Menaquinone biosynthetic pathway

The menaquinone biosynthetic pathway refers to the sequence of enzymatic reactions producing menaquinone (vitamin K2) from chorismate and 2-ketoglutarate in bacteria and plants[1][2][7]. This pathway operates through distinct sets of enzymes (MenA-G in the classical pathway, or enzymes such as MqnA/E in the futalosine pathway), resulting in the naphthoquinone structure of menaquinone. Menaquinone is crucial for electron transport and ATP generation under anaerobic conditions and is essential for bacterial growth and survival. Because humans lack this biosynthetic machinery—obtaining vitamin K2 only via dietary sources—the pathway is a promising target for novel antibiotic development, especially against pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Gram-positive bacteria[4][7]. Individual enzymes in this pathway are studied as specific antibacterial drug targets.

Other names

Vitamin K2 biosynthetic pathwayMen pathwayMK biosynthetic pathway

Inhibition of one or more enzymes in the menaquinone pathway disrupts electron transport and ATP generation in pathogenic bacteria, leading to bactericidal activity