Proteomic and metabolomic analysis of nitrogen stress in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

From Q-bio

The analysis of cellular responses is best pursued in single cell organisms which constitute authentic viable species, unlike cell cultures used from multicellular organisms. We have here investigated the alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which is also sometimes called the ‘green yeast’. Chlamydomonas shows fast growth under optimal conditions, its cell cycle can be synchronized, its genome has been sequenced and molecular biology tools are available that rival those for other eukaryotes. In order to better understand metabolic adaptations to environmental factors, we have used nitrogen limitation as an important contributing factor to overall fitness and growth. Time series studies following four different levels of nitrogen starvation are presented with respect to cellular growth and responses of approximately 800 proteins and 300 metabolites. Tools for data acquisition, data bases, biochemical mapping and integration of systems-level data are discussed which help to structure and interpret such complex studies.