Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine)
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Three (3) similar pyridine derivatives (and their phosphates) have Vitamin
B6 activity: pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine. The
metabolically active form in tissues is pyridoxal phosphate.
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Pyridoxal phosphate is a cofactor for a variety of enzymes involved in amino
acid metabolism:
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Various amino acid transaminases
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Various amino acid decarboxylases
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Threonine aldolase
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Pyridoxal phosphate is also a cofactor for phosphorylase, an enzyme necessary
for glycogen breakdown (to supply glucose as an energy substrate).