Impact of inorganic carbon availability on microcystin production by Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806

Batch culture experiments with the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806 were performed in order to test the hypothesis that microcystins (MCYSTs) are produced in response to a relative deficiency of intracellular inorganic carbon (C(i,i)). In the first experiment, MCYST production was studied under increased C(i,i) deficiency conditions, achieved by restricting sodium-dependent bicarbonate uptake through replacement of sodium bicarbonate in the medium with its potassium analog. The same experimental approach was used in a second experiment to compare the response of the wild-type strain M. aeruginosa PCC 7806 with its mcyB mutant, which lacks the ability to produce MCYSTs. In a third experiment, the impact of varying the C(i,i) status on MCYST production was examined without suppressing the sodium-dependent bicarbonate transporter; instead, a detailed investigation of a dark-light cycle was performed. In all experiments, a relative C(i,i) deficiency was indicated by an elevated variable fluorescence signal and led to enhanced phycocyanin cell quotas. Higher MCYST cell quotas (in the first and third experiments) and increased total (intracellular plus extracellular) MCYST production (in the first experiment) were detected with increased C(i,i) deficiency. Furthermore, the MCYST-producing wild-type strain and its mcyB mutant showed basically the same response to restrained inorganic carbon uptake, with elevated variable fluorescence and phycocyanin cell quotas with increased C(i,i) deficiency. The response of the wild type, however, was distinctly stronger and also included elevated chlorophyll a cell quotas. These differences indicate the limited ability of the mutant to adapt to low-C(i,i) conditions. We concluded that MCYSTs may be involved in enhancing the efficiency of the adaptation of the photosynthetic apparatus to fluctuating inorganic carbon conditions in cyanobacterial cells.     

Cadmium Toxicity to Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806 and Its Microcystin-Lacking Mutant

The adverse effects of microcystin (MC) produced by cyanobacteria have drawn considerable attention from the public. Yet it remains unclear whether MC confers any benefits to the cyanobacteria themselves. One suggested function of MC is complexation, which may influence the bioaccumulation and toxicity of trace metals. To test this hypothesis, we examined Cd toxicity to wild-type Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806 (WT) and its MC-lacking mutant (MT) under nutrient-enriched (+NP), phosphorus-limited (-P), and nitrogen-limited (-N) conditions. The accumulation of Cd and the biochemical parameters associated with its detoxification [total phosphorus (TP), inorganic polyphosphate (Poly-P), and glutathione (GSH) in the cells as well as intra- and extra-cellular carbohydrates] were quantified. Although the –P cyanobacteria accumulated less Cd than their +NP and –N counterparts, the different nutrient-conditioned cyanobacteria were similarly inhibited by similar free ion concentration of Cd in the medium ([Cd²⁺]_F). Such good toxicity predictability of [Cd²⁺]_F was ascribed to the synchronous decrease in the intracellular concentrations of Cd and TP. Nevertheless, Cd toxicity was still determined by the intracellular Cd to phosphorus ratio (Cd/P), in accordance with what has been reported in the literature. On the other hand, the concentrations of TP, Poly-P, and carbohydrates went up, but GSH concentration dropped down with the enhancement of [Cd²⁺]_F, indicating their association with Cd detoxification. Although the inactivation of MC peptide synthetase gene had some nutrient and Cd concentration dependent effects on the parameters above, both cyanobacterial strains showed the same Cd accumulation ability and displayed similar Cd sensitivity. These results suggest that MC cannot affect metal toxicity either by regulating metal accumulation or by altering the detoxification ability of the cyanobacteria. Other possible functions of MC need to be further investigated.     

Identification of Pilus-Like Structures and Genes in Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806

Four putative type IV pilus genes from the toxic, naturally transformable Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806 were identified. Three of these genes were clustered in an arrangement which is identical to that from other cyanobacterial genomes. Type IV pilus-like appendages were also observed by electron microscopy.     

Identification of pilus-like structures and genes in Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806

Four putative type IV pilus genes from the toxic, naturally transformable Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806 were identified. Three of these genes were clustered in an arrangement which is identical to that from other cyanobacterial genomes. Type IV pilus-like appendages were also observed by electron microscopy.     

