Browsing Pathways

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.

Lysine is an essential amino acid used in protein synthesis. Lysine can be transported into the cell by probable cadaverine (also known as lysine antiporter). Once inside the cell, lysine is decarboxylated by lysine decarboxylase to cadaverine. Cadaverine can then exit the cell via the same type of transporter as lysine (probable cadaverine). Alternatively, lysine can be produced during lysine biosynthesis (from aspartic acid) inside the cell and used in the same pathway.

E. coli is able to utilize L-ascorbate (vitamin C) as the sole source of carbon under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Ascorbic acid in the cytoplasm is processed through a spontaneous reaction with a hydrogen ion and hydrogen peroxide, producing water, dehydroascorbic acid and ascorbic acid. Dehydroascorbic acid reacts with water spontaneously producing an isomer, dehydroascorbate (bicyclic form). The compound then loses a hydrogen ion resulting in a 2,3-Diketo-L-gulonate which is then reduced through a NADH dependent 2,3 diketo-L-gulonate reductase, releasing a NAD and 3-Dehydro-L-gulonate. 3-Dehydro-L-gulonate is phosphorylated through an ATP mediated L-xylulose/3-keto-L-gulonate kinase resulting in an ADP, hydrogen ion and a 3-Keto-L-gulonate 6 phosphate. L-ascorbate can also be imported and converted to L-ascorbate-6-phosphate by the L-ascorbate PTS transporter. L-ascorbate-6-phosphate reacts with a probable L-ascorbate-6-phosphate lactonase ulaG, resulting in a 3-keto-L-gulonate 6-phosphate. The compound 3-keto-L-gulonate 6-phosphate can then be processed aerobically or anaerobically. Aerobic: 3-keto-L-gulonate 6-phosphate is decarboxylated by a 3-keto-L-gulonate-6-phosphate decarboxylase ulaD, releasing carbon dioxide and L-xylulose-5-phosphate, which is then changed into an isomer by L-ribulose-5-phosphate 3-epimerase ulaE, resulting in L-ribulose 5-phosphate. The product also changes into a different isomer through a L-ribulose-5-phosphate 4-epimerase ulaF resulting in Xylulose 5-phosphate, which is finally used as part of the pentose phosphate pathway. Anaerobic: 3-keto-L-gulonate 6-phosphate is decarboxylated by 3-keto-L-gulonate 6-phosphate decarboxylase sgbH, releasing carbon dioxide and L-xylulose-5-phosphate, which is changed into an isomer by predicted L-xylulose 5-phosphate 3-epimerase, resulting in L-ribulose 5-phosphate. The product again changes into a different isomer through a L-ribulose-5-phosphate 4-epimerase resulting in Xylulose 5-phosphate. Xylulose 5-phosphate then continues as part of the pentose phosphate pathway. Expression of the ula regulon is regulated by the L-ascorbate 6-phosphate-binding repressor UlaR and by cAMP-CRP. Under aerobic conditions, metabolism of L-ascorbate is hindered by the special reactivity and toxicity of this compound in the presence of oxygen.

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.

The creation of L-proline in E. coli starts with L-glutamic acid being phosphorylated through an ATP driven glutamate 5-kinase resulting in a L-glutamic acid 5-phosphate. This compound is then reduced through an NADPH driven gamma glutamyl phosphate reductase resulting in the release of a phosphate, an NADP and a L-glutamic gamma-semialdehyde. L-glutamic gamma-semialdehyde is dehydrated spontaneously, resulting in a release of water,hydrogen ion and 1-Pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid. The latter compound is reduced by an NADPH driven pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase which is then reduced to L-proline. L-proline works as a repressor of the pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase enzyme and glutamate 5-kinase. Three genetic loci, proA, proB and proC control the biosynthesis of L-proline in E. coli.The pathway begins with a reaction that is catalyzed by γ-glutamyl kinase, which is encoded by proB. Next, NADPH-dependent reduction of γ-glutamyl phosphate to glutamate-5-semialdehyde, occurs through catalyzation by glutamate-5-semialdehyde dehydrogenase, encoded by proA. Following this, both enzymes join together in a multimeric bi-functional enzyme complex called γ-glutamyl kinase-GP-reductase multienzyme complex. This formation is thought to protect the highly labile glutamyl phosphate from the antagonistic nucleophilic and aqueous environment found in the cell. Finally, NADPH-dependent pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase encoded by proC catalyzes the reduction of pyrroline 5-carboxylate into L-proline. Proline is metabolized in E. coli by returning to the form of L-glutamate, which is then degraded to α-ketoglutarate,which serves as an intermediary of the TCA cycle. Interestingly enough, L-glutamate, the obligate intermediate of the proline degradation pathway, is not able to serve as an outright source of carbon and energy for E. coli, because the rate at which glutamate transport supplies exogenous glutamate is not adequate. The process by which proline is turned into L-glutamate starts with L-proline interacting with ubiquinone through a bifunctional protein putA resulting in an ubiquinol, a hydrogen ion and a 1-pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid. The latter compound is then hydrated spontaneously resulting in a L-glutamic gamma-semialdehyde. This compound is then processed by interacting with water through an NAD driven bifunctional protein putA resulting in a hydrogen ion, NADH and L-glutamic acid.

