Component

Menaquinone-4 biosynthesis

Menaquinone-4 biosynthesis. Species, exposure and limitations are retained in each linked claim.

4 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 acts on it

  1. High added magnesium inhibited MK-4 synthesis with GGPP in the microsomal assay; residual microsomal magnesium prevented a zero-magnesium conclusion.

    Mg2+ → Menaquinone-4 biosynthesis source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/k2-research/25874989.fulltext.txt", "locator": "Exact primary full-text span; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "bbd73607ba2570aa383c81c189b29dd19f1cbd7bf7acdd8343ecf3ee7dc5faf8", "start_char": 45325, "end_char": 45633, "text_sha256": "6ae5b000cbc7fa6b682d2b2a915102061ea7bd2e3a3941a1bce8ed98ce0ee016"}
    experimental_model
    Microsomal enzyme assays and mutagenesis
    exposure
    Prenyl donors, reductant, magnesium and lipophilic statins
    limitations
    In-vitro substrate and assay context. Residual microsomal magnesium prevents concluding that synthesis is magnesium-independent; no human supplementation effect was tested.
    nutrient_topic
    Vitamin K2 research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. · Vitamin K2 / menaquinone family
    organism
    Human UBIAD1 expressed in Sf9 insect cells
    plain_language
    More of a cofactor is not automatically better in an enzyme assay.
    primary_references
    [k2-p25874989] Functional characterization of the vitamin K2 biosynthetic enzyme UBIAD1. (2015). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25874989/ DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125737
    tissue_or_cell_type
    Microsomal prenylation

    Vitamin K2: menaquinone forms, carboxylation, recycling and nutrient interactions (2026-09-17) · lines 227–238

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Microsomal enzyme assays and mutagenesis · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### k2-magnesium-context High added magnesium inhibited MK-4 synthesis with GGPP in the microsomal assay; residual microsomal magnesium prevented a zero-magnesium conclusion. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Vitamin K2 research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. plain_language: More of a cofactor is not automatically better in an enzyme assay. organism: Human UBIAD1 expressed in Sf9 insect cells tissue_or_cell_type: Microsomal prenylation experimental_model: Microsomal enzyme assays and mutagenesis limitations: In-vitro substrate and assay context. Residual microsomal magnesium prevents concluding that synthesis is magnesium-independent; no human supplementation effect was tested. exposure: Prenyl donors, reductant, magnesium and lipophilic statins evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/k2-research/25874989.fulltext.txt", "locator": "Exact primary full-text span; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "bbd73607ba2570aa383c81c189b29dd19f1cbd7bf7acdd8343ecf3ee7dc5faf8", "start_char": 45325, "end_char": 45633, "text_sha256": "6ae5b000cbc7fa6b682d2b2a915102061ea7bd2e3a3941a1bce8ed98ce0ee016"} [k2-p25874989] Functional characterization of the vitamin K2 biosynthetic enzyme UBIAD1. (2015). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25874989/ DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125737
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  2. UBIAD1-targeted siRNA inhibited labeled MK-4 formation in human cells.

    Human UBIAD1 prenyltransferase → Menaquinone-4 biosynthesis source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    availability_state
    machinery_impairment Imported condition classification; unverified.
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/k2-research/20953171.abstract.txt", "locator": "Exact primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "b8786e664d3b32db7b0cca72c710e24f1546e14f0a69c031908400731174cea3", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 2006, "text_sha256": "b8786e664d3b32db7b0cca72c710e24f1546e14f0a69c031908400731174cea3"}
    experimental_model
    Gene knockdown, heterologous expression, isotope conversion and NMR
    exposure
    Labeled vitamin K precursors, UBIAD1 knockdown and expression
    limitations
    Identifies a biosynthetic enzyme, not a clinical requirement to supplement MK-4. K1-derived MK-4 synthesis does not make humans independent of external vitamin K precursors.
    nutrient_topic
    Vitamin K2 research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. · Vitamin K2 / menaquinone family
    organism
    Human UBIAD1 in human and insect-cell systems; mouse localization
    plain_language
    A synthesis defect is different from simply eating little K2.
    primary_references
    [k2-p20953171] Identification of UBIAD1 as a novel human menaquinone-4 biosynthetic enzyme. (2010). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20953171/ DOI: 10.1038/nature09464
    tissue_or_cell_type
    MK-4 synthesis
    trigger_kind
    machinery_impairment Imported condition classification; unverified.

    Vitamin K2: menaquinone forms, carboxylation, recycling and nutrient interactions (2026-09-17) · lines 149–160

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Gene knockdown, heterologous expression, isotope conversion and NMR · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### k2-ubiad1-knockdown UBIAD1-targeted siRNA inhibited labeled MK-4 formation in human cells. Condition category: machinery_impairment nutrient_topic: Vitamin K2 research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. plain_language: A synthesis defect is different from simply eating little K2. organism: Human UBIAD1 in human and insect-cell systems; mouse localization tissue_or_cell_type: MK-4 synthesis experimental_model: Gene knockdown, heterologous expression, isotope conversion and NMR limitations: Identifies a biosynthetic enzyme, not a clinical requirement to supplement MK-4. K1-derived MK-4 synthesis does not make humans independent of external vitamin K precursors. exposure: Labeled vitamin K precursors, UBIAD1 knockdown and expression evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/k2-research/20953171.abstract.txt", "locator": "Exact primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "b8786e664d3b32db7b0cca72c710e24f1546e14f0a69c031908400731174cea3", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 2006, "text_sha256": "b8786e664d3b32db7b0cca72c710e24f1546e14f0a69c031908400731174cea3"} [k2-p20953171] Identification of UBIAD1 as a novel human menaquinone-4 biosynthetic enzyme. (2010). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20953171/ DOI: 10.1038/nature09464
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  3. Human UBIAD1 expression supported conversion of labeled vitamin K precursors to MK-4, identified by deuterium NMR.

