Identification and characterization of unknown genes that respond to environmental changes using metabolomics

초록

Cells respond to environmental changes by modulating many cellular components. Nutrients availability is one of the environmental changes that cause alteration of cellular metabolism. Restriction of nutrient uptake is known to increase many changes in cellular metabolism including gene expression. Nutrient restriction-induced lifespan increase has been widely explored, and it is known to increase cellular resistance to the damaging agents. However, the mechanisms are still remained to be elucidated. In order to isolate metabolites and related genes responding to nutrient restriction, we used yeast genetics and metabolomics, a global metabolite profiling approach for biological samples. We compared metabolic profiling of yeast cells grown in normal and nutrient reduced medium. Among many metabolites, we isolated several that drastically differ in yeast cells grown in two different nutrient conditions. Currently, the possible mechanisms of the metabolites content in the cells dependent on the growing condition is under investigation.