Browsing Pathways

N-decanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (C10-HSL) is a quorum sensing signaling molecule produced by certain Gram-negative bacteria, such as Pseudomonas species, that enables the coordination of group behaviors like biofilm formation, virulence factor production, and motility. The biosynthesis of C10-HSL is catalyzed by acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) synthase enzymes, typically homologs of LuxI. The biosynthetic pathway begins with L-homoserine, which serves as the core backbone of the molecule. The C10 fatty acyl group, derived from decanoyl-CoA, is transferred by the AHL synthase enzyme, forming an amide bond with the amino group of L-homoserine. This intermediate is then cyclized to form the lactone ring, resulting in the production of N-decanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (C10-HSL). Additionally, some LuxI homologs can modify the acyl group to include a keto group at the third carbon, resulting in the production of N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (3-oxo-C10-HSL), which further modulates the quorum sensing response. Both C10-HSL and 3-oxo-C10-HSL act as quorum sensing molecules, diffusing into the extracellular space where their concentration builds as the bacterial population grows. When the concentration of these molecules reaches a critical threshold, they bind to LuxR-type receptors, forming complexes that activate the transcription of genes involved in quorum sensing-regulated behaviors. This system allows bacteria to synchronize their actions in response to population density, enhancing their ability to form biofilms, regulate virulence, and adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Trehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules that can be used as a store of energy, as well as water retention and protection from freezing at low temperatures. In this pathway, glucose-6-phosphate from the galactose metabolism pathway combines with uridine diphosphate glucose to form alpha,alpha-trehalose 6-phosphate, as well as uridine 5’-diphosphate and a hydrogen ion as byroducts in a reaction catalyzed by alpha,alpha-trehalose-phosphate synthase [UDP-forming]. Following this, alpha,alpha-trehalose 6-phosphate is converted to alpha,alpha-trehalose following the hydrolytic cleavage of its phosphate group by trehalose-phosphate phosphatase. Alpha,alpha-trehalose can then function as energy stores until it is broken down as a part of the trehalose degradation pathway when needed.

Fatty acid oxidation is also known as beta-oxidation. Fatty acids are an important energy source because they are anhydrous and can be reduced. Fatty acids are good sources of energy as they yield more energy than carbohydrates. The fatty acid oxidation pathway degrades fatty acids into acetyl-CoA under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Enzymes of this pathway can process short and long chain fatty acids. The first step in the pathway is the conversion of acyl-CoA to enoyl-CoA. The pathway continues in a cycle, each turn removing two carbon atoms from the input acyl-CoA to produce acetyl-CoA. Each turn also produces NADH.

Spermidine is formed from decarboxy-SAM and putrescine by catalyzing spermidine synthase (also knowns as polyamine aminopropyltransferase). The source of putrescine is transported from outside of cell by putrescine/spermidine ABC transporter. Decarboxy-SAM comes from S-Adenosylmethionine with catalyzation of adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and cofactors: pyruvic acid and magnesium. The other product of the aminopropyltransferase reaction is S-methyl-5'-thioadenosine (MTA), which can be recycled back to L-methionine in many organisms, but not in E. coli. Inhibition of E. coli adenosylmethionine decarboxylase by spermidine appears to be the most significant regulator of polyamine biosynthesis, probably limiting it when the intracellular spermidine concentration becomes excessive. In E. coli most intracellular spermidine is bound to nucleic acids and phospholipids. (EcoCyc)

Trehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules that can be used as a store of energy, as well as water retention and protection from freezing at low temperatures. In this pathway, glucose-6-phosphate from the galactose metabolism pathway combines with uridine diphosphate glucose to form alpha,alpha-trehalose 6-phosphate, as well as uridine 5’-diphosphate and a hydrogen ion as byroducts in a reaction catalyzed by alpha,alpha-trehalose-phosphate synthase [UDP-forming]. Following this, alpha,alpha-trehalose 6-phosphate is converted to alpha,alpha-trehalose following the hydrolytic cleavage of its phosphate group by trehalose-phosphate phosphatase. Alpha,alpha-trehalose can then function as energy stores until it is broken down as a part of the trehalose degradation pathway when needed.

