Metabolite changes signal genetic regulatory mechanisms for robust cell behavior.

ABSTRACT:

Unlabelled

Exploiting mechanisms of utilizing the sugar d-galactose in Escherichia coli as a model system, we explored the consequences of accumulation of critical intermediates of the d-galactose metabolic pathways by monitoring cell growth, metabolites, and transcript profiles. These studies revealed both metabolic network changes far from the d-galactose pathway and changes in the global gene regulatory network. The concentration change of a critical intermediate disturbs the equilibrium state, generating a ripple effect through several metabolic pathways that ends up signaling up- or downregulation of specific sets of genes in a programmed manner to cope with the imbalance. Such long-range effects on metabolites and genetic regulatory mechanisms not only may be a common feature

SUBMITTER: Lee SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3903281 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature