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Adaptation of B acillus subtilis carbon core metabolism to simultaneous nutrient limitation and osmotic challenge: a multi‐omics perspective
Author(s) -
Kohlstedt Michael,
Sappa Praveen K.,
Meyer Hanna,
Maaß Sandra,
Zaprasis Adrienne,
Hoffmann Tamara,
Becker Judith,
Steil Leif,
Hecker Michael,
Dijl Jan Maarten,
Lalk Michael,
Mäder Ulrike,
Stülke Jörg,
Bremer Erhard,
Völker Uwe,
Wittmann Christoph
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.954
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1462-2920
pISSN - 1462-2912
DOI - 10.1111/1462-2920.12438
Subject(s) - metabolome , biology , osmotic shock , chemostat , metabolomics , osmoprotectant , metabolism , nutrient , transcriptome , biochemistry , proteome , proline , microbiology and biotechnology , ecology , amino acid , bioinformatics , bacteria , gene expression , gene , genetics
Summary The Gram‐positive bacterium B acillus subtilis encounters nutrient limitations and osmotic stress in its natural soil ecosystem. To ensure survival and sustain growth, highly integrated adaptive responses are required. Here, we investigated the system‐wide response of B . subtilis to different, simultaneously imposed stresses. To address the anticipated complexity of the cellular response networks, we combined chemostat experiments under conditions of carbon limitation, salt stress and osmoprotection with multi‐omics analyses of the transcriptome, proteome, metabolome and fluxome. Surprisingly, the flux through central carbon and energy metabolism is very robust under all conditions studied. The key to achieve this robustness is the adjustment of the biocatalytic machinery to compensate for solvent‐induced impairment of enzymatic activities during osmotic stress. Specifically, increased production of several enzymes of central carbon metabolism compensates for their reduced activity in the presence of high salt. A major response of the cell during osmotic stress is the production of the compatible solute proline. This is achieved through the concerted adjustment of multiple reactions around the 2‐oxoglutarate node, which drives metabolism towards the proline precursor glutamate. The fine‐tuning of the transcriptional and metabolic networks involves functional modules that overarch the individual pathways.