1
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Rasul F, You D, Jiang Y, Liu X, Daroch M. Thermophilic cyanobacteria-exciting, yet challenging biotechnological chassis. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:270. [PMID: 38512481 PMCID: PMC10957709 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13082-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Thermophilic cyanobacteria are prokaryotic photoautotrophic microorganisms capable of growth between 45 and 73 °C. They are typically found in hot springs where they serve as essential primary producers. Several key features make these robust photosynthetic microbes biotechnologically relevant. These are highly stable proteins and their complexes, the ability to actively transport and concentrate inorganic carbon and other nutrients, to serve as gene donors, microbial cell factories, and sources of bioactive metabolites. A thorough investigation of the recent progress in thermophilic cyanobacteria reveals a significant increase in the number of newly isolated and delineated organisms and wide application of thermophilic light-harvesting components in biohybrid devices. Yet despite these achievements, there are still deficiencies at the high-end of the biotechnological learning curve, notably in genetic engineering and gene editing. Thermostable proteins could be more widely employed, and an extensive pool of newly available genetic data could be better utilised. In this manuscript, we attempt to showcase the most important recent advances in thermophilic cyanobacterial biotechnology and provide an overview of the future direction of the field and challenges that need to be overcome before thermophilic cyanobacterial biotechnology can bridge the gap with highly advanced biotechnology of their mesophilic counterparts. KEY POINTS: • Increased interest in all aspects of thermophilic cyanobacteria in recent years • Light harvesting components remain the most biotechnologically relevant • Lack of reliable molecular biology tools hinders further development of the chassis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiz Rasul
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Dawei You
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Ying Jiang
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xiangjian Liu
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Maurycy Daroch
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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2
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Galetović A, Peña G, Fernández N, Urrutia M, Flores N, Gómez-Silva B, Di Ruggiero J, Shene C, Bustamante M. Cellulose Synthase in Atacama Cyanobacteria and Bioethanol Production from Their Exopolysaccharides. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2668. [PMID: 38004680 PMCID: PMC10673042 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria produce exopolysaccharides (EPSs) as an adaptative mechanism against ultraviolet radiation and desiccation. Cellulose is present in the extracellular polymeric substance in some cyanobacteria genera and it has been proposed as a raw material for biofuel production. The goal of this work was to evaluate the cellulose presence in EPS of Atacama cyanobacteria strains and its use as an alternative and innovative biological source to produce bioethanol. The presence of cellulose was evaluated using techniques of molecular biology, bioinformatics, and electronic microscopy. The conserved motif D,D,D,35QXXRW, characteristic of processive β-glycosyltransferase in all cellulose-producing organisms, was identified in the genome of the LLA-10 strain. This is evidence that cellulose synthase in the LLA-10 strain is a functional enzyme. EPS from Atacama cyanobacteria was hydrolyzed by β-glucosidases (cellobiase and cellulase) and the released glucose was yeast-fermented to ethanol. Ethanol production reached 172.69 ± 0.02 mg ethanol/g EPS after 48 h of incubation. These results are the first step in the evaluation of EPS produced by native cyanobacteria isolated from northern Chile for future biotechnological applications such as the production of bioethanol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Galetović
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica, Departamento Biomédico, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Av. Universidad de Antofagasta 02800, Campus Coloso, Antofagasta 1271155, Chile
- Laboratorio de Genómica Microbiana, Departamento Biomédico, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Av. Universidad de Antofagasta 02800, Campus Coloso, Antofagasta 1271155, Chile
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, CeBiB, Beauchef 851, North Building-7th Floor, Santiago 8370456, Chile
- Millennium Institute Center for Genome Regulation, MI-CRG, Av. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins No. 340, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Gabriel Peña
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica, Departamento Biomédico, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Av. Universidad de Antofagasta 02800, Campus Coloso, Antofagasta 1271155, Chile
- Laboratorio de Genómica Microbiana, Departamento Biomédico, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Av. Universidad de Antofagasta 02800, Campus Coloso, Antofagasta 1271155, Chile
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, CeBiB, Beauchef 851, North Building-7th Floor, Santiago 8370456, Chile
- Millennium Institute Center for Genome Regulation, MI-CRG, Av. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins No. 340, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Nicole Fernández
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica, Departamento Biomédico, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Av. Universidad de Antofagasta 02800, Campus Coloso, Antofagasta 1271155, Chile
| | - Milton Urrutia
- Ciencias Médicas, Facultad de Medicina y Odontología, Universidad de Antofagasta, Av. Argentina 2000, Antofagasta 1270001, Chile
| | - Nataly Flores
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, CeBiB, Beauchef 851, North Building-7th Floor, Santiago 8370456, Chile
| | - Benito Gómez-Silva
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica, Departamento Biomédico, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Av. Universidad de Antofagasta 02800, Campus Coloso, Antofagasta 1271155, Chile
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, CeBiB, Beauchef 851, North Building-7th Floor, Santiago 8370456, Chile
| | - Jocelyne Di Ruggiero
- Department of Biology and Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Carolina Shene
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Center of Food Biotechnology and Bioseparations, BIOREN, Universidad de La Frontera, Casilla 54-D, Temuco 4811230, Chile
| | - Mariela Bustamante
- Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus, BIOREN, Universidad de La Frontera, Casilla 54-D, Temuco 5468901, Chile
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3
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Toida K, Kushida W, Yamamoto H, Yamamoto K, Ishii K, Uesaka K, Kanaly RA, Kutsuna S, Ihara K, Fujita Y, Iwasaki H. The GGDEF protein Dgc2 suppresses both motility and biofilm formation in the filamentous cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya boryana. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0483722. [PMID: 37655901 PMCID: PMC10581220 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04837-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Colony pattern formations of bacteria with motility manifest complicated morphological self-organization phenomena. Leptolyngbya boryana is a filamentous cyanobacterium, which has been used as a genetic model organism for studying metabolism including photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation. A widely used type strain [wild type (WT) in this article] of this species has not been reported to show any motile activity. However, we isolated a spontaneous mutant strain that shows active motility (gliding activity) to give rise to complicated colony patterns, including comet-like wandering clusters and disk-like rotating vortices on solid media. Whole-genome resequencing identified multiple mutations in the genome of the mutant strain. We confirmed that inactivation of the candidate gene dgc2 (LBDG_02920) in the WT background was sufficient to give rise to motility and morphologically complex colony patterns. This gene encodes a protein containing the GGDEF motif which is conserved at the catalytic domain of diguanylate cyclase (DGC). Although DGC has been reported to be involved in biofilm formation, the dgc2 mutant significantly facilitated biofilm formation, suggesting a role for the dgc2 gene in suppressing both gliding motility and biofilm formation. Thus, Leptolyngbya is expected to be an excellent genetic model for studying dynamic colony pattern formation and to provide novel insights into the role of DGC family genes in biofilm formation. IMPORTANCE Self-propelled bacteria often exhibit complex collective behaviors, such as formation of dense-moving clusters, which are exemplified by wandering comet-like and rotating disk-like colonies; however, the molecular details of how these structures are formed are scant. We found that a strain of the filamentous cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya deficient in the GGDEF protein gene dgc2 elicits motility and complex and dynamic colony pattern formation, including comet-like and disk-like clusters. Although c-di-GMP has been reported to activate biofilm formation in some bacterial species, disruption of dgc2 unexpectedly enhanced it, suggesting a novel role for this GGDEF protein for inhibiting both colony pattern formation and biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuma Toida
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Bioscience, Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering, TWIns, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Wakana Kushida
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Bioscience, Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering, TWIns, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Yamamoto
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Bioscience, Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering, TWIns, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kyoka Yamamoto
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Bioscience, Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering, TWIns, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaichi Ishii
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Bioscience, Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering, TWIns, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuma Uesaka
