PathWhiz

PathWhiz ID	Pathway	Meta Data
PW000011 View Pathway	metabolic beta-Alanine Metabolism Homo sapiens Beta-alanine, 3-aminopropanoic acid, is a non-essential amino acid. Beta-Alanine is formed by the proteolytic degradation of beta-alanine containing dipeptides: carnosine, anserine, balenine, and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). These dipeptides are consumed from protein-rich foods such as chicken, beef, pork, and fish. Beta-Alanine can also be formed in the liver from the breakdown of pyrimidine nucleotides into uracil and dihydrouracil and then metabolized into beta-alanine and beta-aminoisobutyrate. Beta-Alanine can also be formed via the action of aldehyde dehydrogenase on beta-aminoproionaldehyde which is generated from various aliphatic polyamines. Under normal conditions, beta-alanine is metabolized to aspartic acid through the action of glutamate decarboxylase. It addition, it can be converted to malonate semialdehyde and thereby participate in propanoate metabolism. Beta-Alanine is not a proteogenic amino acid. This amino acid is a common athletic supplementation due to its belief to improve performance by increased muscle carnosine levels. BioPAX SVG SBGN SBML PWML All files (.zip)	Creator: WishartLab Created On: August 01, 2013 at 13:54 Last Updated: August 01, 2013 at 13:54
PW000012 View Pathway	metabolic Betaine Metabolism Homo sapiens Betaine (or trimethylglycine) is similar to choline (trimethylaminoethanol) but differs in choline's terminal carboxylic acid group trimethylglycine is reduced to a hydroxyl group. Betaine is obtained from diet as betaine or compounds containing choline in foods such as whole grains, beets and spinach. Betaine can also be synthesized from choline in the liver and kidney. First, choline is oxidized to betaine aldehyde by mitochondrial choline oxidase (choline dehydrogenase). Then, betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase oxidizes betaine aldehyde to betaine in the mitochondria or cytoplasm. In the liver, betaine functions as a methyl donor similar to choline, folic acid, S-adenosyl methionine and vitamin B12. Methyl donors are important for liver function, cellular replication and detoxification reactions. Betaine is also involved in the production of carnitine to protect from kidney damage and functions as an osmoprotectant in the inner medulla. BioPAX SVG SBGN SBML PWML All files (.zip)	Creator: WishartLab Created On: August 01, 2013 at 13:54 Last Updated: August 01, 2013 at 13:54
PW000013 View Pathway	metabolic Biotin Metabolism Homo sapiens Biotin is a vitamin that is an essential nutrient for humans. Biotin can be absorbed from consuming various foods such as: legumes, soybeans, tomatoes, romaine lettuce, eggs, cow's milk, oats and many more. Biotin acts as a cofactor for enzymes to catalyze carboxylation reactions involved in gluconeogenesis, amino acid catabolism and fatty acid metabolism. Biotin deficiency has been associated with many human diseases. These diseases may be caused by dysfunctional biotin metabolism due to enzyme deficiencies. Some research suggests biotin may play a role in transcription regulation or protein expression which may lead to biotin related diseases. BioPAX SVG SBGN SBML PWML All files (.zip)	Creator: WishartLab Created On: August 01, 2013 at 13:54 Last Updated: August 01, 2013 at 13:54
PW000014 View Pathway	metabolic Butyrate Metabolism Homo sapiens Butyrate metabolism (Butanoate metabolism) describes the metabolic fate of a number of short chain fatty acids or short chain alcohols that are typically produced by intestinal fermentation. Many of these molecules are eventually used in the production of ketone bodies, the creation of short-chain lipids or as precursors to the citrate cycle, glycolysis or glutamate synthesis. The molecule for which this pathway is named, butyric acid, is a four-carbon fatty acid that is formed in the human colon by bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates (including dietary fiber). It is found in rancid butter, parmesan cheese, and vomit, and has an unpleasant odor and acrid taste, with a sweet aftertaste (similar to ether). BioPAX SVG SBGN SBML PWML All files (.zip)	Creator: WishartLab Created On: August 01, 2013 at 13:54 Last Updated: August 01, 2013 at 13:54
PW000015 View Pathway	metabolic Caffeine Metabolism Homo sapiens Caffeine is obtained from diet including coffee and other beverages and is absorbed in the stomach and small intestine. In the liver, the cytochrome P450 oxidase enzyme system and specifically CYP1A2 metabolizes caffeine into paraxanthine to increase lipolysis and increase free fatty acids and glycerol levels in the blood, theobromine to dilate blood vessels and increase urine volume and theophylline which relaxes bronchi smooth muscles. In the lysosome, these metabolites undergo further metabolism into methyluric acids before being excreted in the urine. There is genetic variability in the metabolism of caffeine due to the polymorphism of CYP1A2. This variability can affect the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of caffeine and may affect an individual's consumption. BioPAX SVG SBGN SBML PWML All files (.zip)	Creator: WishartLab Created On: August 01, 2013 at 13:54 Last Updated: August 01, 2013 at 13:54
