Component

4-Aminobenzoate / pABA

3 recorded relationships. Experimental role, claim status and evidence remain attached to each record.

Read recorded mechanisms Open recursive mind map

How nutrients influence it

Every nutrient with a recorded effect on this component, credited to the nutrient that acted rather than the chapter that recorded it. Open a nutrient to see the findings and the conditions they were measured under.

How nutrients reach it in more than one step

Chains of two or more recorded steps that end here, grouped by the nutrient they start from. Each step is a separate finding, so a chain is a route a mechanism could take, not proof that it does.

Tracing routes…

What it does

Every recorded relationship this component is part of, grouped by its role. Plain wording comes first; the technical statement follows.

Recorded relationships

What it acts on

  1. pABA is a bacterial folate biosynthetic precursor downstream of the chorismate/PabC branch.

    4-Aminobenzoate / pABA → Folate (vitamin B9) source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary indexed abstract reviewed; full results, tables and supplements not independently extracted.
    experimental_model
    E. coli biosynthesis context, not mammalian de-novo folate synthesis.
    interpretation_status
    Source-derived extraction of a fact-checked reference; access is explicit, not independent raw-data verification.
    limitations
    Multistep branch relationship; not direct pABA-to-folate conversion, increased human plasma folate or a supplement effect.
    plain_language
    pABA is a bacterial folate biosynthetic precursor downstream of the chorismate/PabC branch.
    primary_references
    Characterization and sequence of Escherichia coli pabC, the gene encoding aminodeoxychorismate lyase, a pyridoxal phosphate-containing enzyme. | 1992 | DOI 10.1128/jb.174.16.5317-5323.1992 | PMID 1644759 | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1644759/ | https://doi.org/10.1128/jb.174.16.5317-5323.1992 | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC206368/
    primary_references
    para-aminobenzoate synthesis from chorismate occurs in two steps. | 1989 | DOI 10.1016/s0021-9258(18)81833-6 | PMID 2656685 | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2656685/ | https://doi.org/10.1016/s0021-9258(18)81833-6
    source_locator
    Reviewed reference lines 25-25; exact primary location described in quoted passage where extracted.

    Shikimic acid: detailed mechanisms of action (reviewed 5 October 2026) · lines 25–25

    Original AI-assisted review of primary studies and, where relevant, official regulatory records. Access level is retained per claim. Corrections, null results and unresolved questions remain explicit. Not publisher full text or independent replication. · supports · E. coli biosynthesis context, not mammalian de-novo folate synthesis. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    **The folate branch contains a B6-dependent step.** In E. coli, PabA supplies nitrogen from glutamine, generating glutamate; PabB uses chorismate and that nitrogen to form 4-amino-4-deoxychorismate. PabC then cleaves this intermediate to p-aminobenzoate (pABA) and pyruvate. The purified PabC enzyme contains pyridoxal phosphate (PLP), a B6 cofactor. A disrupted pabC strain required external pABA for growth. This establishes a microbial cofactor and biosynthetic dependency, not that marginal human B6 deficiency causes microbial folate failure. pABA is a precursor used in bacterial folate synthesis, not folate itself. [para-aminobenzoate synthesis from chorismate occurs in two steps.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2656685/) [Characterization and sequence of Escherichia coli pabC, the gene encoding aminodeoxychorismate lyase, a pyridoxal phosphate-containing enzyme.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1644759/)
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  2. External pABA supports growth of the disrupted-pabC strain.

    4-Aminobenzoate / pABA → Growth of PabC-deficient E. coli source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    availability_state
    machinery_impairment Imported condition classification; unverified.
    evidence_access
    Primary indexed abstract reviewed; full results, tables and supplements not independently extracted.
    experimental_condition
    Same disrupted-pabC strain without external pABA disrupted · Escherichia coli aminodeoxychorismate lyase / PabC Condition belongs to the full experimental contrast; do not separate a joint intervention.
    experimental_condition
    Same disrupted-pabC strain without external pABA supplied · 4-Aminobenzoate / pABA Condition belongs to the full experimental contrast; do not separate a joint intervention.
    experimental_contrast
    {"intervention": "External pABA in disrupted-pabC background", "comparator": "Same disrupted-pabC strain without external pABA", "endpoint": "External pABA supports growth of the disrupted-pabC strain.", "effect_direction": "increase", "combination": "joint", "conditions": [{"entity_slug": "ecoli-pabc", "state": "disrupted"}, {"entity_slug": "4-aminobenzoate", "state": "supplied"}]} Explicit extracted experimental comparison; source-derived draft.
    experimental_model
    E. coli genetic machinery impairment and nutritional rescue.
    interpretation_status
    Source-derived extraction of a fact-checked reference; access is explicit, not independent raw-data verification.
    limitations
    Interpret only within the recorded preparation, exposure and comparator. The complete source passage retains qualifications; unspecified doses/timing have not been extracted here. No clinical efficacy, nutrient deficiency or unique molecular mediation is inferred.
    plain_language
    External pABA supports growth of the disrupted-pabC strain.
    primary_references
    Characterization and sequence of Escherichia coli pabC, the gene encoding aminodeoxychorismate lyase, a pyridoxal phosphate-containing enzyme. | 1992 | DOI 10.1128/jb.174.16.5317-5323.1992 | PMID 1644759 | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1644759/ | https://doi.org/10.1128/jb.174.16.5317-5323.1992 | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC206368/
    primary_references
    para-aminobenzoate synthesis from chorismate occurs in two steps. | 1989 | DOI 10.1016/s0021-9258(18)81833-6 | PMID 2656685 | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2656685/ | https://doi.org/10.1016/s0021-9258(18)81833-6
    source_locator
    Reviewed reference lines 25-25; exact primary location described in quoted passage where extracted.
    trigger_kind
    machinery_impairment Imported condition classification; unverified.

