Abstract
The organic nuclei of chlorophylls, haems, cytochromes and vitamin B12 are biosynthesised from a single tetrapyrrolic intermediate which has an unexpected, rearranged structure. The mechanism of biosynthesis of this key intermediate has now been characterised in detail. Some of the information thereby obtained is also of use in the investigation of human diseases such as the porphyrias.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on SpringerLink
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Battersby, A. R. Ciba Fdn Symp. 53, 25–51 (1978).
Battersby, A. R. & McDonald, E. Porphyrins and Metalloporphyrins (ed. Smith, K. M.) 61–122 (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1975).
Battersby, A. R., Hodgson, G. L., Ihara, M., McDonald, E. & Saunders, J. J. chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 441–442 (1973); J. chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. I, 2923–2935 (1973).
Battersby, A. R., Ihara, M., McDonald, E., Saunders, J. & Wells, R. J. J. chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. I., 283–291 (1976).
Battersby, A. R., Hunt, E. & McDonald, E. J. chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 442–443 (1973).
Battersby, A. R., Hodgson, G. L., Hunt, E., McDonald, E. & Saunders, J. J. chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. I, 273–282 (1976).
Battersby, A. R. et al. J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 768–770 (1973).
Battersby, A. R., Buckley, D. G., McDonald, E. & Williams, D. C. J. chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 115–117 (1977).
Battersby, A. R., Johnson, D. W., McDonald, E. & Williams, D. C. J. chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 117–118 (1977).
Frydman, R. B., Valasinas, A., Rapoport, H. & Frydman, B. FEBS Lett. 25, 309–312 (1972).
Frydman, R. B., Valasinas, A. & Frydman, B. Biochemistry 12, 80–85 (1973).
Scott, A. I., Ho, K. S., Kajiwara, M. & Takahashi, T. J. Am. chem. Soc. 98, 1589–1591 (1976).
Battersby, A. R., McDonald, E., Williams, D. C. & Würziger, H. K. W. J. chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 113–115 (1977).
Battersby, A. R., Fookes, C. J. R., McDonald, E. & Meegan, M. J. J. chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 185–186 (1978).
Dauner, H.-O., Gunzer, G., Heger, I. & Müller, G. Z. physiol. Chem. 357, 147–152 (1976).
Battersby, A. R., Fookes, C. J. R., Matcham, G. W. J. & McDonald, E. J. chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 1064–1066 (1978).
Battersby, A. R., Fookes, C. J. R., Matcham, G. W. J. & McDonald, E. J. chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 539–541 (1979).
Jordan, P. M. & Seehra, J. S. FEBS Lett. 104, 364–366 (1979).
Bogorad, L. & Granick, S. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 39, 1176–1188 (1953).
Bogorad, L. J. biol. Chem. 233, 501–509; 510–515 (1958).
Frydman, R. B. & Feinstein, G. Biochim. biophys. Acta 350, 358–373 (1974).
Battersby, A. R., Fookes, C. J. R., Matcham, G. W. J., McDonald, E. & Gustafson-Potter, K. E. J. chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 316–319 (1979).
Battersby, A. R., Fookes, C. J. R., Gustafson-Potter, K. E., Matcham, G. W. J. & McDonald, E. J. chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. (1979).
Radmer, R. & Bogorad, L. Biochemistry 11, 904–910 (1972).
Davies, R. C. & Neuberger, A. Biochem. J. 133, 471–492 (1973).
Higuchi, M. & Bogorad, L. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 244, 401–418 (1975).
Burton, G. et al. J. Am. chem. Soc. 101, 3114–3116 (1979).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Battersby, A., Fookes, C., Matcham, G. et al. Biosynthesis of the pigments of life: formation of the macrocycle. Nature 285, 17–21 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1038/285017a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/285017a0
This article is cited by
-
Photodegradation of free base and zinc porphyrins in the presence and absence of oxygen
Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences (2023)
-
Macrocycles in dual role: ancillary ligands in metal complexes and organocatalysts for the ring-opening polymerization of lactide
Journal of Inclusion Phenomena and Macrocyclic Chemistry (2021)
-
Laser-induced fluorescence diagnosis of stomach tumor
Lasers in Medical Science (2020)
-
Functional Calixphyrins: Synthetic Strategies and Applications
Topics in Current Chemistry (2018)
-
Liquid crystals in photovoltaics: a new generation of organic photovoltaics
Polymer Journal (2017)
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.