Leucine biosynthesis involves a five-step conversion process starting with a 3-methyl-2-oxovaleric acid interacting with acetyl-CoA and a water molecule through a 2-isopropylmalate synthase resulting in Coenzyme A, hydrogen Ion and 2-isopropylmalic acid. The latter compound reacts with isopropylmalate isomerase which dehydrates the compound resulting in a Isopropylmaleate. This compound reacts with water through a isopropylmalate isomerase resulting in 3-isopropylmalate. This compound interacts with a NAD-driven D-malate / 3-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase results in 2-isopropyl-3-oxosuccinate. This compound interacts spontaneously with hydrogen resulting in the release of carbon dioxide and ketoleucine. Ketoleucine interacts in a reversible reaction with L-glutamic acid through a branched-chain amino-acid aminotransferase resulting in Oxoglutaric acid and L-leucine. 2-isopropylmalate synthase and terminal transaminase TyrB can both be suppressed by leucine. 2-keto-isovalerate and tyrosine can both inhibit the TyrB, which lead to absence of IlvE activity. Without IlvE activity, 2-ketoisocaproate could not convert to leucine since branched-chain amino-acid aminotransferase (IlvE) is the only enzyme to facilitate the reaction.

Secondary Metabolites: Leucine Biosynthesis References