Browsing Pathways

This pathway is a compilation of Escherichia coli tRNA charging reactions involving amino acids transported into the cell. The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase is an enzyme that attaches the appropriate amino acid onto its tRNA by catalyzing the esterification of a specific cognate amino acid or its precursor to one of all its compatible cognate tRNAs to form an aminoacyl-tRNA, which plays an important role in RNA translation. 20 different Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases can make 20 different types of aa-tRNA for each amino acid according to the genetic code. This process is called "charging" or "loading" the tRNA with amino acid. Ribosome can transfer the amino acid from tRNA to a growing peptide after the tRNA is charged.

The degradation of of adenosine nucleotides starts with AMP reacting with water through a nucleoside monophosphate phosphatase results in the release of phosphate and a adenosine. Adenosine reacts with water and hydrogen ion through an adenosine deaminase resulting in the release of ammonium and a inosine. Inosine reacts with phosphate through a inosine phosphorylase resulting in the release of an alpha-D-ribose-1-phosphate and an hypoxanthine. Hypoxanthine reacts with a water molecule and a NAD molecule through an hypoxanthine hydroxylase resulting in the release of an hydrogen ion, an NADH and a xanthine. Xanthine in turn is degraded by reacting with a water molecule and a NAD through xanthine NAD oxidoreductase resulting in the release of NADH, a hydrogen ion and urate.

Serine biosynthesis is a major metabolic pathway in E. coli. Its end product, serine, is not only used in protein synthesis, but also as a precursor for the biosynthesis of glycine, cysteine, tryptophan, and phospholipids. In addition, it directly or indirectly serves as a source of one-carbon units for the biosynthesis of various compounds. The biosynthesis of serine starts with 3-phosphoglyceric acid being metabolized by a NAD driven D-3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase / α-ketoglutarate reductase resulting in the release of a NADH, a hydrogen ion and a phosphohydroxypyruvic acid. The latter compound then interacts with an L-glutamic acid through a 3-phosphoserine aminotransferase / phosphohydroxythreonine aminotransferase resulting in oxoglutaric acid and DL-D-phosphoserine. The DL-D-phosphoserine can also be imported into the cytoplasm through a phosphonate ABC transporter. The DL-D-phosphoserine is dephosphorylated by interacting with a water molecule through a phosphoserine phosphatase resulting in the release of a phosphate and an L-serine L-serine is then metabolized by being dehydrated through either a L-serine dehydratase 2 or a L-serine dehydratase 1 resulting in the release of a water molecule, a hydrogen ion and a 2-aminoacrylic acid. The latter compound is an isomer of a 2-iminopropanoate which reacts spontaneously with a water molecule and a hydrogen ion resulting in the release of Ammonium and pyruvic acid. Pyruvic acid then interacts with a coenzyme A through a NAD driven pyruvate dehydrogenase complex resulting in the release of a NADH, a carbon dioxide and an acetyl-CoA.

Cardiolipin (CL) is an important component of the inner mitochondrial membrane where it constitutes about 20% of the total lipid composition. It is essential for the optimal function of numerous enzymes that are involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism (Wikipedia). Cardiolipin biosynthesis occurs mainly in the mitochondria, but there also exists an alternative synthesis route for CDP-diacylglycerol that takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum. This second route may supplement this pathway. All membrane-localized enzymes are coloured dark green in the image. First, dihydroxyacetone phosphate (or glycerone phosphate) from glycolysis is used by the cytosolic enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase [NAD(+)] to synthesize sn-glycerol 3-phosphate. Second, the mitochondrial outer membrane enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase esterifies an acyl-group to the sn-1 position of sn-glycerol 3-phosphate to form 1-acyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate (lysophosphatidic acid or LPA). Third, the enzyme 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase converts LPA into phosphatidic acid (PA or 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate) by esterifying an acyl-group to the sn-2 position of the glycerol backbone. PA is then transferred to the inner mitochondrial membrane to continue cardiolipin synthesis. Fourth, magnesium-dependent phosphatidate cytidylyltransferase catalyzes the conversion of PA into CDP-diacylglycerol. Fifth, CDP-diacylglycerol--glycerol-3-phosphate 3-phosphatidyltransferase synthesizes phosphatidylglycerophosphate (PGP). Sixth, phosphatidylglycerophosphatase and protein-tyrosine phosphatase dephosphorylates PGP to form phosphatidylglycerol (PG). Last, cardiolipin synthase catalyzes the synthesis of cardiolipin by transferring a phosphatidyl group from a second CDP-diacylglycerol to PG. It requires a divalent metal cation cofactor.

