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Global transcription profiles and intracellular pH regulation measured in Bacillus licheniformis upon external pH upshifts

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Abstract

For optimization of propagation conditions for an industrially used Bacillus licheniformis, this study examines the effect of transferring cells at the early-stationary growth phase (pH 5.3) to fresh growth medium at pH 5.0–8.0. Intracellular pH (pHi) was measured on a single-cell level, using fluorescence ratio imaging microscopy after staining with 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester. Transcription profiles were determined using a genome DNA microarray. The optimum extracellular pH (pHex) value for growth of B. licheniformis was found to be pH 7.0, resulting in the shortest lag phase, highest maximum specific growth rate and maximum biomass formation. An average pH gradient (ΔpH = pHi − pHex) of approx. 1.0 was found in B. licheniformis 15 min after transfer to pHex 5.0–8.0. Up-regulation of genes involved in sucrose uptake at pH 7.0 could be related to the optimum growth observed. Transcription profiles indicated that the organism was experiencing phosphate starvation upon transfer to pH 7.0 and pH 8.0. Mechanisms involved in pHi regulation appeared to include changes in fatty acid synthesis to yield a more rigid cell membrane structure at low pHex values and conversion of pyruvate to acetoin instead of acetate for neutralization of low pHex values.

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Acknowledgements

This work was carried out as part of an industrial PhD financially supported by the Danish Academy of Technical Sciences. The technical assistance of Annette Hansen is acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food Science, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg, Rolighedsvej 30, 4th floor, 1958, Frederiksberg, Denmark

    Tina Hornbæk & Mogens Jakobsen

  2. Novozymes A/S, Bagsværd, Denmark

    Tina Hornbæk, Jens Dynesen & Allan K. Nielsen

Authors
  1. Tina Hornbæk
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  2. Mogens Jakobsen
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  3. Jens Dynesen
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  4. Allan K. Nielsen
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Correspondence to Tina Hornbæk.

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Hornbæk, T., Jakobsen, M., Dynesen, J. et al. Global transcription profiles and intracellular pH regulation measured in Bacillus licheniformis upon external pH upshifts. Arch Microbiol 182, 467–474 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-004-0729-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-004-0729-6

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