Precursor

As precursor ( English precursor from latin precursor , precursor ') is in the chemistry or biochemistry in a synthetic pathway , a molecule referred to as the starting product (see FIG. Educt received) in a reaction. From this, an often complex and differentiated product is formed, sometimes with the participation of other precursors.

Chemical syntheses

The term is used in relation to chemical reactions and denotes:

• Starting materials for further synthesis steps
• Precursors that can be used to manufacture narcotics (legally also referred to as basic substances or drug precursors ), but do not have to be effective as narcotics themselves
• Layer-forming starting materials in chemical vapor deposition or atomic layer deposition

Biochemical processes

Examples related to the biochemical biosynthesis of metabolic products :

• Amino Acids - Metabolism
  • Serine and choline are precursors to glycine .
  • Serine and methionine are precursors of cysteine . This in turn is a precursor in the biosynthesis of compounds such as glutathione , coenzyme A and taurine .
  • Phenylalanine is the precursor to tyrosine .
  • Glutamic acid is the precursor of proline .
• Provitamins
• Complex biomolecules:
  • Precursor mRNA
  • Precursor proteins

Web links

Wiktionary: precursor  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Individual evidence

1. ^ D. Doenecke, J. Koolman, G. Fuchs, W. Gerok: Karlsons Biochemie und Pathobiochemie. 15th edition, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart 2005, ISBN 978-3-13-357815-8 , pp. 41, 208, 219.