Immunolocalization of the uptake hydrogenase in cyanobacteria

In N2-fixing cyanobacteria the reduction of N2 to NH3
is coupled
with the production of molecular hydrogen (H2), which
is rapidly
consumed by an uptake hydrogenase, an enzyme that is
present in
almost all the diazotrophic cyanobacteria. The
cellular and sub-
cellular localization of the cyanobacterial uptake
hydrogenase
remains unclear, and the previously available data
focuses mainly on
heterocystous cyanobacteria.
In this work the localization of the uptake
hydrogenase in Lyngbya
majuscula CCAP 1446/4, a non-heterocystous
cyanobacterium, was
investigated. The data obtained revealed higher
specific labelling
associated with the thylakoid membranes of L. majuscula.
Additionally, a comparative analysis was performed
using a
unicellular - Gloeothece sp. ATCC 27152, and two
heterocystous
strains - Nostoc sp. PCC 7120 and Nostoc punctiforme
PCC 73102.
No labelling was found on the vegetative cells of
Nostoc sp. PCC
7120, in contrast with the situation in N.
punctiforme, in which
labelling was detected in both vegetative cells and
heterocysts.
The results presented in this work will contribute to
a better
understanding of the field of H2 metabolism in
cyanobacteria.

Autorentext

Rui obtained his degree in Biology from the University of Porto.This work was part of his MSc in Marine Sciences & Marine Resources. He iscurrently pursuing his PhD in Biodiversity, as well as participating in various projectsconcerning subjects such as "Teaching & Training", "Water Lifesaving" and "SocialBusinesses & Cooperatives".

Klappentext

In N2-fixing cyanobacteria the reduction of N2 to NH3is coupled with the production of molecular hydrogen (H2), whichis rapidly consumed by an uptake hydrogenase, an enzyme that ispresent in almost all the diazotrophic cyanobacteria. Thecellular and sub-cellular localization of the cyanobacterial uptakehydrogenase remains unclear, and the previously available datafocuses mainly on heterocystous cyanobacteria.In this work the localization of the uptakehydrogenase in Lyngbya majuscula CCAP 1446/4, a non-heterocystouscyanobacterium, was investigated. The data obtained revealed higherspecific labelling associated with the thylakoid membranes of L. majuscula. Additionally, a comparative analysis was performedusing a unicellular - Gloeothece sp. ATCC 27152, and twoheterocystous strains - Nostoc sp. PCC 7120 and Nostoc punctiformePCC 73102. No labelling was found on the vegetative cells ofNostoc sp. PCC 7120, in contrast with the situation in N.punctiforme, in which labelling was detected in both vegetative cells andheterocysts.The results presented in this work will contribute toa better understanding of the field of H2 metabolism incyanobacteria.