Regulation of Biosynthetic Pathways

Abstract

Balanced metabolism, preferential utilization of exogenous metabolites and the effect of end-products on accumulation of their precursors indicate metabolic regulation in bacteria. Possible mechanisms for prevention of excess synthesis and their physiological role in uni- and multi-cellular organisms are discussed. The two principal controlling mechanisms (mediated by end products of the reaction or chain of reations which they regulate) are inhibition of enzyme action and genetic repression of enzyme formation. Some of these mechanisms may explain cellular differentiation.