%0 Journal Article
%T Genome-scale reconstruction of metabolic network for a halophilic extremophile, Chromohalobacter salexigens DSM 3043
%A £¿zlem Ates
%A Ebru Oner
%A Kazim Y Arga
%J BMC Systems Biology
%D 2011
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1752-0509-5-12
%X C. salexigens DSM 3043's metabolism was reconstructed based on genomic, biochemical and physiological information via a non-automated but iterative process. This manually-curated reconstruction accounts for 584 genes, 1386 reactions, and 1411 metabolites. By using flux balance analysis, the model was extensively validated against literature data on the C. salexigens phenotypic features, the transport and use of different substrates for growth as well as against experimental observations on the uptake and accumulation of industrially important organic osmolytes, ectoine, betaine, and its precursor choline, which play important roles in the adaptive response to osmotic stress.This work presents the first comprehensive genome-scale metabolic model of a halophilic bacterium. Being a useful guide for identification and filling of knowledge gaps, the reconstructed metabolic network iOA584 will accelerate the research on halophilic bacteria towards application of systems biology approaches and design of metabolic engineering strategies.Extreme environments, generally characterized by abnormal temperature, pH, pressure, salinity, toxicity and radiation levels, are inhabited by various organisms - extremophiles - that are specifically adapted to these particular conditions. Studies on these microorganisms has led to the development of important molecular biology techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) [1,2] and hence further research has been largely stimulated by the industry's interest on the fact that the survival mechanisms of these microorganisms could be transformed into valuable applications ranging from wastewater treatment to the diagnosis of infectious and genetic diseases [3].Halophilic microorganisms are extremophiles that are able to survive high osmolarity in hypersaline conditions either by maintenance of high salinity in their cytoplasm or by intracellular accumulation of osmoprotectants such as ectoine and betaine [4]. C. salexigens is a halophili
%U http://www.biomedcentral.com/1752-0509/5/12