GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY - T.P. Pirog - 2004

11. BASIC MECHANISMS OF METABOLISM AND ENERGY CONVERSION IN MICROORGANISMS

11.5. PATHWAYS OF GLUCOSE AND OTHER CARBOHYDRATE CATABOLISM

11.5.9. Anaplerotic reactions during the growth of microorganisms on carbohydrates

The TCA cycle serves as a source of A number of intermediates required for anabolic METABOLISM (oxaloacetate, succinate, 2-oxoglutarate). The depletion of these acids would lead to a shortage of oxaloacetate, which acts as the acceptor for acetyl-CoA, thereby disrupting the cycle. The replenishment of TCA cycle intermediates lost in this manner is accomplished via anaplerotic reactions.

When microorganisms are grown on CARBOHYDRATES, these reactions include (Fig. 11.8):

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carboxylation of phosphoenolpyruvate to form oxaloacetate (catalyzed by phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase):

Fig. 11.8. Carboxylation reactions of phosphoenolpyruvate and Pyruvate

carboxylation of pyruvate to form malate (catalyzed by malate dehydrogenase [decarboxylating]).



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