The handbook of microbial metabolism of amino acids

This handbook explores the most recent advances in knowledge regarding amino acid metabolism in different microbial organisms, including bacteria, yeasts, fungi, protozoa and nematodes, with emphasis on the similarities and differences in the way these organisms handle amino acids. Inclusive of 9 parts with 32 chapters overall, the discussions are presented per specific amino acid metabolism, including those for glutamate, lysine/arginine/hydroxyproline, serine/threonine, sulfur amino acids, branched-chain amino acids, aromatic amino acids/histidine, and D-amino acids. Themes in these discussions include: (1) comparative aspects of amino acid metabolism between these microbes and higher organisms (i.e., plants, mammals); (2) potential for drug targets in the biosynthesis and metabolism of amino acids: (3) association of amino acid metabolism and enzymes to virulence of pathogenic microbes; and (4) possible applications in food microbiology and food safety. With these contents, this handbook will be of great use to those researchers doing work in the field of microbiology, biochemistry, genetics and pathology.