Why do evolutionarily distinct microorganisms display similar physiological behaviours? Why are transitions from high-ATP yield to low(er)-ATP yield metabolisms so widespread across species? Why is fast growth generally accompanied with low stress tolerance? Do these regularities occur because most microbial species are subject to the same selective pressures and physicochemical constraints? If so, a broadly-applicable theory might be developed that predicts common microbiological behaviours. Microbial systems biologists have been working out the contours of this theory for the last two decades, guided by experimental data. At its foundations lie basic principles from evolutionary biology, enzyme biochemistry, metabolism, cell composition and steady-state growth. The theory makes predictions about fitness costs and benefits of protein expression, physicochemical constraints on cell growth and characteristics of optimal metabolisms that maximise growth rate. Comparisons of the theory with experimental data indicates that microorganisms often aim for maximisation of growth rate, also in the presence of stresses; they often express optimal metabolisms and metabolic proteins at optimal concentrations. This review explains the current status of the theory for microbiologists; its roots, predictions, experimental evidence and future directions.

中文翻译：

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寻找微生物生理学原理

为什么进化上不同的微生物表现出相似的生理行为？为什么从高ATP产量向低（er）-ATP产量代谢的转变在整个物种中如此普遍？为什么快速增长通常伴随着低压力承受能力？是否因为大多数微生物物种受到相同的选择压力和理化约束而发生这些规律性？如果是这样，那么可能会发展出一种广泛适用的理论，该理论可以预测常见的微生物行为。在过去的二十年中，微生物系统生物学家一直在实验数据的指导下研究这种理论的轮廓。它的基础在于进化生物学，酶生物化学，代谢，细胞组成和稳态生长的基本原理。该理论对蛋白质表达的适应性成本和收益做出了预测，细胞生长的物理化学限制和最大化生长速率的最佳代谢特征。理论与实验数据的比较表明，即使在有压力的情况下，微生物通常也旨在最大化生长速率。它们通常以最佳浓度表达最佳代谢和代谢蛋白质。这篇综述为微生物学家解释了该理论的现状。它的根源，预测，实验证据和未来方向。这篇综述为微生物学家解释了该理论的现状。它的根源，预测，实验证据和未来方向。这篇综述为微生物学家解释了该理论的现状。其根源，预测，实验证据和未来方向。