Figure 2

Predictions of alternative pathways for glutamate utilization based on SAT techniques. A B. subtilis strain (GP28) was constructed that lacks the glutamate dehydrogenases. An evolutionary adaptation resulted in a strain (GP717) that acquired the capacity to grow on glutamate as single carbon source. Using a SAT based search algorithm (see Materials and Methods) we predicted four alternative pathways that could be activate in the GP717. The genes coding for the enzymes in orange were analyzed further (see text). 4-m-2-o-p-ate = 4-methyl-2-oxo-pentanoate; 3-m-2-o-b-ate = 3-methyl-2-oxo-butanoate.