D-Erythrose 4-phosphate (E4P) is used as a substrate to identify, differentiate and characterize 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogalactonate (KDPGal) aldolase(s) and 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate (DAH7P) synthase(s) that initiate the shikimate pathway in microorganisms and plants.It may be used as a substrate to identify, differentiate and characterize glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase(s) (GAPDH) involved in surface antigen and virulence factor development in pathogenic microorganisms.E4P may be used in malaria research as an inhibitor of the PfPdx1 component of the PLP (pyridoxal 5′-phosphate) synthase enzymatic complex responsible for the de novo synthesizes vitamin B6 inPlasmodium falciparum.
