MetabolitesPrimary & Secondary

Charlie C. Villate

MetabolitesIntermediates and products of Metabolism;Metabolites have various functions, including fuel, structure, signaling, stimulatory and inhibitory effects on enzymes, catalytic activity of their own, defense, and interactions with other organisms; and,These are categorized as Primary & Secondary Metabolites. O

OHOH

OH

OH

OH

a-D -G lucopyranose

Primary MetabolitesIntermediates and products of Primary Metabolism;Directly involved in normal growth, development, and reproduction; and,Absence of primary metabolites can result in immediate death.

O

OHOH

OH

OH

OH

a-D -G lucopyranose

Primary Metabolism (Few)Glycolysis;Photosynthesis;Citric Acid Cycle;Pentose Phosphate Pathway;β-oxidation of fatty acids’ and,Synthesis of proteins, enzymes and coenzymes.

Secondary MetabolitesOrganic compounds that are not directly involved in the normal growth, development, or reproduction of an organism;Chemical compounds that are found only in specific organisms or groups of organisms as an expression of their individuality;Used as defense, attractants, and coloring agents;Provide most of the pharmacologically active natural products; and,Absence of secondary metabolites can result to long-term impairment of the organism's survivability, fecundity, or aesthetics, or perhaps in no significant change at all.

Building blocks of Secondary Metabolites

Secondary metabolites are derived from Primary Metabolites;The important building blocks of Secondary Metabolites are derived from the intermediates of:

Acetyl CoA;Shikimic acid;Mevalonic acid; and,1-Deoxyxylulose 5-phosphate.

Acetyl CoAUtilized in acetate pathway;Formed by oxidative decarboxylation of the glycolysis pathway product of pyruvate; and,Also, Acetyl CoA is produced in the β-Oxidation of Fatty acid.

CH3

O

CoA

Acetyl CoA

OH

OHO

Salicylic acid

Secondary Metabolite

Willow tree

Secondary Metabolite

Prostaglandin E2

Shikimic AcidUtilized in shikimate pathway;Produced from a combination of phosphoenolpyruvate and erythrose-4-phosphate;It can lead to a variety of phenols, cinnamic acid derivatives, and alkaloids.

Shikimic Acid

Secondary Metabolite

Vincristine Rose Periwinkle

Mevalonic Acid

Utilized in mevalonate pathway;Formed from three molecules of acetyl-CoA; and,The mevalonate pathway channels acetate into a different series of compounds than does the acetate pathway.

CH3 CH3

OCH3OH

Mevalonic acid

Secondary Metabolite

Azadirachtin Neem Tree

1-Deoxyxylulose 5-phosphate

Utilized in deoxyxylulose phosphate pathway;Arises from a combination of pyruvic acid and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate; and,Responsible for the biosynthesis of terpenoid and steroid metabolites.

CH3O

O

OH

OH

PO

O-

O-

1-Deoxyxylulose 5-phosphate

Secondary Metabolite

Annual WormwoodArtemisinin

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