After three cycles of b-oxidation pathway,
lauric acid (C12) will be shortened to a six carbon intermediate
and continue for a fourth round of b-oxidation. However, the C6
intermediate can be converted by the action of PhaJ to (R)-3-
hydroxyhexanoyl-CoA (3HHx-CoA) and channeled to polymerization
by a broad substrate specificity PHA synthase. Eventually, less
C4 intermediates produced from b-oxidation, coupled with less
3HB-CoA production resulting from a disrupted phaCAB operon, can
lead to a high 3HHx monomer fraction in the synthesized PHA
copolymer