1deoxyDxylulose

1-deoxy-D-xylulose is a five-carbon sugar phosphate that plays a crucial role in the non-mevalonate pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis. This pathway is essential for the production of a wide variety of important molecules, including vitamins, hormones, and pigments, in many bacteria, archaea, and some eukaryotic organelles like apicoplasts.

The synthesis of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate, the phosphorylated form, is catalyzed by the enzyme deoxyxylulose-5-phosphate synthase (DXS). This enzyme condenses pyruvate and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate. Following its formation, 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate is then isomerized to 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) by deoxyxylulose-5-phosphate isomerase (GcpE or Dxr). This MEP intermediate is then further processed through a series of enzymatic steps to yield isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP), the fundamental building blocks of isoprenoids.

The non-mevalonate pathway, and therefore 1-deoxy-D-xylulose, is absent in mammals, making it a target for the development of new antimicrobial and antiparasitic drugs. By inhibiting key enzymes in this pathway, it's possible to disrupt the production of essential isoprenoids in pathogens without affecting human hosts. Research into the enzymes and intermediates of this pathway continues to offer promising avenues for therapeutic intervention.