Abstract
CHEMICAL1 and enzymic2 studies from these two laboratories suggested that coenzyme A is best represented by formula (I) (cf. ref. 3). While the synthesis of various fragments of the molecule4 has lent considerable support to this structure, the enzymic and chemical evidence did not agree on one point. This concerned the nature of a substance obtained by the action of nucleotide pyrophosphatase on the coenzyme and which stimulated the growth of Acetobacter suboxydans5. Although not isolated in a chemically pure state, it was thought to be a simple phosphate of pantothenic acid6. None of the synthetic pantothenic acid phosphates showed activity towards this organism ; consequently, it was suggested1 that this ‘Acetobacter-stimulatory factor’ might be pantetheine-4′phosphate (II). An unambiguous synthesis of (II) is described here.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Baddiley, J., and Thain, E. M., J. Chem. Soc., 2253 (1951); 3783 (1952).
Gregory, J. D., Novelli, G. D., and Lipmann, F., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 74, 854 (1952).
Wang, T. P., Schuster, L., and Kaplan, N. O., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 74, 3204 (1952).
Baddiley, J., and Thain, E. M., J. Chem. Soc., 246, 3421 (1951).
King, T. E., Locher, L. M., and Cheldelin, V. H., Arch. Biochem., 17, 483 (1948).
Novelli, G. D., “Phosphorus Metabolism”, 1, 414 (Baltimore, 1951).
Levintow, L., and Novelli, G. D., abstract of paper presented at the Atlantic City Meeting of the American Chemical Society, p. 33 c (1952).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
BADDILEY, J., THAIN, E., NOVELLI, G. et al. Structure of Coenzyme A. Nature 171, 76 (1953). https://doi.org/10.1038/171076a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/171076a0
This article is cited by
-
Lipoic acid
ChemTexts (2019)
-
Inborn errors of coenzyme A metabolism and neurodegeneration
Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease (2018)
-
Extracellular 4′-phosphopantetheine is a source for intracellular coenzyme A synthesis
Nature Chemical Biology (2015)
-
Das coenzym a und seine biologischen funktionen
Ergebnisse der Physiologie Biologischen Chemie und Experimentellen Pharmakologie (1957)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.