Question

6. The cause for the mental retardation associated with untreated PKU is not completely understood, but it is believed to arise from the high concentrations of phenylpyruvate, which is a product of a transamination reaction with phenylalanine and α-ketoglutarate. The phenylpyruvate is believed to be toxic to the developing brain. Write the balanced equation for the transamination of phenylalanine to phenylpyruvate, and include the structures of the reactants and products. Identify any cofactors needed to accomplish the reaction.

Answer 1

NH3 но phenylalanine C9HnNO2 NH2 Enzyme glutamate phenylpyruvate (CSHsNO4) CoH Os) alpha ketoglutarate CSH It is an enzyem catalyzed reaction, Phenylalanine transfers an amino group to alpha keto glutarate