- Center for Gene Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Robert A. Kanaly
- Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Kutsuna
- Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kunio Ihara
- Center for Gene Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuichi Fujita
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hideo Iwasaki
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Bioscience, Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering, TWIns, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
- metaPhorest, Bioaesthetics Platform, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
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4
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Enomoto G, Wallner T, Wilde A. Control of light-dependent behaviour in cyanobacteria by the second messenger cyclic di-GMP. MICROLIFE 2023; 4:uqad019. [PMID: 37223735 PMCID: PMC10124867 DOI: 10.1093/femsml/uqad019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Nucleotide-derived signalling molecules control a wide range of cellular processes in all organisms. The bacteria-specific cyclic dinucleotide c-di-GMP plays a crucial role in regulating motility-to-sessility transitions, cell cycle progression, and virulence. Cyanobacteria are phototrophic prokaryotes that perform oxygenic photosynthesis and are widespread microorganisms that colonize almost all habitats on Earth. In contrast to photosynthetic processes that are well understood, the behavioural responses of cyanobacteria have rarely been studied in detail. Analyses of cyanobacterial genomes have revealed that they encode a large number of proteins that are potentially involved in the synthesis and degradation of c-di-GMP. Recent studies have demonstrated that c-di-GMP coordinates many different aspects of the cyanobacterial lifestyle, mostly in a light-dependent manner. In this review, we focus on the current knowledge of light-regulated c-di-GMP signalling systems in cyanobacteria. Specifically, we highlight the progress made in understanding the most prominent behavioural responses of the model cyanobacterial strains Thermosynechococcus vulcanus and Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. We discuss why and how cyanobacteria extract crucial information from their light environment to regulate ecophysiologically important cellular responses. Finally, we emphasize the questions that remain to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gen Enomoto
- Institute of Biology III, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Wallner
- Institute of Biology III, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Annegret Wilde
- Institute of Biology III, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
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5
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Frenkel A, Zecharia E, Gómez-Pérez D, Sendersky E, Yegorov Y, Jacob A, Benichou JIC, Stierhof YD, Parnasa R, Golden SS, Kemen E, Schwarz R. Cell specialization in cyanobacterial biofilm development revealed by expression of a cell-surface and extracellular matrix protein. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2023; 9:10. [PMID: 36864092 PMCID: PMC9981879 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-023-00376-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacterial biofilms are ubiquitous and play important roles in diverse environments, yet, understanding of the processes underlying the development of these aggregates is just emerging. Here we report cell specialization in formation of Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 biofilms-a hitherto unknown characteristic of cyanobacterial social behavior. We show that only a quarter of the cell population expresses at high levels the four-gene ebfG-operon that is required for biofilm formation. Almost all cells, however, are assembled in the biofilm. Detailed characterization of EbfG4 encoded by this operon revealed cell-surface localization as well as its presence in the biofilm matrix. Moreover, EbfG1-3 were shown to form amyloid structures such as fibrils and are thus likely to contribute to the matrix structure. These data suggest a beneficial 'division of labor' during biofilm formation where only some of the cells allocate resources to produce matrix proteins-'public goods' that support robust biofilm development by the majority of the cells. In addition, previous studies revealed the operation of a self-suppression mechanism that depends on an extracellular inhibitor, which supresses transcription of the ebfG-operon. Here we revealed inhibitor activity at an early growth stage and its gradual accumulation along the exponential growth phase in correlation with cell density. Data, however, do not support a threshold-like phenomenon known for quorum-sensing in heterotrophs. Together, data presented here demonstrate cell specialization and imply density-dependent regulation thereby providing deep insights into cyanobacterial communal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alona Frenkel
- grid.22098.310000 0004 1937 0503The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, 5290002 Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Eli Zecharia
- grid.22098.310000 0004 1937 0503The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, 5290002 Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Daniel Gómez-Pérez
- grid.10392.390000 0001 2190 1447Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Eleonora Sendersky
- grid.22098.310000 0004 1937 0503The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, 5290002 Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Yevgeni Yegorov
- grid.22098.310000 0004 1937 0503The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, 5290002 Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Avi Jacob
- grid.22098.310000 0004 1937 0503The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, 5290002 Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Jennifer I. C. Benichou
- grid.22098.310000 0004 1937 0503The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, 5290002 Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - York-Dieter Stierhof
- grid.10392.390000 0001 2190 1447Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Rami Parnasa
- grid.22098.310000 0004 1937 0503The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, 5290002 Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Susan S. Golden
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA ,grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Center for Circadian Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Eric Kemen
- grid.10392.390000 0001 2190 1447Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Rakefet Schwarz
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, 5290002, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
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6
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Nakane D. Live Cell Imaging of the Twitching Motility of Cyanobacteria by High-Resolution Microscopy. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2646:255-263. [PMID: 36842120 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3060-0_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Many cyanobacteria show directional movement either toward or away from light sources. The cell movement, also known as twitching motility, is usually driven by type IV pili (T4P), a bacterial molecular machine. The machine generates a propulsion force through repeated cycles of extension and retraction of pilus filaments. Here, I describe a phototaxis assay for observing Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 and Thermosynechococcus vulcanus at the single-cell level with optical microscopy. By adding fluorescent beads, I also describe a method how to visualize the asymmetric activation of T4P during phototaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Nakane
- Department of Engineering Science, Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering, The University of Electro-Communications, Tokyo, Japan.
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7
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Pichaiyotinkul P, Ruankaew N, Incharoensakdi A, Monshupanee T. Enhanced polyglucan contents in divergent cyanobacteria under nutrient-deprived photoautotrophy: transcriptional and metabolic changes in response to increased glycogen accumulation in nitrogen-deprived Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 39:27. [PMID: 36437374 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-022-03476-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria accumulate polyglucan as main carbohydrate storage. Here, the cellular polyglucan content was determined in 27 cyanobacterial strains from 25 genera. The polyglucan contents were significantly enhanced in 20 and 23 strains under nitrogen (-N) and phosphate (-P) deprivation, respectively. High polyglucan accumulation was not associated with particular evolutionary groups but was strain specific. The highest polyglucan accumulations of 46.2% and 52.5% (w/w dry weight; DW) were obtained under -N in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (hereafter Synechocystis) and Chroococcus limneticus, respectively. In Synechocystis, 80-97% (w/w) of the polyglucan was glycogen. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses during glycogen accumulation under -N were determined in Synechocystis. The genes responsible for the supply of the substrates for glycogen synthesis: glycerate-1,3-phosphate and fructose-1,6-phosphate, were significantly up-regulated. The genes encoding the enzymes converting succinate to malate in TCA cycle, were significantly down-regulated. The genes encoding the regulator proteins which inhibits metabolism at lower part of glycolysis pathway, were also significantly up-regulated. The transcript levels of PII protein and the level of 2-oxoglutarate, which form a complex that inhibits lower part of glycolysis pathway, were significantly increased. Thus, the increased Synechocystis glycogen accumulation under -N was likely to be mediated by the increased supply of glycogen synthesis substrates and metabolic inhibitions at lower part of glycolysis pathway and TCA cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nathanich Ruankaew
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, 10330, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Aran Incharoensakdi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, 10330, Bangkok, Thailand.,Academy of Science, Royal Society of Thailand, 10300, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tanakarn Monshupanee
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, 10330, Bangkok, Thailand.
