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Lafferty DJ, Robison TA, Gunadi A, Schafran PW, Gunn LH, Van Eck J, Li FW. Biolistics-mediated transformation of hornworts and its application to study pyrenoid protein localization. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2024; 75:4760-4771. [PMID: 38779949 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erae243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Hornworts are a deeply diverged lineage of bryophytes and a sister lineage to mosses and liverworts. Hornworts have an array of unique features that can be leveraged to illuminate not only the early evolution of land plants, but also alternative paths for nitrogen and carbon assimilation via cyanobacterial symbiosis and a pyrenoid-based CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM), respectively. Despite this, hornworts are one of the few plant lineages with limited available genetic tools. Here we report an efficient biolistics method for generating transient expression and stable transgenic lines in the model hornwort, Anthoceros agrestis. An average of 569 (±268) cells showed transient expression per bombardment, with green fluorescent protein expression observed within 48-72 h. A total of 81 stably transformed lines were recovered across three separate experiments, averaging six lines per bombardment. We followed the same method to transiently transform nine additional hornwort species, and obtained stable transformants from one. This method was further used to verify the localization of Rubisco and Rubisco activase in pyrenoids, which are central proteins for CCM function. Together, our biolistics approach offers key advantages over existing methods as it enables rapid transient expression and can be applied to widely diverse hornwort species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tanner A Robison
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Plant Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | | | | | - Laura H Gunn
- Plant Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Plant Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, S-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Joyce Van Eck
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Plant Breeding and Genetics Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Fay-Wei Li
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Plant Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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2
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Kakouridis A, Diamond S, Eng T, Mills HJ, Gámez Holzhaus O, Summers ML, Garcia-Pichel F, Mukhopadhyay A. Desiccated Cyanobacteria Serve As Efficient Plasmid DNA Carriers in Space Flight. ACS Synth Biol 2024. [PMID: 39150229 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Effective transport of biological systems as cargo during space travel is a critical requirement to use synthetic biology and biomanufacturing in outer space. Bioproduction using microbes will drive the extent to which many human needs can be met in environments with limited resources. Vast repositories of biological parts and strains are available to meet this need, but their on-site availability requires effective transport. Here, we explore an approach that allows DNA plasmids, ubiquitous synthetic biology parts, to be safely transported to the International Space Station and back to the Kennedy Space Center without low-temperature or cryogenic stowage. Our approach relied on the cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme PC73102, which is naturally tolerant to prolonged desiccation. Desiccated N. punctiforme was able to carry the non-native pSCR119 plasmid as intracellular cargo safely to space and back. Upon return to the laboratory, the extracted plasmid showed no DNA damage or additional mutations and could be used as intended to transform the model synbio host Escherichia coli to bestow kanamycin resistance. This proof-of-concept study provides the foundation for a ruggedized transport host for DNA to environments where there is a need to reduce equipment and infrastructure for biological parts stowage and storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Kakouridis
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Spencer Diamond
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Thomas Eng
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Heath J Mills
- Rhodium Scientific, Houston, Texas 77058, United States
| | | | - Michael L Summers
- Department of Biology, California State University, Northridge, California 91330, United States
| | - Ferran Garcia-Pichel
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
| | - Aindrila Mukhopadhyay
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
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Bujak J, Bujak A. Origin and Evolution of the Azolla Superorganism. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:2106. [PMID: 39124224 PMCID: PMC11314209 DOI: 10.3390/plants13152106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Azolla is the only plant with a co-evolving nitrogen-fixing (diazotrophic) cyanobacterial symbiont (cyanobiont), Nostoc azollae, resulting from whole-genome duplication (WGD) 80 million years ago in Azolla's ancestor. Additional genes from the WGD resulted in genetic, biochemical, and morphological changes in the plant that enabled the transmission of the cyanobiont to successive generations via its megaspores. The resulting permanent symbiosis and co-evolution led to the loss, downregulation, or conversion of non-essential genes to pseudogenes in the cyanobiont, changing it from a free-living organism to an obligate symbiont. The upregulation of other genes in the cyanobiont increased its atmospheric dinitrogen fixation and the provision of nitrogen-based products to the plant. As a result, Azolla can double its biomass in less than two days free-floating on fresh water and sequester large amounts of atmospheric CO2, giving it the potential to mitigate anthropogenic climate change through carbon capture and storage. Azolla's biomass can also provide local, low-cost food, biofertiliser, feed, and biofuel that are urgently needed as our population increases by a billion every twelve years. This paper integrates data from biology, genetics, geology, and palaeontology to identify the location, timing and mechanism for the acquisition of a co-evolving diazotrophic cyanobiont by Azolla's ancestor in the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) of North America.
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Abstract
Plants associate with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to secure nitrogen, which is generally the most limiting nutrient for plant growth. Endosymbiotic nitrogen-fixing associations are widespread among diverse plant lineages, ranging from microalgae to angiosperms, and are primarily one of three types: cyanobacterial, actinorhizal or rhizobial. The large overlap in the signaling pathways and infection components of arbuscular mycorrhizal, actinorhizal and rhizobial symbioses reflects their evolutionary relatedness. These beneficial associations are influenced by environmental factors and other microorganisms in the rhizosphere. In this review, we summarize the diversity of nitrogen-fixing symbioses, key signal transduction pathways and colonization mechanisms relevant to such interactions, and compare and contrast these interactions with arbuscular mycorrhizal associations from an evolutionary standpoint. Additionally, we highlight recent studies on environmental factors regulating nitrogen-fixing symbioses to provide insights into the adaptation of symbiotic plants to complex environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Xu
- National key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ertao Wang
- National key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shenzhen 518054, China.
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5
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Frangedakis E, Marron AO, Waller M, Neubauer A, Tse SW, Yue Y, Ruaud S, Waser L, Sakakibara K, Szövényi P. What can hornworts teach us? FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1108027. [PMID: 36968370 PMCID: PMC10030945 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1108027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The hornworts are a small group of land plants, consisting of only 11 families and approximately 220 species. Despite their small size as a group, their phylogenetic position and unique biology are of great importance. Hornworts, together with mosses and liverworts, form the monophyletic group of bryophytes that is sister to all other land plants (Tracheophytes). It is only recently that hornworts became amenable to experimental investigation with the establishment of Anthoceros agrestis as a model system. In this perspective, we summarize the recent advances in the development of A. agrestis as an experimental system and compare it with other plant model systems. We also discuss how A. agrestis can help to further research in comparative developmental studies across land plants and to solve key questions of plant biology associated with the colonization of the terrestrial environment. Finally, we explore the significance of A. agrestis in crop improvement and synthetic biology applications in general.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alan O. Marron
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Manuel Waller
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anna Neubauer
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sze Wai Tse
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Yuling Yue
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie Ruaud
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lucas Waser
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Péter Szövényi
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, Zurich, Switzerland
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Álvarez C, Brenes-Álvarez M, Molina-Heredia FP, Mariscal V. Quantitative Proteomics at Early Stages of the Symbiotic Interaction Between Oryza sativa and Nostoc punctiforme Reveals Novel Proteins Involved in the Symbiotic Crosstalk. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 63:1433-1445. [PMID: 35373828 PMCID: PMC9620832 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcac043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Symbiosis between cyanobacteria and plants is considered pivotal for biological nitrogen deposition in terrestrial ecosystems. Despite extensive knowledge of the ecology of plant-cyanobacterium symbioses, little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved in recognition between partners. Here, we conducted a quantitative sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion spectra mass spectrometry pipeline to analyze protein changes in Oryza sativa and Nostoc punctiforme during early events of symbiosis. We found differentially expressed proteins in both organisms linked to several biological functions, including signal transduction, adhesion, defense-related proteins and cell wall modification. In N. punctiforme we found increased expression of 62 proteins that have been previously described in other Nostoc-plant symbioses, reinforcing the robustness of our study. Our findings reveal new proteins activated in the early stages of the Nostoc-Oryza symbiosis that might be important for the recognition between the plant and the host. Oryza mutants in genes in the common symbiosis signaling pathway (CSSP) show reduced colonization efficiency, providing first insights on the involvement of the CSSP for the accommodation of N. punctiforme inside the plant cells. This information may have long-term implications for a greater understanding of the symbiotic interaction between Nostoc and land plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Consolación Álvarez
- *Corresponding authors: Vicente Mariscal, E-mail, ; Consolación Álvarez, E-mail,
| | - Manuel Brenes-Álvarez
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad de Sevilla, cicCartuja, Américo Vespucio 49, Seville 41092, Spain
| | - Fernando P Molina-Heredia
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad de Sevilla, cicCartuja, Américo Vespucio 49, Seville 41092, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica Vegetal y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Reina Mercedes s/n, Seville 41012, Spain
| | - Vicente Mariscal
- *Corresponding authors: Vicente Mariscal, E-mail, ; Consolación Álvarez, E-mail,
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Chatterjee P, Schafran P, Li FW, Meeks JC. Nostoc Talks Back: Temporal Patterns of Differential Gene Expression During Establishment of Anthoceros-Nostoc Symbiosis. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2022; 35:917-932. [PMID: 35802132 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-05-22-0101-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Endosymbiotic associations between hornworts and nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria form when the plant is limited for combined nitrogen (N). We generated RNA-seq data to examine temporal gene expression patterns during the culturing of N-starved Anthoceros punctatus in the absence and the presence of symbiotic cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme. In symbiont-free A. punctatus gametophytes, N starvation caused downregulation of chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics as well as transcription of photosynthesis-related genes. This downregulation was reversed in A. punctatus cocultured with N. punctiforme, corresponding to the provision by the symbiont of N2-derived NH4+, which commenced within 5 days of coculture and reached a maximum by 14 days. We also observed transient increases in transcription of ammonium and nitrate transporters in a N. punctiforme-dependent manner as well as that of a SWEET transporter that was initially independent of N2-derived NH4+. The temporal patterns of differential gene expression indicated that N. punctiforme transmits signals that impact gene expression to A. punctatus both prior to and after its provision of fixed N. This study is the first illustrating the temporal patterns of gene expression during establishment of an endosymbiotic nitrogen-fixing association in this monophyletic evolutionary lineage of land plants. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poulami Chatterjee
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, U.S.A
| | - Peter Schafran
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY 14853, U.S.A
- Plant Biology Section, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14953, U.S.A
| | - Fay-Wei Li
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY 14853, U.S.A
- Plant Biology Section, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14953, U.S.A
| | - John C Meeks
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, U.S.A
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Sachu M, Kynshi BL, Syiem MB. A biochemical, physiological and molecular evaluation of how the herbicide 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid intercedes photosynthesis and diazotrophy in the cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum Meg 1. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:36684-36698. [PMID: 35064489 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-18000-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Among the non-target microorganisms residing in crop fields that are potentially vulnerable to herbicides are cyanobacteria. They contribute to the maintenance of soil quality and fertility and hence are considered to be an important component of soil microflora. Consequently, the present study was aimed to check the influence of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on some major parameters of carbon (CO2) and nitrogen (N2) fixations of a cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum Meg 1 isolated from a rice field in Cherrapunji, Meghalaya, India. These include various photosynthetic pigments, the oxygen-evolving complex activity of the PSII, the protein contents of RuBisCO, D1 protein, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), nitrogenase and glutamine synthetase (GS) enzymes, the heterocyst percentage, nitrogenase and GS enzyme activities, and production of total proteins and carbohydrates in the cyanobacterium in a varying range of 50 to 125 ppm doses of 2,4-D. The mRNA levels of several proteins were also analyzed. Besides carotenoid concentration that enhanced at 50 ppm, all other parameters were compromised by 2,4-D in a dose-dependent manner resulting in a reduction in photosynthetic and N2-fixing activities. The negative effect on N2-fixation was partly due to compromised IDH activity. RT-PCR analysis further showed that these negative effects were initiated at transcription levels as mRNA contents of all enzymes studied were found compromised under 2,4-D exposure. The scanning and transmission electron microscopy further revealed herbicide induced adverse changes in the morphology and ultrastructure of the organism. The significance of the work lies in its detailed analysis of the effect of 2,4-D at biochemical, physiological, and molecular levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meguovilie Sachu
- Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong - 793022, Meghalaya, India
| | | | - Mayashree B Syiem
- Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong - 793022, Meghalaya, India.
