Fig. 9

Metabolic changes caused by Cu²⁺ in B. thuringiensis X022. indicates promoting; indicates promoting speculated; indicates inhibiting. Cu²⁺ upregulates the expression of PhaR and consequently changes the carbon flow in B. thuringiensis X022. Cu²⁺ addition causes downregulation of environmental information-processing proteins, glycan biosynthesis and metabolism proteins, and, therefore, reduces extracellular polysaccharide production, resulting in accelerated cell lysis. More carbon sources can be used to synthesize intracellular PHB. Increases in PHB as a storage material induces a prolonged stationary phase, rapid pH rebound, and releasing more energy for protein translation, ultimately increasing ICP production