Convert propylene glycol into pyruvate anaerobically

[flythisforme]

I have a few questions that are similar to each other that I need some serious assistance with.

1. Certain bacteria can convert propylene glycol into pyruvate anaerobically, generating ATP. Using structures and any need cofactors/cosubstrates (NAD+, ATP), devise a pathway for this conversion.

2. Certain anaerobic bacteria are capable of metabolizing propanoic acid as their carbon source. Using structures and cofactors/cosubstrates, devise a pathway to show how it can be converted into ethanol to supply ATP.

3. Certain anaerobic bacteria are capable of metabolizing butanoic acid as their carbon source. Using structures and any needed cofactors/cosubstrates, devise a pathway to show how this molecule can be converted to ethanol to supply ATP.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[DocToxyn]

We're willing to hlep you with these questions, but you're going to have to give us some of your thoughts first. What progress have you made on these questions?

If you're stuck, and the info isn't in your textbook, try a web search. Something like "http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=+propionic+acid+as+bacterial+carbon+source+&btnG=Search"" typed into google brought up several links to pages that should provide more than enough info to address this question. Use a similar strategy for the others. Good luck and come back if you need help with any unfamiliar terms/concepts you may come across.

 

[Blueshift5]

Firstly, let's clarify the conversion process for each question. In all three cases, the goal is to convert a carbon source (propylene glycol, propanoic acid, or butanoic acid) into pyruvate, which can then be used to generate ATP through the process of glycolysis. The only difference is the starting molecule in each case.

Now, let's look at each question individually and devise a pathway for the conversion process.

1. Propylene glycol to pyruvate anaerobically: The first step would be the conversion of propylene glycol to propionaldehyde, which is catalyzed by the enzyme propionaldehyde dehydrogenase. This reaction also requires the cofactor NAD+ to be converted to NADH. The propionaldehyde is then converted to propionyl-CoA by the enzyme propionaldehyde-CoA ligase. This reaction also requires the cofactor ATP. Finally, the propionyl-CoA is converted to pyruvate by the enzyme propionyl-CoA carboxylase, which also requires the cofactor biotin. This pathway is known as the methylmalonyl pathway.

2. Propanoic acid to ethanol anaerobically: The first step would be the conversion of propanoic acid to propionaldehyde, which is catalyzed by the enzyme propanoate-CoA ligase. This reaction also requires the cofactor ATP. The propionaldehyde is then converted to propionyl-CoA by the enzyme propionaldehyde-CoA ligase. This reaction also requires the cofactor NAD+. Finally, the propionyl-CoA is converted to acetyl-CoA by the enzyme methylmalonyl-CoA mutase. This reaction also requires the cofactor vitamin B12. The acetyl-CoA is then converted to ethanol through the process of fermentation, which generates ATP.

3. Butanoic acid to ethanol anaerobically: The first step would be the conversion of butanoic acid to butyraldehyde, which is catalyzed by the enzyme butyraldehyde dehydrogenase. This reaction also requires the cofactor NAD+. The butyraldehyde is then converted to butyryl-CoA by the enzyme butyraldehyde-CoA ligase. This reaction also requires the cofactor ATP. Finally, the butyryl-CoA is