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Kollmen J, Strieth D. The Beneficial Effects of Cyanobacterial Co-Culture on Plant Growth. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12020223. [PMID: 35207509 PMCID: PMC8879750 DOI: 10.3390/life12020223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are ubiquitous phototrophic prokaryotes that find a wide range of applications in industry due to their broad product spectrum. In this context, the application of cyanobacteria as biofertilizers and thus as an alternative to artificial fertilizers has emerged in recent decades. The benefit is mostly based on the ability of cyanobacteria to fix elemental nitrogen and make it available to the plants in a usable form. However, the positive effects of co-cultivating plants with cyanobacteria are not limited to the provision of nitrogen. Cyanobacteria produce numerous secondary metabolites that can be useful for plants, for example, they can have growth-promoting effects or increase resistance to plant diseases. The effects of biotic and abiotic stress can as well be reduced by many secondary metabolites. Furthermore, the biofilms formed by the cyanobacteria can lead to improved soil conditions, such as increased water retention capacity. To exchange the substances mentioned, cyanobacteria form symbioses with plants, whereby the strength of the symbiosis depends on both partners, and not every plant can form symbiosis with every cyanobacterium. Not only the plants in symbiosis benefit from the cyanobacteria, but also vice versa. This review summarizes the beneficial effects of cyanobacterial co-cultivation on plants, highlighting the substances exchanged and the strength of cyanobacterial symbioses with plants. A detailed explanation of the mechanism of nitrogen fixation in cyanobacterial heterocysts is given. Finally, a summary of possible applications of co-cultivation in the (agrar-)industry is given.
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de Vries S, de Vries J. Evolutionary genomic insights into cyanobacterial symbioses in plants. QUANTITATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 3:e16. [PMID: 37077989 PMCID: PMC10095879 DOI: 10.1017/qpb.2022.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Photosynthesis, the ability to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide, was acquired by eukaryotes through symbiosis: the plastids of plants and algae resulted from a cyanobacterial symbiosis that commenced more than 1.5 billion years ago and has chartered a unique evolutionary path. This resulted in the evolutionary origin of plants and algae. Some extant land plants have recruited additional biochemical aid from symbiotic cyanobacteria; these plants associate with filamentous cyanobacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen. Examples of such interactions can be found in select species from across all major lineages of land plants. The recent rise in genomic and transcriptomic data has provided new insights into the molecular foundation of these interactions. Furthermore, the hornwort Anthoceros has emerged as a model system for the molecular biology of cyanobacteria-plant interactions. Here, we review these developments driven by high-throughput data and pinpoint their power to yield general patterns across these diverse symbioses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie de Vries
- Department of Applied Bioinformatics, Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
- Authors for correspondence: Sophie de Vries E-mail: Jan de Vries E-mail:
| | - Jan de Vries
- Department of Applied Bioinformatics, Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
- Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
- Campus Institute Data Science (CIDAS), University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
- Authors for correspondence: Sophie de Vries E-mail: Jan de Vries E-mail:
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Nelson JM, Hauser DA, Li FW. The diversity and community structure of symbiotic cyanobacteria in hornworts inferred from long-read amplicon sequencing. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2021; 108:1731-1744. [PMID: 34533221 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.1729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE Nitrogen-fixing endosymbioses with cyanobacteria have evolved independently in five very different plant lineages. Expanding knowledge of these symbioses promises to improve the understanding of symbiosis evolution and broaden the toolkit for agricultural engineering to reduce artificial fertilizer use. Here we focused on hornworts, a bryophyte lineage in which all members host cyanobacteria, and investigated factors shaping the diversity of their cyanobiont communities. METHODS We sampled hornworts and adjacent soils in upstate New York throughout the hornwort growing season. We included all three sympatric hornwort species in the area, allowing us to directly compare partner selectivity. To profile cyanobacteria communities, we established a metabarcoding protocol targeting rbcL-X with PacBio long reads. RESULTS The hornwort cyanobionts detected were phylogenetically diverse, including clades that do not contain other known plant symbionts. We found significant overlap between hornwort cyanobionts and soil cyanobacteria, a pattern not previously reported in other plant-cyanobacteria symbioses. Cyanobiont communities differed between host plants only centimeters apart, but we did not detect an effect of sampling time or host species on the cyanobacterial community structure. CONCLUSIONS This study expands the phylogenetic diversity of known symbiotic cyanobacteria. Our analyses suggest that hornwort cyanobionts have a tight connection to the soil background, and we found no evidence that time within growing season, host species, or distance at the scale of meters strongly govern cyanobacteria community assembly. This study provides a critical foundation for further study of the ecology, evolution, and interaction dynamics of plant-cyanobacteria symbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fay-Wei Li
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Plant Biology Section, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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12
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Abstract
Species of the floating, freshwater fern Azolla form a well-characterized symbiotic association with the non-culturable cyanobacterium Nostoc azollae, which fixes nitrogen for the plant. However, several cyanobacterial strains have over the years been isolated and cultured from Azolla from all over the world. The genomes of 10 of these strains were sequenced and compared with each other, with other symbiotic cyanobacterial strains, and with similar strains that were not isolated from a symbiotic association. The 10 strains fell into three distinct groups: six strains were nearly identical to the non-symbiotic strain, Nostoc (Anabaena) variabilis ATCC 29413; three were similar to the symbiotic strain, Nostoc punctiforme, and one, Nostoc sp. 2RC, was most similar to non-symbiotic strains of Nostoc linckia. However, Nostoc sp. 2RC was unusual because it has three sets of nitrogenase genes; it has complete gene clusters for two distinct Mo-nitrogenases and an alternative V-nitrogenase. Genes for Mo-nitrogenase, sugar transport, chemotaxis and pili characterized all the symbiotic strains. Several of the strains infected the liverwort Blasia, including N. variabilis ATCC 29413, which did not originate from Azolla but rather from a sewage pond. However, only Nostoc sp. 2RC, which produced highly motile hormogonia, was capable of high-frequency infection of Blasia. Thus, some of these strains, which grow readily in the laboratory, may be useful in establishing novel symbiotic associations with other plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda S. Pratte
- Department of Biology, University of Missouri–St. Louis, One University Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63121, USA
| | - Teresa Thiel
- Department of Biology, University of Missouri–St. Louis, One University Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63121, USA
- *Correspondence: Teresa Thiel,
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Rahmatpour N, Hauser DA, Nelson JM, Chen PY, Villarreal A JC, Ho MY, Li FW. A novel thylakoid-less isolate fills a billion-year gap in the evolution of Cyanobacteria. Curr Biol 2021; 31:2857-2867.e4. [PMID: 33989529 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.04.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria have played pivotal roles in Earth's geological history, especially during the rise of atmospheric oxygen. However, our ability to infer the early transitions in Cyanobacteria evolution has been limited by their extremely lopsided tree of life-the vast majority of extant diversity belongs to Phycobacteria (or "crown Cyanobacteria"), while its sister lineage, Gloeobacteria, is depauperate and contains only two closely related species of Gloeobacter and a metagenome-assembled genome. Here, we describe a new cultured member of Gloeobacteria, Anthocerotibacter panamensis, isolated from a tropical hornwort. Anthocerotibacter diverged from Gloeobacter over 1.4 Ga ago and has low 16S rDNA identities with environmental samples. Our ultrastructural, physiological, and genomic analyses revealed that this species possesses a unique combination of traits that are exclusively shared with either Gloeobacteria or Phycobacteria. For example, similar to Gloeobacter, it lacks thylakoids and circadian clock genes, but the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway is typical of Phycobacteria. Furthermore, Anthocerotibacter has one of the most reduced gene sets for photosystems and phycobilisomes among Cyanobacteria. Despite this, Anthocerotibacter is capable of oxygenic photosynthesis under a wide range of light intensities, albeit with much less efficiency. Given its key phylogenetic position, distinct trait combination, and availability as a culture, Anthocerotibacter opens a new window to further illuminate the dawn of oxygenic photosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pa Yu Chen
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Juan Carlos Villarreal A
- Department of Biology, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada; Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama
| | - Ming-Yang Ho
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Plant Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Fay-Wei Li
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY, USA; Plant Biology Section, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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Shift of Dominant Species in Plant Community and Soil Chemical Properties Shape Soil Bacterial Community Characteristics and Putative Functions: A Case Study on Topographic Variation in a Mountain Pasture. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9050961. [PMID: 33947019 PMCID: PMC8146586 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9050961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Reducing management intensity according to the topography of pastures can change the dominant plant species from sown forages to weeds. It is unclear how changes in species dominance in plant community drive spatial variation in soil bacterial community characteristics and functions in association with edaphic condition. Analysing separately the effects of both plant communities and soil chemical properties on bacterial community is crucial for understanding the biogeographic process at a small scale. In this paper, we investigated soil bacterial responses in five plant communities (two forage and three weed), where >65% of the coverage was by one or two species. The structure and composition of the bacterial communities in the different microbiome were analysed using sequencing and their characteristics were assessed using the Functional Annotation of Prokaryotic Taxa (FAPROTAX) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. Firmicutes and Planctomycetes responded only to one specific plant community, and each plant community harboured unique operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at the species level. There were a large percentage of uniquely absent OTUs for specific plant communities, suggesting that a negative effect is critical in the relationship between plants and bacteria. Bacterial diversity indices were influenced more by soil chemical properties than by plant communities. Some putative functions related to C and N recycling including nitrogen fixation were correlated with pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and nutrient levels, and this also implied that some biological functions, such as ureolysis and carbon metabolism, may decline when fertilisation intensity is reduced. Taken together, these results suggest that a shift of dominant species in plant community exerts individual effects on the bacterial community composition, which is different from the effect of soil chemical properties.
