Acetohydroxy acid synthase isoenzymes of Escherichia coli K12 and Salmonella typhimurium.

In Escherichia coli K12 and in Salmonella typhimurium the first step common to the biosynthesis of isoleucine, leucine and valine is catalyzed by an intriguing system of isoenzymes. Two of these are normally expressed, while the genetic determinant for a third one is transcribed, but not translated as an active polypeptide. We analyze here the significance of this system in the light of the most recent results.