While I'm still interested in obtaining a response to my other post (http://www.scienceforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=46432), I would now like to ask something more specific regarding bacterial metabolism.

 

How do bacteria go from keto acids to amino acids?

 

Thank you!

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My bad! I think it's actually the other way around: amino acids are converted into keto acids.

 

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2293160/pdf/2625-07.pdf, FIG. 1.

Yes, indeed, they can be intermediates of amino acid degradation. Many bacteria have a more efficient way of utilizing amino acids, though. Instead of the Ehrlich reactions (and ending with alcohols) they go back via coA dervatives to fuel the TCA. Essentially in those that utilize amino acids also as C-source.