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15
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Microalgae, soil and plants: A critical review of microalgae as renewable resources for agriculture. ALGAL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2021.102200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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16
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Frangedakis E, Shimamura M, Villarreal JC, Li FW, Tomaselli M, Waller M, Sakakibara K, Renzaglia KS, Szövényi P. The hornworts: morphology, evolution and development. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 229:735-754. [PMID: 32790880 PMCID: PMC7881058 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Extant land plants consist of two deeply divergent groups, tracheophytes and bryophytes, which shared a common ancestor some 500 million years ago. While information about vascular plants and the two of the three lineages of bryophytes, the mosses and liverworts, is steadily accumulating, the biology of hornworts remains poorly explored. Yet, as the sister group to liverworts and mosses, hornworts are critical in understanding the evolution of key land plant traits. Until recently, there was no hornwort model species amenable to systematic experimental investigation, which hampered detailed insight into the molecular biology and genetics of this unique group of land plants. The emerging hornwort model species, Anthoceros agrestis, is instrumental in our efforts to better understand not only hornwort biology but also fundamental questions of land plant evolution. To this end, here we provide an overview of hornwort biology and current research on the model plant A. agrestis to highlight its potential in answering key questions of land plant biology and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Masaki Shimamura
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 739-8528, Japan
| | - Juan Carlos Villarreal
- Department of Biology, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, G1V 0A6, Canada
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Ancon, Panamá
| | - Fay-Wei Li
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, New York, 14853-1801, USA
- Plant Biology Section, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 14853-1801, USA
| | - Marta Tomaselli
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 EA, UK
| | - Manuel Waller
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, 8008, Switzerland
| | - Keiko Sakakibara
- Department of Life Science, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, 171-8501, Japan
| | - Karen S. Renzaglia
- Department of Plant Biology, Southern Illinois University, Illinois, 62901, USA
| | - Péter Szövényi
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, 8008, Switzerland
- Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
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17
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Yeast engineered translucent cell wall to provide its endosymbiont cyanobacteria with light. Arch Microbiol 2020; 202:1317-1325. [PMID: 32140734 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-020-01835-w] [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: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 01/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
In this study, relationship between translucent property of yeast cell wall and occurrence of cyanobacteria inside the yeast vacuole was examined. Microscopic observations on fruit yeast Candida tropicalis showed occurrence of bacterium-like bodies inside the yeast vacuole. Appearance of vacuoles as distinct cavities indicated the perfect harvesting of light by the yeast's cell wall. Transmission electron microscopy observation showed electron-dense outer and electron-lucent inner layers in yeast cell wall. Cyanobacteria-specific 16S rRNA gene was amplified from total DNA of yeast. Cultivation of yeast in distilled water led to excision of intracellular bacteria which grew on cyanobacteria-specific medium. Examination of wet mount and Gram-stained preparations of excised bacteria showed typical bead-like trichomes. Amplification of cyanobacteria-specific genes, 16S rRNA, cnfR and dxcf, confirmed bacterial identity as Leptolyngbya boryana. These results showed that translucent cell wall of yeast has been engineered through evolution for receiving light for vital activities of cyanobacteria.
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18
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Li FW, Nishiyama T, Waller M, Frangedakis E, Keller J, Li Z, Fernandez-Pozo N, Barker MS, Bennett T, Blázquez MA, Cheng S, Cuming AC, de Vries J, de Vries S, Delaux PM, Diop IS, Harrison CJ, Hauser D, Hernández-García J, Kirbis A, Meeks JC, Monte I, Mutte SK, Neubauer A, Quandt D, Robison T, Shimamura M, Rensing SA, Villarreal JC, Weijers D, Wicke S, Wong GKS, Sakakibara K, Szövényi P. Anthoceros genomes illuminate the origin of land plants and the unique biology of hornworts. NATURE PLANTS 2020; 6:259-272. [PMID: 32170292 PMCID: PMC8075897 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-020-0618-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Hornworts comprise a bryophyte lineage that diverged from other extant land plants >400 million years ago and bears unique biological features, including a distinct sporophyte architecture, cyanobacterial symbiosis and a pyrenoid-based carbon-concentrating mechanism (CCM). Here, we provide three high-quality genomes of Anthoceros hornworts. Phylogenomic analyses place hornworts as a sister clade to liverworts plus mosses with high support. The Anthoceros genomes lack repeat-dense centromeres as well as whole-genome duplication, and contain a limited transcription factor repertoire. Several genes involved in angiosperm meristem and stomatal function are conserved in Anthoceros and upregulated during sporophyte development, suggesting possible homologies at the genetic level. We identified candidate genes involved in cyanobacterial symbiosis and found that LCIB, a Chlamydomonas CCM gene, is present in hornworts but absent in other plant lineages, implying a possible conserved role in CCM function. We anticipate that these hornwort genomes will serve as essential references for future hornwort research and comparative studies across land plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fay-Wei Li
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY, USA.
- Plant Biology Section, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Tomoaki Nishiyama
- Advanced Science Research Center, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Manuel Waller
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Jean Keller
- LRSV, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS Castanet-Tolosan, Toulouse, France
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | - Michael S Barker
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Tom Bennett
- Centre for Plant Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Miguel A Blázquez
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, CSIC-Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Shifeng Cheng
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Andrew C Cuming
- Centre for Plant Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Jan de Vries
- Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, Department of Applied Bioinformatics, Georg-August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sophie de Vries
- Institute of Population Genetics, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Pierre-Marc Delaux
- LRSV, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS Castanet-Tolosan, Toulouse, France
| | - Issa S Diop
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - C Jill Harrison
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Jorge Hernández-García
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, CSIC-Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Alexander Kirbis
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - John C Meeks
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Isabel Monte
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sumanth K Mutte
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Anna Neubauer
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dietmar Quandt
- Nees Institute for Biodiversity of Plants, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Tanner Robison
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Plant Biology Section, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Masaki Shimamura
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Stefan A Rensing
- Faculty of Biology, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Juan Carlos Villarreal
- Department of Biology, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Panamá
| | - Dolf Weijers
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Susann Wicke
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Muenster, Münster, Germany
| | - Gane K-S Wong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | | | - Péter Szövényi
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, Zurich, Switzerland.
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19
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Gale GAR, Schiavon Osorio AA, Mills LA, Wang B, Lea-Smith DJ, McCormick AJ. Emerging Species and Genome Editing Tools: Future Prospects in Cyanobacterial Synthetic Biology. Microorganisms 2019; 7:E409. [PMID: 31569579 PMCID: PMC6843473 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7100409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Revised: 09/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in synthetic biology and an emerging algal biotechnology market have spurred a prolific increase in the availability of molecular tools for cyanobacterial research. Nevertheless, work to date has focused primarily on only a small subset of model species, which arguably limits fundamental discovery and applied research towards wider commercialisation. Here, we review the requirements for uptake of new strains, including several recently characterised fast-growing species and promising non-model species. Furthermore, we discuss the potential applications of new techniques available for transformation, genetic engineering and regulation, including an up-to-date appraisal of current Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR associated protein (CRISPR/Cas) and CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) research in cyanobacteria. We also provide an overview of several exciting molecular tools that could be ported to cyanobacteria for more advanced metabolic engineering approaches (e.g., genetic circuit design). Lastly, we introduce a forthcoming mutant library for the model species Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 that promises to provide a further powerful resource for the cyanobacterial research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant A R Gale
- Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK.
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK.
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK.
| | - Alejandra A Schiavon Osorio
- Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK.
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK.
| | - Lauren A Mills
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK.
| | - Baojun Wang
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK.
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK.
| | - David J Lea-Smith
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK.
| | - Alistair J McCormick
- Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK.
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK.