The ketogluconate metabolism starts with the degradation of 2,5-didehydro-D-gluconate either through a NADPH dependent 2,5-diketo-D-gluconate reductase resulting in the release of a NADP and 5-dehydro-D-gluconate or through a NADPH dependent 2,5-diketo-D-gluconate reductase protein complex resulting in the release of a NADP and a 2-keto-L-gulonate. The 2-keto-L-gulonate interacts with a NADPH 2-keto-L-gulonate reductase resulting in a NADP and a L-idonate. The L-idonate interacts with a NADP L-idonate 5-dehydrogenase resulting in the release of hydrogen ion, a NADPH and a 5-dehydro-D-gluconate. The 5-dehydro-D-gluconate interacts with a NADPH driven 5-keto-D-gluconate 5-reductase resulting in the release of a NADP and a D-gluconate. The other way to produce D-gluconate is by having 2,5-Didehydro-D-gluconate interacting with a NADPH and hydrogen ion resulting in the release of a NADP and a 2-keto-D-gluconate which then interact with NADPH a 2-keto-D-gluconate reductase resulting in a NADP and a D-gluconate The D-gluconate is phosphorylated by an ATP driven D-gluconate kinase resulting in a ADP, a hydrogen ion and a D-gluconate 6-phosphate. This compound can either join the Entner-Doudoroff pathway or be metabolized by a NADP dependent 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase resulting in a NADPH, a carbon dioxide and a D-ribulose 5-phosphate. The Entner-doudoroff pathway is dehydrated by a phosphogluconate dehydratase resulting in a water molecule and a 2-dehydro-3-deoxy-D-gluconate 6-phosphate. This compound then interacts with a 2-keto-3-deoxygluconate 6-phosphate aldolase resulting in a D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and a pyruvic acid. The d-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate is incorporated into a glycolysis while the pyruvic acid is decarboxylated into acetyl CoA

The ketogluconate metabolism starts with the degradation of 2,5-didehydro-D-gluconate either through a NADPH dependent 2,5-diketo-D-gluconate reductase resulting in the release of a NADP and 5-dehydro-D-gluconate or through a NADPH dependent 2,5-diketo-D-gluconate reductase protein complex resulting in the release of a NADP and a 2-keto-L-gulonate. The 2-keto-L-gulonate interacts with a NADPH 2-keto-L-gulonate reductase resulting in a NADP and a L-idonate. The L-idonate interacts with a NADP L-idonate 5-dehydrogenase resulting in the release of hydrogen ion, a NADPH and a 5-dehydro-D-gluconate. The 5-dehydro-D-gluconate interacts with a NADPH driven 5-keto-D-gluconate 5-reductase resulting in the release of a NADP and a D-gluconate. The other way to produce D-gluconate is by having 2,5-Didehydro-D-gluconate interacting with a NADPH and hydrogen ion resulting in the release of a NADP and a 2-keto-D-gluconate which then interact with NADPH a 2-keto-D-gluconate reductase resulting in a NADP and a D-gluconate The D-gluconate is phosphorylated by an ATP driven D-gluconate kinase resulting in a ADP, a hydrogen ion and a D-gluconate 6-phosphate. This compound can either join the Entner-Doudoroff pathway or be metabolized by a NADP dependent 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase resulting in a NADPH, a carbon dioxide and a D-ribulose 5-phosphate. The Entner-doudoroff pathway is dehydrated by a phosphogluconate dehydratase resulting in a water molecule and a 2-dehydro-3-deoxy-D-gluconate 6-phosphate. This compound then interacts with a 2-keto-3-deoxygluconate 6-phosphate aldolase resulting in a D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and a pyruvic acid. The d-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate is incorporated into a glycolysis while the pyruvic acid is decarboxylated into acetyl CoA

The biosynthesis of Valine and L-leucine from pyruvic acid starts with pyruvic acid interacting with a hydrogen ion through a acetolactate synthase / acetohydroxybutanoate synthase resulting in a release of a carbon dioxide, a (S)-2-acetolactate. The latter compound then interacts with a hydrogen ion through a NADPH-driven acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase resulting in the release of a NADP, a (R) 2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylvalerate. The latter compound is then dehydrated by a dihydroxy acid dehydratase resulting in the release of a water molecule an 3-methyl-2-oxovaleric acid. The 3-methyl-2-oxovaleric acid can produce an L-valine by interacting with a L-glutamic acid through a Valine Transaminase resulting in the release of a Oxoglutaric acid and a L-valine. The 3-methyl-2-oxovaleric acid then interacts with an acetyl-CoA and a water molecule through a 2-isopropylmalate synthase resulting in the release of a hydrogen ion, a Coenzyme A and a 2-Isopropylmalic acid. The isopropylimalic acid is then hydrated by interacting with a isopropylmalate isomerase resulting in a 3-isopropylmalate. This compound then interacts with an NAD driven 3-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase resulting in a NADH, a hydrogen ion and a 2-isopropyl-3-oxosuccinate. The latter compound then interacts with hydrogen ion spontaneously resulting in a carbon dioxide and a ketoleucine. The ketoleucine then interacts with a L-glutamic acid through a branched-chain amino-acid aminotransferase resulting in the oxoglutaric acid and L-leucine.

