The tyrosine metabolism pathway in bacteria is a crucial metabolic route that breaks down the aromatic amino acid tyrosine into intermediates that can be used in energy production, biomass synthesis, or detoxification. This pathway begins with the conversion of tyrosine into p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate by tyrosine aminotransferase, which involves transamination using α-ketoglutarate. p-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate is then converted into homogentisate via hydroxylation, catalyzed by p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase. Homogentisate undergoes ring cleavage by homogentisate dioxygenase, producing maleylacetoacetate, which is subsequently isomerized to fumarylacetoacetate. Fumarylacetoacetate is hydrolyzed into fumarate and acetoacetate, intermediates that enter the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. This pathway not only allows bacteria to utilize tyrosine as a carbon and energy source but also plays a role in environmental biodegradation, particularly in breaking down aromatic compounds. Additionally, intermediates like homogentisate serve as precursors for other metabolic pathways, such as the synthesis of certain quinones.

Tyrosine metabolism References