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20
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Chang ACG, Chen T, Li N, Duan J. Perspectives on Endosymbiosis in Coralloid Roots: Association of Cycads and Cyanobacteria. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1888. [PMID: 31474965 PMCID: PMC6702271 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Past endosymbiotic events allowed photosynthetic organisms to flourish and evolve in terrestrial areas. The precursor of chloroplasts was an ancient photosynthetic cyanobacterium. Presently, cyanobacteria are still capable of establishing successful symbioses in a wide range of hosts. One particular host plant among the gymnosperms is cycads (Order Cycadales) in which a special type of root system, referred to as coralloid roots, develops to house symbiotic cyanobacteria. A number of studies have explained coralloid root formation and cyanobiont invasion but the questions on mechanisms of this host-microbe association remains vague. Most researches focus on diversity of symbionts in coralloid roots but equally important is to explore the underlying mechanisms of cycads-Nostoc symbiosis as well. Besides providing an overview of relevant areas presently known about this association and citing putative genes involved in cycad-cyanobacteria symbioses, this paper aims to identify the limitations that hamper attempts to get to the root of the matter and suggests future research directions that may prove useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee Caye G. Chang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Nan Li
- Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jun Duan
- South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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21
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Dehm D, Krumbholz J, Baunach M, Wiebach V, Hinrichs K, Guljamow A, Tabuchi T, Jenke-Kodama H, Süssmuth RD, Dittmann E. Unlocking the Spatial Control of Secondary Metabolism Uncovers Hidden Natural Product Diversity in Nostoc punctiforme. ACS Chem Biol 2019; 14:1271-1279. [PMID: 31091070 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Filamentous cyanobacteria belong to the most prolific producers of structurally unique and biologically active natural products, yet the majority of biosynthetic gene clusters predicted for these multicellular collectives are currently orphan. Here, we present a systems analysis of secondary metabolite gene expression in the model strain Nostoc punctiforme PCC73102 using RNA-seq and fluorescence reporter analysis. Our data demonstrate that the majority of the cryptic gene clusters are not silent but are expressed with regular or sporadic pattern. Cultivation of N. punctiforme using high-density fermentation overrules the spatial control and leads to a pronounced upregulation of more than 50% of biosynthetic gene clusters. Our data suggest that a combination of autocrine factors, a high CO2 level, and high light account for the upregulation of individual pathways. Our overarching study not only sheds light on the strategies of filamentous cyanobacteria to share the enormous metabolic burden connected with the production of specialized molecules but provides an avenue for the genome-based discovery of natural products in multicellular cyanobacteria as exemplified by the discovery of highly unusual variants of the tricyclic peptide microviridin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Dehm
- University of Potsdam , Institute for Biochemistry and Biology , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24/25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| | - Julia Krumbholz
- University of Potsdam , Institute for Biochemistry and Biology , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24/25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| | - Martin Baunach
- University of Potsdam , Institute for Biochemistry and Biology , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24/25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| | - Vincent Wiebach
- Fakultät II - Institut für Chemie , Technische Universität Berlin , Straße des 17. Juni 124 , 10623 Berlin , Germany
| | - Katrin Hinrichs
- University of Potsdam , Institute for Biochemistry and Biology , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24/25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| | - Arthur Guljamow
- University of Potsdam , Institute for Biochemistry and Biology , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24/25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| | - Takeshi Tabuchi
- Microbiology and Biochemistry of Secondary Metabolites Unit . Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology , Tancha 1919-1 , Onna-son , 904-0495 Okinawa , Japan
| | - Holger Jenke-Kodama
- Microbiology and Biochemistry of Secondary Metabolites Unit . Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology , Tancha 1919-1 , Onna-son , 904-0495 Okinawa , Japan
| | - Roderich D Süssmuth
- Fakultät II - Institut für Chemie , Technische Universität Berlin , Straße des 17. Juni 124 , 10623 Berlin , Germany
| | - Elke Dittmann
- University of Potsdam , Institute for Biochemistry and Biology , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24/25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
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22
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Aguilar P, Dorador C, Vila I, Sommaruga R. Bacterial Communities Associated With Spherical Nostoc Macrocolonies. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:483. [PMID: 30949138 PMCID: PMC6437075 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Species of the genus Nostoc (Cyanobacteria) can form large colonies of up to several centimeters in diameter that may represent a unique habitat for bacteria in freshwaters. Bacteria inside the colony are probably segregated from the surrounding water and largely dependent on the metabolism of this primary producer. However, the existence of a specific bacterial community associated with free-living representatives of Nostoc from lakes and streams is unknown. Here, we studied large Nostoc spp. colonies (ca. 2-10 cm in diameter) from two adjacent, high altitude aquatic environments and assessed the diversity, and community composition of the bacterial community associated with the inner gelatinous matrix (GM). Further, we compared this community with that of the lake's littoral zone where the colonies live or with the outer layer (OL) of the colony in samples collected from a stream. Alpha bacterial diversity in the inner GM of the colonies from both sites was lower than in the littoral zone or than in the OL. Significant differences in community composition were found between the inner and the OL, as well as between the inner GM, and the littoral zone. Further, these differences were supported by the putative metabolic processes of the bacterial communities. Our results indicate the existence of a specific bacterial community inside macrocolonies of Nostoc spp. and also imply that the inner environment exerts a strong selection. Finally, these large colonies represent not only a unique habitat, but probably also a hotspot of bacterial activity in an otherwise oligotrophic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Aguilar
- Lake and Glacier Ecology Research Group, Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Cristina Dorador
- Laboratorio de Complejidad Microbiana y Ecología Funcional, Instituto Antofagasta, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (CeBiB), Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Irma Vila
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ruben Sommaruga
- Lake and Glacier Ecology Research Group, Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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23
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Pokharel R, Gerrits R, Schuessler JA, Frings PJ, Sobotka R, Gorbushina AA, von Blanckenburg F. Magnesium Stable Isotope Fractionation on a Cellular Level Explored by Cyanobacteria and Black Fungi with Implications for Higher Plants. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:12216-12224. [PMID: 30351034 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b02238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
In a controlled growth experiment we found that the cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme has a bulk cell 26Mg/24Mg ratio (expressed as δ26Mg) that is -0.27‰ lower than the growth solution at a pH of ca. 5.9. This contrasts with a recently published δ26Mg value that was 0.65‰ higher than growth solution for the black fungus Knufia petricola at similar laboratory conditions, interpreted to reflect loss of 24Mg during cell growth. By a mass balance model constrained by δ26Mg in chlorophyll extract we inferred the δ26 Mg value of the main Mg compartments in a cyanobacteria cell: free cytosolic Mg (-2.64‰), chlorophyll (1.85‰), and the nonchlorophyll-bonded Mg compartments like ATP and ribosomes (-0.64‰). The lower δ26Mg found in Nostoc punctiforme would thus result from the absence of significant Mg efflux during cell growth in combination with either (a) discrimination against 26Mg during uptake by desolvation of Mg or transport across protein channels or (b) discrimination against 24Mg in the membrane transporter during efflux. The model predicts the preferential incorporation of 26Mg in cells and plant organs low in Mg and the absence of isotope fractionation in those high in Mg, corroborated by a compilation of Mg isotope ratios from fungi, bacteria, and higher plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasesh Pokharel
- GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences , Section 3.3, Earth Surface Geochemistry, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam , Germany
- Institute of Geological Sciences , Freie Universität Berlin , 12249 Berlin , Germany
| | - Ruben Gerrits
- Department 4, Materials & Environment , BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research & Testing , 12205 Berlin , Germany
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy , Freie Universität Berlin , 14195 Berlin , Germany
| | - Jan A Schuessler
- GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences , Section 3.3, Earth Surface Geochemistry, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Patrick J Frings
- GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences , Section 3.3, Earth Surface Geochemistry, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Roman Sobotka
- Institute of Microbiology , Centre Algatech , 379 81 Třebon , Czech Republic
| | - Anna A Gorbushina
- Institute of Geological Sciences , Freie Universität Berlin , 12249 Berlin , Germany
- Department 4, Materials & Environment , BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research & Testing , 12205 Berlin , Germany
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy , Freie Universität Berlin , 14195 Berlin , Germany
| | - Friedhelm von Blanckenburg
- GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences , Section 3.3, Earth Surface Geochemistry, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam , Germany
- Institute of Geological Sciences , Freie Universität Berlin , 12249 Berlin , Germany
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24
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Basheva D, Moten D, Stoyanov P, Belkinova D, Mladenov R, Teneva I. Content of phycoerythrin, phycocyanin, alophycocyanin and phycoerythrocyanin in some cyanobacterial strains: Applications. Eng Life Sci 2018; 18:861-866. [PMID: 32624879 PMCID: PMC6999198 DOI: 10.1002/elsc.201800035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are unique prokaryotes, which are capable to perform oxygenic photosynthesis. Within these organisms, phycobilisomes (PBS) act as an antenna of the photosynthetic pigment apparatus. Phycobilisomes contain several phycobiliproteins (PBP): phycoerythrin (PE), phycocyanin (PC), allophycocyanin (APC) and phycoerythrocyanin (PEC). The application of phycobiliproteins in the biotechnology, food industry and medicine during the last years is rapidly increasing. The aim of our study was to assess the qualitative and quantitative content of phycoerythrin, phycocyanin, allophycocyanin and phycoerythrocyanin in 14 cyanobacterial strains kept in Plovdiv Algal Culture Collection (PACC) and 4 strains purchased from the Culture Collection of Autotrophic Organisms (CCALA). Our data demonstrated that three strains of Microcoleus autumnalis (PACC 5505, PACC 5522 and PACC 5527) have high potential to produce phycoerythrins (0.132, 0.201 and 0.136 mg/mL, respectively). Similarly, one Microcoleus autumnalis strain (PACC 5522) and one strain of Leptolyngbya boryana (CCALA 084) are suitable for biotechnological production of phycocyanins (0.051 and 0.264 mg/mL, respectively) as well as allophycocyanins (0.102 and 0.171 mg/mL, respectively). In addition, the data about the pigment content could be used as a biochemical marker for taxonomic purposes within the group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diyana Basheva
- Department of Botany and Teaching Methods in BiologyUniversity of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski”PlovdivBulgaria
| | - Dzhemal Moten
- Department of Developmental BiologyUniversity of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski”PlovdivBulgaria
| | - Plamen Stoyanov
- Department of Botany and Teaching Methods in BiologyUniversity of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski”PlovdivBulgaria
| | - Detelina Belkinova
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem ResearchBulgarian Academy of SciencesSofiaBulgaria
| | - Rumen Mladenov
- Department of Botany and Teaching Methods in BiologyUniversity of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski”PlovdivBulgaria
| | - Ivanka Teneva
- Department of Botany and Teaching Methods in BiologyUniversity of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski”PlovdivBulgaria
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Feathermoss and epiphytic Nostoc cooperate differently: expanding the spectrum of plant-cyanobacteria symbiosis. ISME JOURNAL 2017; 11:2821-2833. [PMID: 28800136 PMCID: PMC5702739 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2017.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Dinitrogen (N2)-fixation by cyanobacteria in symbiosis with feathermosses is the primary pathway of biological nitrogen (N) input into boreal forests. Despite its significance, little is known about the cyanobacterial gene repertoire and regulatory rewiring needed for the establishment and maintenance of the symbiosis. To determine gene acquisitions and regulatory changes allowing cyanobacteria to form and maintain this symbiosis, we compared genomically closely related symbiotic-competent and -incompetent Nostoc strains using a proteogenomics approach and an experimental set up allowing for controlled chemical and physical contact between partners. Thirty-two gene families were found only in the genomes of symbiotic strains, including some never before associated with cyanobacterial symbiosis. We identified conserved orthologs that were differentially expressed in symbiotic strains, including protein families involved in chemotaxis and motility, NO regulation, sulfate/phosphate transport, and glycosyl-modifying and oxidative stress-mediating exoenzymes. The physical moss–cyanobacteria epiphytic symbiosis is distinct from other cyanobacteria–plant symbioses, with Nostoc retaining motility, and lacking modulation of N2-fixation, photosynthesis, GS-GOGAT cycle and heterocyst formation. The results expand our knowledge base of plant–cyanobacterial symbioses, provide a model of information and material exchange in this ecologically significant symbiosis, and suggest new currencies, namely nitric oxide and aliphatic sulfonates, may be involved in establishing and maintaining the cyanobacteria–feathermoss symbiosis.
