Biological synthesis of difunctional alkanes from carbohydrate feedstocks

Abstract

Aspects of the invention relate to methods for the production of difunctional alkanes in host cells. In particular, aspects of the invention describe components of genes associated with the difunctional alkane production from carbohydrate feedstocks in host cells. More specifically, aspects of the invention describe metabolic pathways for the production of adipic acid, aminocaproic acid, caprolactam, and hexamethylenediamine via 2-ketopimelic acid.

1 . A method for preparing adipic acid, comprising
 converting alpha-ketoglutaric acid (AKG) into alpha-ketoadipic acid (AKA),   converting alpha-ketoadipic acid into alpha-ketopimelic acid (AKP),   converting alpha-ketopimelic acid into adipic acid semialdehyde, and   converting adipic acid semialdehyde into adipic acid,   
       wherein at least one of these conversions is carried out using a recombinantly expressed enzyme. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the recombinantly expressed enzyme is selected from the group consisting of AksA, AksD, AksE, AksF, and NifV.