Secondary Metabolism in Microorganisms, Plants and Animals

1. Front Matter

   Pages N1-13

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2. General Aspects

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 15-15

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   2. What is Secondary Metabolism?

      • Martin Luckner

      Pages 16-24

   3. Secondary Metabolism, a Distinct Part of General Metabolism

      • Martin Luckner

      Pages 25-30

   4. Cellular Compartmentalization and Channeling

      • Martin Luckner

      Pages 31-43

   5. Expression and Control

      • Martin Luckner

      Pages 44-62

   6. Transformation and Degradation of Secondary Products

      • Martin Luckner

      Pages 63-67

3. Methods Used in the Investigation of Secondary Metabolism

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 69-69

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   2. Examination of Secondary Metabolic Pathways

      • Martin Luckner

      Pages 70-76

   3. Investigations with Mutants

      • Martin Luckner

      Pages 77-78

   4. Methods for the Investigation of Compartmentalization and Channeling

      • Martin Luckner

      Pages 79-81

4. Important Groups of Secondary Metabolic Enzymes

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 83-83

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   2. Activating Enzymes

      • Martin Luckner

      Pages 84-87

   3. Oxidoreductases and Oxygenases

      • Martin Luckner

      Pages 88-103

   4. Enzymes of “One Carbon” Metabolism

      • Martin Luckner

      Pages 104-108

   5. α-Keto Acid Decarboxylases

      • Martin Luckner

      Pages 109-109

   6. Aminotransferases and Amino Acid Decarboxylases

      • Martin Luckner

      Pages 110-111

   7. Glycosyltransferases and Glycosidases

      • Martin Luckner

      Pages 112-114

5. Structure, Biosynthesis, and Metabolism of Secondary Products in Microorganisms, Plants, and Animals

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 115-115

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   2. Derivatives of Primary Metabolic Sugars

      • Martin Luckner

      Pages 116-138

Many of the reactions and compounds involved in metabolism are almost identical in the different groups of living organisms. They are known as primary metabolic reactions and primary metabolic products. In addition, however, a wide variety of biochemical pathways are characteristic of only a few species of organisms, of single "chemical races" or even of a certain stage of differentiation of special­ ized cells. Such pathways are collectively referred to as "secondary metabolism", and the compounds formed are called "secondary products". Secondary products are frequently revealed by their color, smell, or taste. They are responsible for the flavor of most foodstuffs and beverages and for the color and fragrance of flowers and fruits. Many of them are part of the materia medica, e. g. , alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, antibiotics, or compounds acting as hormones. Others are used by industry, e. g. , rubber, tannins, and cellulose. This book treats the organization and significance of biosynthesis, storage, transformation, and degradation of the most important groups of secondary products in microorganisms, plants, and animals. It shows that the formation of secondary products is a common characteristic of specialized cells brought about by the action of special enzymes encoded by specific genetic material. It demon­ strates that the. biosynthesis of secondary products is typically without signifi­ cance for the individual producer cell, but may play a decisive role in the develop· ment and function of the producer organism as a whole.

• Sekundärstoffwechsel
• enzymes
• metabolism
• microorganism
• plants

• Sektion Pharmazie, Martin-Luther-Universität, Halle-Wittenberg, Deutschland

  Martin Luckner

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