CHARLES A. CABATAÑA, M.D., BSN, RN, FPAMS Medical Specialist II Cebu City Medical Center
Dec 10, 2015
Essential Features and Functional
Significance
1.An alternative pathway for the oxidation
of glucose. Like the PPP, it does not lead to
the generation of ATP. It is a source of
activated glucuronate (UDP glucuronate)
required for:
a. Synthesis of glycosaminoglycans
(e.g. chondroitin SO4) of connective
tissues.
Uronic Acid Pathway
Essential Features and Functional
Significance
b. Formation of glucuronides where
certain substrates such as steroid
hormones, drugs and bilirubin are
conjugated for excretion in urine or
bile.
c. Synthesis of certain polysaccharides
(glycogen).
Uronic Acid Pathway
Essential Features and Functional
Significance
2. Source of ascorbic acid in most animals
except in humans, primates and guinea
pigs.
3. Needed for formation of pentose and the
metabolism of non-phosphorylated sugar
derivatives.
Uronic Acid Pathway
1. Isomerization of Glucose 6-PO4 to
Glucose 1-PO4 by phosphoglucomutase.
Uronic Acid Reaction Pathway
3. Oxidation of UDP
Glucose (at carbon
6) to UDP
Glucuronate by a
NAD dependent
UDP Glucose
dehydrogenase.
UDP glucuronate
is the “active” form
of glucuronate
used for synthetic
reactions.
Uronic Acid Reaction Pathway
5. Reduction of D-glucuronate to L-gulonate
by a NADPH-dependent L-gulonate DH.
Uronic Acid Reaction Pathway
NADPH + H NADP
6. Formation of ascobic acid from L-gulonate.
a. L-gulonate is initially dehydrated by
aldonolactonase to L-gulonolactone.
Uronic Acid Reaction Pathway
H2O
b. L-gulonolactone is oxidized
to 2-keto L-gulonolactone
by gulonolactone oxidase.
This step is blocked in
humans, primates and
guinea pig.
Among humans, ascorbic
acid has to be supplied in
the diet otherwise Vitamin
C deficiency will develop in
the form of scurvy.
Uronic Acid Reaction Pathway
b. L-gulonolactone is oxidized
to 2-keto L-gulonolactone
by gulonolactone oxidase.
This step is blocked in
humans, primates and
guinea pig.
Among humans, ascorbic
acid has to be supplied in
the diet otherwise Vitamin
C deficiency will develop in
the form of scurvy.
Uronic Acid Reaction Pathway
c. 2 Keto L-gulonolactone
is spontaneously
converted to L-
ascorbic acid.
Uronic Acid Reaction Pathway
7. Oxidation of L-gulonate into 3 keto L-
gulonate by a NAD-dependent keto L-
gulonate DH.
Uronic Acid Reaction Pathway
NAD NADH + H
9. Conversion of L-xylulose to D-xylulose
a. Reduction of L-xylulose to xylitol by
NADPH-dependent L-xylulose DH.
Uronic Acid Reaction Pathway
9. Conversion of L-xylulose to D-xylulose
b. Oxidation of Xylitol to D-xylulose by NAD-
dependent Xylulose DH
Uronic Acid Reaction Pathway
10. Phosphorylation
of D-xylulose to
D-xylulose 5-PO4
using ATP by
xylulokinase. D-
xylulose 5-PO4
can then be
metabolized via
the PPP.
Uronic Acid Reaction Pathway
Essential Pentosuria
Excretion of large quantities of L-xylulose
in the urine due to genetic absence of L-
xylulose DH.
Clinical Conditions Involving the
Uronic Acid Pathway
Essential Pentosuria
Does not appear to involve any serious
physiologic consequences, however the urine
must be checked for the presence of L-
xylulose.
Clinical Conditions Involving the
Uronic Acid Pathway
Clinical Conditions Involving the
Uronic Acid Pathway
Oxalosis
Calcium oxalate deposition in
the brain and kidneys.
May result from parenteral
administration of xylitol which
is converted to oxalate.
Xylitol in found in carrots,
plums, spinach and in
sweeteners of chewing gum.