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8
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Du J, Vandavasi VG, Molloy KR, Yang H, Massenburg LN, Singh A, Kwansa AL, Yingling YG, O'Neill H, Chait BT, Kumar M, Nixon BT. Evidence for Plant-Conserved Region Mediated Trimeric CESAs in Plant Cellulose Synthase Complexes. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:3663-3677. [PMID: 35948425 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Higher plants synthesize cellulose using membrane-bound, six-lobed cellulose synthase complexes, each lobe containing trimeric cellulose synthases (CESAs). Although molecular biology reports support heteromeric trimers composed of different isoforms, a homomeric trimer was reported for in vitro studies of the catalytic domain of CESA1 of Arabidopsis (AtCESA1CatD) and confirmed in cryoEM structures of full-length CESA8 and CESA7 of poplar and cotton, respectively. In both structures, a small portion of the plant-conserved region (P-CR) forms the only contacts between catalytic domains of the monomers. We report inter-subunit lysine-crosslinks that localize to the small P-CR, negative-stain EM structure, and modeling data for homotrimers of AtCESA1CatD. Molecular dynamics simulations for AtCESA1CatD trimers based on the CESA8 cryoEM structure were stable and dependent upon a small set of residue contacts. The results suggest that homomeric CESA trimers may be important for the synthesis of primary and secondary cell walls and identify key residues for future mutagenic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Du
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064 China.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Venu Gopal Vandavasi
- Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Kelly R Molloy
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry and Gaseous Ion Chemistry, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Lynnicia N Massenburg
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Abhishek Singh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Albert L Kwansa
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Yaroslava G Yingling
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Hugh O'Neill
- Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Brian T Chait
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry and Gaseous Ion Chemistry, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Manish Kumar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - B Tracy Nixon
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
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9
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Simkovsky R, Parnasa R, Wang J, Nagar E, Zecharia E, Suban S, Yegorov Y, Veltman B, Sendersky E, Schwarz R, Golden SS. Transcriptomic and Phenomic Investigations Reveal Elements in Biofilm Repression and Formation in the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:899150. [PMID: 35814646 PMCID: PMC9260433 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.899150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilm formation by photosynthetic organisms is a complex behavior that serves multiple functions in the environment. Biofilm formation in the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 is regulated in part by a set of small secreted proteins that promotes biofilm formation and a self-suppression mechanism that prevents their expression. Little is known about the regulatory and structural components of the biofilms in PCC 7942, or response to the suppressor signal(s). We performed transcriptomics (RNA-Seq) and phenomics (RB-TnSeq) screens that identified four genes involved in biofilm formation and regulation, more than 25 additional candidates that may impact biofilm formation, and revealed the transcriptomic adaptation to the biofilm state. In so doing, we compared the effectiveness of these two approaches for gene discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Simkovsky
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Rami Parnasa
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Jingtong Wang
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Elad Nagar
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Eli Zecharia
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Shiran Suban
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Yevgeni Yegorov
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Boris Veltman
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Eleonora Sendersky
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Rakefet Schwarz
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Susan S Golden
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Center for Circadian Biology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
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10
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Li T, Cai M, Wang W, Dai T, Zhang C, Zhang B, Shen J, Wang Y, Liu X. PcCesA1 is involved in the polar growth, cellulose synthesis, and glycosidic linkage crosslinking in the cell wall of Phytophthora capsici. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 208:720-730. [PMID: 35364202 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.03.170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Phytophthora capsici is a destructive plant pathogen that infects a wide range of hosts worldwide. The P. capsici cell wall, rich in cellulose, is vital for hyphal growth and host interactions. However, the enzymes involved in its synthesis remain largely unelucidated. In the current study, we functionally characterized the cellulose synthase gene PcCesA1, which is highly conserved in Phytophthora. By using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene replacement and in situ complementation system, it was found PcCesA1 is essential for the mycelial growth, cystospore germination, and pathogenicity of P. capsici. The normal deposition of newly synthesized cell wall components and the polar growth point formation were disrupted in PcCesA1 knockout mutants, suggesting that PcCesA1 plays an important role in the polar growth of P. capsici. Compared with the wild-type strains, PcCesA1 knockout mutants displayed a thicker inner layer cell wall and were more sensitive to carboxylic acid amide fungicides (CAAs). The contents of the cell wall polysaccharides 1,4-Glc, 1,4,6-Glc, and 1,3,4-Glc were reduced in PcCesA1 knockout mutants, suggesting that PcCesA1 affected cellulose content and glycosidic linkage crosslinking in the cell wall. Our findings demonstrate that PcCesA1 is required for cell wall biogenesis. Therefore, PcCesA1 may be a potential target for Phytophthora disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengjiao Li
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Meng Cai
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Weizhen Wang
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Tan Dai
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Can Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Borui Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jinghuan Shen
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yuke Wang
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xili Liu
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China.
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11
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Nakane D, Enomoto G, Bähre H, Hirose Y, Wilde A, Nishizaka T. Thermosynechococcus switches the direction of phototaxis by a c-di-GMP-dependent process with high spatial resolution. eLife 2022; 11:73405. [PMID: 35535498 PMCID: PMC9090330 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many cyanobacteria, which use light as an energy source via photosynthesis, show directional movement towards or away from a light source. However, the molecular and cell biological mechanisms for switching the direction of movement remain unclear. Here, we visualized type IV pilus-dependent cell movement in the rod-shaped thermophilic cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus vulcanus using optical microscopy at physiological temperature and light conditions. Positive and negative phototaxis were controlled on a short time scale of 1 min. The cells smoothly moved over solid surfaces towards green light, but the direction was switched to backward movement when we applied additional blue light illumination. The switching was mediated by three photoreceptors, SesA, SesB, and SesC, which have cyanobacteriochrome photosensory domains and synthesis/degradation activity of the bacterial second messenger cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP). Our results suggest that the decision-making process for directional switching in phototaxis involves light-dependent changes in the cellular concentration of c-di-GMP. Direct visualization of type IV pilus filaments revealed that rod-shaped cells can move perpendicular to the light vector, indicating that the polarity can be controlled not only by pole-to-pole regulation but also within-a-pole regulation. This study provides insights into previously undescribed rapid bacterial polarity regulation via second messenger signalling with high spatial resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Nakane
- Department of Engineering Science, Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering, The University of Electro-Communications, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Gen Enomoto
- Institute of Biology III, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Heike Bähre
- Research Core Unit Metabolomics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Yuu Hirose
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Life Science, Toyohashi University of Technology, Toyohashi, Japan
| | - Annegret Wilde
- Institute of Biology III, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,BIOSS Centre for Biological Signaling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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12
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Simkovsky R, Parnasa R, Wang J, Nagar E, Zecharia E, Suban S, Yegorov Y, Veltman B, Sendersky E, Schwarz R, Golden SS. Transcriptomic and Phenomic Investigations Reveal Elements in Biofilm Repression and Formation in the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:899150. [PMID: 35814646 DOI: 10.1101/2022.01.27.477154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofilm formation by photosynthetic organisms is a complex behavior that serves multiple functions in the environment. Biofilm formation in the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 is regulated in part by a set of small secreted proteins that promotes biofilm formation and a self-suppression mechanism that prevents their expression. Little is known about the regulatory and structural components of the biofilms in PCC 7942, or response to the suppressor signal(s). We performed transcriptomics (RNA-Seq) and phenomics (RB-TnSeq) screens that identified four genes involved in biofilm formation and regulation, more than 25 additional candidates that may impact biofilm formation, and revealed the transcriptomic adaptation to the biofilm state. In so doing, we compared the effectiveness of these two approaches for gene discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Simkovsky
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Rami Parnasa
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Jingtong Wang
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Elad Nagar
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Eli Zecharia
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Shiran Suban
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Yevgeni Yegorov
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Boris Veltman
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Eleonora Sendersky
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Rakefet Schwarz
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Susan S Golden
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Center for Circadian Biology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
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13
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Maeda K, Okuda Y, Enomoto G, Watanabe S, Ikeuchi M. Biosynthesis of a sulfated exopolysaccharide, synechan, and bloom formation in the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803. eLife 2021; 10:66538. [PMID: 34127188 PMCID: PMC8205485 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellularpolysaccharides of bacteria contribute to biofilm formation, stress tolerance, and infectivity. Cyanobacteria, the oxygenic photoautotrophic bacteria, uniquely produce sulfated extracellular polysaccharides among bacteria to support phototrophic biofilms. In addition, sulfated polysaccharides of cyanobacteria and other organisms have been focused as beneficial biomaterial. However, very little is known about their biosynthesis machinery and function in cyanobacteria. Here, we found that the model cyanobacterium, Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803, formed bloom-like cell aggregates embedded in sulfated extracellular polysaccharides (designated as synechan) and identified whole set of genes responsible for synechan biosynthesis and its transcriptional regulation, thereby suggesting a model for the synechan biosynthesis apparatus. Because similar genes are found in many cyanobacterial genomes with wide variation, our findings may lead elucidation of various sulfated polysaccharides, their functions, and their potential application in biotechnology. Bacteria are single-cell microorganisms that can form communities called biofilms, which stick to surfaces such as rocks, plants or animals. Biofilms confer protection to bacteria and allow them to colonize new environments. The physical scaffold of biofilms is a viscous matrix made of several molecules, the main one being polysaccharides, complex carbohydrates formed by many monosaccharides (single sugar molecules) joined together. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are a type of bacteria that produce oxygen and use sunlight as an energy source, just as plants and algae do. Cyanobacteria produce extracellular polysaccharides that contain sulfate groups. These sulfated polysaccharides are also produced by animals and algae but are not common in other bacteria or plants. One possible role of sulfated, extracellular polysaccharides in cyanobacteria is keeping cells together in the floating aggregates found in cyanobacterial blooms. These are visible discolorations of the water caused by an overgrowth of cyanobacteria that occur in lakes, estuaries and coastal waters. However, little is known about how these polysaccharides are synthesized in cyanobacteria and what their natural role is. Maeda et al. found a strain of cyanobacteria that formed bloom-like aggregates that were embedded in sulfated extracellular polysaccharides. Using genetic engineering techniques, the researchers identified a set of genes responsible for producing a sulfated extracellular polysaccharide and regulating its levels. They also found that cell aggregates of cyanobacteria can float without having intracellular gas vesicles, which was previously thought to enable blooms to float. The results of the present study could have applications for human health, since many sulfated polysaccharides have antiviral, antitumor or anti-inflammatory properties, and similar genes are found in many cyanobacteria. In addition, these findings could be useful for controlling toxic cyanobacterial blooms, which are becoming increasingly problematic for society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaisei Maeda
- Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukiko Okuda
- Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Gen Enomoto
- Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoru Watanabe
- Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiko Ikeuchi
- Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Faculty of Education and Integrated Arts and Sciences, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
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14
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Wu S, Mi T, Zhen Y, Yu K, Wang F, Yu Z. A Rise in ROS and EPS Production: New Insights into the Trichodesmium erythraeum Response to Ocean Acidification. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2021; 57:172-182. [PMID: 32975309 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The diazotrophic cyanobacterium Trichodesmium is thought to be a major contributor to the new N in parts of the oligotrophic, subtropical, and tropical oceans. In this study, physiological and biochemical methods and transcriptome sequencing were used to investigate the influences of ocean acidification (OA) on Trichodesmium erythraeum (T. erythraeum). We presented evidence that OA caused by CO2 slowed the growth rate and physiological activity of T. erythraeum. OA led to reduced development of proportion of the vegetative cells into diazocytes which included up-regulated genes of nitrogen fixation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation was increased due to the disruption of photosynthetic electron transport and decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities under acidified conditions. This study showed that OA increased the amounts of (exopolysaccharides) EPS in T. erythraeum, and the key genes of ribose-5-phosphate (R5P) and glycosyltransferases (Tery_3818) were up-regulated. These results provide new insight into how ROS and EPS of T. erythraeum increase in an acidified future ocean to cope with OA-imposed stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijie Wu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
- Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266237, China
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Tiezhu Mi
- Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
- Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266237, China
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Yu Zhen
- Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
- Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266237, China
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Kaiqiang Yu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Fuwen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Zhigang Yu
- Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266237, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education/Institute for Advanced Ocean Study, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
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15
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Conradi FD, Mullineaux CW, Wilde A. The Role of the Cyanobacterial Type IV Pilus Machinery in Finding and Maintaining a Favourable Environment. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:life10110252. [PMID: 33114175 PMCID: PMC7690835 DOI: 10.3390/life10110252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Type IV pili (T4P) are proteinaceous filaments found on the cell surface of many prokaryotic organisms and convey twitching motility through their extension/retraction cycles, moving cells across surfaces. In cyanobacteria, twitching motility is the sole mode of motility properly characterised to date and is the means by which cells perform phototaxis, the movement towards and away from directional light sources. The wavelength and intensity of the light source determine the direction of movement and, sometimes in concert with nutrient conditions, act as signals for some cyanobacteria to form mucoid multicellular assemblages. Formation of such aggregates or flocs represents an acclimation strategy to unfavourable environmental conditions and stresses, such as harmful light conditions or predation. T4P are also involved in natural transformation by exogenous DNA, secretion processes, and in cellular adaptation and survival strategies, further cementing the role of cell surface appendages. In this way, cyanobacteria are finely tuned by external stimuli to either escape unfavourable environmental conditions via phototaxis, exchange genetic material, and to modify their surroundings to fit their needs by forming multicellular assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian D. Conradi
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK; (F.D.C.); (C.W.M.)
| | - Conrad W. Mullineaux
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK; (F.D.C.); (C.W.M.)
| | - Annegret Wilde
- Institute of Biology III, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestr. 1, 79104 Freiburg; Germany
- Correspondence:
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16
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Modifying the Cyanobacterial Metabolism as a Key to Efficient Biopolymer Production in Photosynthetic Microorganisms. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197204. [PMID: 33003478 PMCID: PMC7582838 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are photoautotrophic bacteria commonly found in the natural environment. Due to the ecological benefits associated with the assimilation of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and utilization of light energy, they are attractive hosts in a growing number of biotechnological processes. Biopolymer production is arguably one of the most critical areas where the transition from fossil-derived chemistry to renewable chemistry is needed. Cyanobacteria can produce several polymeric compounds with high applicability such as glycogen, polyhydroxyalkanoates, or extracellular polymeric substances. These important biopolymers are synthesized using precursors derived from central carbon metabolism, including the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Due to their unique metabolic properties, i.e., light harvesting and carbon fixation, the molecular and genetic aspects of polymer biosynthesis and their relationship with central carbon metabolism are somehow different from those found in heterotrophic microorganisms. A greater understanding of the processes involved in cyanobacterial metabolism is still required to produce these molecules more efficiently. This review presents the current state of the art in the engineering of cyanobacterial metabolism for the efficient production of these biopolymers.
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17
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Enomoto G, Kamiya A, Okuda Y, Narikawa R, Ikeuchi M. Tlr0485 is a cAMP-activated c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase in a cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus. J GEN APPL MICROBIOL 2020; 66:147-152. [PMID: 32224605 DOI: 10.2323/jgam.2020.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Second messenger molecules are crucial components of environmental signaling systems to integrate multiple inputs and elicit physiological responses. Among various kinds of second messengers, cyclic nucleotides cAMP and cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) play pivotal roles in bacterial environmental responses. However, how these signaling systems are interconnected for a concerted regulation of cellular physiology remains elusive. In a thermophilic cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus vulcanus strain RKN, incident light color is sensed by cyanobacteriochrome photoreceptors to transduce the light information to the levels of c-di-GMP, which induces cellular aggregation probably via cellulose synthase activation. Herein, we identified that Tlr0485, which is composed of a cGMP-specific phosphodiesterases, adenylate cyclases, and FhlA (GAF) domain and an HD-GYP domain, is a cAMP-activated c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase. We also show biochemical evidence that the two class-III nucleotide cyclases, Cya1 and Cya2, are both adenylate cyclases to produce cAMP in T. vulcanus. The prevalence of cAMP-activated c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase genes in cyanobacterial genomes suggests that the direct crosstalk between cAMP and c-di-GMP signaling systems may be crucial for cyanobacterial environmental responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gen Enomoto
- Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo.,Institute for Biology III, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg
| | - Ayako Kamiya
- Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo
| | - Yukiko Okuda
- Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo
| | - Rei Narikawa
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency.,Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Shizuoka University
| | - Masahiko Ikeuchi
- Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo.,Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency.,Faculty of Education and Integrated Arts and Sciences, Waseda University
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18
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Blue-/Green-Light-Responsive Cyanobacteriochromes Are Cell Shade Sensors in Red-Light Replete Niches. iScience 2020; 23:100936. [PMID: 32146329 PMCID: PMC7063230 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.100936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteriochrome (CBCRs) photoreceptors show various photochemical properties, but their ecophysiological functions remain elusive. Here, we report that the blue/green CBCRs SesA/B/C can serve as physiological sensors of cell density. Because cyanobacterial cells show lower transmittance of blue light than green light, higher cell density gives more green-light-enriched irradiance to cells. The cell-density-dependent suppression of cell aggregation under blue-/green-mixed light and white light conditions support this idea. Such a sensing mechanism may provide information about the cell position in cyanobacterial mats in hot springs, the natural habitat of Thermosynechococcus. This cell-position-dependent SesA/B/C-mediated regulation of cellular sessility (aggregation) might be ecophysiologically essential for the reorganization and growth of phototrophic mats. We also report that the green-light-induced dispersion of cell aggregates requires red-light-driven photosynthesis. Blue/green CBCRs might work as shade detectors in a different niche than red/far-red phytochromes, which may be why CBCRs have evolved in cyanobacteria. Blue- and green-light-sensing cyanobacteriochromes can be sensors of cell density They may provide information about the cell position in microbial mats Green-light-induced dispersion of aggregates needs red-light-driven photosynthesis Cyanobacteriochromes might work in a different niche than red/far-red phytochromes
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19
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Wiltbank LB, Kehoe DM. Diverse light responses of cyanobacteria mediated by phytochrome superfamily photoreceptors. Nat Rev Microbiol 2020; 17:37-50. [PMID: 30410070 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-018-0110-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are an evolutionarily and ecologically important group of prokaryotes. They exist in diverse habitats, ranging from hot springs and deserts to glaciers and the open ocean. The range of environments that they inhabit can be attributed in part to their ability to sense and respond to changing environmental conditions. As photosynthetic organisms, one of the most crucial parameters for cyanobacteria to monitor is light. Cyanobacteria can sense various wavelengths of light and many possess a range of bilin-binding photoreceptors belonging to the phytochrome superfamily. Vital cellular processes including growth, phototaxis, cell aggregation and photosynthesis are tuned to environmental light conditions by these photoreceptors. In this Review, we examine the physiological responses that are controlled by members of this diverse family of photoreceptors and discuss the signal transduction pathways through which these photoreceptors operate. We highlight specific examples where the activities of multiple photoreceptors function together to fine-tune light responses. We also discuss the potential application of these photosensing systems in optogenetics and synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa B Wiltbank
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - David M Kehoe
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.
