Open AccessA flux‐sensing mechanism could regulate the switch between respiration and fermentation
Author(s) -
Huberts Daphne H. E. W.,
Niebel Bastian,
Heinemann Matthias
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
fems yeast research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.991
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1567-1364
pISSN - 1567-1356
DOI - 10.1111/j.1567-1364.2011.00767.x
Subject(s) - biology , mechanism (biology) , respiration , flux (metallurgy) , fermentation , biochemical engineering , biophysics , food science , botany , materials science , engineering , physics , quantum mechanics , metallurgy
The yeast S accharomyces cerevisiae can show different metabolic phenotypes (e.g. fermentation and respiration). Based on data from the literature, we argue that the substrate uptake rate is the core variable in the system that controls the global metabolic phenotype. Consequently the metabolic phenotype that the cell expresses is not dependent on the type of the sugar or its concentration, but only on the rate at which the sugar enters the cell. As this requires the cells to ‘measure’ metabolic flux, we discuss the existing clues toward a flux‐sensing mechanism in this organism and also outline several aspects of the involved flux‐dependent regulation system. It becomes clear that the sensing and regulation system that divides the taken up carbon flux into the respiratory or fermentative pathways is complex with many molecular components interacting on multiple levels. To obtain a true understanding about how the global metabolic phenotype of S . cerevisiae is controlled by the glucose uptake rate, different tools and approaches from systems biology will be required.