Ketopantoic acid
# Ketopantoic acid

Ketopantoic acid is the organic compound with the formula $HOCH_2(CH_3)_2CC(O)CO_2H.$ At physiological conditions, ketopantoic acid exists as its conjugate base, ketopantoate $(HOCH_2(CH_3)_2CC(O)CO_2^−).$

## Biosynthetic context

Its biosynthesis proceeds from ketoisovalerate by hydroxymethylation:

    $(CH_3)_2CHC(O)CO_2^−$ + $CH_2O$ → $HOCH_2(CH_3)_2CC(O)CO_2^−$

This conversion is catalyzed by ketopantoate hydroxymethyltransferase, which gives ketopantoate.

Ketopantoate is substrate for 2-dehydropantoate 2-reductase, which produces pantoate, a precursor to pantothenic acid, a common prosthetic group.

