How E. coli Adapts to Low Oxygen Environments
Author Information
Author(s): Trotter Eleanor W., Rolfe Matthew D., Hounslow Andrea M., Craven C. Jeremy, Williamson Michael P., Sanguinetti Guido, Poole Robert K., Green Jeffrey
Primary Institution: Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, The Krebs Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Hypothesis
How does E. coli K-12 reprogram its metabolism when transitioning from anaerobic to micro-aerobic conditions?
Conclusion
E. coli K-12 reprograms its gene expression and metabolism in response to low oxygen levels, primarily through the actions of the transcription factors PdhR and FNR.
Supporting Evidence
- E. coli K-12 shows a rapid inactivation of key metabolic regulators during the transition to micro-aerobic conditions.
- Transcript profiles indicate a shift from anaerobic to aerobic metabolism as oxygen is introduced.
- Pyruvate production temporarily exceeds the bacteria's capacity to metabolize it after exposure to oxygen.
Takeaway
When E. coli gets a little oxygen, it changes how it eats and grows. It stops using some old methods and starts using new ones to make energy.
Methodology
The study used time-resolved transcript profiling, protein abundance measurements, and metabolite analysis to observe changes in E. coli during the transition to micro-aerobic conditions.
Limitations
The study primarily focuses on a single strain of E. coli and specific growth conditions, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.004
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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