Enzyme-mediated nutrient release: glucose-precursor activation by β-galactosidase to induce bacterial growth

• Published in: Organic & biomolecular chemistry Vol. 11; no. 17; pp. 293 - 291
• Main Authors: Karton-Lifshin, Naama, Vogel, Uwe, Sella, Eran, Seeberger, Peter H, Shabat, Doron, Lepenies, Bernd
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: CAMBRIDGE Royal Soc Chemistry 07.05.2013
• Subjects: Bacteria; beta-Galactosidase - chemistry; beta-Galactosidase - metabolism; Chemistry; Chemistry, Organic; Escherichia coli - chemistry; Escherichia coli - enzymology; Escherichia coli - growth & development; Glucose - chemistry; Glucose - metabolism; Physical Sciences; Science & Technology; POLYMERS; AMPLIFIER; DENDRITIC CHAIN-REACTION; PROBE; PRODRUGS; SELF-IMMOLATIVE DENDRIMERS
• ISSN: 1477-0520; 1477-0539
• DOI: 10.1039/c3ob27385g

Bacteria will gain an advantage if they are able to metabolize nutrients that are inaccessible for other bacteria. To demonstrate this principle, we developed a simple model system, which mimics how bacteria exploit natural carbon sources. A masked glucose precursor that is activated by β-galactosidase was used as a carbon source for bacterial growth in a glucose-deficient medium. No bacterial growth was observed in the presence of control substances in which β-galactosidase mediated cleavage did not lead to glucose release. This study represents a proof-of-principle example in which a bacterium can grow in a nutrient-free medium by inducible, enzyme-mediated nutrient release from a precursor. A masked glucose precursor that is activated by β-galactosidase was used as a carbon source for bacterial growth in a glucose-deficient medium.