

1. The MEP pathway begins with the condensation of pyruvate and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate to form 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate (DXP).
2. DXP is then converted to 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) by the enzyme 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR).
3. MEP is activated by cytidine triphosphate (CTP) to form CDP-ME, catalyzed by 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol synthase (IspD).
4. CDP-ME is phosphorylated by IspE to form CDP-ME2P.

Role in Isoprenoid Biosynthesis

CDP-ME2P is a critical intermediate in the MEP pathway, which is responsible for the biosynthesis of isoprenoids. Isoprenoids are a diverse class of organic compounds that play vital roles in various biological processes, including photosynthesis, respiration, and hormone regulation. The MEP pathway is particularly important in plants and bacteria, where it provides the precursors for the synthesis of essential isoprenoids such as chlorophyll, carotenoids, and ubiquinone.

Clinical and Industrial Relevance

The MEP pathway, and by extension CDP-ME2P, is a target for the development of new antibiotics and herbicides. Since the MEP pathway is absent in humans and other animals, inhibitors of this pathway can be used to selectively target pathogenic bacteria and parasitic organisms without affecting the host. This makes CDP-ME2P and its associated enzymes attractive targets for drug development.

Also see

• Methylerythritol phosphate pathway
• Isoprenoid
• 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol
• 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase

4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 2-phosphate
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