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20
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Fukao M, Zendo T, Inoue T, Nakayama J, Suzuki S, Fukaya T, Yajima N, Sonomoto K. Plasmid-encoded glycosyltransferase operon is responsible for exopolysaccharide production, cell aggregation, and bile resistance in a probiotic strain, Lactobacillus brevis KB290. J Biosci Bioeng 2019; 128:391-397. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2019.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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21
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Parnasa R, Sendersky E, Simkovsky R, Waldman Ben-Asher H, Golden SS, Schwarz R. A microcin processing peptidase-like protein of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus is essential for secretion of biofilm-promoting proteins. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2019; 11:456-463. [PMID: 30868754 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Small secreted compounds, e.g. microcins, are characterized by a double-glycine (GG) secretion motif that is cleaved off upon maturation. Genomic analysis suggests that small proteins that possess a GG motif are widespread in cyanobacteria; however, the roles of these proteins are largely unknown. Using a biofilm-proficient mutant of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 in which the constitutive biofilm self-suppression mechanism is inactivated, we previously demonstrated that four small proteins, Enable biofilm formation with a GG motif (EbfG1-4), each with a GG motif, enable biofilm formation. Furthermore, a peptidase belonging to the C39 family, Peptidase transporter enabling Biofilm (PteB), is required for secretion of these proteins. Here, we show that the microcin processing peptidase-like protein encoded by gene Synpcc7942_1127 is also required for biofilm development - inactivation of this gene in the biofilm-proficient mutant abrogates biofilm development. Additionally, this peptidase-like protein (denoted EbfE - enables biofilm formation peptidase) is required for secretion of the EbfG biofilm-promoting small proteins. Given their protein-domain characteristics, we suggest that PteB and EbfE take part in a maturation-secretion system, with PteB being located to the cell membrane while EbfE is directed to the periplasmic space via its secretion signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rami Parnasa
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Eleonora Sendersky
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Ryan Simkovsky
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Hiba Waldman Ben-Asher
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Susan S Golden
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Rakefet Schwarz
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
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22
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Liang Y, Tang J, Luo Y, Kaczmarek MB, Li X, Daroch M. Thermosynechococcus as a thermophilic photosynthetic microbial cell factory for CO 2 utilisation. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2019; 278:255-265. [PMID: 30708328 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.01.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Thermophilic unicellular cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus PKUAC-SCTE542, has been developed as a thermophilic photosynthetic microbial cell factory for CO2 utilisation. The strain exhibits its highest growth rate around 55 °C, can withstand up to 15% CO2, and up to 0.5 M concentration of sodium bicarbonate. The strain is also capable of resisting a 200 ppm concentration of NO and SO2 in simulated flue gasses, and these compounds have a positive effect on its growth. Whole genome sequencing of the strain revealed the presence of numerous forms of active transport of nutrients and additional chaperones acting as the predominant mechanism of strain adaptation to high temperatures. Based on the sequenced genome, two neutral gene insertion sites have been identified and engineered using modular vectors. Site-specific knock-ins and knock-outs have been performed using the spectinomycin resistance gene and proved functional, enabling future application of the strain to produce biofuels and biochemicals from waste CO2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanmei Liang
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jie Tang
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, School of Pharmacy and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China; Shenzhen Aone Medical Laboratory Co Ltd, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Yifan Luo
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Michal B Kaczmarek
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China; Institute of Technical Biochemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland
| | - Xingkang Li
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Maurycy Daroch
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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23
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Allen R, Rittmann BE, Curtiss R. Axenic Biofilm Formation and Aggregation by Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803 Are Induced by Changes in Nutrient Concentration and Require Cell Surface Structures. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:e02192-18. [PMID: 30709828 PMCID: PMC6585507 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02192-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Phototrophic biofilms are key to nutrient cycling in natural environments and bioremediation technologies, but few studies describe biofilm formation by pure (axenic) cultures of a phototrophic microbe. The cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 (here Synechocystis) is a model microorganism for the study of oxygenic photosynthesis and biofuel production. We report here that wild-type (WT) Synechocystis caused extensive biofilm formation in a 2,000-liter outdoor nonaxenic photobioreactor under conditions attributed to nutrient limitation. We developed a biofilm assay and found that axenic Synechocystis forms biofilms of cells and extracellular material but only when cells are induced by an environmental signal, such as a reduction in the concentration of growth medium BG11. Mutants lacking cell surface structures, namely type IV pili and the S-layer, do not form biofilms. To further characterize the molecular mechanisms of cell-cell binding by Synechocystis, we also developed a rapid (8-h) axenic aggregation assay. Mutants lacking type IV pili were unable to aggregate, but mutants lacking a homolog to Wza, a protein required for type 1 exopolysaccharide export in Escherichia coli, had a superbinding phenotype. In WT cultures, 1.2× BG11 medium induced aggregation to the same degree as 0.8× BG11 medium. Overall, our data support that Wza-dependent exopolysaccharide is essential to maintain stable, uniform suspensions of WT Synechocystis cells in unmodified growth medium and that this mechanism is counteracted in a pilus-dependent manner under altered BG11 concentrations.IMPORTANCE Microbes can exist as suspensions of individual cells in liquids and also commonly form multicellular communities attached to surfaces. Surface-attached communities, called biofilms, can confer antibiotic resistance to pathogenic bacteria during infections and establish food webs for global nutrient cycling in the environment. Phototrophic biofilm formation is one of the earliest phenotypes visible in the fossil record, dating back over 3 billion years. Despite the importance and ubiquity of phototrophic biofilms, most of what we know about the molecular mechanisms, genetic regulation, and environmental signals of biofilm formation comes from studies of heterotrophic bacteria. We aim to help bridge this knowledge gap by developing new assays for Synechocystis, a phototrophic cyanobacterium used to study oxygenic photosynthesis and biofuel production. With the aid of these new assays, we contribute to the development of Synechocystis as a model organism for the study of axenic phototrophic biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rey Allen
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Bruce E Rittmann
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Roy Curtiss
- School of Life Sciences, Biodesign Swette Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
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24
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Maeda K, Tamura J, Okuda Y, Narikawa R, Midorikawa T, Ikeuchi M. Genetic identification of factors for extracellular cellulose accumulation in the thermophilic cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus vulcanus: proposal of a novel tripartite secretion system. Mol Microbiol 2018; 109:121-134. [PMID: 29688612 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cells of the thermophilic cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus vulcanus strain RKN (NIES-2134) aggregate and produce extracellular cellulose under induced conditions of blue light and low temperature, and both aggregation and cellulose production require the cellulose synthase Tll0007 (XcsA) and photosensory diguanylate cyclases. However, overexpression of both the cellulose synthase and a constitutively active diguanylate cyclase was not sufficient to induce cellulose-mediated cell aggregation under normal growth conditions. Synteny analysis and gene knockout revealed that two putative genes, hlyD-like tlr0903 (xcsB) and endoglucanase-like tlr1902 (xcsC), are linked to tll0007, although they are located apart from tll0007 in the T. vulcanus genome. Gene knockdown revealed that tlr1605 (tolC) was essential for the cellulose-mediated cell aggregation. Low temperature induced marked upregulation of tlr0903, and overexpression of both tlr0903 (but not tlr1902) and diguanylate cyclase resulted in the strong cell aggregation and cellulose accumulation under normal conditions. Based on these and phylogenetic analysis, we propose that the cyanobacterial extracellular cellulose production is due to a novel variant of the bacterial tripartite secretion system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaisei Maeda
- Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Science, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Jyunya Tamura
- Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Science, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Yukiko Okuda
- Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Science, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Rei Narikawa
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Shizuoka University, Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan
| | - Takafumi Midorikawa
- Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Science, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Masahiko Ikeuchi
- Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Science, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Honcho Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
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25
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Schwarzenberger A, Fink P. Gene expression and activity of digestive enzymes of Daphnia pulex in response to food quality differences. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2018; 218:23-29. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2018.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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26
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Tlr1612 is the major repressor of cell aggregation in the light-color-dependent c-di-GMP signaling network of Thermosynechococcus vulcanus. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5338. [PMID: 29593349 PMCID: PMC5871770 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23628-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) is a bacterial second messenger involved in sessile/motile lifestyle transitions. We previously reported that c-di-GMP is a crucial inducer of cell aggregation of the cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus vulcanus. The three cooperating cyanobacteriochrome photoreceptors (SesA/B/C) regulate cell aggregation in a light color-dependent manner by synthesizing/degrading c-di-GMP. Although a variety of c-di-GMP signaling proteins are encoded in cyanobacterial genomes, how c-di-GMP signaling networks are organized remains elusive. Here we experimentally demonstrate that the cellulose synthase Tll0007, which is essential for cell aggregation, binds c-di-GMP although the affinity is low (Kd = 63.9 ± 5.1 µM). We also show that SesA-the main trigger of cell aggregation-is subject to strict product feedback inhibition (IC50 = 1.07 ± 0.13 µM). These results suggest that SesA-produced c-di-GMP may not directly bind to Tll0007. We therefore systematically analyzed all 10 of the genes encoding proteins containing a c-di-GMP synthesis/degradation domain. We identified Tlr1612, harboring both domains, as the major repressor of cell aggregation under the repressing teal-green light irradiation. tlr1612 acts downstream of sesA and is not regulated transcriptionally by light color, suggesting that Tlr1612 may be involved in c-di-GMP amplification in the signaling cascade. Post-transcriptional control is likely crucial for the light-regulated c-di-GMP signaling.
