An updated genome scale metabolic reconstruction of methanosarcina barkeri

Methanosarcina barkeri is a methanogen, meaning that methane is the reduced product for energy generation. M. barkeri can grow on several substrates including methanol, acetate, methyl amines and a combination of hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The Methanosarcina barkeri genome was published in 2006 after the metabolic reconstruction of M. barkeri, iAF692, was published. The iAF692 reconstruction preformed the first large scale simulations of an Archaea. Since the publication of iAF692, a deeper understanding of Archaea biology has shed light on previously unclear metabolic pathways. For methanogenesis, proton pumping has been updated to reflect an improved knowledge of the pathway. Cofactor biosynthesis has been updated to reflect a better understanding of methanogen anabolism. Metabolic networks such as pentose phosphate pathway, amino acid biosynthesis, and cell wall composition have also been updated to reflect Archaea specific biosynthesis pathways. This improved insight has led to an increase in predictive accuracy for knockouts and growth yield predictions for the updated M. barkeri reconstruction, iMG750. As with other metabolic reconstructions, iMG750 will be a useful tool in guiding experimental studies and predicting cellular behavior on a genome scale.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Gonnerman, Matthew C.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Price, Nathan D.

• Methanosarcina
• barkeri
• Methanogen
• Metabolic
• Reconstruction

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2011 Matthew Charles Gonnerman

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/24426

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/24426