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Lack of Methylated Hopanoids Renders the Cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme Sensitive to Osmotic and pH Stress. Appl Environ Microbiol 2017; 83:AEM.00777-17. [PMID: 28455341 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00777-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
To investigate the function of 2-methylhopanoids in modern cyanobacteria, the hpnP gene coding for the radical S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) methylase protein that acts on the C-2 position of hopanoids was deleted from the filamentous cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme ATCC 29133S. The resulting ΔhpnP mutant lacked all 2-methylhopanoids but was found to produce much higher levels of two bacteriohopanepentol isomers than the wild type. Growth rates of the ΔhpnP mutant cultures were not significantly different from those of the wild type under standard growth conditions. Akinete formation was also not impeded by the absence of 2-methylhopanoids. The relative abundances of the different hopanoid structures in akinete-dominated cultures of the wild-type and ΔhpnP mutant strains were similar to those of vegetative cell-dominated cultures. However, the ΔhpnP mutant was found to have decreased growth rates under both pH and osmotic stress, confirming a role for 2-methylhopanoids in stress tolerance. Evidence of elevated photosystem II yield and NAD(P)H-dependent oxidoreductase activity in the ΔhpnP mutant under stress conditions, compared to the wild type, suggested that the absence of 2-methylhopanoids increases cellular metabolic rates under stress conditions.IMPORTANCE As the first group of organisms to develop oxygenic photosynthesis, Cyanobacteria are central to the evolutionary history of life on Earth and the subsequent oxygenation of the atmosphere. To investigate the origin of cyanobacteria and the emergence of oxygenic photosynthesis, geobiologists use biomarkers, the remnants of lipids produced by different organisms that are found in geologic sediments. 2-Methylhopanes have been considered indicative of cyanobacteria in some environmental settings, with the parent lipids 2-methylhopanoids being present in many contemporary cyanobacteria. We have created a Nostoc punctiforme ΔhpnP mutant strain that does not produce 2-methylhopanoids to assess the influence of 2-methylhopanoids on stress tolerance. Increased metabolic activity in the mutant under stress indicates compensatory alterations in metabolism in the absence of 2-methylhopanoids.
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Masukawa H, Sakurai H, Hausinger RP, Inoue K. Increased heterocyst frequency by patN disruption in Anabaena leads to enhanced photobiological hydrogen production at high light intensity and high cell density. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2017; 101:2177-2188. [PMID: 28064366 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-016-8078-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Revised: 11/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The effects of increasing the heterocyst-to-vegetative cell ratio on the nitrogenase-based photobiological hydrogen production by the filamentous heterocyst-forming cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 were studied. Using the uptake hydrogenase-disrupted mutant (ΔHup) as the parent, a deletion-insertion mutant (PN1) was created in patN, known to be involved in heterocyst pattern formation and leading to multiple singular heterocysts (MSH) in Nostoc punctiforme strain ATCC 29133. The PN1 strain showed heterocyst differentiation but failed to grow in medium free of combined-nitrogen; however, a spontaneous mutant (PN22) was obtained on prolonged incubation of PN1 liquid cultures and was able to grow robustly on N2. The disruption of patN was confirmed in both PN1 and PN22 by PCR and whole genome resequencing. Under combined-nitrogen limitation, the percentage of heterocysts to total cells in the PN22 filaments was 13-15 and 16-18% under air and 1% CO2-enriched air, respectively, in contrast to the parent ΔHup which formed 6.5-11 and 9.7-13% heterocysts in these conditions. The PN22 strain exhibited a MSH phenotype, normal diazotrophic growth, and higher H2 productivity at high cell concentrations, and was less susceptible to photoinhibition by strong light than the parent ΔHup strain, resulting in greater light energy utilization efficiency in H2 production on a per unit area basis under high light conditions. The increase in MSH frequency shown here appears to be a viable strategy for enhancing H2 productivity by outdoor cultures of cyanobacteria in high-light environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajime Masukawa
- The OCU Advanced Research Institute for Natural Science and Technology (OCARINA), Osaka City University, 3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka, 558-8585, Japan.
| | - Hidehiro Sakurai
- Research Institute for Photobiological Hydrogen Production, Kanagawa University, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, 259-1293, Japan
| | - Robert P Hausinger
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Kazuhito Inoue
- Research Institute for Photobiological Hydrogen Production, Kanagawa University, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, 259-1293, Japan.,Department of Biological Sciences, Kanagawa University, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, 259-1293, Japan
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Sure S, Torriero AAJ, Gaur A, Li LH, Chen Y, Tripathi C, Adholeya A, Ackland ML, Kochar M. Identification and topographical characterisation of microbial nanowires in Nostoc punctiforme. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2016; 109:475-80. [PMID: 26754102 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-015-0644-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular pili-like structures (PLS) produced by cyanobacteria have been poorly explored. We have done detailed topographical and electrical characterisation of PLS in Nostoc punctiforme PCC 73120 using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and conductive atomic force microscopy (CAFM). TEM analysis showed that N. punctiforme produces two separate types of PLS differing in their length and diameter. The first type of PLS are 6-7.5 nm in diameter and 0.5-2 µm in length (short/thin PLS) while the second type of PLS are ~20-40 nm in diameter and more than 10 µm long (long/thick PLS). This is the first study to report long/thick PLS in N. punctiforme. Electrical characterisation of these two different PLS by CAFM showed that both are electrically conductive and can act as microbial nanowires. This is the first report to show two distinct PLS and also identifies microbial nanowires in N. punctiforme. This study paves the way for more detailed investigation of N. punctiforme nanowires and their potential role in cell physiology and symbiosis with plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Sure
- TERI-Deakin Nanobiotechnology Centre, TERI Gram, The Energy and Resources Institute, Gual Pahari, Gurgaon-Faridabad Road, Gurgaon, Haryana, 122 001, India
| | - Angel A J Torriero
- Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Melbourne, VIC, 3125, Australia
| | - Aditya Gaur
- TERI-Deakin Nanobiotechnology Centre, TERI Gram, The Energy and Resources Institute, Gual Pahari, Gurgaon-Faridabad Road, Gurgaon, Haryana, 122 001, India
| | - Lu Hua Li
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
| | - Ying Chen
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
| | - Chandrakant Tripathi
- TERI-Deakin Nanobiotechnology Centre, TERI Gram, The Energy and Resources Institute, Gual Pahari, Gurgaon-Faridabad Road, Gurgaon, Haryana, 122 001, India
| | - Alok Adholeya
- TERI-Deakin Nanobiotechnology Centre, TERI Gram, The Energy and Resources Institute, Gual Pahari, Gurgaon-Faridabad Road, Gurgaon, Haryana, 122 001, India
| | - M Leigh Ackland
- Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Melbourne, VIC, 3125, Australia
| | - Mandira Kochar
- TERI-Deakin Nanobiotechnology Centre, TERI Gram, The Energy and Resources Institute, Gual Pahari, Gurgaon-Faridabad Road, Gurgaon, Haryana, 122 001, India.
