precorrin3A

Precorrin 3A is a biosynthetic intermediate in the production of cobalamin, also known as vitamin B12. It is a colorless crystalline solid. Its chemical formula is C30H38N4O6 and its molar mass is 562.64 g/mol. Precorrin 3A is a key molecule formed through a series of enzymatic reactions from uroporphyrinogen III. Specifically, it is generated by the action of the enzyme precorrin 3A synthase, which catalyzes the methylation and cyclization of precorrin 2. This molecule is characterized by the presence of a five-membered ring fused to a dihydroporphyrin macrocycle. The subsequent steps in cobalamin biosynthesis involve further modifications of precorrin 3A, including more methylations and the eventual insertion of a cobalt atom. The pathway leading to precorrin 3A is highly conserved across various organisms that synthesize vitamin B12, including bacteria and archaea. Understanding the structure and function of precorrin 3A is crucial for comprehending the complex biochemical machinery involved in vitamin B12 synthesis.