    Shikimic acid: detailed mechanisms of action (reviewed 5 October 2026) · lines 25–25

    Original AI-assisted review of primary studies and, where relevant, official regulatory records. Access level is retained per claim. Corrections, null results and unresolved questions remain explicit. Not publisher full text or independent replication. · supports · E. coli genetic machinery impairment and nutritional rescue. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    **The folate branch contains a B6-dependent step.** In E. coli, PabA supplies nitrogen from glutamine, generating glutamate; PabB uses chorismate and that nitrogen to form 4-amino-4-deoxychorismate. PabC then cleaves this intermediate to p-aminobenzoate (pABA) and pyruvate. The purified PabC enzyme contains pyridoxal phosphate (PLP), a B6 cofactor. A disrupted pabC strain required external pABA for growth. This establishes a microbial cofactor and biosynthetic dependency, not that marginal human B6 deficiency causes microbial folate failure. pABA is a precursor used in bacterial folate synthesis, not folate itself. [para-aminobenzoate synthesis from chorismate occurs in two steps.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2656685/) [Characterization and sequence of Escherichia coli pabC, the gene encoding aminodeoxychorismate lyase, a pyridoxal phosphate-containing enzyme.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1644759/)
    Complete structured claim and evidence

What acts on it

  1. PLP-containing PabC cleaves aminodeoxychorismate to pABA and pyruvate.

    4-Amino-4-deoxychorismate → 4-Aminobenzoate / pABA source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary indexed abstract reviewed; full results, tables and supplements not independently extracted.
    experimental_model
    Escherichia coli biochemical pathway; source-specific enzyme evidence recorded in the passage.
    interpretation_status
    Source-derived extraction of a fact-checked reference; access is explicit, not independent raw-data verification.
    limitations
    Interpret only within the recorded preparation, exposure and comparator. The complete source passage retains qualifications; unspecified doses/timing have not been extracted here. No clinical efficacy, nutrient deficiency or unique molecular mediation is inferred.
    plain_language
    PLP-containing PabC cleaves aminodeoxychorismate to pABA and pyruvate.
    primary_references
    Characterization and sequence of Escherichia coli pabC, the gene encoding aminodeoxychorismate lyase, a pyridoxal phosphate-containing enzyme. | 1992 | DOI 10.1128/jb.174.16.5317-5323.1992 | PMID 1644759 | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1644759/ | https://doi.org/10.1128/jb.174.16.5317-5323.1992 | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC206368/
    primary_references
    para-aminobenzoate synthesis from chorismate occurs in two steps. | 1989 | DOI 10.1016/s0021-9258(18)81833-6 | PMID 2656685 | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2656685/ | https://doi.org/10.1016/s0021-9258(18)81833-6
    source_locator
    Reviewed reference lines 25-25; exact primary location described in quoted passage where extracted.

    Shikimic acid: detailed mechanisms of action (reviewed 5 October 2026) · lines 25–25

    Original AI-assisted review of primary studies and, where relevant, official regulatory records. Access level is retained per claim. Corrections, null results and unresolved questions remain explicit. Not publisher full text or independent replication. · supports · Escherichia coli biochemical pathway; source-specific enzyme evidence recorded in the passage. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    **The folate branch contains a B6-dependent step.** In E. coli, PabA supplies nitrogen from glutamine, generating glutamate; PabB uses chorismate and that nitrogen to form 4-amino-4-deoxychorismate. PabC then cleaves this intermediate to p-aminobenzoate (pABA) and pyruvate. The purified PabC enzyme contains pyridoxal phosphate (PLP), a B6 cofactor. A disrupted pabC strain required external pABA for growth. This establishes a microbial cofactor and biosynthetic dependency, not that marginal human B6 deficiency causes microbial folate failure. pABA is a precursor used in bacterial folate synthesis, not folate itself. [para-aminobenzoate synthesis from chorismate occurs in two steps.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2656685/) [Characterization and sequence of Escherichia coli pabC, the gene encoding aminodeoxychorismate lyase, a pyridoxal phosphate-containing enzyme.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1644759/)
    Complete structured claim and evidence

In the sources

Preserved passages that mention this component, quoted exactly. Open one to read it in context.

    This is a research prototype built from draft material. It is not medical advice, and its statements still await verification against the original studies.