D-α-Hydroxyisovaleric acid (CAS 17407-56-6)

D-α-Hydroxyisovaleric acid, referred to as (R)-2-hydroxyisobutyric acid (RHIBA), is an organic compound that occurs naturally in a diverse range of plants, animals, and microorganisms. D-α-Hydroxyisovaleric acid possesses chirality, stemming from a lone asymmetric carbon atom, and assumes significance as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of amino acids, fatty acids, and various other compounds. The applications of D-α-Hydroxyisovaleric acid in scientific research abound. It serves as a substrate for synthesizing diverse compounds, including amino acids, fatty acids, and other metabolites. Moreover, it finds utility as an analytical reagent, facilitating the determination of concentration levels of various compounds. Additionally, D-α-Hydroxyisovaleric acid assumes importance in biochemical and molecular biology studies, playing a role in the investigation of enzyme structure and function. It participates as a substrate in the Krebs cycle, a series of chemical reactions that generate cellular energy. Furthermore, in cell signaling, D-α-Hydroxyisovaleric acid plays a role in the generation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), a vital signaling molecule that regulates numerous cellular processes.