D-Galacturonate degradation is a key metabolic pathway in bacteria that allows them to utilize D-galacturonate, a major component of pectin, as a carbon and energy source. D-Galacturonate is primarily derived from the degradation of plant biomass, particularly the breakdown of pectin, which is abundant in the cell walls of fruits and other plant tissues. Pectin is hydrolyzed by pectinolytic enzymes, releasing D-galacturonate monomers into the environment. Once transported into the bacterial cell, D-galacturonate is metabolized via a series of enzymatic reactions. It is first reduced to D-galactonate, which is then dehydrated to 2-keto-3-deoxy-galactonate (KDG). KDG is further cleaved into pyruvate and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, which can enter central metabolic pathways such as glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle for energy production and biosynthesis. This degradation pathway is particularly important for soil bacteria and plant pathogens, enabling them to thrive in plant-rich environments by utilizing pectin-derived sugars. Additionally, D-galacturonate metabolism contributes to the global carbon cycle by recycling plant-derived carbohydrates.

D-Galacturonate degradation References