L-myo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase (MIPS; EC: 5.5.1.4) catalyzes the conversion of D-glucose-6-phosphate to 1L-myo-inositol-1-phosphate, the rate limiting step in the biosynthesis of all inositol containing compounds. Myo-inositol and its derivatives are implicated in membrane biogenesis, cell signaling, salinity stress tolerance and a number of other metabolic reactions in different organisms. This enzyme has been reported from a number of bacteria, fungi, plants and animals. In the present study some bryophytes available in the Eastern Himalaya have been screened for free myo-inositol content. It is seen that Bryum corinatum, a bryopsid shows the highest content of free myo-inositol among the species screened. Subsequently , the enzyme MIPS has been... |