α-Aminoadipate pathway

In the eukaryotes, this pathway is unique to several species of yeast, higher fungi (containing chitin in their cell walls), and the euglenids.

[1][2][3][4][5] It has also been reported from bacteria of the genus Thermus[6] and also in Pyrococcus horikoshii,[7] potentially suggesting a wider distribution than previously thought.

This uniqueness of the pathway makes it a potentially interesting target for antimycotics.

[2] The reaction steps in the pathway are similar to the citric acid cycle.

A nitrogen atom is added from glutamate by aminoadipate aminotransferase to form the α-aminoadipate, from which this pathway gets its name.