In the ornithine biosynthesis pathway of E. coli, L-glutamate is acetylated to N-acetylglutamate by the enzyme N-acetylglutamate synthase, encoded by the argA gene. The acetyl donor for this reaction is acetyl-CoA. N-acetylglutamic acid is then phosphorylated via an ATP driven acetylglutamate kinase which yields a N-acetyl-L-glutamyl 5-phosphate. The product undergoes a NADPH dependent reduction resulting in N-acetyl-L-glutamate 5-semialdehyde which then reacts with L-glutamic acid through a acetylornithine aminotransferase / N-succinyldiaminopimelate aminotransferase to produce a N-acetylornithine. Deacetylated through an acetylornithine deacetylase, N-acetylornithine finally yields an ornithine. Ornithine interacts with hydrogen ion through an ornithine decarboxylase resulting in a carbon dioxide release and a putrescine. Putrescine can be metabolized by reaction with either l-glutamic acid or oxoglutaric acid. If putrescine reacts with L-glutamic acid, it reacts through an ATP mediated gamma-glutamylputrescine producing a hydrogen ion, ADP, phosphate and gamma-glutamyl-L-putrescine. This compound is reduced by interacting with oxygen, water and a gamma-glutamylputrescine oxidoreductase resulting in ammonium, hydrogen peroxide and 4-gamma-glutamylamino butanal. The previous product is then dehydrogenated through a NADP mediated reaction lead by gamma-glutamyl-gamma-aminobutaryaldehyde dehydrogenase resulting in hydrogen ion, NADPH and 4-glutamylamino butanoate. In turn, the latter compound reacts with water through a gamma-glutamyl-gamma-aminobutyrate hydrolase resulting in L-glutamic acid and Gamma aminobutyric acid. On the other hand, if putrescine reacts with oxoglutaric acid through a putrescine aminotransferase, it results in L-glutamic acid, and a 4-aminobutyraldehyde. 4-aminobutyraldehyde reacts with water through a NAD dependent gamma aminobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase resulting in hydrogen ion, NADH and gamma-aminobutyric acid. Gamma Aaminobutyric acid reacts with oxoglutaric acid through 4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase resulting in L-glutamic acid and succinic acid semialdehyde. Succinic acid semialdehyde in turn can react with with either NADP or NAD to result in the production of succinic acid through succinate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase or aldehyde dehydrogenase-like protein yneI respectively. Succinic acid can then be integrated in the TCA cycle.

Lipoic acid metabolism starts with caprylic acid being introduced into the cytoplasm, however, no transporter has been identified yet. i) Once caprylic acid is in the cytoplasm, it can react with a holo-acp through an ATP-driven 2-acylglycerophosphoethanolamine acyltransferase/acyl-ACP synthetase resulting in pyrophosphate, AMP, and octanoyl-[acp]. The latter compound can also be obtained from palmitate biosynthesis. ii) Octanoyl-acp then interacts with a lipoyl-carrier protein L-lysine through an octanoyltransferase resulting in a hydrogen ion, a holo-acyl-acp, and an N6-(octanoyl)lysine. iii) N6-(octanoyl)lysine reacts with an S-adenosylmethionine, a sulfurated[sulfur carrier], and a reduced ferredoxin through a lipoate-protein ligase A, resulting in a 5-deoxyadenosine, an L-methionine, an unsulfurated [sulfur carrier], oxidized ferredoxin, and protein N6-(octanoyl)lysine. Caprylic acid can also interact with ATP and a lipoyl-carrier protein-L-lysine through a lipoate-protein ligase A resulting in an AMP, pyrophosphate, hydrogen ion, and protein N6-(octanoyl)lysine. The latter compound reacts with an S-adenosylmethionine, a sulfurated[sulfur carrier] and a reduced ferredoxin through a lipoate-protein ligase A, resulting in a 5-deoxyadenosine, an L-methionine, an unsulfurated [sulfur carrier], oxidized ferredoxin, and a protein N6-(octanoyl)lysine. R-Lipoic acid can be absorbed from the environment, as seen in studies by Morris TW. In this pathway, the lipoyl-protein ligase LplA utilizes pre-existing lipoate that has been imported from outside the cell, and thus catalyzes a salvage pathway. Lipoic acid interacts with ATP and hydrogen ion through a lipoyl-protein ligase A, resulting in a pyrophosphate and a lipoyl-AMP (lipoyl-adenylate). This compound then interacts with a lipoyl-carrier protein-L-lysine through a lipoate-protein ligase A resulting in an AMP, a hydrogen ion, and a protein N6-(lipoyl) lysine. It has been suggested that the conversion of octanoylated-domains into lipoylated ones described in this pathway may be a type of a repair pathway, activated only if the other lipoate biosynthetic pathways are malfunctioning.