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Growth of Escherichia coli MG1655 on LB medium: monitoring utilization of sugars, alcohols, and organic acids with transcriptional microarrays

  • Genomics and Proteomics
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Abstract

Microorganisms respond to environmental changes by reprogramming their metabolism primarily through altered patterns of gene expression. DNA microarrays provide a tool for exploiting microorganisms as living sensors of their environment. The potential of DNA microarrays to reflect availability of nutrient components during fermentations on complex media was examined by monitoring global gene expression throughout batch cultivation of Escherichia coli MG1655 on Luria–Bertani (LB) medium. Gene expression profiles group into pathways that clearly demonstrate the metabolic changes occurring in the course of fermentation. Functional analysis of the gene expression related to metabolism of sugars, alcohols, and organic acids revealed that E. coli growing on LB medium switches from a sequential mode of substrate utilization to the simultaneous one in the course of the growth. Maltose and maltodextrins are the first of these substrates to support growth. Utilization of these nutrients associated with the highest growth rate of the culture was followed by simultaneous induction of enzymes involved in assimilation of a large group of other carbon sources including d-mannose, melibiose, d-galactose, l-fucose, l-rhamnose, d-mannitol, amino sugars, trehalose, l-arabinose, glycerol, and lactate. Availability of these nutrients to the cells was monitored by induction of corresponding transport and/or catabolic systems specific for each of the compounds.

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Author notes

  1. Dmitry Baev

    Present address: IBM Toronto Software Lab, 8200 Warden Ave., Markham, ON, L6G 1C7, Canada

  2. Agnes Jancso Radek

    Present address: Epicentre Technologies, 726 Post Road, Madison, WI, 53713, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Integrated Genomics, Inc., 2201 W. Campbell Park Drive, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

    Mark V. Baev, Agnes Jancso Radek & John W. Campbell

  2. Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Dmitry Baev

  3. Scarab Genomics LLC, 1202 Ann St., Madison, WI, 53713, USA

    John W. Campbell

Authors
  1. Mark V. Baev
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  2. Dmitry Baev
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  3. Agnes Jancso Radek
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  4. John W. Campbell
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Correspondence to Mark V. Baev.

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Baev, M.V., Baev, D., Radek, A.J. et al. Growth of Escherichia coli MG1655 on LB medium: monitoring utilization of sugars, alcohols, and organic acids with transcriptional microarrays. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 71, 310–316 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-006-0317-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-006-0317-6

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