Cardiolipin (CL) is an important component of the inner mitochondrial membrane where it constitutes about 20% of the total lipid composition. It is essential for the optimal function of numerous enzymes that are involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism (Wikipedia). Cardiolipin biosynthesis occurs mainly in the mitochondria, but there also exists an alternative synthesis route for CDP-diacylglycerol that takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum. This second route may supplement this pathway. All membrane-localized enzymes are coloured dark green in the image. First, dihydroxyacetone phosphate (or glycerone phosphate) from glycolysis is used by the cytosolic enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase [NAD(+)] to synthesize sn-glycerol 3-phosphate. Second, the mitochondrial outer membrane enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase esterifies an acyl-group to the sn-1 position of sn-glycerol 3-phosphate to form 1-acyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate (lysophosphatidic acid or LPA). Third, the enzyme 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase converts LPA into phosphatidic acid (PA or 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate) by esterifying an acyl-group to the sn-2 position of the glycerol backbone. PA is then transferred to the inner mitochondrial membrane to continue cardiolipin synthesis. Fourth, magnesium-dependent phosphatidate cytidylyltransferase catalyzes the conversion of PA into CDP-diacylglycerol. Fifth, CDP-diacylglycerol--glycerol-3-phosphate 3-phosphatidyltransferase synthesizes phosphatidylglycerophosphate (PGP). Sixth, phosphatidylglycerophosphatase and protein-tyrosine phosphatase dephosphorylates PGP to form phosphatidylglycerol (PG). Last, cardiolipin synthase catalyzes the synthesis of cardiolipin by transferring a phosphatidyl group from a second CDP-diacylglycerol to PG. It requires a divalent metal cation cofactor.

Cardiolipin (CL) is an important component of the inner mitochondrial membrane where it constitutes about 20% of the total lipid composition. It is essential for the optimal function of numerous enzymes that are involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism (Wikipedia). Cardiolipin biosynthesis occurs mainly in the mitochondria, but there also exists an alternative synthesis route for CDP-diacylglycerol that takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum. This second route may supplement this pathway. All membrane-localized enzymes are coloured dark green in the image. First, dihydroxyacetone phosphate (or glycerone phosphate) from glycolysis is used by the cytosolic enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase [NAD(+)] to synthesize sn-glycerol 3-phosphate. Second, the mitochondrial outer membrane enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase esterifies an acyl-group to the sn-1 position of sn-glycerol 3-phosphate to form 1-acyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate (lysophosphatidic acid or LPA). Third, the enzyme 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase converts LPA into phosphatidic acid (PA or 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate) by esterifying an acyl-group to the sn-2 position of the glycerol backbone. PA is then transferred to the inner mitochondrial membrane to continue cardiolipin synthesis. Fourth, magnesium-dependent phosphatidate cytidylyltransferase catalyzes the conversion of PA into CDP-diacylglycerol. Fifth, CDP-diacylglycerol--glycerol-3-phosphate 3-phosphatidyltransferase synthesizes phosphatidylglycerophosphate (PGP). Sixth, phosphatidylglycerophosphatase and protein-tyrosine phosphatase dephosphorylates PGP to form phosphatidylglycerol (PG). Last, cardiolipin synthase catalyzes the synthesis of cardiolipin by transferring a phosphatidyl group from a second CDP-diacylglycerol to PG. It requires a divalent metal cation cofactor.

