<b>Metabolic modeling and comparative biochemistry in glyoxylate cycle

• DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v38i1.24597
• Publication Date: 2016-08-22T12:44:30Z
• Authors: Itamar Luís Gonça...; Albanin Aparecida...; Ana Claudia Piove...; Alice Teresa Valduga
• Keywords: Bioquímica; 0106 biological sciences; acetyl-CoA oxidation; QH301-705.5; catabolism; Biology (General); Microbiology; 01 natural sciences; energy efficiency; QR1-502

Glyoxylate cycle in fatty acid catabolism enhances net production of oxaloacetate, a substrate for gluconeogenesis, in certain bacteria, invertebrates and oilseed in the growth stage. A theoretical model was developed to calculate ATP amount produced in each step of the catabolic pathway, taking into account the fatty acid’s hydrocarbon chain size. Results showed a decrease in energy efficiency in glyoxylate cycle when compared to animal metabolism. Although the glyoxylate cycle provides evolutionary adaptations, it determines a smaller amount of energy produced per carbon atom when compared to animal catabolism of fatty acids.