NblA gene expression in Synechocystis PCC 6803 strains lacking DspA (Hik33) and a NblR-like protein.

Abstract

Cyanobacteria respond to nutrient-limiting conditions by degrading their phycobilisomes (PBS), the light-harvesting complexes for photosynthesis. In Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942, the expression of nblA, an essential gene in this process, is controlled by the response regulator NblR and the sensor NblS. Here we study the effect of inactivation of dspA (an nblS homologue) and an nblR-like gene on phycobilisome degradation in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, under nitrogen starvation. In each mutant, the expression of nblA was found to be unaffected and sequential PBS degradation occurred after nitrogen deprivation (although it was slightly delayed). Our results demonstrate that dspA and nblR-like do not exert a major control of PBS degradation in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.

• Authors: Gérald Zabulon, Catherine Richaud, Chantal Guidi-Rontani, Jean-Claude Thomas
• Journal: Current microbiology (Curr Microbiol) Vol. 54 Issue 1 Pg. 36-41 (Jan 2007) ISSN: 0343-8651 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17171466 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Bacterial Proteins
• Phycobilisomes
• Transcription Factors
• nblA protein, Synechocystis
• Nitrogen

Topics

• Bacterial Proteins (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
• Mutation
• Nitrogen (analysis)
• Phycobilisomes (chemistry, metabolism)
• Synechocystis (chemistry, genetics, metabolism)
• Transcription Factors (genetics)