Convergence and divergence in the metabolic network of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Abstract

Metabolism is still often regarded as a set of canonical reactions, identical in all organisms, yet that is far from correct. Metabolism and the metabolic networks required for cellular functions vary dramatically even within species. This diversity is also present in bacterial pathogens. This mini-review explores the role of metabolic convergence and divergence in shaping the metabolic network of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its ability to survive in the host. With the help of a few selected examples, we aim to illustrate the magnitude of changes observed in M. tuberculosis metabolic network.