UDP-N-acetylglucosamine is a nucleotide derivative of N-acetylglucosamine made ultimately from glucosamine-6-phosphate (Figure 16.13).

UDP-N-acetylglucosamine is an intermediate in chitin biosynthesis in insects, participates in synthesis of hyaluronic acid, and is involved in the first step of synthesis of N-linked glycoproteins. In the latter process,

UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, transfers the N-acetylglucosamine moiety to dolichol phosphate (Figure 16.17). The antibiotic tunicamycin acts by blocking this transfer and inhibiting synthesis of N-linked glycoproteins.

UDP-N-acetylglucosamine is a precursor of UDP-N-acetylmuramic acid in biosynthesis of UDP-N-acetylmuramylpentapeptide for bacteria cell walls.