Reaction Mechanism
Lysine 69 on ornithine decarboxylase binds the cofactor pyridoxal phosphate to form a Schiff base. Ornithine displaces the lysine to form a Schiff base attached to ornithine, which decarboxylates to form a quinoid intermediate. This intermediate rearranges to form a Schiff base attached to putrescine, which is attacked by lysine to release putrescine product and reform PLP-bound ornithine decarboxylase.
This is the first step and the rate-limiting step in humans for the production of polyamines, compounds required for cell division.
Read more about this topic: Ornithine Decarboxylase
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