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Stebegg R, Schmetterer G, Rompel A. Heterotrophy among Cyanobacteria. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:33098-33114. [PMID: 37744813 PMCID: PMC10515406 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c02205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria have been studied in recent decades to investigate the principle mechanisms of plant-type oxygenic photosynthesis, as they are the inventors of this process, and their cultivation and research is much easier compared to land plants. Nevertheless, many cyanobacterial strains possess the capacity for at least some forms of heterotrophic growth. This review demonstrates that cyanobacteria are much more than simple photoautotrophs, and their flexibility toward different environmental conditions has been underestimated in the past. It summarizes the strains capable of heterotrophy known by date structured by their phylogeny and lists the possible substrates for heterotrophy for each of them in a table in the Supporting Information. The conditions are discussed in detail that cause heterotrophic growth for each strain in order to allow for reproduction of the results. The review explains the importance of this knowledge for the use of new methods of cyanobacterial cultivation, which may be advantageous under certain conditions. It seeks to stimulate other researchers to identify new strains capable of heterotrophy that have not been known so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Stebegg
- Universität Wien, Fakultät für Chemie, Institut für
Biophysikalische Chemie, 1090 Wien, Austria
| | - Georg Schmetterer
- Universität Wien, Fakultät für Chemie, Institut für
Biophysikalische Chemie, 1090 Wien, Austria
| | - Annette Rompel
- Universität Wien, Fakultät für Chemie, Institut für
Biophysikalische Chemie, 1090 Wien, Austria
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Cerbin S, Pérez G, Rybak M, Wejnerowski Ł, Konowalczyk A, Helmsing N, Naus-Wiezer S, Meima-Franke M, Pytlak Ł, Raaijmakers C, Nowak W, Bodelier PLE. Methane-Derived Carbon as a Driver for Cyanobacterial Growth. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:837198. [PMID: 35432228 PMCID: PMC9010870 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.837198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas produced in freshwater ecosystems, can be used by methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) and can therefore subsidize the pelagic food web with energy and carbon. Consortia of MOB and photoautotrophs have been described in aquatic ecosystems and MOB can benefit from photoautotrophs which produce oxygen, thereby enhancing CH4 oxidation. Methane oxidation can account for accumulation of inorganic carbon (i.e., CO2) and the release of exometabolites that may both be important factors influencing the structure of phytoplankton communities. The consortium of MOB and phototroph has been mainly studied for methane-removing biotechnologies, but there is still little information on the role of these interactions in freshwater ecosystems especially in the context of cyanobacterial growth and bloom development. We hypothesized that MOB could be an alternative C source to support cyanobacterial growth in freshwater systems. We detected low δ13C values in cyanobacterial blooms (the lowest detected value −59.97‰ for Planktothrix rubescens) what could be the result of the use of methane-derived carbon by cyanobacteria and/or MOB attached to their cells. We further proved the presence of metabolically active MOB on cyanobacterial filaments using the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) based activity assay. The PCR results also proved the presence of the pmoA gene in several non-axenic cultures of cyanobacteria. Finally, experiments comprising the co-culture of the cyanobacterium Aphanizomenon gracile with the methanotroph Methylosinus sporium proved that cyanobacterial growth was significantly improved in the presence of MOB, presumably through utilizing CO2 released by MOB. On the other hand, 13C-CH4 labeled incubations showed the uptake and assimilation of MOB-derived metabolites by the cyanobacterium. We also observed a higher growth of MOB in the presence of cyanobacteria under a higher irradiance regime, then when grown alone, underpinning the bidirectional influence with as of yet unknown environmental consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slawek Cerbin
- Department of Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
- *Correspondence: Slawek Cerbin,
| | - Germán Pérez
- Department of Microbial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Michał Rybak
- Department of Water Protection, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Łukasz Wejnerowski
- Department of Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Adam Konowalczyk
- Department of Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Nico Helmsing
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Suzanne Naus-Wiezer
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Marion Meima-Franke
- Department of Microbial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Łukasz Pytlak
- Montanuniversität Leoben, Applied Geosciences and Geophysics, Leoben, Austria
| | - Ciska Raaijmakers
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Witold Nowak
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Paul L. E. Bodelier
- Department of Microbial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, Netherlands
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Stebegg R, Schmetterer G, Rompel A. Transport of organic substances through the cytoplasmic membrane of cyanobacteria. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2019; 157:206-218. [PMID: 30447471 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2018.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are mainly known to incorporate inorganic molecules like carbon dioxide and ammonia from the environment into organic material within the cell. Nevertheless cyanobacteria do import and export organic substances through the cytoplasmic membrane and these processes are essential for all cyanobacteria. In addition understanding the mechanisms of transport of organic molecules through the cytoplasmic membrane might become very important. Genetically modified strains of cyanobacteria could serve as producers and exporters of commercially important substances. In this review we attempt to present all data of transport of organic molecules through the cytoplasmic membrane of cyanobacteria that are currently available with the transported molecules ordered according to their chemical classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Stebegg
- Universität Wien, Fakultät für Chemie, Institut für Biophysikalische Chemie, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Wien, Austria(1).
