Anaerobic glycolytic pathway (EMP pathway)

The anaerobic glycolytic pathway, specifically the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas (EMP) pathway, is a fundamental metabolic sequence used by bacteria to catabolize glucose into pyruvate for energy production in the absence of oxygen (Source: Wikipedia, Wolfe 2015). This pathway is essential for the survival of anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria, particularly in low-oxygen niches such as the oral cavity, deep tissue abscesses, and within biofilms (Source: PubMed). By generating ATP and metabolic intermediates, the pathway supports bacterial growth, maintenance, and the production of virulence factors like lactic acid, which contributes to dental caries and tissue degradation (Source: NIH/StatPearls). Therapeutic targeting of this pathway involves the inhibition of key enzymes such as enolase or glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) to disrupt energy flux (Source: PubMed). While promising for treating resistant infections, the high conservation of these enzymes between bacteria and humans presents a significant challenge for achieving selective toxicity without affecting host metabolism (Source: PubMed).

Other names

Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathwayEMP pathwayBacterial glycolysisFermentative pathwayAnaerobic glucose metabolism

Inhibition of specific enzymes within the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway, such as enolase or glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, which prevents the conversion of glucose to pyruvate, thereby depleting cellular ATP and halting bacterial growth (Source: PubMed).