While reported yields vary considerably for each organisms, it is important to note that different growth conditions may influence end-product yields through regulation of gene and gene product expression [42, 53], and modulation of metabolic flux and intracellular metabolite levels [54, 55] that may act as allosteric regulators [56, 57]. Variations in fermentation conditions including substrate availability/dilution rates [46, 53–55, 58–61], ZD1839 concentration substrate composition [54, 62–67], media composition [55], pH [68], gas partial pressures [34, 42, 69, 70], growth phase

[57], and accumulation of end-products [47, 62, 69, 71, 72] have been shown to influence end-product yields. Hence, while genome content alone cannot be used to predict end-product

yields with accuracy, it can reflect end-product distribution profiles. Genome comparison of pyruvate metabolism and end-product synthesis pathways The assemblage of genes encoding proteins involved MK0683 cost in pyruvate metabolism and end-product synthesis dictate, in part, how carbon and electron flux is distributed between the MX69 catabolic, anabolic, and energy producing pathways of the cell. The flow of carbon and electrons from PEP towards end-products may be separated into branch-points or nodes which include (i) the PEP/oxaloacetate/pyruvate node,

(ii) the pyruvate/lactate/acetyl-CoA node, (iii) the acetyl-CoA/acetate/ethanol node, and the (iv) ferredoxin/NAD(P)H/H2 node [73]. Several different enzymes may be involved in the conversion of intermediate metabolites within these nodes. These enzymes, and the presence of corresponding genes encoding these proteins in each of the organisms surveyed, are summarized in Figure 1. The oxidation of electron carriers (NADH and/or reduced ferredoxin) is required for maintaining Decitabine price glycolytic flux and leads to the ultimate production of reduced products (ethanol, lactate, and H2). Thus, distribution of carbon and electron flux among different pathways can influence levels of reduced electron carrier pools, which in turn can dictate end-product distribution patterns. Genome content can be used to resolve the relationship between carbon and electron flux with end-product distribution. Figure 1 Comparison of putative gene products involved in pyruvate metabolism and end-product synthesis among select hydrogen and ethanol-producing species. Presence of putative gene products are indicated in matrix with respective letters corresponding to selected organism (see legend). Numbers indicate standard free energies of reaction (△G°’) corresponding to a particular enzyme.