THE ROLE OF FATTY-ACID BIOSYNTHESIS AND DEGRADATION IN THE SUPPLY OF SUBSTRATES FOR POLY(3-HYDROXYALKANOATE) FORMATION IN PSEUDOMONAS-PUTIDA

The relationship between fatty acid metabolism and PHA biosynthesis in P. putida is described. Detailed H-1 and C-13 NMR studies were performed to investigate the structures of poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) (PHAs) formed from carbohydrates and fatty acids. On the basis of these results, it is proposed that during growth on glucose the 3-hydroxyacyl-acyl carrier protein intermediates of the de novo fatty acid biosynthetic pathway are diverted to PHA biosynthesis. Similarly, further evidence is presented that during cultivation on fatty acids, intermediates of the beta-oxidation cycle serve as precursors of PHA biosynthesis.