Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Cofactors and Coenzymes01:27

Cofactors and Coenzymes

83.1K
Enzymes require additional components for proper function. There are two such classes of molecules: cofactors and coenzymes. Cofactors are metallic ions and coenzymes are non-protein organic molecules. Both of these types of helper molecule can be tightly bound to the enzyme or bound only when the substrate binds.
83.1K
Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids01:28

Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids

147
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...
147
Role of Reduced Coenzymes NADH and FADH₂01:29

Role of Reduced Coenzymes NADH and FADH₂

12.2K
The energy released from the breakdown of the chemical bonds within nutrients can be stored either through the reduction of electron carriers or in the bonds of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). In living systems, a small class of compounds functions as mobile electron carriers, molecules that bind to and shuttle high-energy electrons between compounds in pathways. The principal electron carriers that will be considered originate from the B vitamin group and are derivatives of nucleotides; they are...
12.2K
Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways01:29

Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways

95
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...
95
Biosynthesis of Lipids01:29

Biosynthesis of Lipids

73
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...
73
Biosynthesis in Bacteria01:24

Biosynthesis in Bacteria

79
Biosynthesis in bacteria is a fundamental anabolic process that generates essential macromolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and polysaccharides. These macromolecules are critical for cellular growth, replication, and function. The process is tightly regulated and energetically linked to catabolic pathways to ensure optimal resource utilization.Biosynthetic pathways begin with precursor metabolites such as pyruvate, acetyl-CoA, and glucose-6-phosphate derived from glycolysis,...
79

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The elansolids: <b>how nature shows chemists how to tame</b><i><b>p</b></i><b>-quinone methides</b>.

Natural product reports·2026
Same author

Cyclisations and hydrolysis of geranyl and farnesyl halides in water facilitated by ultrasound-induced emulsification.

Organic & biomolecular chemistry·2026
Same author

Introducing Small Rings into Farnesyl Pyrophosphates Paves the Way for the Enzymatic Generation of Unnatural Sesquiterpene Scaffolds.

Journal of the American Chemical Society·2026
Same author

<i>S</i>-Adenosylmethionine: considerations on its role in the origin and evolution of life.

Natural product reports·2026
Same author

Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Structurally Diverse Terpenoids from Farnesyl Pyrophosphates Modified at the Central Alkene Unit.

Journal of the American Chemical Society·2025
Same author

Chemoenzymatic Generation of Thio-analogues of δ-Cadinene, δ-Cadinol, and a Thio-diquinane Using 8-Thio-farnesylpyrophosphate.

Journal of natural products·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 27, 2025

Quantification of Coenzyme A in Cells and Tissues
08:51

Quantification of Coenzyme A in Cells and Tissues

Published on: September 27, 2019

8.4K

On the evolution of coenzyme biosynthesis.

Andreas Kirschning1

  • 1Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Schneiderberg 1B, D-30167 Hannover, Germany. andreas.kirschning@oci.uni-hannover.de.

Natural Product Reports
|September 23, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The evolution of coenzyme biosynthesis pathways suggests that simpler pathways, like those for pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) and nicotinamide (NAD+), are ancient. Complex pathways requiring many coenzymes likely evolved later in biological history.

More Related Videos

Sequence-specific Labeling of Nucleic Acids and Proteins with Methyltransferases and Cofactor Analogues
12:07

Sequence-specific Labeling of Nucleic Acids and Proteins with Methyltransferases and Cofactor Analogues

Published on: November 22, 2014

14.1K
Inner Mitochondrial Membrane Sensitivity to Na+ Reveals Partially Segmented Functional CoQ Pools
05:27

Inner Mitochondrial Membrane Sensitivity to Na+ Reveals Partially Segmented Functional CoQ Pools

Published on: July 20, 2022

2.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 27, 2025

Quantification of Coenzyme A in Cells and Tissues
08:51

Quantification of Coenzyme A in Cells and Tissues

Published on: September 27, 2019

8.4K
Sequence-specific Labeling of Nucleic Acids and Proteins with Methyltransferases and Cofactor Analogues
12:07

Sequence-specific Labeling of Nucleic Acids and Proteins with Methyltransferases and Cofactor Analogues

Published on: November 22, 2014

14.1K
Inner Mitochondrial Membrane Sensitivity to Na+ Reveals Partially Segmented Functional CoQ Pools
05:27

Inner Mitochondrial Membrane Sensitivity to Na+ Reveals Partially Segmented Functional CoQ Pools

Published on: July 20, 2022

2.0K

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Metabolic Pathways

Background:

  • Coenzymes are essential biological molecules that facilitate enzymatic reactions.
  • Understanding the evolutionary origins of coenzyme biosynthesis pathways is crucial for deciphering early life metabolism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the evolutionary history of various coenzyme biosynthetic pathways.
  • To correlate pathway complexity with the coenzymes required for their synthesis.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of coenzyme biosynthetic pathways.
  • Assessment of coenzymatic requirements for different biosynthetic routes.

Main Results:

  • Biosynthetic pathways requiring numerous coenzyme-mediated reactions appear to be more recent evolutionary developments.
  • Pathways for pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) and nicotinamide (NAD+) biosynthesis, requiring minimal coenzymatic support, are likely ancient.

Conclusions:

  • The complexity of coenzyme biosynthesis pathways is a key indicator of their evolutionary age.
  • Ancient coenzymes like PLP and NAD+ likely played fundamental roles in early biological systems.