Biophysical and biochemical studies support TP0094 as a phosphotransacetylase in an acetogenic energy-conservation pathway in Treponema pallidum.

ABSTRACT: The mechanisms of energy generation and carbon-source utilization in the syphilis spirochete Treponema pallidum have remained enigmatic despite complete genomic sequence information. Whereas the bacterium harbors enzymes for glycolysis, the apparatus for more efficient use of glucose catabolites, namely the citric-acid cycle, is apparently not present. Yet, the organism's energy needs likely exceed the modest output from glycolysis alone. Recently, building on our structure-function studies of T. pallidum lipoproteins, we proposed a "flavin-centric" metabolic lifestyle for the organism that partially resolves this conundrum. As a part of the hypothesis, we have proposed that T. pallidum contains an acetogenic energy-conservation pathway that catabolizes D-lactate, yielding acetate, reducin

SUBMITTER: Brautigam CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10194888 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature