Reactome Array: Forging a Link Between Metabolome and Genome

Abstract

Metabolite Arrays Methods suitable for the biochemical analysis of multiple metabolic pathways in mixed samples are in short supply. Beloqui et al. (p. 252 ) report a method to sample the global metabolic state of an organism or mixture of organisms using an array of more than 1500 metabolites linked to a glass slide. The substrates are linked to the plate so that the reaction of an enzyme with one of the metabolites releases a fluorescent dye, which allows sensitive detection of the enzymatic activity. From a sample with small numbers of a mixture of bacteria, the authors were able to collect DNA, amplify it in a host bacterium, and measure its encoded metabolic activity with the array. Furthermore, by coating the substrates on nanoparticles with a specially designed linker, the authors could trap and purify enzymes that reacted with the immobilized substrate. The metabolite array may be useful in the characterization of environmental samples, in diagnostic procedures, and in enzyme discovery.