L-iditol 2-dehydrogenase

L-iditol 2-dehydrogenase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the metabolism of sugar alcohols, specifically in the interconversion between L-iditol (also known as L-sorbitol) and L-fructose. This enzyme is part of the oxidoreductase family, which is involved in the oxidation-reduction process, transferring electrons from one molecule to another. L-iditol 2-dehydrogenase catalyzes the oxidation of L-iditol to L-fructose, utilizing NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) as an electron acceptor in the process.

Function

The primary function of L-iditol 2-dehydrogenase is to facilitate the conversion of L-iditol, a sugar alcohol derived from the reduction of glucose, into L-fructose, a monosaccharide. This reaction is essential in the polyol pathway, a secondary route for the conversion of glucose to fructose, which plays a significant role in various tissues, including the liver, kidney, and retina. The polyol pathway's activity is particularly notable in the context of diabetes mellitus, where it can contribute to diabetic complications through the accumulation of sorbitol.

Structure

L-iditol 2-dehydrogenase is a protein that may vary in structure across different species. However, it typically contains a binding site for the NAD+ cofactor, which is crucial for its enzymatic activity. The precise structure of L-iditol 2-dehydrogenase can influence its substrate specificity and reaction kinetics.

Clinical Significance

The activity of L-iditol 2-dehydrogenase is of clinical interest due to its role in the polyol pathway. In individuals with diabetes mellitus, increased glucose levels can lead to elevated activity of this pathway, resulting in the accumulation of sorbitol. Excess sorbitol can cause osmotic stress, leading to cellular damage and contributing to diabetic complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy. Therefore, understanding and potentially modulating the activity of L-iditol 2-dehydrogenase could offer therapeutic avenues for preventing or treating these complications.

See Also

• Oxidoreductase
• Sugar alcohol
• Diabetes mellitus
• Polyol pathway

L-iditol 2-dehydrogenase Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.

Translate to: East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski