title: Influence of the RelA Activity on E. coli Metabolism by Metabolite Profiling of Glucose-Limited Chemostat Cultures.
abstract: Metabolite profiling of E. coli W3110 and the isogenic DrelA mutant cells was used to characterize the RelA-dependent stringent control of metabolism under different growth conditions. Metabolic profiles were obtained by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and revealed significant differences between E. coli strains grown at different conditions. Major differences between the two strains were assessed in the levels of amino acids and fatty acids and their precursor metabolites, especially when growing at the lower dilution rates, demonstrating differences in their metabolic behavior. Despite the fatty acid biosynthesis being the most affected due to the lack of the RelA activity, other metabolic pathways involving succinate, lactate and threonine were also affected. Overall, metabolite profiles indicate that under nutrient-limiting conditions the RelA-dependent stringent response may be elicited and promotes key changes in the E. coli metabolism.
authors: Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (IBB), Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal. soniacarneiro@deb.uminho.pt.
authors: Sónia
authors: S
authors: Carneiro
authors: Centre for Microbial Innovation, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. s.villas-boas@auckland.ac.nz.
authors: Silas G
authors: SG
authors: Villas-Bôas
authors: Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (IBB), Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal. ecferreira@deb.uminho.pt.
authors: Eugénio C
authors: EC
authors: Ferreira
authors: Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (IBB), Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal. irocha@deb.uminho.pt.
authors: Isabel
authors: I
authors: Rocha