Metal-ion catalysis of aldose-ketose isomerizations in acidic solutions

Selective electrocatalytic oxidation of sorbitol to fructose and sorbose

A new electrocatalytic method for the selective electrochemical oxidation of sorbitol to fructose and sorbose is demonstrated by using a platinum electrode promoted by p-block metal atoms. By the studying a range of C4, C5 and C6 polyols, it is found that the promoter interferes with the stereochemistry of the polyol and thereby modifies its reactivity.

Origin of fatty acid synthesis: thermodynamics and kinetics of reaction pathways

The primitiveness of contemporary fatty acid biosynthesis was evaluated by using the thermodynamics and kinetics of its component reactions to estimate the extent of its dependence on powerful and selective catalysis by enzymes. Since this analysis indicated that the modern pathway is not primitive because it requires sophisticated enzymatic catalysis, we here propose an alternative pathway of primitive fatty acid synthesis that uses glycolaldehyde as a substrate. In contrast to the modern pathway, this primitive pathway is not dependent on an exogenous source of phosphoanhydride energy (ATP). Furthermore, the chemical spontaneity of its reactions suggests that it could have been readily catalyzed by the rudimentary biocatalysts available at an early stage in the origin of life.

PGI*3(Israel), a new, unstable allele in the phosphoglucose isomerase system

Phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) and 16 other biochemical genetic markers were studied in an Israeli-Arab family previously described for hereditary deficiency of adenylate kinase (AK) and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). In this inbred family a rare PGI*3 allele was observed in 11 of 32 members tested, indicating an autosomal codominant inheritance. The electrophoretic mobility of this allele is similar to that of the PGI*3 allele found in Indian populations, but unlike the Indian allele, it has a very low specific activity and heat stability. This PGI*3 allele, designated PGI*3 (Israel), seems to be a different unstable mutation and along with AK and G6PD deficiencies seems to be associated with severe anaemia.