Keto acid

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
(Redirected from Alpha keto acids)
Jump to: navigation, search

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

Keto acids or ketoacids (also called oxo acids or oxoacids) are organic compounds that contain a carboxylic acid group and a ketone group.[1] In several cases, the keto group is hydrated. The alpha-keto acids are especially important in biology as they are involved in the Krebs citric acid cycle and in glycolysis.[2]

Common types of keto acids include:

  • Alpha-keto acids, or 2-oxoacids, such as pyruvic acid, have the keto group adjacent to the carboxylic acid. Another important member is oxaloacetic acid, a component of the Krebs cycle.[3] Alpha-ketoglutarate, (also known as 2-oxo glutarate) is a 5-carbon keto acid derived from glutamic acid. Alpha-ketoglutarate participates in cell signaling by functioning as a cofactor for a variety of iron-containing redox enzymes, for example the proline hydroxylases that modify the hypoxia inducible factor leading to the destruction of HIF except in hypoxia when this pathway is blocked.[4]
  • Beta-keto acids, or 3-oxoacids, such as acetoacetic acid, have the ketone group at the second carbon from the carboxylic acid. They can be formed by the Claisen condensation.
  • Gamma-keto acids, or 4-oxoacids, such as levulinic acid, have the ketone group at the third carbon from the carboxylic acid.

When ingested sugars and carbohydrate levels are low, stored fats and proteins are the primary source of energy production. Glucogenic amino acids from proteins are converted to glucose. Ketogenic amino acids can be deaminated to produce alpha keto acids and ketone bodies.

Alpha keto acids are used primarily as energy for liver cells and in fatty acid synthesis, also in the liver.

See also

References

  1. Franz Dietrich Klingler, Wolfgang Ebertz "Oxocarboxylic Acids" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2005, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. doi:10.1002/14356007.a18 313
  2. Nelson, D. L.; Cox, M. M. "Lehninger, Principles of Biochemistry" 3rd Ed. Worth Publishing: New York, 2000. ISBN 1-57259-153-6.
  3. "α-Oxocarboxylic Acids" Robert C. Kerber, Marian S. Fernando J. Chem. Educ., 2010, doi:10.1021/ed1003096
  4. The role of iron and 2-oxoglutarate oxygenases in signalling, Biochem Soc Trans. 2003 Jun;31(Pt 3):510-5

External links


<templatestyles src="Asbox/styles.css"></templatestyles>