Pyridoxal Phosphate also known as PLP, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate or P5P, is the active form of vitamin B6 and a coenzyme for many pyridoxal phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzymes. PLP is involved in numerous enzymatic transamination, decarboxylation and deamination reactions; it is necessary for the synthesis of amino acids and amino acid metabolites, and for the synthesis and/or catabolism of certain neurotransmitters, including the conversion of glutamate into gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and levodopa into dopamine. PLP can be used as a dietary supplement in cases of vitamin B6 deficiency. Reduced levels of PLP in the brain can cause neurological dysfunction.
Purification Methods
PLP has been purified by dissolving 2g in H2O (10-15mL, in a dialysis bag a third full) and dialysing with gentle stirring against 1L of H2O (+ two drops of toluene) for 15hours in a cold room. The dialysate is evaporated to 80-100mL, then lyophilised. Lemon yellow microscopic needles of the monohydrate remain when all the ice crystals have been removed. The purity is checked by paper chromatography (in EtOH or n-PrOH/NH3) and the spot(s) visualised under UV light after reaction with a spray of p-phenylene diamine, NH3 and molybdate. Solutions stored in a freezer are 2-3% hydrolysed in 3weeks. At 25o, only 4-6% hydrolysis occurs even in N NaOH or HCl, and 2% is hydrolysed at 37o in 1day-but is complete at 100o in 4hours. It is best stored as a dry solid at -20o. In aqueous acid the solution is colourless but is yellow in alkaline solutions. It has UV max at 305nm ( 1100) and 380nm ( 6550) in 0.1 N NaOH; 330nm ( 2450) and 388nm ( 4,900) in 0.05M phosphate buffer pH 7.0 and 295nm ( 6700) in 0.1N HCl. [Peterson et al. Biochemical Preparations 3 34, 119 1953.] The oxime decomposes at 229-230o and is practically insoluble in H2O, EtOH and Et2O. The O-methyloxime decomposes at 212-213o. [Heyl et al. J Am Chem Soc 73 3430 1951.] It has also been purified by column chromatography through Amberlite IRC-50 (H+) [Peterson & Sober J Am Chem Soc 76 169 1954]. [Beilstein 21/13 V 46.]
