Metabolite essentiality elucidates robustness of Escherichia coli metabolism

Details Metabolite essentiality elucidates robustness of Escherichia coli metabolism Metabolite essentiality elucidates robustness of Escherichia coli metabolism

2007-08-14

arxiv.org/abs/0708.1865v1

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 104 13638 (2007)

Biology

Quantitative Biology

Molecular Networks

Supplements available at http://stat.kaist.ac.kr/publication/2007/PJKim_pnas_supplement.pdf

Scientific paper

10.1073/pnas.0703262104

Complex biological systems are very robust to genetic and environmental changes at all levels of organization. Many biological functions of Escherichia coli metabolism can be sustained against single-gene or even multiple-gene mutations by using redundant or alternative pathways. Thus, only a limited number of genes have been identified to be lethal to the cell. In this regard, the reaction-centric gene deletion study has a limitation in understanding the metabolic robustness. Here, we report the use of flux-sum, which is the summation of all incoming or outgoing fluxes around a particular metabolite under pseudo-steady state conditions, as a good conserved property for elucidating such robustness of E. coli from the metabolite point of view. The functional behavior, as well as the structural and evolutionary properties of metabolites essential to the cell survival, was investigated by means of a constraints-based flux analysis under perturbed conditions. The essential metabolites are capable of maintaining a steady flux-sum even against severe perturbation by actively redistributing the relevant fluxes. Disrupting the flux-sum maintenance was found to suppress cell growth. This approach of analyzing metabolite essentiality provides insight into cellular robustness and concomitant fragility, which can be used for several applications, including the development of new drugs for treating pathogens.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Metabolite essentiality elucidates robustness of Escherichia coli metabolism does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Metabolite essentiality elucidates robustness of Escherichia coli metabolism, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Metabolite essentiality elucidates robustness of Escherichia coli metabolism will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-389469