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Weston DJ, Timm CM, Walker AP, Gu L, Muchero W, Schmutz J, Shaw AJ, Tuskan GA, Warren JM, Wullschleger SD. Sphagnum physiology in the context of changing climate: emergent influences of genomics, modelling and host-microbiome interactions on understanding ecosystem function. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2015; 38:1737-1751. [PMID: 25266403 DOI: 10.1111/pce.12458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2014] [Revised: 09/16/2014] [Accepted: 09/18/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Peatlands harbour more than one-third of terrestrial carbon leading to the argument that the bryophytes, as major components of peatland ecosystems, store more organic carbon in soils than any other collective plant taxa. Plants of the genus Sphagnum are important components of peatland ecosystems and are potentially vulnerable to changing climatic conditions. However, the response of Sphagnum to rising temperatures, elevated CO2 and shifts in local hydrology have yet to be fully characterized. In this review, we examine Sphagnum biology and ecology and explore the role of this group of keystone species and its associated microbiome in carbon and nitrogen cycling using literature review and model simulations. Several issues are highlighted including the consequences of a variable environment on plant-microbiome interactions, uncertainty associated with CO2 diffusion resistances and the relationship between fixed N and that partitioned to the photosynthetic apparatus. We note that the Sphagnum fallax genome is currently being sequenced and outline potential applications of population-level genomics and corresponding plant photosynthesis and microbial metabolic modelling techniques. We highlight Sphagnum as a model organism to explore ecosystem response to a changing climate and to define the role that Sphagnum can play at the intersection of physiology, genetics and functional genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Weston
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Collin M Timm
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Anthony P Walker
- Environmental Sciences Division and Climate Change Science Institute, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Lianhong Gu
- Environmental Sciences Division and Climate Change Science Institute, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Wellington Muchero
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Jeremy Schmutz
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, CA, 94598, USA
- HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, 35806, USA
| | - A Jonathan Shaw
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Gerald A Tuskan
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Warren
- Environmental Sciences Division and Climate Change Science Institute, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Stan D Wullschleger
- Environmental Sciences Division and Climate Change Science Institute, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
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Liaimer A, Helfrich EJN, Hinrichs K, Guljamow A, Ishida K, Hertweck C, Dittmann E. Nostopeptolide plays a governing role during cellular differentiation of the symbiotic cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:1862-7. [PMID: 25624477 PMCID: PMC4330735 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1419543112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Nostoc punctiforme is a versatile cyanobacterium that can live either independently or in symbiosis with plants from distinct taxa. Chemical cues from plants and N. punctiforme were shown to stimulate or repress, respectively, the differentiation of infectious motile filaments known as hormogonia. We have used a polyketide synthase mutant that accumulates an elevated amount of hormogonia as a tool to understand the effect of secondary metabolites on cellular differentiation of N. punctiforme. Applying MALDI imaging to illustrate the reprogramming of the secondary metabolome, nostopeptolides were identified as the predominant difference in the pks2(-) mutant secretome. Subsequent differentiation assays and visualization of cell-type-specific expression of nostopeptolides via a transcriptional reporter strain provided evidence for a multifaceted role of nostopeptolides, either as an autogenic hormogonium-repressing factor or as a chemoattractant, depending on its extracellular concentration. Although nostopeptolide is constitutively expressed in the free-living state, secreted levels dynamically change before, during, and after the hormogonium differentiation phase. The metabolite was found to be strictly down-regulated in symbiosis with Gunnera manicata and Blasia pusilla, whereas other metabolites are up-regulated, as demonstrated via MALDI imaging, suggesting plants modulate the fine-balanced cross-talk network of secondary metabolites within N. punctiforme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Liaimer
- Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, Molecular Environments Group, University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Eric J N Helfrich
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany; and
| | - Katrin Hinrichs
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, Department of Microbiology, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Arthur Guljamow
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, Department of Microbiology, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Keishi Ishida
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany; and
| | - Christian Hertweck
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany; and
| | - Elke Dittmann
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, Department of Microbiology, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
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Chen W, Lee MK, Jefcoate C, Kim SC, Chen F, Yu JH. Fungal cytochrome p450 monooxygenases: their distribution, structure, functions, family expansion, and evolutionary origin. Genome Biol Evol 2014; 6:1620-34. [PMID: 24966179 PMCID: PMC4122930 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evu132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytochrome P450 (CYP) monooxygenase superfamily contributes a broad array of biological functions in living organisms. In fungi, CYPs play diverse and pivotal roles in versatile metabolism and fungal adaptation to specific ecological niches. In this report, CYPomes in the 47 genomes of fungi belong to the phyla Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, and Zygomycota have been studied. The comparison of fungal CYPomes suggests that generally fungi possess abundant CYPs belonging to a variety of families with the two global families CYP51 and CYP61, indicating individuation of CYPomes during the evolution of fungi. Fungal CYPs show highly conserved characteristic motifs, but very low overall sequence similarities. The characteristic motifs of fungal CYPs are distinguishable from those of CYPs in animals, plants, and especially archaea and bacteria. The four representative motifs contribute to the general function of CYPs. Fungal CYP51s and CYP61s can be used as the models for the substrate recognition sites analysis. The CYP proteins are clustered into 15 clades and the phylogenetic analyses suggest that the wide variety of fungal CYPs has mainly arisen from gene duplication. Two large duplication events might have been associated with the booming of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. In addition, horizontal gene transfer also contributes to the diversification of fungal CYPs. Finally, a possible evolutionary scenario for fungal CYPs along with fungal divergences is proposed. Our results provide the fundamental information for a better understanding of CYP distribution, structure and function, and new insights into the evolutionary events of fungal CYPs along with the evolution of fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanping Chen
- Department of Food Microbiology, College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, ChinaDepartment of Bacteriology and Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | - Mi-Kyung Lee
- Department of Bacteriology and Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | - Colin Jefcoate
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | - Sun-Chang Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Dae-Jon, Republic of Korea
| | - Fusheng Chen
- Department of Food Microbiology, College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jae-Hyuk Yu
- Department of Bacteriology and Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Brash AR, Niraula NP, Boeglin WE, Mashhadi Z. An ancient relative of cyclooxygenase in cyanobacteria is a linoleate 10S-dioxygenase that works in tandem with a catalase-related protein with specific 10S-hydroperoxide lyase activity. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:13101-11. [PMID: 24659780 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.555904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In the course of exploring the scope of catalase-related hemoprotein reactivity toward fatty acid hydroperoxides, we detected a novel candidate in the cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme PCC 73102. The immediate neighboring upstream gene, annotated as "cyclooxygenase-2," appeared to be a potential fatty acid heme dioxygenase. We cloned both genes and expressed the cDNAs in Escherichia coli, confirming their hemoprotein character. Oxygen electrode recordings demonstrated a rapid (>100 turnovers/s) reaction of the heme dioxygenase with oleic and linoleic acids. HPLC, including chiral column analysis, UV, and GC-MS of the oxygenated products, identified a novel 10S-dioxygenase activity. The catalase-related hemoprotein reacted rapidly and specifically with linoleate 10S-hydroperoxide (>2,500 turnovers/s) with a hydroperoxide lyase activity specific for the 10S-hydroperoxy enantiomer. The products were identified by NMR as (8E)10-oxo-decenoic acid and the C8 fragments, 1-octen-3-ol and 2Z-octen-1-ol, in ∼3:1 ratio. Chiral HPLC analysis established strict enzymatic control in formation of the 3R alcohol configuration (99% enantiomeric excess) and contrasted with racemic 1-octen-3-ol formed in reaction of linoleate 10S-hydroperoxide with hematin or ferrous ions. The Nostoc linoleate 10S-dioxygenase, the sequence of which contains the signature catalytic sequence of cyclooxygenases and fungal linoleate dioxygenases (YRWH), appears to be a heme dioxygenase ancestor. The novel activity of the lyase expands the known reactions of catalase-related proteins and functions in Nostoc in specific transformation of the 10S-hydroperoxylinoleate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan R Brash
- From the Department of Pharmacology and the Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232
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Sprent JI, Meeks JC. Cyanobacterial nitrogen fixation in association with feather mosses: moss as boss? THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2013; 200:5-6. [PMID: 24032564 DOI: 10.1111/nph.12449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Janet I Sprent
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Dundee at JHI, Dundee, DD2 5DA, UK
| | - John C Meeks
- College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, 209 Briggs Hall, CA, 95616, USA
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Occurrence of cyclic di-GMP-modulating output domains in cyanobacteria: an illuminating perspective. mBio 2013; 4:mBio.00451-13. [PMID: 23943760 PMCID: PMC3747582 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00451-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms use a variety of metabolites to respond to external stimuli, including second messengers that amplify primary signals and elicit biochemical changes in a cell. Levels of the second messenger cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP) are regulated by a variety of environmental stimuli and play a critical role in regulating cellular processes such as biofilm formation and cellular motility. Cyclic di-GMP signaling systems have been largely characterized in pathogenic bacteria; however, proteins that can impact the synthesis or degradation of c-di-GMP are prominent in cyanobacterial species and yet remain largely underexplored. In cyanobacteria, many putative c-di-GMP synthesis or degradation domains are found in genes that also harbor light-responsive signal input domains, suggesting that light is an important signal for altering c-di-GMP homeostasis. Indeed, c-di-GMP-associated domains are often the second most common output domain in photoreceptors—outnumbered only by a histidine kinase output domain. Cyanobacteria differ from other bacteria regarding the number and types of photoreceptor domains associated with c-di-GMP domains. Due to the widespread distribution of c-di-GMP domains in cyanobacteria, we investigated the evolutionary origin of a subset of genes. Phylogenetic analyses showed that c-di-GMP signaling systems were present early in cyanobacteria and c-di-GMP genes were both vertically and horizontally inherited during their evolution. Finally, we compared intracellular levels of c-di-GMP in two cyanobacterial species under different light qualities, confirming that light is an important factor for regulating this second messenger in vivo. This study shows that many proteins containing cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP)-regulatory domains in cyanobacteria are associated with photoreceptor domains. Although the functional roles of c-di-GMP domain-containing proteins in cyanobacteria are only beginning to emerge, the abundance of these multidomain proteins in cyanobacteria that occupy diverse habitats ranging from freshwater to marine to soil environments suggests an important role for the regulation of c-di-GMP in these organisms. Indeed, we showed that light distinctly regulates c-di-GMP levels in Fremyella diplosiphon and Synechocystis sp. strain PCC6803. Our findings are consistent with the occurrence of c-di-GMP domains based on evolutionary origin and as an adaptation to specific habitat characteristics. Phylogenetic analyses of these domains clearly separate two distinctive clades, one composed of domains belonging predominantly to cyanobacteria and the other belonging to a mix of cyanobacteria and other bacteria. We further demonstrate that in cyanobacteria the acquisition of c-di-GMP signaling domains occurred both vertically and horizontally.
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Fernández-Martínez MA, de Los Ríos A, Sancho LG, Pérez-Ortega S. Diversity of endosymbiotic Nostoc in Gunnera magellanica from Tierra del Fuego, Chile [corrected]. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2013; 66:335-350. [PMID: 23609130 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-013-0223-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2012] [Accepted: 03/20/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Global warming is causing ice retreat in glaciers worldwide, most visibly over the last few decades in some areas of the planet. One of the most affected areas is the region of Tierra del Fuego (southern South America). Vascular plant recolonisation of recently deglaciated areas in this region is initiated by Gunnera magellanica, which forms symbiotic associations with the cyanobacterial genus Nostoc, a trait that likely confers advantages in this colonisation process. This symbiotic association in the genus Gunnera is notable as it represents the only known symbiotic relationship between angiosperms and cyanobacteria. The aim of this work was to study the genetic diversity of the Nostoc symbionts in Gunnera at three different, nested scale levels: specimen, population and region. Three different genomic regions were examined in the study: a fragment of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (16S), the RuBisCO large subunit gene coupled with its promoter sequence and a chaperon-like protein (rbcLX) and the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The identity of Nostoc as the symbiont was confirmed in all the infected rhizome tissue analysed. Strains isolated in the present study were closely related to strains known to form symbioses with other organisms, such as lichen-forming fungi or bryophytes. We found 12 unique haplotypes in the 16S rRNA (small subunit) region analysis, 19 unique haplotypes in the ITS region analysis and 57 in the RuBisCO proteins region (rbcLX). No genetic variability was found among Nostoc symbionts within a single host plant while Nostoc populations among different host plants within a given sampling site revealed major differences. Noteworthy, interpopulation variation was also shown between recently deglaciated soils and more ancient ones, between eastern and western sites and between northern and southern slopes of Cordillera Darwin. The cell structure of the symbiotic relationship was observed with low-temperature scanning electron microscopy, showing changes in morphology of both cyanobiont cells (differentiate more heterocysts) and plant cells (increased size). Developmental stages of the symbiosis, including cell walls and membranes and EPS matrix states, were also observed.
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Santi C, Bogusz D, Franche C. Biological nitrogen fixation in non-legume plants. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2013; 111:743-67. [PMID: 23478942 PMCID: PMC3631332 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mct048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 259] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2012] [Accepted: 01/23/2013] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nitrogen is an essential nutrient in plant growth. The ability of a plant to supply all or part of its requirements from biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) thanks to interactions with endosymbiotic, associative and endophytic symbionts, confers a great competitive advantage over non-nitrogen-fixing plants. SCOPE Because BNF in legumes is well documented, this review focuses on BNF in non-legume plants. Despite the phylogenic and ecological diversity among diazotrophic bacteria and their hosts, tightly regulated communication is always necessary between the microorganisms and the host plant to achieve a successful interaction. Ongoing research efforts to improve knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying these original relationships and some common strategies leading to a successful relationship between the nitrogen-fixing microorganisms and their hosts are presented. CONCLUSIONS Understanding the molecular mechanism of BNF outside the legume-rhizobium symbiosis could have important agronomic implications and enable the use of N-fertilizers to be reduced or even avoided. Indeed, in the short term, improved understanding could lead to more sustainable exploitation of the biodiversity of nitrogen-fixing organisms and, in the longer term, to the transfer of endosymbiotic nitrogen-fixation capacities to major non-legume crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Santi
- Université de Perpignan, Via Domitia, Avenue Paul Alduy, 66100 Perpignan, France
| | - Didier Bogusz
- Equipe Rhizogenèse, UMR DIADE (IRD/UM2), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, 911 Avenue Agropolis, BP64501, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Claudine Franche
- Equipe Rhizogenèse, UMR DIADE (IRD/UM2), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, 911 Avenue Agropolis, BP64501, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
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Olivares J, Bedmar EJ, Sanjuán J. Biological nitrogen fixation in the context of global change. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2013; 26:486-494. [PMID: 23360457 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-12-12-0293-cr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The intensive application of fertilizers during agricultural practices has led to an unprecedented perturbation of the nitrogen cycle, illustrated by the growing accumulation of nitrates in soils and waters and of nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere. Besides increasing use efficiency of current N fertilizers, priority should be given to value the process of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) through more sustainable technologies that reduce the undesired effects of chemical N fertilization of agricultural crops. Wider legume adoption, supported by coordinated legume breeding and inoculation programs are approaches at hand. Also available are biofertilizers based on microbes that help to reduce the needs of N fertilization in important crops like cereals. Engineering the capacity to fix nitrogen in cereals, either by themselves or in symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing microbes, are attractive future options that, nevertheless, require more intensive and internationally coordinated research efforts. Although nitrogen-fixing plants may be less productive, at some point, agriculture must significantly reduce the use of warming (chemically synthesized) N and give priority to BNF if it is to sustain both food production and environmental health for a continuously growing human population.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Olivares
- Dpto. Microbiologia del Suelo y Sistemas Simbioticos, Estacion Experimental del Zaidin, Granada, Spain
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38
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Chua JPS, Wallace EJS, Yardley JA, Duncan EJ, Dearden PK, Summerfield TC. Gene expression indicates a zone of heterocyst differentiation within the thallus of the cyanolichen Pseudocyphellaria crocata. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2012; 196:862-872. [PMID: 22931432 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2012.04272.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2012] [Accepted: 07/11/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Development of the symbiotic association in the bipartite lichen Pseudocyphellaria crocata was investigated by characterizing two regions of the thallus. Thallus organization was examined using microscopy. A HIP1-based differential display technique was modified for use on Nostoc strains, including lichenized strains. Northern hybridization and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to confirm differential display results, and determine expression levels of key cyanobacterial genes. Photosystem II yield across the thallus was measured using pulse-amplitude modulated fluorescence. Microscopy revealed structural differences in the thallus margins compared with the centre and identified putative heterocysts in both regions. Differential display identified altered transcript levels in both Nostoc punctiforme and a lichenized Nostoc strain. Transcript abundance of cox2, atpA, and ribA was increased in the thallus margin compared with the centre. Expression of cox2 is heterocyst specific and expression of other heterocyst-specific genes (hetR and nifK) was elevated in the margin, whereas, expression of psbB and PSII yield were not. Structural organization of the thallus margin differed from the centre. Both regions contained putative heterocysts but gene expression data indicated increased heterocyst differentiation in the margins where photosystem II yield was decreased. This is consistent with a zone of heterocyst differentiation within the thallus margin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyn P S Chua
- Department of Botany, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Emma J S Wallace
- Department of Botany, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Jessica A Yardley
- Department of Botany, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Elizabeth J Duncan
- National Research Centre for Growth and Development and Genetics Otago, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Peter K Dearden
- National Research Centre for Growth and Development and Genetics Otago, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Tina C Summerfield
- Department of Botany, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Chen CP, Tseng CH, Chen CA, Tang SL. The dynamics of microbial partnerships in the coral Isopora palifera. THE ISME JOURNAL 2011; 5:728-40. [PMID: 20962876 PMCID: PMC3105734 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2010.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2010] [Revised: 07/29/2010] [Accepted: 08/18/2010] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Both bacteria and algal symbionts (genus Symbiodinium), the two major microbial partners in the coral holobiont, respond to fluctuations in the environment, according to current reports; however, little evidence yet indicates that both populations have any direct interaction with each other in seasonal fluctuation. In this study, we present field observations of a compositional change in bacteria and Symbiodinium in the coral Isopora palifera in three separate coral colonies following monthly sampling from February to November in 2008. Using massively parallel pyrosequencing, over 200,000 bacterial V6 sequences were classified to build the bacterial community profile; in addition, the relative composition and quantity of Symbiodinium clades C and D were determined by real-time PCR. The results showed that coral-associated bacterial and Symbiodinium communities were highly dynamic and dissimilar among the tagged coral colonies, suggesting that the effect of host specificity was insignificant. The coral-associated bacterial community was more diverse (Shannon index up to 6.71) than previous estimates in other corals and showed rapid seasonal changes. The population ratios between clade C and D groups of Symbiodinium varied in the tagged coral colonies through the different seasons; clade D dominated in most of the samples. Although significant association between bacteria and symbiont was not detected, this study presents a more detailed picture of changes in these two major microbial associates of the coral at the same time, using the latest molecular approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Pin Chen
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hung Tseng
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Bioinformatics Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chaolun A Chen
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sen-Lin Tang
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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40
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Gorbushina AA, Broughton WJ. Microbiology of the atmosphere-rock interface: how biological interactions and physical stresses modulate a sophisticated microbial ecosystem. Annu Rev Microbiol 2009; 63:431-50. [PMID: 19575564 DOI: 10.1146/annurev.micro.091208.073349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Life at the atmosphere-lithosphere boundary is an ancient terrestrial niche that is sparsely covered by thin subaerial biofilms. The microbial inhabitants of these biofilms (a) have adapted to all types of terrestrial/subaerial stresses (e.g., desiccation, extreme temperatures, low nutrient availability, intense solar radiation), (b) interact with minerals that serve as both a dwelling and a source of mineral nutrients, and (c) provoke weathering of rocks and soil formation. Subaerial communities comprise heterotrophic and phototrophic microorganisms that support each other's lifestyle. Major lineages of eubacteria associated with the early colonization of land (e.g., Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria) are present in these habitats along with eukaryotes such as microscopic green algae and ascomycetous fungi. The subaerial biofilm inhabitants have adapted to desiccation, solar radiation, and other environmental challenges by developing protective, melanized cell walls, assuming microcolonial architectures and symbiotic lifestyles. How these changes occurred, their significance in soil formation, and their potential as markers of climate change are discussed below.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna A Gorbushina
- Department IV-Materials and Environment, BAM (Federal Institute for Material Research & Testing), D-Berlin 12205 , Germany.
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41
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Ow SY, Noirel J, Cardona T, Taton A, Lindblad P, Stensjö K, Wright PC. Quantitative overview of N2 fixation in Nostoc punctiforme ATCC 29133 through cellular enrichments and iTRAQ shotgun proteomics. J Proteome Res 2009; 8:187-98. [PMID: 19012430 DOI: 10.1021/pr800285v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Nostoc punctiforme ATCC 29133 is a photoautotrophic cyanobacterium with the capacity to fix atmospheric N 2. Its ability to mediate this process is similar to that described for Nostoc sp. PCC 7120, where vegetative cells differentiate into heterocysts. Quantitative proteomic investigations at both the filament level and the heterocyst level are presented using isobaric tagging technology (iTRAQ), with 721 proteins at the 95% confidence interval quantified across both studies. Observations from both experiments yielded findings confirmatory of both transcriptional studies, and published Nostoc sp. PCC 7120 iTRAQ data. N. punctiforme exhibits similar metabolic trends, though changes in a number of metabolic pathways are less pronounced than in Nostoc sp. PCC 7120. Results also suggest a number of proteins that may benefit from future investigations. These include ATP dependent Zn-proteases, N-reserve degraders and also redox balance proteins. Complementary proteomic data sets from both organisms present key precursor knowledge that is important for future cyanobacterial biohydrogen research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saw Yen Ow
- Biological & Environmental Systems Group, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK
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DNA microarray comparisons of plant factor- and nitrogen deprivation-induced Hormogonia reveal decision-making transcriptional regulation patterns in Nostoc punctiforme. J Bacteriol 2008; 190:7382-91. [PMID: 18790872 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00990-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hormogonia are nongrowing filaments, motile by means of a gliding mechanism, that are produced by certain cyanobacteria. Their differentiation is induced by positive and negative factors for growth, such as deprivation of combined nitrogen (nitrogen stress induction [NSI]). In Nostoc punctiforme, they are also induced by the exudate (hormogonium-inducing factor [HIF]) of a symbiotic plant partner. Time course (0.5 to 24 h) transcription profiles were determined by DNA microarray assays for hormogonia of N. punctiforme following induction by HIF and NSI. Clustering analysis revealed both common and distinct transcriptional patterns for the two methods of induction. By 24 h, a common set of 1,328 genes was identified. This 24-h common set of genes arose by the transition of 474 genes from an 819-member common set of genes at 1 h after induction; 405 and 51 genes unique to the HIF and NSI groups at 1 h, respectively; and 398 genes differentially transcribed at later time points. The NSI hormogonia showed a transcriptional checkpoint at 12 h following induction in which up- and downregulated genes were transiently down- or upregulated, respectively. The transient changes in these 1,043 genes appeared to reflect a switch back to a vegetative growth state. Such a checkpoint was not seen in HIF hormogonia. Genes uniquely upregulated in HIF hormogonia included those encoding proteins hypothesized to synthesize a metabolite repressor of hormogonium differentiation. Approximately 34 to 42% of the 6,893 printed genes were differentially transcribed during hormogonium differentiation; about half of those genes were upregulated, and 1,034 genes responded within 0.5 h after induction. These collective results indicate extensive and rapid global changes in the transcription of specific genes during the differentiation of these specialized filaments.