    Human UBIAD1 prenyltransferase → Menaquinone-4 biosynthesis source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/k2-research/20953171.abstract.txt", "locator": "Exact primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "b8786e664d3b32db7b0cca72c710e24f1546e14f0a69c031908400731174cea3", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 2006, "text_sha256": "b8786e664d3b32db7b0cca72c710e24f1546e14f0a69c031908400731174cea3"}
    experimental_model
    Gene knockdown, heterologous expression, isotope conversion and NMR
    exposure
    Labeled vitamin K precursors, UBIAD1 knockdown and expression
    limitations
    Identifies a biosynthetic enzyme, not a clinical requirement to supplement MK-4. K1-derived MK-4 synthesis does not make humans independent of external vitamin K precursors.
    nutrient_topic
    Vitamin K2 research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. · Vitamin K2 / menaquinone family
    organism
    Human UBIAD1 in human and insect-cell systems; mouse localization
    plain_language
    Cells have an enzyme that can make MK-4 from vitamin K precursors.
    primary_references
    [k2-p20953171] Identification of UBIAD1 as a novel human menaquinone-4 biosynthetic enzyme. (2010). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20953171/ DOI: 10.1038/nature09464
    tissue_or_cell_type
    MK-4 synthesis

    Vitamin K2: menaquinone forms, carboxylation, recycling and nutrient interactions (2026-09-17) · lines 136–147

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Gene knockdown, heterologous expression, isotope conversion and NMR · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### k2-ubiad1-synthesis Human UBIAD1 expression supported conversion of labeled vitamin K precursors to MK-4, identified by deuterium NMR. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Vitamin K2 research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. plain_language: Cells have an enzyme that can make MK-4 from vitamin K precursors. organism: Human UBIAD1 in human and insect-cell systems; mouse localization tissue_or_cell_type: MK-4 synthesis experimental_model: Gene knockdown, heterologous expression, isotope conversion and NMR limitations: Identifies a biosynthetic enzyme, not a clinical requirement to supplement MK-4. K1-derived MK-4 synthesis does not make humans independent of external vitamin K precursors. exposure: Labeled vitamin K precursors, UBIAD1 knockdown and expression evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/k2-research/20953171.abstract.txt", "locator": "Exact primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "b8786e664d3b32db7b0cca72c710e24f1546e14f0a69c031908400731174cea3", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 2006, "text_sha256": "b8786e664d3b32db7b0cca72c710e24f1546e14f0a69c031908400731174cea3"} [k2-p20953171] Identification of UBIAD1 as a novel human menaquinone-4 biosynthetic enzyme. (2010). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20953171/ DOI: 10.1038/nature09464
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  4. Warfarin did not inhibit UBIAD1-mediated MK-4 biosynthesis in the reported experiments.

    Warfarin → Menaquinone-4 biosynthesis source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/k2-research/20953171.abstract.txt", "locator": "Exact primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "b8786e664d3b32db7b0cca72c710e24f1546e14f0a69c031908400731174cea3", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 2006, "text_sha256": "b8786e664d3b32db7b0cca72c710e24f1546e14f0a69c031908400731174cea3"}
    experimental_model
    Gene knockdown, heterologous expression, isotope conversion and NMR
    exposure
    Labeled vitamin K precursors, UBIAD1 knockdown and expression
    limitations
    Identifies a biosynthetic enzyme, not a clinical requirement to supplement MK-4. K1-derived MK-4 synthesis does not make humans independent of external vitamin K precursors.
    nutrient_topic
    Vitamin K2 research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. · Vitamin K2 / menaquinone family
    organism
    Human UBIAD1 in human and insect-cell systems; mouse localization
    plain_language
    The drug blocks vitamin K recycling, but that is a different enzyme step from making MK-4.
    primary_references
    [k2-p20953171] Identification of UBIAD1 as a novel human menaquinone-4 biosynthetic enzyme. (2010). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20953171/ DOI: 10.1038/nature09464
    tissue_or_cell_type
    MK-4 synthesis

    Vitamin K2: menaquinone forms, carboxylation, recycling and nutrient interactions (2026-09-17) · lines 162–173

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Gene knockdown, heterologous expression, isotope conversion and NMR · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### k2-ubiad1-warfarin Warfarin did not inhibit UBIAD1-mediated MK-4 biosynthesis in the reported experiments. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Vitamin K2 research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. plain_language: The drug blocks vitamin K recycling, but that is a different enzyme step from making MK-4. organism: Human UBIAD1 in human and insect-cell systems; mouse localization tissue_or_cell_type: MK-4 synthesis experimental_model: Gene knockdown, heterologous expression, isotope conversion and NMR limitations: Identifies a biosynthetic enzyme, not a clinical requirement to supplement MK-4. K1-derived MK-4 synthesis does not make humans independent of external vitamin K precursors. exposure: Labeled vitamin K precursors, UBIAD1 knockdown and expression evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/k2-research/20953171.abstract.txt", "locator": "Exact primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "b8786e664d3b32db7b0cca72c710e24f1546e14f0a69c031908400731174cea3", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 2006, "text_sha256": "b8786e664d3b32db7b0cca72c710e24f1546e14f0a69c031908400731174cea3"} [k2-p20953171] Identification of UBIAD1 as a novel human menaquinone-4 biosynthetic enzyme. (2010). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20953171/ DOI: 10.1038/nature09464
    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.

    Evidence, AI assistance and curation standards