| | - Georg Schmetterer
- Universität Wien, Fakultät für Chemie, Institut für Biophysikalische Chemie, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Wien, Austria(1).
| | - Annette Rompel
- Universität Wien, Fakultät für Chemie, Institut für Biophysikalische Chemie, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Wien, Austria(1).
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Nieves-Morión M, Flores E. Multiple ABC glucoside transporters mediate sugar-stimulated growth in the heterocyst-forming cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2018; 10:40-48. [PMID: 29159995 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are generally capable of photoautotrophic growth and are widely distributed on Earth. The model filamentous, heterocyst-forming strain Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 has long been considered as a strict photoautotroph but is now known to be able to assimilate fructose. We have previously described two components of ABC glucoside uptake transporters from Anabaena that are involved in uptake of the sucrose analog esculin: GlsC [a nucleotide-binding domain subunit (NBD)] and GlsP [a transmembrane component (TMD)]. Here, we created Anabaena mutants of genes encoding three further ABC transporter components needed for esculin uptake: GlsD (NBD), GlsQ (TMD) and GlsR (periplasmic substrate-binding protein). Phototrophic growth of Anabaena was significantly stimulated by sucrose, fructose and glucose. Whereas the glsC and glsD mutants were drastically hampered in sucrose-stimulated growth, the different gls mutants were generally impaired in sugar-dependent growth. Our results suggest the participation of Gls and other ABC transporters encoded in the Anabaena genome in sugar-stimulated growth. Additionally, Gls transporter components influence the function of septal junctions in the Anabaena filament. We suggest that mixotrophic growth is important in cyanobacterial physiology and may be relevant for the wide success of these organisms in diverse environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Nieves-Morión
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, CSIC and Universidad de Sevilla, Américo Vespucio 49, 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - Enrique Flores
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, CSIC and Universidad de Sevilla, Américo Vespucio 49, 41092, Seville, Spain
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Picossi S, Flores E, Ekman M. Diverse roles of the GlcP glucose permease in free-living and symbiotic cyanobacteria. PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR 2013; 8:e27416. [PMID: 24675169 PMCID: PMC4091242 DOI: 10.4161/psb.27416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 12/03/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Certain cyanobacteria can form symbiotic associations with plants, where the symbiont supplies the plant partner with nitrogen and in return obtains sugars. We recently showed that in the symbiotic cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme, a glucose specific permease, GlcP, is necessary for the symbiosis to be formed. Results presented here from growth yield measurements of mutant strains with inactivated or overexpressing sugar transporters suggest that GlcP could be induced by a symbiosis specific substance. We also discuss that the transporter may have a role other than nutritional once the symbiosis is established, i.e., during infection, and more specifically in the chemotaxis of the symbiont. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the distribution of GlcP among cyanobacteria is likely influenced by horizontal gene transfer, but also that it is not correlated with symbiotic competence. Instead, regulatory patterns of the transporter in Nostoc punctiforme likely constitute symbiosis specific adaptations.
