Mannoheptulose
Encyclopedia
Mannoheptulose is a hexokinase
inhibitor
. It is a heptose
, a monosaccharide
with seven carbon atoms. By blocking the enzyme hexokinase, it prevents glucose
phosphorylation
. As a result, the breakdown of glucose is inhibited. It is found as D-mannoheptulose in avocados
.
Hexokinase
A hexokinase is an enzyme that phosphorylates a six-carbon sugar, a hexose, to a hexose phosphate. In most tissues and organisms, glucose is the most important substrate of hexokinases, and glucose-6-phosphate the most important product....
inhibitor
Enzyme inhibitor
An enzyme inhibitor is a molecule that binds to enzymes and decreases their activity. Since blocking an enzyme's activity can kill a pathogen or correct a metabolic imbalance, many drugs are enzyme inhibitors. They are also used as herbicides and pesticides...
. It is a heptose
Heptose
A heptose is a monosaccharide with seven carbon atoms.They have either an aldehyde functional group in position 1 or a ketone functional group in position 2 ....
, a monosaccharide
Monosaccharide
Monosaccharides are the most basic units of biologically important carbohydrates. They are the simplest form of sugar and are usually colorless, water-soluble, crystalline solids. Some monosaccharides have a sweet taste. Examples of monosaccharides include glucose , fructose , galactose, xylose...
with seven carbon atoms. By blocking the enzyme hexokinase, it prevents glucose
Glucose
Glucose is a simple sugar and an important carbohydrate in biology. Cells use it as the primary source of energy and a metabolic intermediate...
phosphorylation
Phosphorylation
Phosphorylation is the addition of a phosphate group to a protein or other organic molecule. Phosphorylation activates or deactivates many protein enzymes....
. As a result, the breakdown of glucose is inhibited. It is found as D-mannoheptulose in avocados
Avocado
The avocado is a tree native to Central Mexico, classified in the flowering plant family Lauraceae along with cinnamon, camphor and bay laurel...
.