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Introduction
of
5-Aminolevulinic Acid
5-Aminolevulinic acid (dALA or δ-ALA or D-aminolevulinic acid)
is the first compound in the porphyrin synthesis pathway, the
pathway that leads to hemoglobin in mammals.
In non-photosynthetic eukaryotes such as animals, insects,
fungi, and protozoa as well as the α-proteobacteria group of
bacteria 5-Aminolevulinic Acid is produced by the enzyme ALA
synthase, from glycine and succinyl CoA. This reaction is
known as the Shemin pathway.
In plants, algae, bacteria (except for the α-proteobacteria
group) and archaea it is produced from glutamic acid via
glutamyl-tRNA and glutamate-1-semialdehyde. The enzymes
involved in this pathway are glutamyl-tRNA synthetase,
glutamyl-tRNA reductase and glutamate-1-semialdehyde
aminotransferase. This pathway is known as the C5 or Beale
pathway.
5-Aminolevulinic Acid elicits synthesis and accumulation of
fluorescent porphyrins (protoporphyrin IX) in epithelia and
neoplastic tissues, among them malignant gliomas.
5-Aminolevulinic Acid is used to visualise tumorous tissue in
neurosurgical procedures. Studies [1] have shown that the
intraoperative use of this guiding method may reduce the
tumour recidual volume and prolong progression-free survival
inpatients suffering from this disease.
5-Aminolevulinic acid is a photosensitizer for photodynamic
therapy.
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Information on this page is provided for general
information purposes. You should not make a clinical treatment
decision based on information contained in this page without
consulting other references including the package insert of
the drug, textbooks and where relevant, expert opinion. We
cannot be held responsible for any errors you make in
administering drugs mentioned on this page, nor for use of any
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