4Hydroxyglutarate

4-Hydroxyglutarate, also known as 4-hydroxy-pentanoic acid, is a chiral organic compound with the chemical formula C5H8O3. It is a hydroxy acid, meaning it contains both a hydroxyl group (-OH) and a carboxyl group (-COOH). There are two stereoisomers of 4-hydroxyglutarate: (R)-4-hydroxyglutarate and (S)-4-hydroxyglutarate.

This compound is a metabolic intermediate in several biological pathways. In the citric acid cycle, it can be formed from alpha-ketoglutarate. It is also involved in the metabolism of glutamine and glutamate. In some organisms, 4-hydroxyglutarate can be converted to alpha-ketoglutarate, thus feeding back into the citric acid cycle.

The presence of 4-hydroxyglutarate in biological fluids can sometimes be indicative of certain metabolic disorders or physiological states. For instance, elevated levels have been observed in individuals with glutaric acidemia type I, a rare genetic disorder affecting amino acid metabolism. Research has explored its role in various cellular processes and its potential as a biomarker. Its chemical structure and reactivity make it a subject of interest in organic chemistry and biochemistry.