Cobamide
Cobamide is a family of cobalt-containing corrinoid compounds that function as cofactors in a variety of biological reactions. The best known member is cobalamin, or vitamin B12, but the cobamide family includes many related compounds that differ in their upper and lower axial ligands.
Chemically, cobamides share a corrin ring with a central cobalt ion. The cobalt binds an upper axial
Cobamides are produced de novo by certain bacteria and archaea; plants and animals do not synthesize them.
Biological roles of cobamides include functions as cofactors for enzymes such as methionine synthase (methylcobamide) and
In humans, vitamin B12 is an essential cobamide for DNA synthesis and energy metabolism. Deficiency can cause