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Sugawara T, Chinzei M, Numano S, Kitazaki C, Asayama M. Flocculation and pentadecane production of a novel filamentous cyanobacterium Limnothrix sp. strain SK1-2-1. Biotechnol Lett 2018; 40:829-836. [PMID: 29508163 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-018-2525-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A novel filamentous cyanobacterium, a photosynthesizing microorganism, was isolated from a river, and its unique features of flocculation and pentadecane production were characterized. RESULTS Microscopic observations and a phylogenetic analysis with 16S rDNA revealed that this strain was a Limnothrix species denoted as the SK1-2-1 strain. Auto cell-flocculation was observed when this strain was exposed to a two-step incubation involving a standing cultivation following a shaking preincubation. Flocculation was enhanced by blue light at a wavelength at 470 nm and irradiation for several hours to 1 day. Moreover, the strain exhibiting exponential cell growth may preferentially accumulate alkanes as pentadecane C15H32 alkane, which may be used as jet fuel, at a range of approximately 1% in the dry cell weight of flocculated cells. CONCLUSION This is the first study on biofuel production using flocculated cells in which the specific manner of production may be regulated by cultivation conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Sugawara
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, 3-21-1 Ami, Ibaraki, 300-0393, Japan
| | - Mariko Chinzei
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, 3-21-1 Ami, Ibaraki, 300-0393, Japan
| | - Setsuko Numano
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, 3-21-1 Ami, Ibaraki, 300-0393, Japan
| | - Chifumi Kitazaki
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, 3-21-1 Ami, Ibaraki, 300-0393, Japan
| | - Munehiko Asayama
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, 3-21-1 Ami, Ibaraki, 300-0393, Japan. .,Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO), 4-1-8 Honcho Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan. .,United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwaicho Fuchu, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan.
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28
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Miranda H, Immerzeel P, Gerber L, Hörnaeus K, Lind SB, Pattanaik B, Lindberg P, Mamedov F, Lindblad P. Sll1783, a monooxygenase associated with polysaccharide processing in the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC 6803. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2017; 161:182-195. [PMID: 28429526 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.12582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria play a pivotal role as the primary producer in many aquatic ecosystems. The knowledge on the interacting processes of cyanobacteria with its environment - abiotic and biotic factors - is still very limited. Many potential exocytoplasmic proteins in the model unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC 6803 have unknown functions and their study is essential to improve our understanding of this photosynthetic organism and its potential for biotechnology use. Here we characterize a deletion mutant of Synechocystis PCC 6803, Δsll1783, a strain that showed a remarkably high light resistance which is related with its lower thylakoid membrane formation. Our results suggests Sll1783 to be involved in a mechanism of polysaccharide degradation and uptake and we hypothesize it might function as a sensor for cell density in cyanobacterial cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélder Miranda
- Department of Chemistry - Ångström Laboratory, Molecular Biomimetics and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-75120, Sweden
| | - Peter Immerzeel
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, SE-901 83, Sweden
| | - Lorenz Gerber
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, SE-901 83, Sweden
| | - Katarina Hörnaeus
- Department of Chemistry - BMC, Analytical Chemistry and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-751 24, Sweden
| | - Sara Bergström Lind
- Department of Chemistry - BMC, Analytical Chemistry and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-751 24, Sweden
| | - Bagmi Pattanaik
- Department of Chemistry - Ångström Laboratory, Molecular Biomimetics and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-75120, Sweden
| | - Pia Lindberg
- Department of Chemistry - Ångström Laboratory, Molecular Biomimetics and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-75120, Sweden
| | - Fikret Mamedov
- Department of Chemistry - Ångström Laboratory, Molecular Biomimetics and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-75120, Sweden
| | - Peter Lindblad
- Department of Chemistry - Ångström Laboratory, Molecular Biomimetics and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-75120, Sweden
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29
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De Porcellinis A, Frigaard NU, Sakuragi Y. Determination of the Glycogen Content in Cyanobacteria. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28745633 DOI: 10.3791/56068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria accumulate glycogen as a major intracellular carbon and energy storage during photosynthesis. Recent developments in research have highlighted complex mechanisms of glycogen metabolism, including the diel cycle of biosynthesis and catabolism, redox regulation, and the involvement of non-coding RNA. At the same time, efforts are being made to redirect carbon from glycogen to desirable products in genetically engineered cyanobacteria to enhance product yields. Several methods are used to determine the glycogen contents in cyanobacteria, with variable accuracies and technical complexities. Here, we provide a detailed protocol for the reliable determination of the glycogen content in cyanobacteria that can be performed in a standard life science laboratory. The protocol entails the selective precipitation of glycogen from the cell lysate and the enzymatic depolymerization of glycogen to generate glucose monomers, which are detected by a glucose oxidase-peroxidase (GOD-POD) enzyme coupled assay. The method has been applied to Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002, two model cyanobacterial species that are widely used in metabolic engineering. Moreover, the method successfully showed differences in the glycogen contents between the wildtype and mutants defective in regulatory elements or glycogen biosynthetic genes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yumiko Sakuragi
- Copenhagen Plant Science Center, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen;
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30
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Ahmad I, Rouf SF, Sun L, Cimdins A, Shafeeq S, Le Guyon S, Schottkowski M, Rhen M, Römling U. BcsZ inhibits biofilm phenotypes and promotes virulence by blocking cellulose production in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Microb Cell Fact 2016; 15:177. [PMID: 27756305 PMCID: PMC5070118 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-016-0576-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cellulose, a 1,4 beta-glucan polysaccharide, is produced by a variety of organisms including bacteria. Although the production of cellulose has a high biological, ecological and economical impact, regulatory mechanisms of cellulose biosynthesis are mostly unknown. Family eight cellulases are regularly associated with cellulose biosynthesis operons in bacteria; however, their function is poorly characterized. In this study, we analysed the role of the cellulase BcsZ encoded by the bcsABZC cellulose biosynthesis operon of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) in biofilm related behavior. We also investigated the involvement of BcsZ in pathogenesis of S. Typhimurium including a murine typhoid fever infection model. Result In S. Typhimurium, cellulase BcsZ with a putative periplasmic location negatively regulates cellulose biosynthesis. Moreover, as assessed with a non-polar mutant, BcsZ affects cellulose-associated phenotypes such as the rdar biofilm morphotype, cell clumping, biofilm formation, pellicle formation and flagella-dependent motility. Strikingly, although upregulation of cellulose biosynthesis was not observed on agar plate medium at 37 °C, BcsZ is required for efficient pathogen-host interaction. Key virulence phenotypes of S. Typhimurium such as invasion of epithelial cells and proliferation in macrophages were positively regulated by BcsZ. Further on, a bcsZ mutant was outcompeted by the wild type in organ colonization in the murine typhoid fever infection model. Selected phenotypes were relieved upon deletion of the cellulose synthase BcsA and/or the central biofilm activator CsgD. Conclusion Although the protein scaffold has an additional physiological role, our findings indicate that the catalytic activity of BcsZ effectively downregulates CsgD activated cellulose biosynthesis. Repression of cellulose production by BcsZ subsequently enables Salmonella to efficiently colonize the host. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12934-016-0576-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irfan Ahmad
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Syed Fazle Rouf
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Lei Sun
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Annika Cimdins
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sulman Shafeeq
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Soazig Le Guyon
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marco Schottkowski
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mikael Rhen
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ute Römling
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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31
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Xu L, Zhang J. Bacterial glucans: production, properties, and applications. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2016; 100:9023-9036. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-016-7836-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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32
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Phylum-wide analysis of genes/proteins related to the last steps of assembly and export of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in cyanobacteria. Sci Rep 2015; 5:14835. [PMID: 26437902 PMCID: PMC4594306 DOI: 10.1038/srep14835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Many cyanobacteria produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) with particular characteristics (e.g. anionic nature and presence of sulfate) that make them suitable for industrial processes such as bioremediation of heavy metals or thickening, suspending or emulsifying agents. Nevertheless, their biosynthetic pathway(s) are still largely unknown, limiting their utilization. In this work, a phylum-wide analysis of genes/proteins putatively involved in the assembly and export of EPS in cyanobacteria was performed. Our results demonstrated that most strains harbor genes encoding proteins related to the three main pathways: Wzy-, ABC transporter-, and Synthase-dependent, but often not the complete set defining one pathway. Multiple gene copies are mainly correlated to larger genomes, and the strains with reduced genomes (e.g. the clade of marine unicellular Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus), seem to have lost most of the EPS-related genes. Overall, the distribution of the different genes/proteins within the cyanobacteria phylum raises the hypothesis that cyanobacterial EPS production may not strictly follow one of the pathways previously characterized. Moreover, for the proteins involved in EPS polymerization, amino acid patterns were defined and validated constituting a novel and robust tool to identify proteins with similar functions and giving a first insight to which polymer biosynthesis they are related to.
