Overview
1
Your Name:
Imines are important biochemical functional groups that are utilized in several amino acid
metabolizing enzymes that require Pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP), a vitamin B6-derived cofactor.
These enzymes are important especially in your brain as well as other organs. The enzymes work
by forming a stable imine in the protein active site between a lysine residue and PLP.
1. (a) For each general type of transformation indicated below, indicate a specific PLP-dependent
enzyme that will do each one. Then complete each scheme to show your peers the structure of the
generic amino acid that would be expected after each transformation. Include an actual scientific
literature reference for each. There are many scientific journals out there that can be referenced
but the reference should be of an actual paper published within the last 5 years. Your reference
should include: Journal Name, year, and First Author.
(i) Racemization
(iii) Decarboxylation