shikimate pathway
Phenylalanine production route
The shikimate pathway is a seven-step metabolic route found in bacteria, fungi, and plants that produces aromatic amino acids—phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan.
Because animals lack this pathway, they must obtain these amino acids from food.
The pathway is a target for herbicides like glyphosate, which blocks a key enzyme.
Named for shikimic acid, an intermediate compound first isolated from Japanese star anise (*shikimi*).
- aromaticPleasantly strong-smelling
- amino acidsOrganic compounds forming proteins
- phenylalanineEssential protein component
- tyrosineProtein-building amino acid
- tryptophanEssential amino acid precursor
glyphosate · herbicide · bacteria · plants · fungi · enzyme · biosynthesis · metabolism · chloroplast · resistance · folate · lignin · alkaloids · flavonoids · biochemistry · precursor · salicylic acid