O-Acetylserine is an α-amino acid with the chemical formula HO2CCH(NH2)CH2OC(O)CH3. It is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of the common amino acid cysteine in bacteria and plants. O-Acetylserine is biosynthesized by acetylation of the serine by the enzyme serine transacetylase. The enzyme O-acetylserine (thiol)-lyase, using sulfide sources, converts this ester into cysteine, releasing acetate:[1]

HO2CCH(NH2)CH2OH → HO2CCH(NH2)CH2OC(O)CH3
HO2CCH(NH2)CH2OC(O)CH3 → HO2CCH(NH2)CH2SH

References

  1. ^ Hell, R. (1997). "Molecular physiology of plant sulfur metabolism". Planta. 202 (2): 138–148. doi:10.1007/s004250050112. PMID 9202491. S2CID 2539629.