Identification of a Ferric uptake regulator from Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806

Ferric uptake regulator (Fur) proteins are widely recognized as repressors that in many prokaryotes regulate a large number of genes involved in iron homeostasis and oxidative stress response. In our study, we were able to identify the complete sequence of the fur gene from Microcystis aeruginosa using inverse-polymerase chain reaction. DNA sequence analysis confirmed the presence of a 183 amino-acid open reading frame that showed high identity with Fur proteins reported for cyanobacteria. The recombinant Fur protein has been purified and electrophoretical mobility shift assays shown to be active. Mn2+ and dithiothreitol enable Fur to bind to its promoter, with dithiothreitol being more potent. The expression of Fur in Microcystis was induced about twofold in iron-deficient conditions.     

Biochemical characterization of NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase from Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806

Microcystis aeruginosa is the key symptom of water eutrophication and produces persistent microcystins. Our special attention was paid to the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) of M. aeruginosa (MaIDH) because it plays important roles in energy and biosynthesis metabolisms and its catalytic product 2-oxoglutarate provides the carbon skeleton for ammonium assimilation and also constitutes a signaling molecule of nitrogen starvation in cyanobacteria. Sequence alignment showed that MaIDH shared significant sequence identity with IDHs from other cyanobacteria (>80 %) and other bacteria (>45 %). The subunit molecular weight of MaIDH was determined to be 52.6 kDa by filtration chromatography, suggesting MaIDH is a typical homodimer. The purified recombinant MaIDH was completely NADP⁺-dependent and no NAD⁺-linked activity was detectable. The K _m values for NADP⁺ were 32.24 and 71.71 μM with Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺ as a sole divalent cation, and DL-isocitrate linked K _m values were 32.56 μM (Mg²⁺) and 124.3 μM (Mn²⁺), respectively. As compared with Mn²⁺, MaIDH showed about 2.5-times and 4-times higher affinities (1/K _m) to NADP⁺ and dl-isocitrate with Mg²⁺. The optimum activity of MaIDH was found at pH 7.5, and its optimum temperature was 45 °C (Mn²⁺) and 50 °C (Mg²⁺). Heat-inactivation studies showed that heat treatment for 20 min at 45 °C caused a 50 % loss of enzyme activity. MaIDH was completely divalent cation dependent as other typical dimeric IDHs and Mn²⁺ was its best activator. Our study is expected to give a better understanding of primary metabolic enzymes in M. aeruginosa. This would provide useful basic information for the research of controlling the blue-green algae blooms through biological techniques.     

Functional analysis of PilT from the toxic cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806

The evolution of the microcystin toxin gene cluster in phylogenetically distant cyanobacteria has been attributed to recombination, inactivation, and deletion events, although gene transfer may also be involved. Since the microcystin-producing Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806 is naturally transformable, we have initiated the characterization of its type IV pilus system, involved in DNA uptake in many bacteria, to provide a physiological focus for the influence of gene transfer in microcystin evolution. The type IV pilus genes pilA, pilB, pilC, and pilT were shown to be expressed in M. aeruginosa PCC 7806. The purified PilT protein yielded a maximal ATPase activity of 37.5 +/- 1.8 nmol P(i) min(-1) mg protein(-1), with a requirement for Mg(2+). Heterologous expression indicated that it could complement the pilT mutant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but not that of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803, which was unexpected. Differences in two critical residues between the M. aeruginosa PCC 7806 PilT (7806 PilT) and the Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 PilT proteins affected their theoretical structural models, which may explain the nonfunctionality of 7806 PilT in its cyanobacterial counterpart. Screening of the pilT gene in toxic and nontoxic strains of Microcystis was also performed.     

Impact of Inorganic Carbon Availability on Microcystin Production by Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806

Batch culture experiments with the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806 were performed in order to test the hypothesis that microcystins (MCYSTs) are produced in response to a relative deficiency of intracellular inorganic carbon (C_i,i). In the first experiment, MCYST production was studied under increased C_i,i deficiency conditions, achieved by restricting sodium-dependent bicarbonate uptake through replacement of sodium bicarbonate in the medium with its potassium analog. The same experimental approach was used in a second experiment to compare the response of the wild-type strain M. aeruginosa PCC 7806 with its mcyB mutant, which lacks the ability to produce MCYSTs. In a third experiment, the impact of varying the C_i,i status on MCYST production was examined without suppressing the sodium-dependent bicarbonate transporter; instead, a detailed investigation of a dark-light cycle was performed. In all experiments, a relative C_i,i deficiency was indicated by an elevated variable fluorescence signal and led to enhanced phycocyanin cell quotas. Higher MCYST cell quotas (in the first and third experiments) and increased total (intracellular plus extracellular) MCYST production (in the first experiment) were detected with increased C_i,i deficiency. Furthermore, the MCYST-producing wild-type strain and its mcyB mutant showed basically the same response to restrained inorganic carbon uptake, with elevated variable fluorescence and phycocyanin cell quotas with increased C_i,i deficiency. The response of the wild type, however, was distinctly stronger and also included elevated chlorophyll a cell quotas. These differences indicate the limited ability of the mutant to adapt to low-C_i,i conditions. We concluded that MCYSTs may be involved in enhancing the efficiency of the adaptation of the photosynthetic apparatus to fluctuating inorganic carbon conditions in cyanobacterial cells.     

