Enterobactin (also known as Enterochelin) is produced by enterobacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. Under iron-deficient condtion, enterobactin can be synthesized and excreted into environment to bind Fe(III). Chorismate is the starting compound for enterobactin biosynthesis, and it can be obtained from chorismate biosynthesis pathway. Isochorismate synthase catalyzes chorismate to form isochorismate, and further breaking down to form (2S,3S)-2,3-dihydroxy-2,3-dihydrobenzoate and pyruvic acid by same synthase enzyme. (2S,3S)-2,3-dihydroxy-2,3-dihydrobenzoate is converted to 2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic acid by 2,3-dihydro-2,3-dihydroxybenzoate dehydrogenase. The later synthesis of enterobactin is catalyzed from 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate and L-serine.

Enterobactin Biosynthesis References