Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of altering bacterial host cells to accumulate 2-keto-D-gluconic acid (2-KDG) by inactivating an endogenous membrane bound 2-keto-D-gluconate dehydrogenase (2-KDGDH), which prior to inactivation catalyzed the conversion of 2-KDG to 2,5-diketogluconate (2,5-DKG).

Abstract: The invention provides methods for producing products comprising improved host cells genetically engineered to have uncoupled productive and catabolic pathways. In particular, the present invention provides host cells having a modification in nucleic acid encoding an endogenous enzymatic activity that phosphorylates D-glucose at its 6th carbon and/or a modification of nucleic acid encoding an enzymatic activity that phosphorylates D-gluconate at its 6th carbon. Such improved host cells are used for the production of products, such as, ascorbic acid intermediates. Methods for making and using the improved host cells are provided. Nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for glucokinase and gluconokinase are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and host cells for the production of ascorbic acid intermediates. The invention also provides host cells having a modification in a polynucleotide that uncouples the catabolic pathway from the oxidative pathway by deleting the encoding for an endogenous enzymatic activity that phosphorylates D-glucose at its 6th carbon and/or a polynucleotide that has deleted the encoding for endogenous enzymatic activity that phosphorylates D-gluconate at its 6th carbon. Such host cells are used for the production of products, such as, ascorbic acid intermediates. Nucleic acid and amino acid sequences with inactivated enzymatic activity which phosphorylates D-glucose at its 6th carbon and inactivated enzymatic activity which phosphorylates D-gluconate at its 6th carbon are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to engineering metabolic pathways in bacterial host cells which results in enhanced carbon flow for the production of ascorbic acid (ASA) intermediates. In particular, the invention relates to increasing the production of ASA intermediates in bacterial cells by enhancing the availability of gluconate resulting from the inactivation of endogenous gluconate transporter genes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of altering bacterial host cells to accumulate 2-keto-D-gluconic acid (2-KDG) by inactivating an endogenous membrane bound 2-keto-D-gluconate dehydrogenase (2-KDGDH), which prior to inactivation catalyzed the conversion of 2-KDG to 2,5-diketogluconate (2,5-DKG).