Molecular cannibalism

摘要

The biosynthesis of vitamin B_(12) has fascinated generations of scientists, but part of the pathway was unknown. The missing enzymatic link has now been found, only to raise more mechanistic questions. Most people who take vitamin supplements are unaware of the scientific history behind their unassuming tablets. Vitamin B_(12) is an excellent case in point — no less than four Nobel prizes have been awarded for work relating to this seemingly commonplace compound (Box 1, overleaf).