Ultrastructure of cell wall and thylakoid membranes of the thermophilic cyanobacterium Synechococcus lividus under the influence of temperature shifts

Genomic and phenotypic characterization of Thermosynechococcus-like strains reveals eight species within the genus Thermosynechococcus and a novel genus Parathermosynechococcus gen. nov

Thermophilic unicellular cyanobacteria of the family Thermosynechococcaceae are essential primary producers and integral components of many microbial mats found in hot springs of Asia and North America. Historically, based on their simple morphology, these organisms, along with members of taxonomically unrelated thermophilic Thermostichaceae have been described with a generic term, "Synechococcus", used for elongated unicellular cyanobacteria. This has created significant misperception in the scientific literature regarding the taxonomic status of these essential thermophilic primary producers and their relationship with Synechococcus sensu stricto. In this manuscript, we attempted a genome-driven taxonomic reevaluation of the family Thermosynechococcaceae. Application of genomic analyses such as GTDB classification, ANI/AAI and phylogenomics support the delineation of eight species within genus Thermosynechococcus. Two subspecies were further identified within T. taiwanensis by dDDH and phylogenomics. Moreover, the results also suggest the presence of two putative new genera phylogenetically alongside genus Thermosynechococcus, a thermophilic genus Parathermosynechococcus represented by PCC 6715 and a non-thermophilic genus represented by PCC 6312. The proposed genospecies and new genera were further integrated with morphological and/or ecological information. Interestingly, the phylogeny of 16S-23S ITS achieved a better taxonomic relationship than that of 16S rRNA and supported the genome-based classification of Thermosynechococcus spp. Finally, the pan-genome analysis indicated a conserved pattern of genomic core among known members of Thermosynechococcus.

Accumulation and cellular toxicity of engineered metallic nanoparticle in freshwater microalgae: Current status and future challenges

Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) are employed in a variety of medical and non-medical applications. Over the past two decades, there has been substantial research on the impact of metallic nanoparticles on algae and cyanobacteria, which are at the base of aquatic food webs. In this review, the current status of our understanding of mechanisms of uptake and toxicity of MNPs and metal ions released from MNPs after dissolution in the surrounding environment were discussed. Also, the trophic transfer of MNPs in aquatic food webs was analyzed in this review. Approximately all metallic nanoparticles cause toxicity in algae. Predominantly, MNPs are less toxic compared to their corresponding metal ions. There is a sufficient evidence for the trophic transfer of MNPs in aquatic food webs. Internalization of MNPs is indisputable in algae, however, mechanisms of their transmembrane transport are inadequately known. Most of the toxicity studies are carried out with solitary species of MNPs under laboratory conditions rarely found in natural ecosystems. Oxidative stress is the primary toxicity mechanism of MNPs, however, oxidative stress seems a general response predictable to other abiotic stresses. MNP-specific toxicity in an algal cell is yet unknown. Lastly, the mechanism of MNP internalization, toxicity, and excretion in algae needs to be understood carefully for the risk assessment of MNPs to aquatic biota.

S-layers on cell walls of cyanobacteria

S-layers are surface layers of bacterial cell walls. They are formed by two-dimensional, monomolecular crystalline arrays of identical units of protein or glycoprotein macromolecules (subunits). In general, each S-layer exhibits one of four possible 2-D lattice types: oblique (p1 or p2 symmetry), triangle (p3 symmetry), square (p4 symmetry) or hexagonal (p6 symmetry). The S-layer protein compasses up to 15% of the total protein of the bacterial cell and thus represents its major protein. Since 1972, S-layers have also been found in cyanobacteria. So far, they have been observed in 60 strains (isolates) of 23 species, belonging to 12 genera of unicellular Chroococcales and in just five strains or isolates (four species, four genera-only with p1 and p4 lattice symmetry) of filamentous Oscillatoriales; in further families of filamentous cyanobacteria (Nostocales, Stigonematales) they have not been detected, although filamentous cyanobacteria have been frequently studied in the electron microscope. In Chroococcales, relatively large cells of planktonic genera harbouring gas vesicles, S-layers are often present, while picoplanktonic species without gas vesicles usually do not have them. The p6 lattice symmetry appears to be the most common in cyanobacteria, having been found in 41 out of the 60 S-layers observed. All cells of a given strain, all strains capable of forming S-layers and all S-layer forming species of a given genus (as far as it is known) form S-layers of the same lattice type. Hence, the ability to form an S-layer appears to be useful as a supportive morphological marker for species classification. In 41 S-layer formers, the center-to-center spacing of their lattice unit arrays has been measured; the lattice constants range from 5 to 22nm, measured directly on surface of fixed cells. Coarse S-layers of p6 symmetry are the most frequent (with spacing of 15.0-22.0nm); p1 and p2 S-layers are the finest ones (with spacing of 5.0-10.0nm). Medium-spaced lattices (11.0-14.0nm) may be both of the p4 or p6 symmetry types. When measured on isolated S-layers, the spacings show a 10-60% higher value. All the hexagonal unit lattices have the same molecular architecture. Each S-layer unit resembles a truncated cone with an axial pore and with six protein subunits symmetrically placed around its opening. Adjoining units are interspaced by relatively fine channels. The fine detail of every S-layer of every individual strain is unique. Only the S-layer protein subunits of Synechococcus sp. strain GL24 have been analysed by electrophoresis. When incorporated into the S-layer units they confer a net neutral charge to the cell surface. This cyanobacterium induces mineralization of fine-grain gypsum and calcite in a saturated lake fresh water solution. This process is involved in the formation of stromatolites.