Re-introduction of endogenous pathways for propionyl-CoA, 1-propanol and propionate formation in Escherichia coli

In a previous study, we found that 2-ketobutyrate (2-KB) was seriously degraded in Escherichia coli. In the present investigation, we tried to clarify the products of that degradation process, and intriguingly reconfirmed that 2-KB is chopped up to form propionyl-CoA, 1-propanol and propionate. This short commentary re-introduces efficient endogenous pathways for production of value-added odd-chain compounds such as propionyl-CoA-derived chemicals.