# Thermodynamic free energy map for the non-oxidative glycolysis pathways

## TL;DR

This paper explores alternative energy-efficient pathways in non-oxidative glycolysis to produce target compounds more effectively.

## Contribution

The study introduces a systematic thermodynamic analysis of non-oxidative glycolysis pathways, revealing new favorable routes.

## Key findings

- Multiple thermodynamically favorable pathways for non-oxidative glycolysis were identified.
- Some pathways are shorter than the experimentally reported ones.
- 3-hydroxypropionic acid is highlighted as a molecule of potential interest.

## Abstract

Designing reaction pathways that maximize the production of a target compound in a given metabolic network is a fundamental problem in systems biology. In this study, we systematically explore the non-oxidative glycolysis metabolic network, guided by the principle that reactions with negative Gibbs free energy differences are thermodynamically favored. We enumerate alternative pathways that implement the net non-oxidative glycolysis reaction, categorized by their length. Our analysis reveals several alternative thermodynamically favorable pathways beyond the experimentally reported ones. Additionally, we identify molecules within the network, such as 3-hydroxypropionic acid, that may have significant potential for further investigation.