Human Metabolome Database (HMDB): GDP-L-fucose is a sugar nucleotide and a readily available source of fucose. Fucose is a deoxyhexose that is found in nearly all plant and animal species. The monosaccharide plays several important metabolic roles in complex carbohydrates and in glycoproteins. Fucosylated oligosaccharides are involved in cell-cell recognition, selectin-mediated leukocyte-endothelial adhesion, and mouse embryogenesis. They form the basis of the Lewis-type blood group antigens, are involved in the formation of atherosclerosis, and mediate host-bacterial interactions. A decrease in the availability of fucose is associated with leukocyte adhesion deficiency type-II disorder, and fucosylated glycoproteins have been implicated in memory processes. Fucose is made available during the synthesis of fucosylated glycolipids, oligosaccharides, and glycoproteins via a sugar nucleotide intermediate, specifically GDP-L-fucose. GTP-L-fucose pyrophosphorylase (GFPP, E. C. 2.7.7.30) catalyzes the reversible condensation of guanosine triphosphate and beta-L-fucose-1-phosphate to form the nucleotide-sugar GDP-L-fucose. The enzyme functions primarily in the mammalian liver and kidney to salvage free L-fucose during the breakdown of glycolipids and glycoproteins. (PMID: 16086588).
External links: hmdb.cakegg.jpebi.ac.ukpubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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