Extended Data Fig. 9: The ED pathway provides dual benefits of carbon-efficient NADPH production and seamless nitrogen-controlled glucose import.
From: A parallel glycolysis provides a selective advantage through rapid growth acceleration
a, The OxPPP produces two NADPH, but a carbon is lost as CO2 as 6PG enters the non-oxidative pentose phosphate pathway. On the other hand, the ED pathway produces NADPH without decarboxylation. b, Exponentially growing E. coli in unlabeled glucose minimal medium were rapidly switched to either [1-2H1]- or [3-2H2]-glucose. Labeling of the hydride of NADPH from [1-2H1]-glucose indicated flux through G6PDH, whereas labeling from [3-2H1]-glucose indicated flux through 6PGD. The ~3-fold labeling of NADPH from G6PDH compared to 6PGD indicated comparable contributions of the ED pathway and the OxPPP to NADPH generation. c, Concerted action of the phosphotransferase system (PTS), phosphoenolpyruvate synthase (PpsA), and ED pathway streamlines glucose import upon nitrogen upshift. While the EMP pathway takes 8 steps to generate PEP for glucose import, the concerted regulation and action of the ED pathway and PpsA supply PEP in 5 steps.
