Involved in EPSP biosynthesis. The aroA gene, which encodes
5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase , an enzyme of the
common aromatic biosynthetic pathway, the enzyme participates in
biosynthesis of the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine, tyrosine
and tryptophan.
The enzyme is a target for herbicides as these amino acids are only
synthesized in plants and microorganisms. Glyphosate acts as a
competitive inhibitor for phosphoenolpyruvate, as substrate of
EPSPS, and is used as a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide.
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