以亮氨酸合成为例刍议代谢中的生物化学相似性规律

Discussion on the Biochemical Similarity in Metabolic Principles Based on Leucine Biosynthesis Pathway

生物体内纷杂多样的代谢过程存在诸多规律可循。本文以亮氨酸代谢为例提供一种教学的新模式。结合其他学科知识从基础代谢角度归纳总结生物代谢中化学原理的内在规律;同时,通过对比不同代谢路径中类似酶在进化上的相似性,发现自然界选择这种代谢方式的规律和原因。这种对比不同代谢路径异同的教学模式,可以帮助学生总结生物代谢不同路径之间的内在规律,加深对相关代谢过程的理解,同时也避免生物化学代谢过程杂乱无章、无迹可寻的错误印象,并增加学习过程的趣味性和思辨性。作为对基础生物化学和生物工程等相关课程中代谢过程教学的改革探索,希望对培养21世纪高素质人才有助。

A deep insight into the diverse metabolic pathways gives us the possibility to find the similarities among those processes. This manuscript provides a new paradigm for chemical education using leucine metabolism as the example. Referring concepts from other disciplines, we generalized and summarized the chemical principles involved in the biological metabolisms. Further, patterns and causation behind the predominance of specific metabolic processes were explored through the comparison among homologous enzymes in different pathways to ascertain their evolutionary similarity. This comparison and contrast are intended to help students in summarizing general principles between distinct metabolic pathways, deepening their understanding towards involved metabolic pathways, and preventing the misconception over so-called "chaotic" biochemical metabolic processes. As an attempt of reform in basic biochemistry and bioengineering curricula upon the topic of metabolism, we hope the manuscript can promote students’ sense of intrigue, wonder, and curiosity.