1-Deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate

1-Deoxy--xylulose 5-phosphate is a biosynthetic intermediate in the non-mevalonate pathway.

Function
The enzyme involved in making 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate (DXP) is DXP synthase. The mechanism follows a catalysis of decarboxylative condensation of pyruvate and d-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate to produce DXP. In addition, the molecule is involved in making thiamine (Vitamin B1) and pyridoxol (Vitamin B6).

The non-mevalonate pathway intermediate 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate (DXP) also acts as a precursor in making isoprenoids in many species such as bacteria, plants, and apicomplexan parasites, contributing to biological diversity.