Phosphoribosyl-N-formylglycineamide

Phosphoribosyl-N-formylglycineamide (FGAR) is a chemical compound that plays a crucial role in the purine biosynthesis pathway, a metabolic pathway that produces purine nucleotides, which are essential components of DNA and RNA.

Structure and Properties

Phosphoribosyl-N-formylglycineamide is a molecule composed of a phosphoribosyl group, a formyl group, and a glycineamide group. The molecule is highly polar due to the presence of multiple polar groups, which allows it to readily dissolve in water and participate in various biochemical reactions.

Role in Purine Biosynthesis

In the purine biosynthesis pathway, phosphoribosyl-N-formylglycineamide is synthesized from phosphoribosylamine by the enzyme phosphoribosylglycinamide formyltransferase (GART). This reaction also involves the transfer of a formyl group from 10-formyltetrahydrofolate to phosphoribosylamine, producing FGAR and tetrahydrofolate.

FGAR is then converted into phosphoribosylformylglycinamidine (FGAM) by the enzyme phosphoribosylformylglycinamidine synthase (PFAS). This step is considered the rate-limiting step of the purine biosynthesis pathway.

Clinical Significance

Mutations in the genes encoding the enzymes involved in the synthesis and conversion of FGAR can lead to various genetic disorders, including Lesch-Nyhan syndrome and gout. These conditions are characterized by an overproduction of purine nucleotides, leading to an accumulation of uric acid in the body.

File:Phosphoribosyl-N-formylglycineamide.png

Chemical structure of phosphoribosyl-N-formylglycineamide

See Also

• Purine metabolism
• Purine nucleotide cycle
• Phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate