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Open AccessJournal ArticleDOI

Identification of Nostoc punctiforme akinete-expressed genes using differential display.

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TLDR
To identify genes associated with akinete development, differential display was used to amplify and compare cDNA from a wild‐type and zwf mutant strain of N. punctiforme following a switch to dark heterotrophic conditions and three novel akinete‐expressed genes were identified.
Abstract
Akinetes are spore-like resting cells formed by certain filamentous cyanobacteria that have increased resistance to environmental stress. They can be found at low frequencies in dense cultures experiencing low light or phosphate limitation, but also form at high frequencies in a zwf mutant strain of Nostoc punctiforme following dark incubation in the presence of fructose. The wild-type strain is capable of facultative heterotrophic growth under these conditions and does not form akinetes. To identify genes associated with akinete development, differential display was used to amplify and compare cDNA from a wild-type and zwf mutant strain of N. punctiforme following a switch to dark heterotrophic conditions. Screening of candidate genes by reverse transcriptase real-time quantitative PCR and subsequent testing for akinete-specific expression using GFP transcriptional reporter plasmids lead to the identification of three novel akinete-expressed genes. The genes identified from the screening encoded for proteins homologous to an aminopeptidase (aapN), a zinc protease (hap) and an ATP-binding cassette (ABC)-type transporter (aet). Expression of hap was also increased in developing hormogonia, a transient type of differentiated filament capable of gliding motility. Transcriptional start sites for akinete-expressed genes were determined using random amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), and promoter regions were compared with orthologues in other filamentous cyanobacteria to identify putative regulatory sequences.

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Journal ArticleDOI

Compartmentalized function through cell differentiation in filamentous cyanobacteria

TL;DR: This Review addresses cyanob bacterial intercellular communication, the supracellular structure of the cyanobacterial filament and the basic principles that govern the process of heterocyst differentiation.
Journal ArticleDOI

Allelopathy in freshwater cyanobacteria

TL;DR: The role of allelopathy in cyanobacteria ecology is still not well understood, and its clarification should benefit from carefully designed field studies, chemical characterization of allelochemicals and new methodological approaches at the “omics” level.
Journal ArticleDOI

Global Gene Expression Patterns of Nostoc punctiforme in Steady-State Dinitrogen-Grown Heterocyst-Containing Cultures and at Single Time Points during the Differentiation of Akinetes and Hormogonia

TL;DR: The differentiation of heterocysts (steady state, N(2) grown), akinetes, and hormogonia appears to involve the up-regulation of genes distinct for each state, consistent with entry into a nongrowth state.
Book ChapterDOI

Akinetes: Dormant Cells of Cyanobacteria

TL;DR: This review focuses on akinetes of Nostocales, emphasizing environmental triggers and cellular responses involved in differentiation, maturation, dormancy, and germination of these resting cells and special attention is given to genetic regulation of the differentiation process.
Journal ArticleDOI

Clear differences in metabolic and morphological adaptations of akinetes of two Nostocales living in different habitats.

TL;DR: The clear differences in the metabolic and morphological adaptations of akinetes of the two species could be related to their different lifestyles and pave the way for genetic and functional studies of akinete differentiation in these species.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI

The ATP Binding Cassette Multidrug Transporter LmrA and Lipid Transporter MsbA Have Overlapping Substrate Specificities

TL;DR: Observations imply the presence of structural elements in the recently published crystal structures of MsbA in E. coli and Vibrio cholera that support drug-protein interactions and suggest a possible role for LmrA in lipid trafficking in L. lactis.
Journal ArticleDOI

Akinetes of the Cyanobacterium Nostoc PCC 7524: Macromolecular Composition, Structure and Control of Differentiation

TL;DR: Synchronized akinete differentiation occurred following the transition from exponential to non-exponential (linear) growth, the major trigger being energy limitation.
Journal ArticleDOI

Are the ‘core’ proteins of the mitochondrial bc1 complex evolutionary relics of a processing protease?

TL;DR: A model is presented suggesting that the core proteins of the respiratory cytochrome bc1 complex and the two subunits of the mitochondrial processing peptidase (MPP) originated from an ancient proteolytic enzyme that was integrated into thebc1 complex during early stages of endosymbiosis.
Journal ArticleDOI

The structure of the Aeromonas proteolytica aminopeptidase complexed with a hydroxamate inhibitor. Involvement in catalysis of Glu151 and two zinc ions of the co-catalytic unit.

TL;DR: Interactions of the carboxylate oxygens of Glu151 with the hydroxamate group play an important role in the stabilization of the complex.
Journal ArticleDOI

Characterization of the cis-Acting Regulatory Element Controlling HrpB-Mediated Activation of the Type III Secretion System and Effector Genes in Ralstonia solanacearum

TL;DR: Among the 114 genes identified, a subset of promoters was found to have a structural relationship with hrp promoters, thus providing a pool of candidate genes encoding TTSS effectors, and critical parameters that are required for HrpB-dependent activity are identified.
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