The acetyl phosphate pathway in relation to the tricarboxylic acid cycle, which is a major metabolic pathway in S. meliloti bacteroids. The acetyl phosphate pathway is shown with thick boldfaced arrows. Abbreviations: TCA, tricarboxylic acid; ME, malic enzyme; Acs, acetyl-CoA synthase; AckA, acetate kinase; Pta, phosphotransacetylase; Pdh, pyruvate dehydrogenase.