A mutant of the cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis ATCC 29413 lacking cyanophycin synthetase: growth properties and ultrastructural aspects.
The gene cphA encoding cyanophycin synthetase was interrupted in Anabaena variabilis ATCC 29413 by insertional mutagenesis. The mutant lacked cyanophycin granules and the polar nodules of heterocysts. The mutant grew as fast as the wild-type irrespective of the nitrogen source at low light intensity whereas growth on N(2) was somewhat reduced in high light. It is concluded that cyanophycin metabolism and polar nodules are not essential for aerobic N(2) fixation.
Institut für Biologie, Biochemie der Pflanzen, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany.
K
K
Ziegler
D P
DP
Stephan
E K
EK
Pistorius
H G
HG
Ruppel
W
W
Lockau
D000332:Aerobiosis; D017033:Anabaena / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D003470:Culture Media; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D008027:Light; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional; D009566:Nitrates / Q000378:metabolism; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D010453:Peptide Synthases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000032:analysis
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D003470:Culture Media; D009566:Nitrates; D010940:Plant Proteins; C024250:cyanophycin; D010453:Peptide Synthases; C113257:cyanophycin synthase, bacteria; D009584:Nitrogen