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Ekman M, Picossi S, Campbell EL, Meeks JC, Flores E. A Nostoc punctiforme sugar transporter necessary to establish a Cyanobacterium-plant symbiosis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2013; 161:1984-92. [PMID: 23463784 PMCID: PMC3613469 DOI: 10.1104/pp.112.213116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
In cyanobacteria-plant symbioses, the symbiotic nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium has low photosynthetic activity and is supplemented by sugars provided by the plant partner. Which sugars and cyanobacterial sugar uptake mechanism(s) are involved in the symbiosis, however, is unknown. Mutants of the symbiotically competent, facultatively heterotrophic cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme were constructed bearing a neomycin resistance gene cassette replacing genes in a putative sugar transport gene cluster. Results of transport activity assays using (14)C-labeled fructose and glucose and tests of heterotrophic growth with these sugars enabled the identification of an ATP-binding cassette-type transporter for fructose (Frt), a major facilitator permease for glucose (GlcP), and a porin needed for the optimal uptake of both fructose and glucose. Analysis of green fluorescent protein fluorescence in strains of N. punctiforme bearing frt::gfp fusions showed high expression in vegetative cells and akinetes, variable expression in hormogonia, and no expression in heterocysts. The symbiotic efficiency of N. punctiforme sugar transport mutants was investigated by testing their ability to infect a nonvascular plant partner, the hornwort Anthoceros punctatus. Strains that were specifically unable to transport glucose did not infect the plant. These results imply a role for GlcP in establishing symbiosis under the conditions used in this work.
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Regulation of fructose transport and its effect on fructose toxicity in Anabaena spp. J Bacteriol 2008; 190:8115-25. [PMID: 18931119 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00886-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Anabaena variabilis grows heterotrophically using fructose, while the close relative Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 does not. Introduction of a cluster of genes encoding a putative ABC transporter, herein named frtRABC, into Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 on a replicating plasmid allowed that strain to grow in the dark using fructose, indicating that these genes are necessary and sufficient for heterotrophic growth. FrtR, a putative LacI-like regulatory protein, was essential for heterotrophic growth of both cyanobacterial strains. Transcriptional analysis revealed that the transport system was induced by fructose and that in the absence of FrtR, frtA was very highly expressed, with or without fructose. In the frtR mutant, fructose uptake was immediate, in contrast to that in the wild-type strain, which required about 40 min for induction of transport. In the frtR mutant, high-level expression of the fructose transporter resulted in cells that were extremely sensitive to fructose. Even in the presence of the inducer, fructose, expression of frtA was low in the wild-type strain compared to that in the frtR mutant, indicating that FrtR repressed the transporter genes even in the presence of fructose. FrtR bound to the upstream region of frtA, but binding was not visibly altered by fructose, further supporting the hypothesis that fructose has only a modest effect in relieving repression of frtA by FrtR. A. variabilis grew better with increasing concentrations of fructose up to 50 mM, showing increased cell size and heterocyst frequency. Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 did not show any of these changes when it was grown with fructose. Thus, although Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 could take up fructose and use it in the dark, fructose did not improve growth in the light.
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Schmetterer G, Valladares A, Pils D, Steinbach S, Pacher M, Muro-Pastor AM, Flores E, Herrero A. The coxBAC operon encodes a cytochrome c oxidase required for heterotrophic growth in the cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis strain ATCC 29413. J Bacteriol 2001; 183:6429-34. [PMID: 11591688 PMCID: PMC100139 DOI: 10.1128/jb.183.21.6429-6434.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2001] [Accepted: 08/07/2001] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Three genes, coxB, coxA, and coxC, found in a clone from a gene library of the cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis strain ATCC 29413, were identified by hybridization with an oligonucleotide specific for aa(3)-type cytochrome c oxidases. Deletion of these genes from the genome of A. variabilis strain ATCC 29413 FD yielded strain CSW1, which displayed no chemoheterotrophic growth and an impaired cytochrome c oxidase activity. Photoautotrophic growth of CSW1, however, was unchanged, even with dinitrogen as the nitrogen source. A higher cytochrome c oxidase activity was detected in membrane preparations from dinitrogen-grown CSW1 than from nitrate-grown CSW1, but comparable activities of respiratory oxygen uptake were found in the wild type and in CSW1. Our data indicate that the identified cox gene cluster is essential for fructose-dependent growth in the dark, but not for growth on dinitrogen, and that other terminal respiratory oxidases are expressed in this cyanobacterium. Transcription analysis showed that coxBAC constitutes an operon which is expressed from two transcriptional start points. The use of one of them was stimulated by fructose.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Schmetterer
- Membran Protein Gruppe, Institut für Physikalische Chemie der Universität Wien, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
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