A biological method for the conversion of L-glutamate to 1,4-butanediol that involves a decarboxylation step and avoids production of 4-hydroxybutyrate as an intermediate is described. The method includes: (a) conversion of L-glutamate to L-glutamate 5- phosphate; (b) conversion of L-glutamate 5 -phosphate to L-glutamate 5-semialdehyde; (c) conversion of L-glutamate 5-semialdehyde to 5-hydroxy-L-norvaline;(d) conversion of 5-hydroxy-L-norvaline to 5-hydroxy-2-oxopentanoate; (e) conversion of 5-hydroxy-2- oxopentanoate to 4-hydroxybutanal; and (f) the conversion of 4-hydroxybutanal to 1,4- butanediol.
