Vitamin B12 has the largest and most complicated structure of the B vitamins. Vitamin B12 is soluble in aqueous solution at 12.5 mg/mL.
| Mechanism of Action | Vitamin B12 is required for DNA synthesis as it serves as a precursor for the amino acid methionine. This is consistent with a finding that bacterial cells with a vitamin B12 deficiency have significantly less cellular DNA content. In addition, vitamin B12 is converted into s-adenosylmethionine, a broad spectrum methyl group donor for >100 different substrates including DNA, RNA, and a number of proteins. |
| Microbiology Applications | Because of its role in a number of essential cellular processes, vitamin B12 is frequently used as a cell culture media supplement. |
| Molecular Formula | C63H88CoN14O14P |
| References | Iordan, E. P., and et al. "DNA Synthesis in Relation to a Varying Vitamin B12 Content in Propionibacterium Shermanii Cells." Mikrobiologiia 52.4 (1983): 591-96.www.ncbi.gov. Web. 31 Aug. 2012. "Vitamin B12 Fact Sheet." Office of Dietary Supplements. National Institutes of Health, 24 June 2011. Web. 31 Aug. 2012. |
