Browsing Pathways

Peptidoglycan is a net-like polymer which surrounds the cytoplasmic membrane of most bacteria and functions to maintain cell shape and prevent rupture due to the internal turgor.In E. coli K-12, the peptidoglycan consists of glycan strands of alternating subunits of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) which are cross-linked by short peptides. The pathway for constructing this net involves two cell compartments: cytoplasm and periplasmic space. The pathway starts with a beta-D-fructofuranose going through a mannose PTS permease, phosphorylating the compund and producing a beta-D-fructofuranose 6 phosphate. This compound can be obtained from the glycolysis and pyruvate dehydrogenase or from an isomerization reaction of Beta-D-glucose 6-phosphate through a glucose-6-phosphate isomerase.The compound Beta-D-fructofuranose 6 phosphate and L-Glutamine react with a glucosamine fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase, thus producing a glucosamine 6-phosphate and a l-glutamic acid. The glucosamine 6-phosphate interacts with phosphoglucosamine mutase in a reversible reaction producing glucosamine-1P. Glucosamine-1p and acetyl coa undergo acetylation throuhg a bifunctional protein glmU releasing Coa and a hydrogen ion and producing a N-acetyl-glucosamine 1-phosphate. Glmu, being a bifunctional protein, follows catalyze the interaction of N-acetyl-glucosamine 1-phosphate, hydrogen ion and UTP into UDP-N-acetylglucosamine and pyrophosphate. UDP-N-acetylglucosamine then interacts with phosphoenolpyruvic acid and a UDP-N acetylglucosamine 1- carboxyvinyltransferase realeasing a phosphate and the compound UDP-N-acetyl-alpha-D-glucosamine-enolpyruvate. This compound undergoes a NADPH dependent reduction producing a UDP-N-acetyl-alpha-D-muramate through a UDP-N-acetylenolpyruvoylglucosamine reductase. UDP-N-acetyl-alpha-D-muramate and L-alanine react in an ATP-mediated ligation through a UDP-N-acetylmuramate-alanine ligase releasing an ADP, hydrogen ion, a phosphate and a UDP-N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine. This compound interacts with D-glutamic acid and ATP through UDP-N-acetylmuramoylalanine-D-glutamate ligase releasing ADP, A phosphate and UDP-N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanyl-D-glutamate. The latter compound then interacts with meso-diaminopimelate in an ATP mediated ligation through a UDP-N-acetylmuramoylalanine-D-glutamate-2,6-diaminopimelate ligase resulting in ADP, phosphate, hydrogen ion and UDP-N-Acetylmuramoyl-L-alanyl-D-gamma-glutamyl-meso-2,6-diaminopimelate. This compound in turn with D-alanyl-D-alanine react in an ATP-mediated ligation through UDP-N-Acetylmuramoyl-tripeptide-D-alanyl-D-alanine ligase to produce UDP-N-acetyl-alpha-D-muramoyl-L-alanyl-gama-D-glutamyl-meso-2,6-diaminopimeloyl-Dalanyl-D-alanine and hydrogen ion, ADP, phosphate. UDP-N-acetyl-alpha-D-muramoyl-L-alanyl-gama-D-glutamyl-meso-2,6-diaminopimeloyl-Dalanyl-D-alanine interacts with di-trans,octa-cis-undecaprenyl phosphate through a phospho-N-acetylmuramoyl-pentapeptide-transferase, resulting in UMP and N-Acetylmuramoyl-L-alanyl-D-glutamyl-meso-2,6-diaminopimelyl-D-alanyl-D-alanine-diphosphoundecaprenol which in turn reacts with a UDP-N-acetylglucosamine through a N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase to produce a hydrogen, UDP and Undecaprenyl-diphospho-N-acetylmuramoyl-(N-acetylglucosamine)-L-alanyl-D-glutaminyl-meso-2,6-diaminopimeloyl-D-alanyl-D-alanine. This compound ends the cytoplasmic part of the pathway. Undecaprenyl-diphospho-N-acetylmuramoyl-(N-acetylglucosamine)-L-alanyl-D-glutaminyl-meso-2,6-diaminopimeloyl-D-alanyl-D-alanine is transported through a lipi II flippase. Once in the periplasmic space, the compound reacts with a penicillin binding protein 1A prodducing a peptidoglycan dimer, a hydrogen ion, and UDP. The peptidoglycan dimer then reacts with a penicillin binding protein 1B producing a peptidoglycan with D,D, cross-links and a D-alanine.

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.

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.

This pathway is a compilation of Escherichia coli inner membrane transport complexes that transport compounds from the periplasmic space into the cytosol. Many compound classes are carried by these inner membrane transport complexes including sugars, amino acids, and lipids.

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.

L-alanine is an essential component of proteins and peptidoglycan. The latter also contains about three molecules of D-alanine for every L-alanine. Only about 10 percent of the total alanine synthesized flows into peptidoglycan.There are at least 3 ways to begin the biosynthesis of alanine. The first method for alanine biosynthesis begins with L-cysteine produced from L-cysteine biosynthesis pathway. L-cysteine reacts with an [L-cysteine desulfurase] L-cysteine persulfide through a cysteine desulfurase resulting in a release of [L-cysteine desulfurase] l-cysteine persulfide and L-alanine. The second method starts with pyruvic acid reacting with L-glutamic acid through a glutamate-pyruvate aminotransferase resulting in a oxoglutaric acid and L-alanine. The third method starts with L-glutamic acid interacting with Alpha-ketoisovaleric acid through a valine transaminase resulting in an oxoglutaric acid and L-valine. L-valine reacts with pyruvic acid through a valine-pyruvate aminotransferase resulting Alpha-ketoisovaleric acid and L-alanine. This first step of the pathway, which can be catalyzed by either of two racemases (biosynthetic or catabolic), also serves an essential role in biosynthesis because its product, D-alanine, is an essential component of cell wall peptidoglycan (murein). D-alanine is metabolized by an ATP driven D-alanine ligase A and B resulting in D-alanyl-D-alanine. This product is incorporated into the peptidoglycan biosynthesis. L-alanine is metabolized with alanine racemase, either catabolic or metabolic resulting in a D-alanine. This compound reacts with water and a quinone through a D-amino acid dehydrogenase resulting in Pyruvic acid, hydroquinone and ammonium, thus entering the central metabolism and thereby can serve as a total source of carbon and energy. The role of the dadX racemase is degradative and dadX racemase can be induced by alanine and is subject to catabolite repression.

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.

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.

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.