Chorismic acid, more commonly known as its anionic

Ion

An ion is an atom or molecule in which the total number of electrons is not equal to the total number of protons, giving it a net positive or negative electrical charge. The name was given by physicist Michael Faraday for the substances that allow a current to pass between electrodes in a...

 form chorismate, is an important biochemical intermediate in plants and microorganisms. It is a precursor for:

• The aromatic amino acid
  Amino acid
  Amino acids are molecules containing an amine group, a carboxylic acid group and a side-chain that varies between different amino acids. The key elements of an amino acid are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen...
  
  s phenylalanine
  Phenylalanine
  Phenylalanine is an α-amino acid with the formula C6H5CH2CHCOOH. This essential amino acid is classified as nonpolar because of the hydrophobic nature of the benzyl side chain. L-Phenylalanine is an electrically neutral amino acid, one of the twenty common amino acids used to biochemically form...
  
   and tyrosine
  Tyrosine
  Tyrosine or 4-hydroxyphenylalanine, is one of the 22 amino acids that are used by cells to synthesize proteins. Its codons are UAC and UAU. It is a non-essential amino acid with a polar side group...
  
  
• Indole
  Indole
  Indole is an aromatic heterocyclic organic compound. It has a bicyclic structure, consisting of a six-membered benzene ring fused to a five-membered nitrogen-containing pyrrole ring. Indole is a popular component of fragrances and the precursor to many pharmaceuticals. Compounds that contain an...
  
  , indole derivatives and tryptophan
  Tryptophan
  Tryptophan is one of the 20 standard amino acids, as well as an essential amino acid in the human diet. It is encoded in the standard genetic code as the codon UGG...
  
  
• 2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic acid
  2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic acid
  2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic acid is a dihydroxybenzoic acid, a type of organic compound. The colourless solid occurs naturally, being formed via the chorismic acid pathway. It is incorporated into various siderophores, which are molecules that strongly complex iron ions for absorption into bacteria...
  
   (DHB) used for enterobactin
  Enterobactin
  Enterobactin is a high affinity siderophore that acquires iron for microbial systems. It is primarily found in Gram-negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium....
  
   biosynthesis
• The plant hormone
  Plant hormone
  Plant hormones are chemicals that regulate plant growth, which, in the UK, are termed 'plant growth substances'. Plant hormones are signal molecules produced within the plant, and occur in extremely low concentrations. Hormones regulate cellular processes in targeted cells locally and, when moved...
  
   salicylic acid
  Salicylic acid
  Salicylic acid is a monohydroxybenzoic acid, a type of phenolic acid and a beta hydroxy acid. This colorless crystalline organic acid is widely used in organic synthesis and functions as a plant hormone. It is derived from the metabolism of salicin...
  
  
• Many alkaloid
  Alkaloid
  Alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds that contain mostly basic nitrogen atoms. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Also some synthetic compounds of similar structure are attributed to alkaloids...
  
  s and other aromatic metabolite
  Metabolite
  Metabolites are the intermediates and products of metabolism. The term metabolite is usually restricted to small molecules. A primary metabolite is directly involved in normal growth, development, and reproduction. Alcohol is an example of a primary metabolite produced in large-scale by industrial...
  
  s.
• The Folate precursor Para-aminobenzoate (pABA)

The name chorismic acid derives from a classical greek word, χωρίζω meaning "to separate", because the compound plays a role as a branch-point in aromatic amino acid biosynthesis.

Biosynthesis

Shikimate

Shikimic acid

Shikimic acid, more commonly known as its anionic form shikimate, is an important biochemical metabolite in plants and microorganisms. Its name comes from the Japanese flower shikimi , from which it was first isolated....

→ shikimate-3-phosphate → 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate → chorismate.

External links

• Shikimate and chorismate biosynthesis