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Growth strategy of microbes on mixed carbon sources

Author

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  • Xin Wang

    (Peking University
    Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School)

  • Kang Xia

    (Peking University
    Wuhan University)

  • Xiaojing Yang

    (Peking University)

  • Chao Tang

    (Peking University)

Abstract

A classic problem in microbiology is that bacteria display two types of growth behavior when cultured on a mixture of two carbon sources: the two sources are sequentially consumed one after another (diauxie) or they are simultaneously consumed (co-utilization). The search for the molecular mechanism of diauxie led to the discovery of the lac operon. However, questions remain as why microbes would bother to have different strategies of taking up nutrients. Here we show that diauxie versus co-utilization can be understood from the topological features of the metabolic network. A model of optimal allocation of protein resources quantitatively explains why and how the cell makes the choice. In case of co-utilization, the model predicts the percentage of each carbon source in supplying the amino acid pools, which is quantitatively verified by experiments. Our work solves a long-standing puzzle and provides a quantitative framework for the carbon source utilization of microbes.

Suggested Citation

  • Xin Wang & Kang Xia & Xiaojing Yang & Chao Tang, 2019. "Growth strategy of microbes on mixed carbon sources," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-09261-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09261-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Jin-Hyuck Jeong & Jun-Seok Han & Youngae Jung & Seung-Min Lee & So-Hyun Park & Mooncheol Park & Min-Gi Shin & Nami Kim & Mi Sun Kang & Seokho Kim & Kwang-Pyo Lee & Ki-Sun Kwon & Chun-A. Kim & Yong Ryo, 2023. "A new AMPK isoform mediates glucose-restriction induced longevity non-cell autonomously by promoting membrane fluidity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-17, December.
    2. Manlu Zhu & Xiongfeng Dai, 2023. "Stringent response ensures the timely adaptation of bacterial growth to nutrient downshift," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.

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