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. 1980 May 1;285(5759):17-21.
doi: 10.1038/285017a0.

Biosynthesis of the pigments of life: formation of the macrocycle

A R Battersby, C J Fookes, G W Matcham, E McDonald

Biosynthesis of the pigments of life: formation of the macrocycle

A R Battersby et al. Nature. .

Abstract

The organic nuclei of chlorophylls, haems, cytochromes and vitamin B12 are biosynthesised from a single tetrapyrrolic intermediate which has an unexpected, rearranged structure. The mechanism of biosynthesis of this key intermediate has now been characterised in detail. Some of the information thereby obtained is also of use in the investigation of human diseases such as the porphyrias.

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