The Escherichia coli YfiD protein: an oxygen and acidity responsive regulator of carbon flux

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Bacteria are the most biochemically versatile organisms on the planet. They adapt by altering patterns of gene expression in response to environmental and metabolic cues. The bacterium Escherichia coli is one of the best-characterised life forms. It is a model organism and much of our understanding of the fundamental processes of life has been revealed by intensive study of this bacterium. Yet there is still much to learn. For example, we do not know the function of approximately one third of all E. coli genes. This project aims to better understand the central metabolic processes of bacteria by using molecular biology and biochemistry to investigate the function of a protein (YfiD) that is important in adaptation to a number of different environmental conditions. Specifically, we would like to determine the function and extent of the influence of YfiD on bacterial central metabolism, how this contributes to the ability of the bacterium to adapt to different environments, and the molecular mechanism by which YfiD exerts its influence. A deeper understanding of how bacteria adapt and survive in a range of environmental conditions, some of which relate directly to pathogenesis, will help to underpin the search for new therapeutics. In addition, the project findings will be of interest to biotechnologists using E. coli as a factory for the production of recombinant proteins and chemicals by improving the efficiency of such processes.