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33
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Liang ZX. The expanding roles of c-di-GMP in the biosynthesis of exopolysaccharides and secondary metabolites. Nat Prod Rep 2015; 32:663-83. [PMID: 25666534 DOI: 10.1039/c4np00086b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The cyclic dinucleotide c-di-GMP has emerged in the last decade as a prevalent intracellular messenger that orchestrates the transition between the motile and sessile lifestyles of many bacterial species. The motile-to-sessile transition is often associated with the formation of extracellular matrix-encased biofilm, an organized community of bacterial cells that often contributes to antibiotic resistance and host-pathogen interaction. It is increasingly clear that c-di-GMP controls motility, biofilm formation and bacterial pathogenicity partially through regulating the production of exopolysaccharides (EPS) and small-molecule secondary metabolites. This review summarizes our current understanding of the regulation of EPS biosynthesis by c-di-GMP in a diversity of bacterial species and highlights the emerging role of c-di-GMP in the biosynthesis of small-molecule secondary metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Xun Liang
- Division of Structural Biology & Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551.
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34
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Three cyanobacteriochromes work together to form a light color-sensitive input system for c-di-GMP signaling of cell aggregation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:8082-7. [PMID: 26080423 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1504228112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs) are cyanobacterial photoreceptors that have diverse spectral properties and domain compositions. Although large numbers of CBCR genes exist in cyanobacterial genomes, no studies have assessed whether multiple CBCRs work together. We recently showed that the diguanylate cyclase (DGC) activity of the CBCR SesA from Thermosynechococcus elongatus is activated by blue-light irradiation and that, when irradiated, SesA, via its product cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP), induces aggregation of Thermosynechococcus vulcanus cells at a temperature that is suboptimum for single-cell viability. For this report, we first characterize the photobiochemical properties of two additional CBCRs, SesB and SesC. Blue/teal light-responsive SesB has only c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity, which is up-regulated by teal light and GTP. Blue/green light-responsive SesC has DGC and PDE activities. Its DGC activity is enhanced by blue light, whereas its PDE activity is enhanced by green light. A ΔsesB mutant cannot suppress cell aggregation under teal-green light. A ΔsesC mutant shows a less sensitive cell-aggregation response to ambient light. ΔsesA/ΔsesB/ΔsesC shows partial cell aggregation, which is accompanied by the loss of color dependency, implying that a nonphotoresponsive DGC(s) producing c-di-GMP can also induce the aggregation. The results suggest that SesB enhances the light color dependency of cell aggregation by degrading c-di-GMP, is particularly effective under teal light, and, therefore, seems to counteract the induction of cell aggregation by SesA. In addition, SesC seems to improve signaling specificity as an auxiliary backup to SesA/SesB activities. The coordinated action of these three CBCRs highlights why so many different CBCRs exist.
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35
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Römling U, Galperin MY. Bacterial cellulose biosynthesis: diversity of operons, subunits, products, and functions. Trends Microbiol 2015; 23:545-57. [PMID: 26077867 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2015.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 303] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Revised: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies of bacterial cellulose biosynthesis, including structural characterization of a functional cellulose synthase complex, provided the first mechanistic insight into this fascinating process. In most studied bacteria, just two subunits, BcsA and BcsB, are necessary and sufficient for the formation of the polysaccharide chain in vitro. Other subunits - which differ among various taxa - affect the enzymatic activity and product yield in vivo by modulating (i) the expression of the biosynthesis apparatus, (ii) the export of the nascent β-D-glucan polymer to the cell surface, and (iii) the organization of cellulose fibers into a higher-order structure. These auxiliary subunits play key roles in determining the quantity and structure of resulting biofilms, which is particularly important for the interactions of bacteria with higher organisms - leading to rhizosphere colonization and modulating the virulence of cellulose-producing bacterial pathogens inside and outside of host cells. We review the organization of four principal types of cellulose synthase operon found in various bacterial genomes, identify additional bcs genes that encode components of the cellulose biosynthesis and secretion machinery, and propose a unified nomenclature for these genes and subunits. We also discuss the role of cellulose as a key component of biofilms and in the choice between acute infection and persistence in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ute Römling
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Michael Y Galperin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA.
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36
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High-yield production of extracellular type-I cellulose by the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002. Cell Discov 2015; 1:15004. [PMID: 27462405 PMCID: PMC4851311 DOI: 10.1038/celldisc.2015.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellulose synthase, encoded by the cesA gene, is responsible for the synthesis of cellulose in nature. We show that the cell wall of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 naturally contains cellulose. Cellulose occurs as a possibly laminated layer between the inner and outer membrane, as well as being an important component of the extracellular glycocalyx in this cyanobacterium. Overexpression of six genes, cmc–ccp–cesAB–cesC–cesD–bgl, from Gluconacetobacter xylinus in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 resulted in very high-yield production of extracellular type-I cellulose. High-level cellulose production only occurred when the native cesA gene was inactivated and when cells were grown at low salinity. This system provides a method for the production of lignin-free cellulose from sunlight and CO2 for biofuel production and other biotechnological applications.
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Aikawa S, Ho SH, Nakanishi A, Chang JS, Hasunuma T, Kondo A. Improving polyglucan production in cyanobacteria and microalgae via cultivation design and metabolic engineering. Biotechnol J 2015; 10:886-98. [DOI: 10.1002/biot.201400344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2014] [Revised: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Biosynthesis and function of extracellular glycans in cyanobacteria. Life (Basel) 2015; 5:164-80. [PMID: 25587674 PMCID: PMC4390846 DOI: 10.3390/life5010164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 01/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell surface of cyanobacteria is covered with glycans that confer versatility and adaptability to a multitude of environmental factors. The complex carbohydrates act as barriers against different types of stress and play a role in intra- as well as inter-species interactions. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the chemical composition, biosynthesis and biological function of exo- and lipo-polysaccharides from cyanobacteria and give an overview of sugar-binding lectins characterized from cyanobacteria. We discuss similarities with well-studied enterobacterial systems and highlight the unique features of cyanobacteria. We pay special attention to colony formation and EPS biosynthesis in the bloom-forming cyanobacterium, Microcystis aeruginosa.
