InterPro domain: IPR002812

3-Dehydroquinate synthase ( 4.2.3.4 ) is an enzyme in the common pathway of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis that catalyses the conversion of 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonic acid 7-phosphate (DAHP) into 3-dehydroquinic acid [ 1 ]. This synthesis of aromatic amino acids is an essential metabolic function for most prokaryotic as well as lower eukaryotic cells, including plants. The pathway is absent in humans; therefore, DHQS represents a potential target for the development of novel and selective antimicrobial agents. Owing to the threat posed by the spread of pathogenic bacteria resistant to many currently used antimicrobial drugs, there is clearly a need to develop new anti-infective drugs acting at novel targets. A further potential use for DHQS inhibitors is as herbicides [ 2 ].

1. Identification of many crystal forms of Aspergillus nidulans dehydroquinate synthase. Acta Crystallogr. D Biol. Crystallogr. 57, 306-9
2. Aromatic inhibitors of dehydroquinate synthase: synthesis, evaluation and implications for gallic acid biosynthesis. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 11, 1493-6