Phototactic motility in the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.
Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is a unicellular motile cyanobacterium that shows positive and negative phototaxis on agar plates under lateral illumination. Recent studies on the molecular mechanisms of the phototactic motility of Synechocystis have revealed that a number of genes are responsible for its pilus-dependent motility and phototaxis. Here we describe what is known about these genes. We also discuss the novel spectral properties of the phytochrome-like photoreceptor PixJ1 in Synechocystis, that is essential for positive phototaxis and which has revealed the existence of a new group of chromophore-binding proteins in cyanobacteria.
Yoshihara
Shizue
S
Department of Life Sciences (Biology), The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1, Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan. yoshihara@riast.osakafu-u.ac.jp
Ikeuchi
Masahiko
M
D002633:Chemotaxis / Q000528:radiation effects; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D005810:Multigene Family; D046939:Synechocystis / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*