Open AccessObligate phototrophy in cyanobacteria: more than a lack of sugar transport
Author(s) -
Zhang ChengCai,
Jeanjean Robert,
Joset Françoise
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1998.tb12959.x
Subject(s) - obligate , phototroph , synechococcus , autotroph , cyanobacteria , biology , synechocystis , biochemistry , facultative , sugar , ribulose , botany , photosynthesis , bacteria , genetics , rubisco
DNA hybridization using the Synechocystis PCC6803 glucose transporter gene, glcP , revealed a single homologous region in two facultative photoautotrophic strains out of three tested, and none in three obligate autotrophs. In one of the latter, Synechococcus PCC7942, integration of glcP into the chromosome resulted in glucose sensitivity. A subclone isolated as glucose‐tolerant had lost glcP . Integration in a replicative vector allowed glucose transport and photoheterotrophic growth, but could not be maintained. Thus lack of sugar transport could explain cyanobacterial obligate autotrophy. However, at least in Synechococcus PCC7942, acquisition of such a transport capacity created a metabolic disequilibrium barely compatible with survival.