Abstract

In this article, we determine an optimal set of enzymes which is needed to be expressed at a specific level, in order to maximize the production of the target metabolite, spermine, from the substrate, ornithine, in the polyamine metabolic pathway. The pathway thus obtained is compared with the optimal pathway obtained using the existing extreme pathway analysis method. The results are appropriately validated through literature. Finally, we discuss potential applications of this approach in the field of metabolic and genetic engineering. It is hoped that the engineering of this pathway can produce secondary metabolites having commercial values, and finally drugs.

Keywords: Basis vectors, enzyme concentration, flux balance analysis, metabolic engineering, stoichiometric matrix, transgene.