D-Glucuronate degradation is a metabolic pathway in bacteria that allows the utilization of D-glucuronate, a sugar acid commonly found in plant cell walls and in the degradation of glycosaminoglycans such as heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. D-glucuronate is derived from the breakdown of plant-derived polysaccharides, especially from the hydrolysis of hemicellulose and pectin, or from the degradation of glycosaminoglycans in animal tissues. Once in the environment, D-glucuronate is transported into bacterial cells via specific transport systems, typically a **sodium-coupled symporter** or **ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporter**. These transporters actively import D-glucuronate into the cytoplasm, utilizing either a proton gradient or ATP hydrolysis for energy. After entry, D-glucuronate is converted into D-glucuronate-6-phosphate by the enzyme D-glucuronate kinase. It can then be further metabolized via a series of enzymatic steps, eventually entering central metabolic pathways like the pentose phosphate pathway or glycolysis. This pathway is especially important in bacteria that inhabit plant-rich environments, where D-glucuronate serves as a key carbon and energy source, contributing to the degradation of plant materials and the recycling of carbon.

D-Glucuronate degradation References