黑暗限气条件下铜绿微囊藻细胞死亡的形态结构和生理生化变化

【目的】研究铜绿微囊藻细胞死亡过程中形态和生理生化变化,探讨蓝藻细胞死亡机制。【方法】通过黑暗限气处理模拟水华爆发后期水体环境,在处理后不同时间取样,对藻液的OD值,溶氧含量和pH值进行监测,使用透射电镜对细胞形态结构变化进行观察,通过胱天蛋白酶(Cysteine-dependent aspartate specificprotease,Caspase)活性检测、活性氧含量测定、末端脱氧核糖核酸转移酶介导的dUTP缺口末端标记(Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling,TUNEL)染色和琼脂糖凝胶电泳对处理后藻细胞的死亡生理进行研究。【结果】黑暗限气处理后,藻培养液pH值和溶解氧含量下降,处理12 h后藻液开始变黄,48 h后藻细胞全部死亡。电镜观察结果表明,藻细胞在黑暗限气处理所导致的死亡过程中出现空泡和类囊体、核糖体等内部结构解体但细胞壁仍保持完整等现象。活性氧含量和caspase活性检测表明,在藻细胞死亡过程中活性氧含量和caspase活性上升。TUNEL染色和琼脂糖凝胶电泳分析发现,藻细胞在死亡过程中DNA发生断裂和降解。【结论】铜绿微囊藻细胞在黑暗和限气处理中表现出和真核生物细胞程序性死亡相类似的死亡特征,这说明细胞死亡机制是保守的,原核细胞和真核细胞一样具有程序性死亡机制。     

Fermentation in the unicellular cyanobacterium Microcystis PCC7806

The cyanobacterium Microcystis PCC7806 fermented endogenously stored glycogen to ethanol, acetate, CO₂, and H₂ when incubated anaerobically in the dark. The switch from photoautotrophic to fermentative metabolism did not require de novo protein synthesis, and fermentation started immediately after cells had been transferred to dark anoxic conditions. From the molar ratios of the products and from enzyme activities in cell-free extracts, it was concluded that glucose derived from glycogen was degraded via the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway. In addition, CoA-dependent pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase, alcohol dehydrogenase, acetate kinase, and hydrogenase were present. The specific activities of these enzymes were sufficiently high to account for the rates of product formation by cell suspensions.     

Lactate dehydrogenase in the cyanobacterium Microcystis PCC7806

Abstract The cyanobacterium Microcystis PCC7806 was found to possess an NAD-dependent lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) which catalyzes the reduction of pyruvate to l-lactate. The enzyme required fructose 1,6-bisphosphate for activity and displayed positive cooperativity towards pyruvate. Lactate was not formed during fermentation by cell suspensions, possibly due to low intracellular concentrations of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate and/or pyruvate.     

Non-canonical localization of RubisCO under high-light conditions in the toxic cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806

The frequent production of the hepatotoxin microcystin (MC) and its impact on the lifestyle of bloom-forming cyanobacteria are poorly understood. Here, we report that MC interferes with the assembly and the subcellular localization of RubisCO, in Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806. Immunofluorescence, electron microscopic and cellular fractionation studies revealed a pronounced heterogeneity in the subcellular localization of RubisCO. At high cell density, RubisCO particles are largely separate from carboxysomes in M. aeruginosa and relocate to the cytoplasmic membrane under high-light conditions. We hypothesize that the binding of MC to RubisCO promotes its membrane association and enables an extreme versatility of the enzyme. Steady-state levels of the RubisCO CO₂ fixation product 3-phosphoglycerate are significantly higher in the MC-producing wild type. We also detected noticeable amounts of the RubisCO oxygenase reaction product secreted into the medium that may support the mutual interaction of M. aeruginosa with its heterotrophic microbial community.     

