The archaebacterium Haloarculamarismortui can use acetate (which is converted to acetyl-CoA) as a precursor for carbohydrate synthesis, but it lacks isocitrate lyase and therefore cannot use the glyoxylate pathway. Instead, it converts isocitrate to α-ketoglutarate, which is then converted to the amino acid methylaspartate in two more steps. This five-carbon compound is modified and broken down to release glyoxylate. Describe the three reactions that lead from isocitrate to methylaspartate.

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COO +HN-C-H HC-CH3 T COO Methylaspartate