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Campbell EL, Summers ML, Christman H, Martin ME, Meeks JC. Global gene expression patterns of Nostoc punctiforme in steady-state dinitrogen-grown heterocyst-containing cultures and at single time points during the differentiation of akinetes and hormogonia. J Bacteriol 2007; 189:5247-56. [PMID: 17483217 PMCID: PMC1951844 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00360-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The vegetative cells of the filamentous cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme can differentiate into three mutually exclusive cell types: nitrogen-fixing heterocysts, spore-like akinetes, and motile hormogomium filaments. A DNA microarray consisting of 6,893 N. punctiforme genes was used to identify the global transcription patterns at single time points in the three developmental states, compared to those in ammonium-grown time zero cultures. Analysis of ammonium-grown cultures yielded a transcriptome of 2,935 genes, which is nearly twice the size of a soluble proteome. The NH(4)(+)-grown transcriptome was enriched in genes encoding core metabolic functions. A steady-state N(2)-grown (heterocyst-containing) culture showed differential transcription of 495 genes, 373 of which were up-regulated. The majority of the up-regulated genes were predicted from studies of heterocyst differentiation and N(2) fixation; other genes are candidates for more detailed genetic analysis. Three days into the developmental process, akinetes showed a similar number of differentially expressed genes (497 genes), which were equally up- and down-regulated. The down-regulated genes were enriched in core metabolic functions, consistent with entry into a nongrowth state. There were relatively few adaptive genes up-regulated in 3-day akinetes, and there was little overlap with putative heterocyst developmental genes. There were 1,827 differentially transcribed genes in 24-h hormogonia, which was nearly fivefold greater than the number in akinete-forming or N(2)-fixing cultures. The majority of the up-regulated adaptive genes were genes encoding proteins for signal transduction and transcriptional regulation, which is characteristic of a motile filament that is poised to sense and respond to the environment. The greatest fraction of the 883 down-regulated genes was involved in core metabolism, also consistent with entry into a nongrowth state. The differentiation of heterocysts (steady state, N(2) grown), akinetes, and hormogonia appears to involve the up-regulation of genes distinct for each state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsie L Campbell
- Section of Microbiology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Duggan PS, Gottardello P, Adams DG. Molecular analysis of genes in Nostoc punctiforme involved in pilus biogenesis and plant infection. J Bacteriol 2007; 189:4547-51. [PMID: 17416648 PMCID: PMC1913353 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01927-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hormogonia are the infective agents in many cyanobacterium-plant symbioses. Pilus-like appendages are expressed on the hormogonium surface, and mutations in pil-like genes altered surface piliation and reduced symbiotic competency. This is the first molecular evidence that pilus biogenesis in a filamentous cyanobacterium requires a type IV pilus system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula S Duggan
- Institute of Integrative and Comparative Biology, Garstang Building, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
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45
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DeLuca TH, Zackrisson O, Gentili F, Sellstedt A, Nilsson MC. Ecosystem controls on nitrogen fixation in boreal feather moss communities. Oecologia 2007; 152:121-30. [PMID: 17219131 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-006-0626-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2006] [Accepted: 11/20/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
N fixation in feather moss carpets is maximized in late secondary successional boreal forests; however, there is limited understanding of the ecosystem factors that drive cyanobacterial N fixation in feather mosses with successional stage. We conducted a reciprocal transplant experiment to assess factors in both early and late succession that control N fixation in feather moss carpets dominated by Pleurozium schreberi. In 2003, intact microplots of moss carpets (30 cm x 30 cm x 10-20 cm deep) were excavated from three early secondary successional (41-101 years since last fire) forest sites and either replanted within the same stand or transplanted into one of three late successional (241-356 years since last fire) forest sites and the transverse was done for late successional layers of moss. Moss plots were monitored for changes in N-fixation rates by acetylene reduction (June 2003-September 2005) and changes in the presence of cyanobacteria on moss shoots by microscopy (2004). Forest nutrient status was measured using ionic resin capsules buried in the humus layer. Late successional forests exhibit high rates of N fixation and consistently high numbers of cyanobacteria on moss shoots, but low levels of available N. Conversely, early successional forests have higher N availability and have low rates of N fixation and limited presence of cyanobacteria on moss shoots. Transplantation of moss carpets resulted in a significant shift in presence and activity of cyanobacteria 1 year after initiation of the experiment responding to N fertility differences in early versus late successional forests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas H DeLuca
- Ecology and Economics Research Department, The Wilderness Society, Washington, D.C., USA.
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46
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Physiological Adaptations in Nitrogen-fixing Nostoc–Plant Symbiotic Associations. MICROBIOLOGY MONOGRAPHS 2007. [DOI: 10.1007/7171_2007_101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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47
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Liba CM, Ferrara FIS, Manfio GP, Fantinatti-Garboggini F, Albuquerque RC, Pavan C, Ramos PL, Moreira-Filho CA, Barbosa HR. Nitrogen-fixing chemo-organotrophic bacteria isolated from cyanobacteria-deprived lichens and their ability to solubilize phosphate and to release amino acids and phytohormones. J Appl Microbiol 2006; 101:1076-86. [PMID: 17040231 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2006.03010.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Cyanobacteria-deprived lichens of the species Canoparmelia caroliniana, Canoparmelia crozalsiana, Canoparmelia texana, Parmotrema sancti-angeli and Parmotrema tinctorum were screened for the presence of chemo-organotrophic nitrogen-fixing bacteria. METHODS AND RESULTS Fifty-three lichen samples subjected to enrichment selection using a nitrogen-free minimal medium were positive for acetylene reduction. Seventeen isolates, able to fix nitrogen, belonged to Gamma-proteobacteria group and were identified as: Acinetobacter sp., Pantoea sp., Pseudomonas sp., Pseudomonas stutzeri, Serratia marcescens and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, according to 16S rRNA gene sequences and biochemical tests. The excretion of amino acid and phytohormone and the ability of mineral phosphate solubilization were determined in 14 isolates. All isolates were able to release amino acids and 3-indoleacetic acid. About 64% of the isolates solubilized phosphates and 30% released ethylene. CONCLUSIONS These data confirm sparse evidence from the literature on the occurrence of chemo-organotrophic nitrogen-fixing bacteria in cyanobacteria-deprived lichens; the isolates presented physiologic features which might benefit the host if they are expressed when the bacteria are harboured by lichens. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Chemo-organotrophic nitrogen-fixing bacteria were isolated from a high percentage (72.6%) of cyanobacteria-deprived lichens. All isolates presented important physiological characteristics, some of which are being described here for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Liba
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Villarreal A JC, Renzaglia KS. Structure and development of Nostoc strands in Leiosporoceros dussii (Anthocerotophyta): a novel symbiosis in land plants. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2006; 93:693-705. [PMID: 21642133 DOI: 10.3732/ajb.93.5.693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The presence of Nostoc in longitudinally oriented schizogenous canals is a feature that separates Leiosporoceros from all other hornworts and represents a novel symbiotic arrangement in land plants. In surface view, Nostoc canals are visible as elongated, dichotomously branched blue-green strands. All other hornworts develop numerous discrete globose colonies through continuous production of mucilage clefts as avenues for multiple invasions within a single thallus. To elucidate the anatomy and development of the unusual Nostoc strands in Leiosporoceros, we examined sporeling development in culture and the structure of strands in field-collected plants using light and electron microscopy. Rosette-like sporelings have mucilage clefts scattered along swollen apices. All field specimens were strap-shaped, contained Nostoc, and lacked mucilage clefts. Nostoc strands are located in the center of the thallus and develop behind the apical cell by separation of the middle lamella between apical derivatives. Strands elongate and branch in synchrony with apical growth, and thus only a single invasion is required for strand production. Two distinct ultrastructural morphotypes in the collections suggest nonspecificity of Nostoc. We speculate that Nostoc enters the thallus in the sporeling stage through mucilage clefts, and once colonies are established, cleft production ceases.
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Chiu WL, Peters GA, Levieille G, Still PC, Cousins S, Osborne B, Elhai J. Nitrogen deprivation stimulates symbiotic gland development in Gunnera manicata. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2005; 139:224-30. [PMID: 16113217 PMCID: PMC1203372 DOI: 10.1104/pp.105.064931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2005] [Revised: 06/30/2005] [Accepted: 07/11/2005] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Gunnera is the only genus of angiosperms known to host cyanobacteria and the only group of land plants that hosts cyanobacteria intracellularly. Motile filaments of cyanobacteria, known as hormogonia, colonize Gunnera plants through cells in the plant's specialized stem glands. It is commonly held that Gunnera plants always possess functional glands for symbiosis. We found, however, that stem gland development did not occur when Gunnera manicata plants were grown on nitrogen (N)-replete medium but, rather, was initiated at predetermined positions when plants were deprived of combined N. While N status was the main determinant for gland development, an exogenous carbon source (sucrose) accelerated the process. Furthermore, a high level of sucrose stimulated the formation of callus-like tissue in place of the gland under N-replete conditions. Treatment of plants with the auxin transport inhibitor 1-naphthylphthalamic acid prevented gland development on N-limited medium, most likely by preventing resource reallocation from leaves to the stem. Optimized conditions were found for in vitro establishment of the Nostoc-Gunnera symbiosis by inoculating mature glands with hormogonia from Nostoc punctiforme, a cyanobacterium strain for which the full genome sequence is available. In contrast to uninoculated plants, G. manicata plants colonized by N. punctiforme were able to continue their growth on N-limited medium. Understanding the nature of the Gunnera plant's unusual adaptation to an N-limited environment may shed light on the evolution of plant-cyanobacterium symbioses and may suggest a route to establish productive associations between N-fixing cyanobacteria and crop plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Ling Chiu
- Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, 23284, USA
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50
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Zackrisson O, DeLuca TH, Nilsson MC, Sellstedt A, Berglund LM. NITROGEN FIXATION INCREASES WITH SUCCESSIONAL AGE IN BOREAL FORESTS. Ecology 2004. [DOI: 10.1890/04-0461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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