Question

UDP-glucose is the activated form of glucose used in glycogen synthesis. However, we have previously met other similar activated forms of carbohydrate in our consideration of metabolism. Where else have we seen UDP-carbohydrate?

Name: Problem 35, Chapter 21: Biochemistry
Uploaded: 2022-01-12T14:50:49-08:00
Duration: 1 min 46 s
Channel: Shahina -
Description: UDP-glucose is the activated form of glucose used in glycogen synthesis. However, we have previously met other similar activated forms of carbohydrate in our consideration of metabolism. Where else have we seen UDP-carbohydrate?

   UDP-glucose is the activated form of glucose used in glycogen synthesis. However, we have previously met other similar activated forms of carbohydrate in our consideration of metabolism. Where else have we seen UDP-carbohydrate?

Biochemistry

Jeremy M. Berg, John… 8th Edition

Chapter 21, Problem 35

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Solved by Expert Shahina -

01/12/2022

Step 1

UDP-glucose (uridine diphosphate glucose) is a nucleotide sugar involved in the biosynthesis of glycogen. It acts as an activated form of glucose, providing the glucose unit that is added to the growing glycogen chain during glycogen synthesis. Show more…

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UDP-glucose is the activated form of glucose used in glycogen synthesis. However, we have previously met other similar activated forms of carbohydrate in our consideration of metabolism. Where else have we seen UDP-carbohydrate?

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Key Concepts

Nucleotide Sugar Activation

In metabolism, sugars are often 'activated' by being linked to a nucleotide (such as UDP) to form nucleotide sugars. This activation makes the sugar a better electrophile, ready to participate in glycosyl transfer reactions that drive the synthesis of complex carbohydrates like glycogen, glycoproteins, and cell wall polysaccharides.

Leloir Pathway

One of the key pathways where a UDP-sugar plays a central role is the Leloir pathway, which converts galactose into glucose-1-phosphate. In this pathway, galactose is converted to UDP-galactose via an exchange reaction with UDP-glucose, thereby making it a crucial step in the metabolism of dietary galactose.

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