Work

An updated genome-scale metabolic network reconstruction of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 to characterize mucin-driven shifts in bacterial metabolism

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: Mucins are present in mucosal membranes throughout the body and play a key role in the microbe clearance and infection prevention. Understanding the metabolic responses of pathogens to mucins will further enable the development of protective approaches against infections. We update the genome-scale metabolic network reconstruction (GENRE) of one such pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14, through metabolic coverage expansion, format update, extensive annotation addition, and literature-based curation to produce iPau21. We then validate iPau21 through MEMOTE, growth rate, carbon source utilization, and gene essentiality testing to demonstrate its improved quality and predictive capabilities. We then integrate the GENRE with transcriptomic data in order to generate context-specific models of P. aeruginosa metabolism. The contextualized models recapitulated known phenotypes of unaltered growth and a differential utilization of fumarate metabolism, while also revealing an increased utilization of propionate metabolism upon MUC5B exposure. This work serves to validate iPau21 and demonstrate its utility for providing biological insights.

Source: npj Systems Biology and Applications

DOI: 10.1038/s41540-021-00198-2

Authors: Dawson D. Payne, Alina Renz, Laura J. Dunphy, Taylor Lewis, Andreas Dräger, Jason A. Papin

Institutions: University of Virginia, University of Tübingen, University of Massachusetts Amherst, German Center for Infection Research

Language: English

Topic: Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,990