Evidence of circadian rhythms in non-photosynthetic bacteria?
Examples of circadian rhythms have been described in eukaryotic organisms and in photosynthetic bacteria, but direct proof of their existence in other prokaryotes is limited and has been largely ignored. The aim of this article is to review existing evidence and to present preliminary results that suggest that the heterotrophic bacterium Pseudomonas putida shows regular variations in its growth pattern synchronized with light/darkness cycles. We put forward the hypothesis that circadian regulation of certain processes can take place in non-photosynthetic prokaryotes and may represent an adaptative advantage in specific environments.
Soriano
María I
MI
Department of Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, CSIC, 18008 Granada, Spain. manuel.espinosa@eez.csic.es.
Roibás
Begoña
B
García
Ana B
AB
Espinosa-Urgel
Manuel
M