Amino acid, purine, and pyrimidine metabolic pathways

Amino acid, purine, and pyrimidine metabolic pathways encompass the core processes by which cells synthesize and degrade amino acids and nucleotides. Amino acid metabolism provides essential building blocks for protein synthesis, precursors for nucleotide biosynthesis, and intermediates for energy production. Purine and pyrimidine metabolism collectively referred to as nucleotide metabolism, generate the nucleotide substrates necessary for DNA and RNA synthesis and regulate energy balance through molecules like ATP and GTP. These multi-step metabolic routes are essential for cell proliferation, repair, and overall viability. Defects or dysregulation in these pathways are implicated in cancer, immunodeficiency, inherited metabolic diseases, and a range of pathologies. Therapeutics typically target specific enzymes or transporters within these pathways (e.g., xanthine oxidase inhibitors for gout, antifolates for cancer), not the entire pathway as a unit.

Other names

Amino acid metabolismPurine metabolismPyrimidine metabolismNucleotide metabolismAmino acid metabolic pathwaysPurine metabolic pathwayPyrimidine metabolic pathway