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Related Concept Videos

Mass Spectrometry: Isotope Effect01:13

Mass Spectrometry: Isotope Effect

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Most elements exist in nature as a mixture of isotopes. The isotopes differ in weight due to their respective number of neutrons. The molecular weight of a molecule is different depending on the specific isotope of its elements involved. As a result, the mass spectrum of the molecule exhibits peaks from the same fragment at multiple positions. The positions of these mass signals depend on the mass differences between isotopes. Furthermore, the intensity of these signals is dependent on the...
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Isotopes01:12

Isotopes

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Elements have a set number of protons that determines their atomic number (Z). For example, all atoms with eight protons are oxygen; however, the number of neutrons can vary for atoms of the same element. The sum of the number of protons and the number of neutrons is the mass number (A). Atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers are called isotopes. Elements can have multiple isotopes, for example, carbon-12, carbon-13, and carbon-14.
An element's atomic mass, or weight,...
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Isotopes and Radioisotopes01:28

Isotopes and Radioisotopes

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In the early 1900s, English chemist Frederick Soddy realized that an element could have atoms with different masses that were chemically indistinguishable. These different types are called isotopes — atoms of the same element that differ in mass. Isotopes differ in mass because they have different numbers of neutrons but are chemically identical because they have the same number of protons. Soddy was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1921 for this discovery.
An isotope containing...
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Biosynthesis of Lipids01:29

Biosynthesis of Lipids

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Microbial membranes exhibit remarkable diversity in lipid composition, reflecting evolutionary adaptations to various environmental conditions. The three domains of life—Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya—synthesize membrane lipids through distinct biosynthetic pathways, leading to fundamental structural differences that impact membrane stability, function, and adaptability.Fatty Acid-Based Lipids in Bacteria and EukaryaBacteria and eukaryotes share a common fatty acid biosynthesis...
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Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids01:28

Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids

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Nucleic acid biosynthesis is a fundamental biochemical process that produces the purine and pyrimidine nucleotides essential for DNA and RNA synthesis. This pathway maintains a balanced nucleotide pool, preventing imbalances that could jeopardize genetic integrity and cellular function. Given the crucial role of nucleotides, their synthesis is tightly regulated to ensure proper cellular homeostasis.Purine BiosynthesisThe biosynthesis of purine nucleotides begins with ribose-5-phosphate, a...
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Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways01:29

Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways

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Amino acid biosynthesis is essential for cell growth, protein synthesis, and metabolic regulation. Cells generate essential and non-essential amino acids from metabolic intermediates to sustain vital biological functions. These intermediates originate from key metabolic pathways: glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and the pentose phosphate pathway. Important precursors include α-ketoglutarate, pyruvate, oxaloacetate, phosphoenolpyruvate, and erythrose-4-phosphate, which...
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Fatty Acid 13C Isotopologue Profiling Provides Insight into Trophic Carbon Transfer and Lipid Metabolism of Invertebrate Consumers
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Recent highlights in biosynthesis research using stable isotopes.

Jan Rinkel1, Jeroen S Dickschat1

  • 1Kekulé-Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Gerhard-Domagk-Str. 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany.

Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry
|January 7, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Isotopic labeling experiments remain vital in natural products research, offering crucial insights into how organisms produce secondary metabolites. This review highlights recent examples, showcasing surprising discoveries in biosynthetic pathways.

Keywords:
biosynthesisenzyme mechanismsisotopeslabeling experimentsnatural products

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Area of Science:

  • Natural Products Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Metabolomics

Background:

  • Isotopic labeling has a long history in natural products research.
  • Understanding secondary metabolite biosynthesis is crucial in various scientific fields.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent applications of isotopic labeling in natural product biosynthesis studies.
  • To highlight mechanistic insights and surprises revealed by isotope tracing.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies utilizing isotopic labeling.
  • Analysis of biosynthetic pathways for various compound classes (polyketides, non-ribosomal peptides, terpenoids, shikimate pathway aromatics).

Main Results:

  • Isotopic labeling continues to provide significant, often surprising, mechanistic details about secondary metabolism.
  • Recent examples demonstrate the ongoing relevance and power of isotope tracing.

Conclusions:

  • Isotopic labeling is an indispensable tool for elucidating complex biosynthetic pathways.
  • The technique consistently yields novel insights into the formation of natural products.