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Microbial Genetics (Micr340) . Lecture 16 Global Regulatory Mechanisms. Note: a hand-out for Lecture 15 was uploaded into course web folder. Global regulation.
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Microbial Genetics (Micr340) Lecture 16 Global Regulatory Mechanisms Note: a hand-out for Lecture 15 was uploaded into course web folder
Global regulation • Global regulatory mechanisms: regulatory systems within cells that simultaneously regulate numerous operons in response to major changes in the environment • These systems respond to these factors: • Nutrient limitation • Growth limitation • Stress
Catabolite-sensitive operons • Regulon: a large number of operons that are controlled by a single regulatory protein. • Catabolites: smaller molecules resulting from the metabolic breakdown (catabolism) of larger molecules. • Catabolite repression: a mechanism for ensuring that the cell will preferentially use the best carbon and energy source available.
cAMP and cAMP-Binding Protein • cAMP: cyclic AMP is similar to AMP, except the phosphate is attached to both 5’- and 3’ hydroxyl groups of the sugar. • In E. coli, there is a cAMP-dependent regulatory system that controls preferential utilization of sugar sources • CAP (catabolite gene activator protein), also known as CRP (cAMP receptor protein), is the global activator of catabolite sensitive operons
In absence of Glucose……. Lactose
CAP-cAMP and other opeons • gal operon
CAP-cAMP and other opeons • ara operon
Nitrogen nutrient • Nitrogen is a component of many biological molecules thus is an essential nutrient source • Bacteria could use both inorganic (ammonia and nitrate) and organic nitrogen sources • Some bacteria can even use (fix) atmospheric nitrogen (N2), unique on earth.
Pathways of nitrogen assimilation • Ammonia is the preferred source of nitrogen for most bacteria • Other forms of nitrogen must be reduced to ammonia before they can be used in a process called assimilatory reduction • The process of ammonia being integrated (assimilated) into an organic compound of biosynthetic pathways is called nitrogen assimilation