Final answer:
Derived from glycine, serine is an intermediate that is converted by serine hydroxymethyltransferase with THF as a necessary coenzyme. Glycine participates in nucleotide synthesis and conjugation to form bile acids and other compounds in the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
A bioactive molecule that is derived from glycine is serine. Serine is an amino acid that serves as the immediate precursor to glycine, and the transformation occurs through the action of the enzyme serine hydroxymethyltransferase. This enzyme relies on the coenzyme tetrahydrofolate (THF), which in turn is a derivative of vitamin B9, commonly known as folic acid.
Glycine is involved in various biochemical pathways including the synthesis of purines for nucleotide generation and the conjugation with cholic acid to form glycocholic acid, a bile acid necessary for digestion. Additionally, glycine can be used to conjugate with other substances, such as nicotinic acid and aromatic acids, to form compounds like hippuric acid.