Work

The ability of pentose pathways to form all essential metabolites provides clues to the origins of metabolism

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The structure of the early metabolic network is unknown. Here, we report that when considered together, pentose utilization pathways form all life-essential precursors. We speculate that the chemistry preserved in pentose metabolism could therefore have been a central structural element in early metabolism.

Source: PLoS Biology

Authors: Steffen N. Lindner, Markus Ralser

Institutions: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics

Language: English

Topic: Origins and Evolution of Life

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $5,500

OpenAlex ID: W4406237799

FWCI: 1.452

Cites: 13

Cited by: 3

Related to: 10