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Figure 3 | Genome Biology

Figure 3

From: Computational identification of obligatorily autocatalytic replicators embedded in metabolic networks

Figure 3

General scheme for the autocatalytic synthesis of a coenzyme. The coenzyme (carrier molecule) and its loaded form are denoted by Q and Q*, respectively. A, X and F are external compounds provided to the cycle. B is an intermediate in the cycle. G and Y are by-products of the cycle. B can be considered an autocatalyst if X is provided as an external compound. However, if X is an intermediate of the whole network (that is, an internal compound) then providing B does not necessarily launch the cycle because biosynthesis of X might require the presence of coenzyme Q*.

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