A New Recursive Approach for Reconstructing Metabolic Networks from KEGG

The high-quality network reconstruction from metabolites, enzymes and reactions is the first essential step for the studies on the metabolic networks. Previously the approach based on the KEGG/LIGAND database can only reconstruct the organism-level metabolic networks and the network quality is quite doubtful. In this paper we propose a new recursive approach to reconstruct metabolic networks. The data selection mechanism of KEGG/PATHWAY ensures that metabolic networks are parsimonious but reliable. The KO system makes it possible to generate networks hierarchically. The KEGG web service manages to keep the data up-to-date. Results of comparison with the previous approach show our new approach is practical and reliable.