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. 1996 Mar;178(5):1465–1468. doi: 10.1128/jb.178.5.1465-1468.1996

Induction of RpoS-dependent functions in glucose-limited continuous culture: what level of nutrient limitation induces the stationary phase of Escherichia coli?

L Notley 1, T Ferenci 1
PMCID: PMC177823  PMID: 8631726

Abstract

treA and osmY expression and RpoS protein levels were investigated in glucose-limited continuous culture. The level of induction of these stationary-phase markers became as high during growth at a D of 0.1 to 0.2 h(-1) as in carbon-starved batch cultures but only in rpoS+ bacteria. The stress protectant trehalose was actually produced at higher levels at low growth rates than in stationary-phase cultures. The pattern of induction of RpoS-dependent activities could be separated from those regulated by cyclic AMP (cAMP) or endoinduction, and the induction occurred at extreme glucose limitation. Escherichia coli turns to a protective stationary-phase response when nutrient levels fall below approximately 10(-7) M glucose, which is insufficient to saturate scavenger transporters regulated by cAMP plus endoinducers, and this response is optimally expressed at 10(-6) M glucose. The high-level induction of protective functions also explains the maintenance energy requirement of bacterial growth at low dilution rates.

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Selected References

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