Biosynthesis of UDP-GlcA: Via UDPGDH or the myo-inositol oxidation pathway?

Abstract

UDP-d-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcA) is a key intermediate in the synthesis of other UDP-sugars and also an important glucuronosyl donor for cell wall polysaccharide synthesis. UDP-GlcA can be synthesised via two routes in plants: the myo-inositol oxidation pathway and a pathway involving UDP-glucose dehydrogenase (UDPGDH)-catalysed oxidation of UDP-glucose (UDP-Glc). This review discusses the synthesis of UDPGlcA within the context of cell wall biosynthesis.

Keywords:

• UDP-GlcA biosynthesis
• myo-inositol
• UDP-glucose dehydrogenase
• wall polysaccharides

Acknowledgements

The European Community is thanked for funding the ‘COPOL’ project, during the tenure of which I carried out the studies with maize UDPGDH. I thank Professor Stephen C. Fry (University of Edinburgh) and other members of the lab for an encouraging scientific atmosphere.

Notes

UDP-Glc, UDP-glucose; UDPGDH, UDP-d-glucose dehydrogenase; UDP-GlcA, UDP-d-glucuronic acid; UDP-Xyl, UDP-xylose

Additional information

Notes on contributors

A Kärkönen

UDP-Glc, UDP-glucose; UDPGDH, UDP-d-glucose dehydrogenase; UDP-GlcA, UDP-d-glucuronic acid; UDP-Xyl, UDP-xylose