Abstract
Para-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA) and p -hydroxybenzaldehyde, compounds which in microorganisms and higher plants can be formed by the shikimic acid (SKA) pathway of aromatic biosynthesis, are effective precursors o of the ubiquinone (Q) ring in a variety of organisms (see Miller 1965). An intermediate in the conversion of PHBA to Q has been isolated from Rhodospirillum rubrum and characterised as 2-decaprenylphenol ( Parson and Rudney, 1965; Olsen et al ., 1965 ). Cox and Gibson (1964) showed that in Escherichia coli the Q and menaquinone rings are derived from shikimic acid, PHBA and protocatechuic acid, respectively, appearing to be obligate intermediates. In this communication we present evidence which indicates that in maize shoots the nuclei of phylloquinone (K), plastoquinone (PQ), ubiquinone (Q), α-tocopherolquinone (α-TQ), α-tocopherol (α-T) and γ-tocopherol (γ-T) are all formed from SKA. In this and all other plant tissues examined PHBA was incorporated only into Q and an uncharacterised prenyl-containing phenol which may be a Q-precursor.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
