4-Diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methylerythritol

Chemical structure of 4-Diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methylerythritol

4-Diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methylerythritol (CDP-ME) is an intermediate compound in the methylerythritol phosphate pathway (MEP pathway), which is responsible for the biosynthesis of isoprenoids in many bacteria, algae, and plants. This pathway is an alternative to the mevalonate pathway found in animals and some other organisms.

Biosynthesis

4-Diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methylerythritol is synthesized from 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) through the action of the enzyme 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methylerythritol synthase (IspD). This enzyme catalyzes the transfer of a cytidine monophosphate (CMP) group to MEP, forming CDP-ME. The reaction is a key step in the MEP pathway, which ultimately leads to the production of isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP), the building blocks of isoprenoids.

Function

The primary function of 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methylerythritol is to serve as an intermediate in the MEP pathway. This pathway is crucial for the biosynthesis of isoprenoids, which are essential components of many biological systems. Isoprenoids play diverse roles, including serving as hormones, pigments, vitamins, and structural components of cell membranes.

Enzymatic Reactions

Following its formation, 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methylerythritol undergoes further enzymatic transformations. It is converted into 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methylerythritol 2-phosphate (CDP-ME2P) by the enzyme 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methylerythritol kinase (IspE). This phosphorylation step is another critical part of the MEP pathway, facilitating the eventual production of IPP and DMAPP.

Importance in Drug Development

The MEP pathway, including the step involving 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methylerythritol, is absent in humans, who rely on the mevalonate pathway for isoprenoid biosynthesis. This makes the MEP pathway an attractive target for the development of new antibiotics and antimalarial drugs. Inhibitors of enzymes in this pathway could potentially serve as effective treatments against bacterial infections and malaria, caused by Plasmodium species that utilize the MEP pathway.

Related pages

• Methylerythritol phosphate pathway
• Isoprenoid
• 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methylerythritol synthase
• 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methylerythritol kinase