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Chapter 26: Problem 11

Write a balanced equation for the oxidation of uric acid to glyoxylic acid, \(\mathrm{CO}_{2},\) and \(\mathrm{NH}_{3}\), showing each step in the process and naming all of the enzymes involved.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Uric acid gets oxidized to glyoxylic acid, \( \mathrm{CO}_{2}\), and \( \mathrm{NH}_{3}\) through a series of enzymatic reactions involving enzymes such as Xanthine Oxidase and Urate oxidase. The balanced chemical equation is: 2 (C5H4N4O3) + 7 (O2) → 2 (C2H2O3) + 2 (CO2) + 3 (NH3).

Step by step solution

01

Write the unbalanced chemical formulas

First, write down the unbalanced reaction. Here, uric acid is getting oxidized to glyoxylic acid, \( \mathrm{CO}_{2}\), and \( \mathrm{NH}_{3}\), which are the final products in the degradation process of purine in humans. Uric acid + O2 → Glyoxylic acid + CO2 + NH3
02

Balancing the chemical equation

Balance the equation for the number of atoms on both sides of the reaction. It results in 2 uric acids reacting with 7 oxygen to produce 2 glyoxylic acids, 2 carbons dioxide and 3 ammonia. This yields to: 2 (C5H4N4O3) + 7 (O2) → 2 (C2H2O3) + 2 (CO2) + 3 (NH3)
03

Process and Enzymes involved in the steps

The process of oxidation of uric acid involves series of enzymatic reactions involving enzymes such as Xanthine Oxidase and Urate oxidase (Uricase). Uric acid is degraded to Xanthine via Uricase enzyme producing peroxide in the process. Then Xanthine is further converted to Hypoxanthine via Xanthine oxidase with production of water. Then, Hypoxanthine is further converted to Xanthine via xanthine oxidase with the production of superoxide radical. Xanthine is metabolized by Xanthine oxidase to generate uric acid, water and superoxide radical. Eventually, Xanthine is oxidized to glyoxylic acid with the release of CO2 and NH3.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The crystal structure of \(E\). coli dihydrofolate reductase (DFR) with NADP \(^{+}\) and folate bound can be found in the Protein Data Bank (www.rcsb.org/pdb) as file 7 DFR. Go to this website, enter "7DFR" in the search line, and click on "KiNG" under "Display options" when the 7 DFR page comes up. Explore the KiNG graphic of the DFR structure to visualize how its substrates are bound. (If you hold down the left button on your mouse and move the cursor over the image, you can rotate the structure to view it from different perspectives.) Note in particular the spatial relationship between the nicotinamide ring of \(\mathrm{NADP}^{+}\) and the pterin ring of folate. Do you now have a better appreciation for how this enzyme works? Note also the location of polar groups on the two substrates in relation to the DFR structure.

Write a balanced equation for the conversion of aspartate to fumarate by the purine nucleoside cycle in skeletal muscle.

(Integrates with Chapters \(18-20 \text { and } 22 .)\) By what pathway(s) does the ribose released upon nucleotide degradation enter intermediary metabolism and become converted to cellular energy? How many ATP equivalents can be recovered from one equivalent of ribose?

Illustrate the key points of regulation in (a) the biosynthesis of IMP, AMP, and GMP; (b) \(E .\) coli pyrimidine biosynthesis; and (c) mammalian pyrimidine biosynthesis.

Indicate which reactions of purine or pyrimidine metabolism are affected by the inhibitors (a) azaserine, (b) methotrexate, (c) sulfonamides, (d) allopurinol, and (e) 5 -fluorouracil.
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