FIG 4 .

Essential metabolic pathways of S. mutans in rich and defined media. Metabolic pathways essential in both rich and defined media (blue lines), essential only in rich medium (green lines), and essential only in defined medium (red lines) are shown. Shaded areas represent major metabolic processes (e.g., carbohydrate metabolism). We have also highlighted metabolic pathways that become essential in these environments (e.g., acetate metabolism). BCAAs, branched-chain amino acids; TCA, tricarboxylic acid; CoA, coenzyme A; P, phosphate; PPP, pentose phosphate pathway.