三种柑橘类果皮提取物对铜绿微囊藻生长的影响

通过分析测定生物量、叶绿素a含量以及叶绿素荧光参数,研究了3种柑橘类果皮甲醇提取液对铜绿微囊藻生长的影响。结果表明,3种提取液都能有效抑制铜绿微囊藻的生长、叶绿素a合成与光合系统Ⅱ（PSⅡ）活性,并且抑制效果随着作用浓度增加而增强。3种提取液抑制作用强弱的顺序为：蜜橘〉西柚〉脐橙。当蜜橘皮提取液浓度大于1.10g/L时,抑藻效果显著（P〈0.05）,培养9d后对铜绿微囊藻生长的抑制率达到86.4%,且在实验期间抑制作用没有减弱。当脐橙皮与西柚皮提取液的浓度大于3.31g/L时,抑藻效果显著（P〈0.05）,但培养5d后抑制作用开始减弱。据此推测,3种柑橘类果皮提取液中存在一类或几类物质,能够抑制铜绿微囊藻的叶绿素a合成,降低PSⅡ活性,从而降低其光合作用效率,导致铜绿微囊藻的生长受到抑制。且这类物质能自然降解,随着作用时间的延长,其抑藻效果也逐渐消失。     

Nontoxic and toxic oligopeptides with D-amino acids and unusual residues in Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806

Toxic and nontoxic peptides were isolated from the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806 by a procedure including extraction of cells with water-saturated 1-butanol, chromatography of the extract on silica gel plates and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on Partisil-5. The toxin was shown to be only a minor constituent, being negatively charged and thus separable by electrophoresis, within the HPLC-purified fraction. It contained erythro-β-methyl-D-Asp, D-Glu, D-Ala, L-Leu, and L-Arg known to be part of the Microcystis peptide-toxin with M_r 994. The major part of the HPLC-purified fraction was assigned, however, to a nontoxic peptide with a M_r of 956. Partial hydrolysis studies of the nontoxic peptide(s) revealed amino acid sequences composed of D-Glu, N-methyl-Phe, and 3,4-dehydro-Pro, aside from the common L-amino acids. Cyclic linkage in the nontoxic peptide(s) appears likely.     

An extracellular glycoprotein is implicated in cell-cell contacts in the toxic cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806

Microcystins are the most common cyanobacterial toxins found in freshwater lakes and reservoirs throughout the world. They are frequently produced by the unicellular, colonial cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa; however, the role of the peptide for the producing organism is poorly understood. Differences in the cellular aggregation of M. aeruginosa PCC 7806 and a microcystin-deficient Delta mcyB mutant guided the discovery of a surface-exposed protein that shows increased abundance in PCC 7806 mutants deficient in microcystin production compared to the abundance of this protein in the wild type. Mass spectrometric and immunoblot analyses revealed that the protein, designated microcystin-related protein C (MrpC), is posttranslationally glycosylated, suggesting that it may be a potential target of a putative O-glycosyltransferase of the SPINDLY family encoded downstream of the mrpC gene. Immunofluorescence microscopy detected MrpC at the cell surface, suggesting an involvement of the protein in cellular interactions in strain PCC 7806. Further analyses of field samples of Microcystis demonstrated a strain-specific occurrence of MrpC possibly associated with distinct Microcystis colony types. Our results support the implication of microcystin in the colony specificity of and colony formation by Microcystis.     

Cell wall constituents of Microcystis sp. PCC 7806

Cell walls of Microcystis sp. PCC 7806 were purified from cell homogenates by sucrose density centrifugation and Triton X-100 extraction. The outer membrane contained carotenoids, two major peptidoglycan-associated proteins (Mr 49,000 and 52,000), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as indicated by the presence of 3-hydroxy fatty acids (3-OH-14:0, 3-OH-16:0, 3-OH-18:0), 4-oxo-18:0 fatty acid, and GlcN as lipid A components in addition to rare O-methyl sugars (2-O-methyl-6-deoxyhexoses I and II). The peptidoglycan (A1 gamma-type) was found to be covalently linked to a wall polysaccharide composed of GlcN, ManN, Man, Glc, and phosphate.