Erythrose: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 03:45, 13 February 2025

Erythrose[edit]

Erythrose is a tetrose monosaccharide with the chemical formula C_H_O_. It is an important intermediate in several biochemical pathways, including the pentose phosphate pathway.

Structure[edit]

Erythrose is a four-carbon aldose, meaning it contains an aldehyde group. It exists in two enantiomeric forms: D-erythrose and L-erythrose. The D-form is the one most commonly found in nature. The structure of erythrose can be represented by the Fischer projection, which shows the arrangement of hydroxyl groups around the chiral centers.

Biological Role[edit]

In biological systems, erythrose is involved in the pentose phosphate pathway, which is crucial for the production of NADPH and ribose 5-phosphate. NADPH is essential for anabolic reactions, including lipid synthesis and nucleotide synthesis, while ribose 5-phosphate is a precursor for the synthesis of nucleotides and nucleic acids.

Synthesis[edit]

Erythrose can be synthesized through the oxidation of erythritol, a sugar alcohol. It can also be produced via the degradation of more complex carbohydrates in metabolic pathways.

Chemical Properties[edit]

Erythrose is a reducing sugar, meaning it can donate electrons to other molecules. This property is due to the presence of the free aldehyde group, which can be oxidized to a carboxylic acid.

Related Compounds[edit]

Erythrose is related to other tetroses, such as threose, which differs in the configuration of its hydroxyl groups. It is also related to erythrulose, a ketose form of erythrose.

Related Pages[edit]

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+{{DISPLAYTITLE:Erythrose}}
 == Erythrose ==
+[[File:DL-Erythrose.svg|thumb|right|Structural formula of DL-Erythrose]]
+'''Erythrose''' is a [[tetrose]] [[monosaccharide]] with the chemical formula C_H_O_. It is an important intermediate in several biochemical pathways, including the [[pentose phosphate pathway]].
-Erythrose is a four-carbon sugar that belongs to the group of monosaccharides. It is an important intermediate in various metabolic pathways and is involved in the synthesis of several important molecules in living organisms. Erythrose is commonly found in fruits and vegetables and is also produced by the human body through various biochemical reactions.
+== Structure ==
+Erythrose is a four-carbon [[aldose]], meaning it contains an [[aldehyde]] group. It exists in two enantiomeric forms: D-erythrose and L-erythrose. The D-form is the one most commonly found in nature. The structure of erythrose can be represented by the Fischer projection, which shows the arrangement of hydroxyl groups around the chiral centers.
-=== Chemical Properties ===
+== Biological Role ==
+In biological systems, erythrose is involved in the [[pentose phosphate pathway]], which is crucial for the production of [[NADPH]] and [[ribose 5-phosphate]]. NADPH is essential for [[anabolic reactions]], including [[lipid synthesis]] and [[nucleotide synthesis]], while ribose 5-phosphate is a precursor for the synthesis of [[nucleotides]] and [[nucleic acids]].
-Erythrose has the chemical formula C4H8O4 and is classified as an aldose sugar. It is a white crystalline solid with a sweet taste. Erythrose exists in two stereoisomeric forms, known as D-erythrose and L-erythrose, which are mirror images of each other. In nature, D-erythrose is the more common form.
+== Synthesis ==
+Erythrose can be synthesized through the oxidation of [[erythritol]], a sugar alcohol. It can also be produced via the degradation of more complex carbohydrates in metabolic pathways.
-=== Biological Significance ===
+== Chemical Properties ==
+Erythrose is a reducing sugar, meaning it can donate electrons to other molecules. This property is due to the presence of the free aldehyde group, which can be oxidized to a carboxylic acid.
-Erythrose plays a crucial role in several metabolic pathways. It is an intermediate in the pentose phosphate pathway, which is responsible for the production of NADPH and ribose-5-phosphate. NADPH is an important reducing agent involved in various biosynthetic reactions, while ribose-5-phosphate is a precursor for the synthesis of nucleotides and nucleic acids.
+== Related Compounds ==
+Erythrose is related to other tetroses, such as [[threose]], which differs in the configuration of its hydroxyl groups. It is also related to [[erythrulose]], a ketose form of erythrose.
-Furthermore, erythrose is involved in the synthesis of aromatic amino acids, such as phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan. These amino acids are essential building blocks for proteins and are also precursors for the synthesis of various important molecules, including neurotransmitters and hormones.
-=== Sources ===
-Erythrose is naturally present in various fruits and vegetables. Some of the common dietary sources of erythrose include grapes, strawberries, cherries, and tomatoes. It can also be produced by the human body through the breakdown of glucose via the pentose phosphate pathway.
-=== Applications ===
-Erythrose has several applications in the field of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. It is used as a starting material for the synthesis of various drugs and pharmaceutical intermediates. Erythrose derivatives have been studied for their potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
-=== See Also ===
+== Related Pages ==
+* [[Pentose phosphate pathway]]
 * [[Monosaccharide]]
-* [[Pentose Phosphate Pathway]]
+* [[Aldose]]
-* [[Aromatic Amino Acids]]
+* [[NADPH]]
+* [[Ribose 5-phosphate]]
-=== References ===
-<references />
-[[Category:Biochemistry]]
+[[Category:Monosaccharides]]
-[[Category:Carbohydrates]]
+[[Category:Tetroses]]
-[[Category:Sugars]]
-[[Category:Metabolism]]
-[[Category:Biotechnology]]