Pyridoxal phosphate (Pyridoxal-P or PLP) biosynthesis is a vital metabolic pathway in bacteria, as PLP is the active form of vitamin B6 and serves as a coenzyme in a wide range of enzymatic reactions, including amino acid metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, and nucleic acid metabolism. The biosynthesis of PLP typically occurs via the de novo pathway, involving two key enzymes: PdxA and PdxJ. This pathway begins with precursors such as ribose-5-phosphate (from the pentose phosphate pathway), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, and glutamine or glutamate, depending on the bacterial species. PdxA and PdxJ catalyze the sequential conversion of these precursors into pyridoxine 5'-phosphate (PNP), which is then oxidized by PdxH (a pyridoxine 5'-phosphate oxidase) to form PLP. This highly conserved pathway ensures that bacteria can synthesize PLP even in the absence of external vitamin B6 sources, making it crucial for survival and growth. Additionally, PLP biosynthesis is a potential target for antimicrobial drugs, as disrupting this pathway impairs bacterial metabolism and viability.

Pyridoxal-P biosynthesis References