The pathway starts with trans-cinnamate interacting with a hydrogen ion, an oxygen molecule, and a NADH through a cinnamate dioxygenase resulting in a NAD and a cis-3-(3-Carboxyethenyl)-3,5-cyclohexadiene-1,2-diol which then interact together through a 2,3-dihydroxy-2,3-dihydrophenylpropionate dehydrogenase resulting in the release of a hydrogen ion, an NADH molecule and a 2,3 dihydroxy-trans-cinnamate. The second way by which the 2,3 dihydroxy-trans-cinnamate is acquired is through a 3-hydroxy-trans-cinnamate interacting with a hydrogen ion, a NADH and an oxygen molecule through a 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)propionate 2-hydroxylase resulting in the release of a NAD molecule, a water molecule and a 2,3-dihydroxy-trans-cinnamate. The compound 2,3 dihydroxy-trans-cinnamate then interacts with an oxygen molecule through a 2,3-dihydroxyphenylpropionate 1,2-dioxygenase resulting in a hydrogen ion and a 2-hydroxy-6-oxonona-2,4,7-triene-1,9-dioate. The latter compound then interacts with a water molecule through a 2-hydroxy-6-oxononatrienedioate hydrolase resulting in a release of a hydrogen ion, a fumarate molecule and (2Z)-2-hydroxypenta-2,4-dienoate. The latter compound reacts spontaneously to isomerize into a 2-oxopent-4-enoate. This compound is then hydrated through a 2-oxopent-4-enoate hydratase resulting in a 4-hydroxy-2-oxopentanoate. This compound then interacts with a 4-hydroxy-2-ketovalerate aldolase resulting in the release of a pyruvate, and an acetaldehyde. The acetaldehyde then interacts with a coenzyme A and a NAD molecule through a acetaldehyde dehydrogenase resulting in a hydrogen ion, a NADH and an acetyl-coa which can be incorporated into the TCA cycle

The process of flavin biosynthesis starts with GTP being metabolized by interacting with 3 molecules of water through a GTP cyclohydrolase resulting in a release of formic acid, a pyrophosphate, two hydrog ions and 2,5-diamino-6-(5-phospho-D-ribosylamino)pyrimidin-4(3H)-one or 2,5-Diamino-6-hydroxy-4-(5-phosphoribosylamino)pyrimidine. Either of these compounds interacts with a water molecule and a hydrogen ion through a fused diaminohydroxyphosphoribosylaminopyrimidine deaminase / 5-amino-6-(5-phosphoribosylamino)uracil reductase resulting in an ammonium and 5-amino-6-(5-phospho-D-ribosylamino)uracil. This compound then interacts with a hydrogen ion through a NADPH dependent fused diaminohydroxyphosphoribosylaminopyrimidine deaminase / 5-amino-6-(5-phosphoribosylamino)uracil reductase resulting in the release of a NADP and a 5-amino-6-(5-phospho-D-ribitylamino)uracil. This compound then interacts with a water molecule through a 5-amino-6-(5-phospho-D-ribitylamino)uracil phosphatase resulting in a release of a phosphate, and a 5-amino-6-(D-ribitylamino)uracil. D-ribulose 5-phosphate interacts with a3,4-dihydroxy-2-butanone 4-phosphate synthase resulting in the release of formic acid, a hydrogen ion and 1-deoxy-L-glycero-tetrulose 4-phosphate. A 5-amino-6-(D-ribitylamino)uracil and 1-deoxy-L-glycero-tetrulose 4-phosphate interact through a 6,7-dimethyl-8-ribityllumazine synthase resulting in the release of 2 water molecules, a phosphate, a hydrogen ion and a 6,7-dimethyl-8-(1-D-ribityl)lumazine. The latter compound then interacts with a hydrogen ion through a riboflavin synthase resulting in the release of a riboflavin and a 5-amino-6-(d-ribitylamino)uracil. The riboflavin is then phosphorylated through an ATP dependent riboflavin kinase resulting in the release of a ADP, a hydrogen ion and a FLAVIN MONONUCLEOTIDE. The flavin mononucleotide interad with a hydrogen ion and an ATP through the riboflavin kinase resulting in the release of a pyrophosphate and Flavin Adenine dinucleotide. This compound is then exported into the periplasm through a FMN/FAD exporter.