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Ultrastructure and composition of the Nannochloropsis gaditana cell wall. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2014; 13:1450-64. [PMID: 25239976 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00183-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Marine algae of the genus Nannochloropsis are promising producers of biofuel precursors and nutraceuticals and are also harvested commercially for aquaculture feed. We have used quick-freeze, deep-etch electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and carbohydrate analyses to characterize the architecture of the Nannochloropsis gaditana (strain CCMP 526) cell wall, whose recalcitrance presents a significant barrier to biocommodity extraction. The data indicate a bilayer structure consisting of a cellulosic inner wall (~75% of the mass balance) protected by an outer hydrophobic algaenan layer. Cellulase treatment of walls purified after cell lysis generates highly enriched algaenan preparations without using the harsh chemical treatments typically used in algaenan isolation and characterization. Nannochloropsis algaenan was determined to comprise long, straight-chain, saturated aliphatics with ether cross-links, which closely resembles the cutan of vascular plants. Chemical identification of >85% of the isolated cell wall mass is detailed, and genome analysis is used to identify candidate biosynthetic enzymes.
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Enomoto G, Nomura R, Shimada T, Ni-Ni-Win, Narikawa R, Ikeuchi M. Cyanobacteriochrome SesA is a diguanylate cyclase that induces cell aggregation in Thermosynechococcus. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:24801-9. [PMID: 25059661 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.583674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria have unique photoreceptors, cyanobacteriochromes, that show diverse spectral properties to sense near-UV/visible lights. Certain cyanobacteriochromes have been shown to regulate cellular phototaxis or chromatic acclimation of photosynthetic pigments. Some cyanobacteriochromes have output domains involved in bacterial signaling using a second messenger cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP), but its role in cyanobacteria remains elusive. Here, we characterize the recombinant Tlr0924 from a thermophilic cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus, which was expressed in a cyanobacterial system. The protein reversibly photoconverts between blue- and green-absorbing forms, which is consistent with the protein prepared from Escherichia coli, and has diguanylate cyclase activity, which is enhanced 38-fold by blue light compared with green light. Therefore, Tlr0924 is a blue light-activated diguanylate cyclase. The protein's relatively low affinity (10.5 mM) for Mg(2+), which is essential for diguanylate cyclase activity, suggests that Mg(2+) might also regulate c-di-GMP signaling. Finally, we show that blue light irradiation under low temperature is responsible for Thermosynechococcus vulcanus cell aggregation, which is abolished when tlr0924 is disrupted, suggesting that Tlr0924 mediates blue light-induced cell aggregation by producing c-di-GMP. Given our results, we propose the name "sesA (sessility-A)" for tlr0924. This is the first report for cyanobacteriochrome-dependent regulation of a sessile/planktonic lifestyle in cyanobacteria via c-di-GMP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gen Enomoto
- From the Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and
| | - Ryouhei Nomura
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Sciences, University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902
| | - Takashi Shimada
- the Life Science Research Center, Shimadzu Corp., 3-1 Kanda-Nishikicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, and
| | - Ni-Ni-Win
- From the Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and
| | - Rei Narikawa
- From the Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and PRESTO and
| | - Masahiko Ikeuchi
- From the Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Sciences, University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), 4-1-8 Honcho Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
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CugP is a novel ubiquitous non-GalU-type bacterial UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase found in cyanobacteria. J Bacteriol 2014; 196:2348-54. [PMID: 24727225 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01591-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase synthesizes UDP-glucose from UTP and glucose 1-phosphate and exists in almost all species. Most bacteria possess a GalU-type UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, whereas many cyanobacteria species do not. In certain cyanobacteria, UDP-glucose is used as a substrate for synthesis of exopolysaccharide cellulose in spite of the absence of GalU-type UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase. Therefore, there should be an uncharacterized UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase in cyanobacteria. Here, we show that all cyanobacteria possess a non-GalU-type bacterial UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, i.e., CugP, a novel family in the nucleotide triphosphate transferase superfamily. The expressed recombinant Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 CugP had pyrophosphorylase activity that was highly specific for UTP and glucose 1-phosphate. The fact that the CugP gene cannot be deleted completely in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 suggests its central role as the substrate supplier for galactolipid synthesis. Galactolipids are major constituents of the photosynthetic thylakoid membrane and important for photosynthetic activity. Based on phylogenetic analysis, this CugP-type UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase may have recently been horizontally transferred to certain noncyanobacteria.
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Cyclic di-GMP: the first 25 years of a universal bacterial second messenger. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2013; 77:1-52. [PMID: 23471616 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00043-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1196] [Impact Index Per Article: 108.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Twenty-five years have passed since the discovery of cyclic dimeric (3'→5') GMP (cyclic di-GMP or c-di-GMP). From the relative obscurity of an allosteric activator of a bacterial cellulose synthase, c-di-GMP has emerged as one of the most common and important bacterial second messengers. Cyclic di-GMP has been shown to regulate biofilm formation, motility, virulence, the cell cycle, differentiation, and other processes. Most c-di-GMP-dependent signaling pathways control the ability of bacteria to interact with abiotic surfaces or with other bacterial and eukaryotic cells. Cyclic di-GMP plays key roles in lifestyle changes of many bacteria, including transition from the motile to the sessile state, which aids in the establishment of multicellular biofilm communities, and from the virulent state in acute infections to the less virulent but more resilient state characteristic of chronic infectious diseases. From a practical standpoint, modulating c-di-GMP signaling pathways in bacteria could represent a new way of controlling formation and dispersal of biofilms in medical and industrial settings. Cyclic di-GMP participates in interkingdom signaling. It is recognized by mammalian immune systems as a uniquely bacterial molecule and therefore is considered a promising vaccine adjuvant. The purpose of this review is not to overview the whole body of data in the burgeoning field of c-di-GMP-dependent signaling. Instead, we provide a historic perspective on the development of the field, emphasize common trends, and illustrate them with the best available examples. We also identify unresolved questions and highlight new directions in c-di-GMP research that will give us a deeper understanding of this truly universal bacterial second messenger.
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Kawano Y, Sekine M, Ihara M. Identification and characterization of UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase in cyanobacteria Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. J Biosci Bioeng 2013; 117:531-8. [PMID: 24231376 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2013.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2013] [Revised: 10/15/2013] [Accepted: 10/17/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Exopolysaccharides produced by photosynthetic cyanobacteria have received considerable attention in recent years for their potential applications in the production of renewable biofuels. Particularly, cyanobacterial cellulose is one of the most promising products because it is extracellularly secreted as a non-crystalline form, which can be easily harvested from the media and converted into glucose units. In cyanobacteria, the production of UDP-glucose, the cellulose precursor, is a key step in the cellulose synthesis pathway. UDP-glucose is synthesized from UTP and glucose-1-phosphate (Glc-1P) by UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGPase), but this pathway in cyanobacteria has not been well characterized. Therefore, to elucidate the overall cellulose biosynthesis pathway in cyanobacteria, we studied the putative UGPase All3274 and seven other putative NDP-sugar pyrophosphorylases (NSPases), All4645, Alr2825, Alr4491, Alr0188, Alr3400, Alr2361, and Alr3921 of Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. Assays using the purified recombinant proteins revealed that All3274 exhibited UGPase activity, All4645, Alr2825, Alr4491, Alr0188, and Alr3921 exhibited pyrophosphorylase activities on ADP-glucose, CDP-glucose, dTDP-glucose, GDP-mannose, and UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, respectively. Further characterization of All3274 revealed that the kcat for UDP-glucose formation was one or two orders lower than those of other known UGPases. The activity and dimerization tendency of All3274 increased at higher enzyme concentrations, implying catalytic activation by dimerization. However, most interestingly, All3274 dimerization was inhibited by UTP and Glc-1P, but not by UDP-glucose. This study presents the first in vitro characterization of a cyanobacterial UGPase, and provides insights into biotechnological attempts to utilize the photosynthetic production of cellulose from cyanobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Kawano
- Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University, 8304 Minamiminowa, Nagano 399-4511, Japan; Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama, Ikoma, Nara 630-0192, Japan
| | - Midori Sekine
- Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University, 8304 Minamiminowa, Nagano 399-4511, Japan
| | - Masaki Ihara
- Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University, 8304 Minamiminowa, Nagano 399-4511, Japan; JST, PRESTO, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan.
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