Response of Sinorhizobium meliloti to Acidic pH
Author Information
Author(s): Christoph Hellweg, Alfred Pühler, Stefan Weidner
Primary Institution: Universität Bielefeld
Hypothesis
How does Sinorhizobium meliloti respond at the genetic level to a shift from neutral to acidic pH?
Conclusion
The study shows that the response to acidic pH involves a complex sequence of gene expression changes rather than simple activation or repression.
Supporting Evidence
- The study identified 230 genes that responded significantly to the pH shift.
- Gene expression profiles were categorized into eight distinct clusters based on their response patterns.
- The main changes in gene expression occurred within the first 20 minutes after the pH shift.
Takeaway
When the bacteria Sinorhizobium meliloti face acidic conditions, they change how they express their genes to survive, which is a bit like how we might change our clothes for different weather.
Methodology
The study used whole genome microarrays to analyze gene expression in response to a pH shift from 7.0 to 5.75 over a one-hour period.
Limitations
The study focused only on short-term responses and did not explore long-term adaptations to acidic pH.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website