Alyssa I. answered • 04/14/21
Medical Student Specializing in Science and Spanish Tutoring
Vitamin B2 also know as riboflavin is a water soluble vitamin belonging to a class of molecules call flavins. The active forms include flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). FAD and FMN function as cofactors for enzymes involved in redox reactions (chemical reactions in which electrons are transferred from one substance to another). FMN is a cofactor for renal L-amino acid oxidase, NADH reductase, and α-hydroxy acid oxidase. Protein and amino acid metabolism: specifically deamination. The removal of the alpha amino group is the 1st step in protein catabolism. Oxidative deamination is catalized by L-amino acid oxidase. The initial step is removal of two hydrogen atoms by the flavin coenzyme with formation of an unstable alpha amino acid intermediate. Water is added to this intermediate created NH4+ and results in an alpha keto acid. L-amino acid oxidase occurs in the liver and kidney only. FMN is also a component of complex one of the electron transport chain.
