Demonstration of a novel glycolytic pathway in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus zilligii by C-13-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 C-13-labeled glucose. The new pathway involved the formation of formate, derived from C-1 in glucose, via cleavage of a six-carbon carboxylic acid.