Demonstration of a Novel Glycolytic Pathway in the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Thermococcus zilligii by (13)C-Labeling Experiments and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Analysis

The operation of a novel glycolytic pathway was demonstrated in nongrowing cells of Thermococcus zilligii by analysis of the isotopic enrichment in the end products derived from fermentation of (13)C-labeled glucose. The new pathway involved the formation of formate, derived from C-1 in glucose, via cleavage of a six-carbon carboxylic acid.