Farnesyl pyrophosphate: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 06:09, 16 February 2025

Farnesyl Pyrophosphate[edit]

Biosynthesis of Farnesyl Pyrophosphate

Farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) is an important intermediate in the mevalonate pathway, which is crucial for the biosynthesis of terpenes, steroids, and other essential biomolecules. FPP serves as a key building block in the synthesis of cholesterol, coenzyme Q, and dolichol.

Structure and Properties[edit]

Farnesyl pyrophosphate is a prenyl compound, consisting of a 15-carbon isoprenoid chain with a pyrophosphate group attached. The molecule is highly reactive due to the presence of the pyrophosphate group, which can participate in various enzymatic reactions.

Biosynthesis[edit]

FPP is synthesized from isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP) through a series of enzymatic reactions. The enzyme farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase catalyzes the condensation of one molecule of DMAPP with two molecules of IPP to form FPP. This reaction is a key step in the mevalonate pathway.

Biological Functions[edit]

Farnesyl pyrophosphate plays a critical role in several biological processes:

Cholesterol Biosynthesis: FPP is a precursor in the synthesis of squalene, which is subsequently converted into cholesterol.
Protein Prenylation: FPP is used in the post-translational modification of proteins, such as the farnesylation of Ras proteins, which is essential for their proper localization and function.
Synthesis of Other Isoprenoids: FPP is a precursor for the synthesis of various isoprenoids, including ubiquinone (coenzyme Q) and dolichol.

Clinical Significance[edit]

Inhibitors of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, such as bisphosphonates, are used in the treatment of diseases like osteoporosis and Paget's disease. These inhibitors prevent the synthesis of FPP, thereby affecting the prenylation of proteins involved in bone resorption.

Related Pages[edit]

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-'''Farnesyl pyrophosphate''' (FPP), also known as '''Farnesyl diphosphate''', is an important intermediate in the [[Mevalonate pathway|mevalonate pathway]] and the [[terpenoid]] and [[steroid]] biosynthesis pathway in animals, plants, and bacteria. It is a [[C15]] [[polyisoprene]] unit that is used in the biosynthesis of important biomolecules such as [[cholesterol]], [[vitamin K]], [[vitamin E]], and [[Coenzyme Q|coenzyme Q10]].
+== Farnesyl Pyrophosphate ==
+[[File:FarnesolPPbiosyn.svg|thumb|right|300px|Biosynthesis of Farnesyl Pyrophosphate]]
+'''Farnesyl pyrophosphate''' (FPP) is an important intermediate in the [[mevalonate pathway]], which is crucial for the biosynthesis of [[terpenes]], [[steroids]], and other essential biomolecules. FPP serves as a key building block in the synthesis of [[cholesterol]], [[coenzyme Q]], and [[dolichol]].
 == Structure and Properties ==
-Farnesyl pyrophosphate is a [[farnesyl]] molecule with two [[phosphate]] groups attached at one end. It is a colorless, oily liquid at room temperature. The molecule is highly reactive due to the presence of the pyrophosphate group, which makes it a good leaving group in biosynthetic reactions.
+Farnesyl pyrophosphate is a [[prenyl]] compound, consisting of a 15-carbon isoprenoid chain with a pyrophosphate group attached. The molecule is highly reactive due to the presence of the pyrophosphate group, which can participate in various enzymatic reactions.
 == Biosynthesis ==
-Farnesyl pyrophosphate is synthesized from [[isopentenyl pyrophosphate]] (IPP) and [[dimethylallyl pyrophosphate]] (DMAPP) through the action of the enzyme [[farnesyl diphosphate synthase]]. This reaction is a key step in the mevalonate pathway and is regulated by feedback inhibition by downstream products such as cholesterol and dolichols.
+FPP is synthesized from [[isopentenyl pyrophosphate]] (IPP) and [[dimethylallyl pyrophosphate]] (DMAPP) through a series of enzymatic reactions. The enzyme [[farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase]] catalyzes the condensation of one molecule of DMAPP with two molecules of IPP to form FPP. This reaction is a key step in the [[mevalonate pathway]].
+== Biological Functions ==
-== Biological Role ==
+Farnesyl pyrophosphate plays a critical role in several biological processes:
-Farnesyl pyrophosphate is a precursor to many important biomolecules. It is converted to [[squalene]] by the enzyme [[squalene synthase]], which is the first step in the biosynthesis of cholesterol. It is also used in the synthesis of the side chain of coenzyme Q10, and in the post-translational modification of proteins through a process known as [[prenylation]].
+* '''Cholesterol Biosynthesis''': FPP is a precursor in the synthesis of [[squalene]], which is subsequently converted into cholesterol.
+* '''Protein Prenylation''': FPP is used in the post-translational modification of proteins, such as the [[farnesylation]] of [[Ras proteins]], which is essential for their proper localization and function.
+* '''Synthesis of Other Isoprenoids''': FPP is a precursor for the synthesis of various isoprenoids, including [[ubiquinone]] (coenzyme Q) and [[dolichol]].
 == Clinical Significance ==
-Inhibition of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, the enzyme that synthesizes FPP, is a target for the treatment of diseases such as [[hypercholesterolemia]] and [[osteoporosis]]. Drugs such as [[statins]] and [[bisphosphonates]] work by inhibiting this enzyme.
+Inhibitors of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, such as [[bisphosphonates]], are used in the treatment of diseases like [[osteoporosis]] and [[Paget's disease]]. These inhibitors prevent the synthesis of FPP, thereby affecting the prenylation of proteins involved in bone resorption.
-== See Also ==
+== Related Pages ==
 * [[Mevalonate pathway]]
-* [[Terpenoid]]
+* [[Isoprenoid]]
-* [[Steroid]]
 * [[Cholesterol]]
-* [[Vitamin K]]
+* [[Protein prenylation]]
-* [[Vitamin E]]
-* [[Coenzyme Q10]]
 [[Category:Biochemistry]]
 [[Category:Metabolism]]
-[[Category:Organic compounds]]
-{{biochem-stub}}