PW000016 View Pathway	metabolic Carnitine Synthesis Homo sapiens Carnitine is an ammonium compound that exists in two stereoisomers, of which only L-carnitine is biologically active. Carnitine can be obtained from dietary sources and also biosynthesized. It is necessary for fatty acid oxidation, transporting fatty acids from the cystosol to the mitochondria, where they are broken down via the citric acid cycle to release energy. Carnitine is synthesized from lysine residues in existing proteins. These residues are methylated using lysine methyltransferase enzymes and methyl groups from S-adenosylmethionine, then removed from the protein via hydrolysis. In the next step, the N6,N6,N6-trimethyl-L-lysine is converted to 3-hydroxy-N6,N6,N6-trimethyl-L-lysine t via the mitochondrial enzyme trimethyllysine dioxygenase. The 3-hydroxy-N6,N6,N6-trimethyl-L-lysine is then cleaved to 4-trimethylammoniobutanal and glycine, likely by an aldose identical to serine hydroxymethyltransferase. Next, 4-trimethylammoniobutanal is oxidized by the 4-trimethylaminobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase protein to 4-trimethylammoniobutanoic acid. Finally, 4-trimethylammoniobutanoic acid is transformed into L-carnitine via the enzyme gamma-butyrobetaine dioxygenase. The reactions in the carnitine synthesis pathway occur ubiquitously in the human body with the exception of the last step, as the gamma-butyrobetaine dioxygenase enzyme is found only in the liver and kidney (and at very low levels in the brain). The produced carnitine is then carried to other tissue via a number of transport systems. BioPAX SVG SBGN SBML PWML All files (.zip)	Creator: WishartLab Created On: August 01, 2013 at 13:54 Last Updated: August 01, 2013 at 13:54
PW000017 View Pathway	metabolic Catecholamine Biosynthesis Homo sapiens The Catecholamine Biosynthesis pathway depicts the synthesis of catecholamine neurotransmitters. Catecholamines are chemical hormones released from the adrenal glands as a response to stress that activate the sympathetic nervous system. They are composed of a catechol group and are derived from amino acids. The commonly found catecholamines are epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and dopamine. They are synthesized in catecholaminergic neurons by four enzymes, beginning with tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), which generates L-DOPA from tyrosine. The L-DOPA is then converted to dopamine via aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), which becomes norepinephrine via dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH); and finally is converted to epinephrine via phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT). BioPAX SVG SBGN SBML PWML All files (.zip)	Creator: WishartLab Created On: August 01, 2013 at 13:54 Last Updated: August 01, 2013 at 13:54
PW000018 View Pathway	metabolic Cysteine Metabolism Homo sapiens The semi-essential amino aid cysteine is tightly regulated in the body to ensure proper levels for metabolism but maintaining levels below toxic thresholds. Cysteine can be obtained from diet or synthesized from O-acetyl-L-serine. Cystine is the dimeric form of cysteine. Cysteine is a precursor for protein synthesis and an antioxidant. Impaired cysteine metabolism has been linked with neurodegenerative disorders. BioPAX SVG SBGN SBML PWML All files (.zip)	Creator: WishartLab Created On: August 01, 2013 at 13:54 Last Updated: August 01, 2013 at 13:54
PW000019 View Pathway	metabolic D-Arginine and D-Ornithine Metabolism Homo sapiens D-Amino acids have been show to be present in high concentrations in humans and play a role in biological functions. D-Amino may have negative effects as they can be found in some bacteria or form spontaneously in certain reactions. D-Amino acid oxidase (DAAO) is one of the main enzymes that metabolize D-Amino acids via deamination. DAAO is highly specific towards D-amino acids and favours free neutral D-amino acids or those with hydrophobic, polar or aromatic groups. Acidic amino acids are not catalyze by DAOO. BioPAX SVG SBGN SBML PWML All files (.zip)	Creator: WishartLab Created On: August 01, 2013 at 13:54 Last Updated: August 01, 2013 at 13:54
PW000020 View Pathway	metabolic Degradation of Superoxides Homo sapiens Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are formed by the normal metabolic process of oxygen. Examples are superoxide, oxygen ions and peroxides and can be of either organic or inorganic origin. ROS are highly reactive due to unpaired valence shell electrons, and can cause serious damage to cells and cell organelles. The environment also may cause ROS to form, from sources such as drought, air pollutants, UV light, cold temperatures, and external chemicals. An organic example of ROS being formed is during the beta oxidation of fatty acids, or photorespiration in photosynthetic organisms. Aerobic organisms who produce energy through the electron transport chain in mitochondria produce ROS as a byproduct. ROS damage commmonly includes DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, oxidation of amino acids in proteins, and oxidatively inactivating enzymes by oxidation of cofactors. Most aerobic organisms have adapted to this dangerous condition of life, and have a system of enzymes and scavenging free radicals. Enzymes such as are essential for defense against ROS, and include superoxide dismutases (SODs) and hydroperoxidase (CAT). Superoxide dismutases are the primary method of disposal of ROS, and convert superoxide radicals to hydrogen peroxide and water. Catalase attacks the hydrogen peroxide produced by SODs, and converts it into oxygen and water. In skin cells, 5,6 dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid oxidase in the melanosome membranes breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. BioPAX SVG SBGN SBML PWML All files (.zip)	Creator: WishartLab Created On: August 01, 2013 at 13:54 Last Updated: August 01, 2013 at 13:54