title: Minimal genomes, maximal productivity: comparative genomics of the photosystem and light-harvesting complexes in the marine cyanobacterium, Prochlorococcus.
abstract: Although Prochlorococcus isolates possess the smallest genomes of any extant photosynthetic organism, this genus numerically dominates vast regions of the world's subtropical and tropical open oceans and has evolved to become an important contributor to global biogeochemical cycles. The sequencing of 12 Prochlorococcus genomes provides a glimpse of the extensive genetic heterogeneity and, thus, physiological potential of the lineage. In this study, we present an up-to-date comparative analysis of major proteins of the photosynthetic apparatus in 12 Prochlorococcus genomes. Our analyses reveal a striking diversity within the Prochlorococcus lineage in the major protein complexes of the photosynthetic apparatus. The heterogeneity that has evolved in the photosynthetic apparatus suggests versatility in strategies for optimizing photosynthesis under conditions of environmental variability and stress. This diversity could be particularly important in ensuring the survival of a lineage whose individuals have evolved minimal genomes and, thus, relatively limited repertoires for responding to environmental challenges.
authors: Thompson Biology Lab, Department of Biology, Williams College, Williamstown, MA 01267, USA. cting@williams.edu
authors: Claire S
authors: CS
authors: Ting
authors: Meghan E
authors: ME
authors: Ramsey
authors: Yvette L
authors: YL
authors: Wang
authors: Alana M
authors: AM
authors: Frost
authors: Esther
authors: E
authors: Jun
authors: Timothy
authors: T
authors: Durham
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016680:Genome, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D048929:Prochlorococcus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex