Figure 8. Bacillithiol-dependent methylglyoxal detoxification pathway in Bacillus subtilis.
Methylglyoxal can enter the cell via diffusion or can be formed intracellularly (i.e., from dihydroxyacetone phosphate, abbreviated DHAP). Bacillithiol and both glyoxalase A (GlxA) and glyoxylase B (GlxB) are utilized to convert methylglyoxal to D-lactate. Cytoplasmic acidification is mediated by the interplay of the KhtSTU pump with bacillithiol and S-lactoyl-bacillithiol.
Model from Chandrangsu et al. 2013 [67].