F
IPR004363

Methylglyoxal synthase

InterPro entry
Short nameMethylgl_synth
Overlapping
homologous
superfamilies
 

Description

Methylglyoxal synthase (MGS) catalyses the conversion of dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) to methylglyoxal and phosphate:

Glycerone phosphate = methylglyoxal + phosphate

The first part of the catalytic mechanism is believed to be similar to TIM (triosephosphate isomerase) in that both enzymes utilise DHAP to form an ene-diolate phosphate intermediate. In MGS, the second catalytic step is characterised by the elimination of phosphate and collapse of the enediolate to form methylglyoxal instead of reprotonation to form the isomer glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate, as in TIM. This is the first reaction in the methylglyoxal bypass of the Embden-Myerhoff glycolytic pathway and is believed to provide physiological benefits under non-ideal growth conditions in bacteria
[2]
. MGS is a small protein of about 13 to 17kDa. An aspartate residue is involved in the catalytic mechanism
[1]
.

References

1.Mirroring perfection: the structure of methylglyoxal synthase complexed with the competitive inhibitor 2-phosphoglycolate. Saadat D, Harrison DH. Biochemistry 39, 2950-60, (2000). View articlePMID: 10715115

2.The crystal structure of methylglyoxal synthase from Escherichia coli. Saadat D, Harrison DH. Structure 7, 309-17, (1999). View articlePMID: 10368300

GO terms

Cross References

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