Cardiolipin (CL) is an important component of the inner mitochondrial membrane where it constitutes about 20% of the total lipid composition. It is essential for the optimal function of numerous enzymes that are involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism (Wikipedia). Cardiolipin biosynthesis occurs mainly in the mitochondria, but there also exists an alternative synthesis route for CDP-diacylglycerol that takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum. This second route may supplement this pathway. All membrane-localized enzymes are coloured dark green in the image. First, dihydroxyacetone phosphate (or glycerone phosphate) from glycolysis is used by the cytosolic enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase [NAD(+)] to synthesize sn-glycerol 3-phosphate. Second, the mitochondrial outer membrane enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase esterifies an acyl-group to the sn-1 position of sn-glycerol 3-phosphate to form 1-acyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate (lysophosphatidic acid or LPA). Third, the enzyme 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase converts LPA into phosphatidic acid (PA or 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate) by esterifying an acyl-group to the sn-2 position of the glycerol backbone. PA is then transferred to the inner mitochondrial membrane to continue cardiolipin synthesis. Fourth, magnesium-dependent phosphatidate cytidylyltransferase catalyzes the conversion of PA into CDP-diacylglycerol. Fifth, CDP-diacylglycerol--glycerol-3-phosphate 3-phosphatidyltransferase synthesizes phosphatidylglycerophosphate (PGP). Sixth, phosphatidylglycerophosphatase and protein-tyrosine phosphatase dephosphorylates PGP to form phosphatidylglycerol (PG). Last, cardiolipin synthase catalyzes the synthesis of cardiolipin by transferring a phosphatidyl group from a second CDP-diacylglycerol to PG. It requires a divalent metal cation cofactor.

Aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis is an essential process in bacteria that ensures accurate translation of genetic information into functional proteins. This pathway involves the attachment of specific amino acids to their corresponding transfer RNAs (tRNAs) by enzymes known as aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Each synthetase is highly specific, recognizing both the correct amino acid and its matching tRNA, ensuring fidelity in protein synthesis. The process begins with the activation of an amino acid by ATP, forming an aminoacyl-AMP intermediate. The activated amino acid is then transferred to the 3' hydroxyl group of the corresponding tRNA, forming an aminoacyl-tRNA. This charged tRNA is delivered to the ribosome during translation, where it pairs with the appropriate codon on the mRNA, ensuring the incorporation of the correct amino acid into the growing polypeptide chain. This biosynthesis pathway is critical for bacterial survival and growth, as it directly links nucleotide sequences to functional proteins. Targeting aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases has been explored in antibiotic development, as disrupting this process can halt protein synthesis and bacterial replication.

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) metabolism in bacteria encompasses both its biosynthesis and utilization as a precursor for cofactors such as flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), which are essential for numerous redox reactions. Many bacteria synthesize riboflavin de novo via a conserved pathway starting from guanosine triphosphate (GTP) and ribulose-5-phosphate. The pathway involves key enzymes like GTP cyclohydrolase II, which converts GTP to formate and 2,5-diamino-6-ribosylamino-4(3H)-pyrimidinone-5′-phosphate, followed by further modifications to form riboflavin. Once synthesized or acquired from the environment, riboflavin is phosphorylated by riboflavin kinase to produce FMN, which can subsequently be converted into FAD by FAD synthetase. These flavin cofactors play crucial roles in bacterial metabolism, including energy production in the electron transport chain, fatty acid β-oxidation, and oxidative stress responses. Some bacteria, particularly pathogens, rely on riboflavin uptake from their host via specific riboflavin transporters, making the metabolism and acquisition of riboflavin a potential target for novel antibacterial therapies. This pathway is not only vital for bacterial survival but also contributes to the ecological nutrient cycles through flavin biosynthesis and degradation.