Uses
Farnesyl pyrophosphate ammonium salt has been used:
- as a prenylation agonist in human osteogenic sarcoma cells in collagen-based cell invasion assays
- in the prenylation of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)
- as a substrate in prenyltransferases assay in diatom Haslea ostrearia
Definition
ChEBI: 2-trans,6-trans-farnesyl diphosphate is the trans,trans-stereoisomer of farnesyl diphosphate. It has a role as an Escherichia coli metabolite and a mouse metabolite. It is a conjugate acid of a 2-trans,6-trans-farnesyl diphosphate(3-).
General Description
Farnesyl pyrophosphate is a 15-carbon isoprenoid synthesized from geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP) by the action of enzyme farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS).
Biochem/physiol Actions
Farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) is the precursor for the biosynthesis of cholesterol, ubiquinone and dolicol. It is part of the intracellular mevalonate pathway. FPP is essential for cell survival and is used for prenylation of several low molecular mass G proteins, including Ras. Inhibition of prenylation results in loss of oncogenic potential of Ras proteins. Inhibition of prenylation may serve as therapeutic potential for management of synaptic plasticity and Alzheimer′s disease.
Purification Methods
Purify the pyrophosphate by chromatography on Whatman No3 MM paper in a system of isopropanol-isobutanol/ammonia/water (40:20:1:30) (v/v). Store it as the Li or NH4 salt at 0o. See geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate below.
