Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 27, 2026

An Optimized Protocol to Analyze Glycolysis and Mitochondrial Respiration in Lymphocytes
Published on: November 21, 2016
A simple method to control glycolytic flux for the design of an optimal cell factory
Jae Hyung Lim1, Gyoo Yeol Jung1,2
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673 Korea.
Background:
A microbial cell factory with high yield and productivity are prerequisites for an economically feasible bio-based chemical industry. However, cell factories that show a kinetic imbalance between glycolysis and product formation pathways are not optimal. Glycolysis activity is highly robust for survival in nature, but is not optimized for chemical production.
Results:
Here, we propose a novel approach to balance glycolytic activity with the product formation capacity by precisely controlling expression level of ptsG (encoded glucose transporter) through UTR engineering. For various heterologous pathways with different maximum production rates, e.g., n-butanol, butyrate, and 2,3-butanediol, glycolytic fluxes could be successfully modulated to maximize yield and productivity, while minimizing by-product formation in Escherichia coli.
Conclusions:
These results support the application of this simple method to explore the maximum yield and productivity when designing optimal cell factories for value-added products in the fields of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology.
Related Concept Videos
What is Glycolysis?
Cells make energy by breaking down macromolecules. Cellular respiration is the biochemical process that converts "food energy" (from the chemical bonds of macromolecules) into chemical energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The first step of this tightly regulated and intricate process is glycolysis. The word glycolysis originates from the Latin glyco (sugar) and lysis (breakdown). Glycolysis serves two main intracellular functions: generating ATP and generating...
Other Glycolytic Pathways
Glycolysis: Preparatory Phase
Outcomes of Glycolysis
Cellular respiration can occur aerobically (with oxygen) or anaerobically (without oxygen). In the presence of oxygen, cellular respiration starts with glycolysis and continues with pyruvate...
Glycolysis
Energy-requiring Steps of Glycolysis

