Research progress in 2-methylcitrate cycle in bacteria

Abstract:

The 2-methylcitrate cycle is a widely distributed carbon metabolic pathway playing a crucial role in consuming propionate or propionyl-CoA in bacteria. We have been working on the field of microbial metabolic regulation, and made new progress in the transcriptional mechanism and physiological function of 2-methylcitrate cycle in Bacillus thuringiensis. In this paper, current researches on the composition and transcription regulation of the key genes in 2-methylcitrate cycle, and the physiological functions of 2-methylcitrate cycle are reviewed. Meanwhile, the existing scientific problems and future research topics about this cycle are discussed. In addition, the potential application of the key enzymes in 2-methylcitrate cycle as drug targets for prevention and treatment of bacterial infection is also proposed.