Pyridoxine-Dependent Enzyme System (PLP-dependent enzymes)

The pyridoxine-dependent enzyme system is a large class of enzymes that require vitamin B6 derivatives—primarily pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP)—as essential cofactors for their catalytic activity. PLP-dependent enzymes are involved in a wide variety of biochemical reactions, especially those related to amino acid, glucose, and lipid metabolism. They are involved in transamination, decarboxylation, deamination, and racemization. These enzymes play critical roles in amino acid metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, hemoglobin production, and glucose metabolism.

Other names

Vitamin B6-dependent enzymesPyridoxal 5'-phosphate dependent enzymesPLP enzymes

PLP acts as a coenzyme, forming a Schiff base linkage with a lysine residue on the enzyme. Substrate binding leads to transaldimination, and subsequent reactions depend on active site residues.