title: N-terminal protease gene phylogeny reveals the potential for novel cyanobactin diversity in cyanobacteria.
abstract: Cyanobactins are a recently recognized group of ribosomal cyclic peptides produced by cyanobacteria, which have been studied because of their interesting biological activities. Here, we have used a PCR-based approach to detect the N-terminal protease (A) gene from cyanobactin synthetase gene clusters, in a set of diverse cyanobacteria from our culture collection (Laboratory of Ecotoxicology, Genomics and Evolution (LEGE) CC). Homologues of this gene were found in Microcystis and Rivularia strains, and for the first time in Cuspidothrix, Phormidium and Sphaerospermopsis strains. Phylogenetic relationships inferred from available A-gene sequences, including those obtained in this work, revealed two new groups of phylotypes, harboring Phormidium, Sphaerospermopsis and Rivularia LEGE isolates. Thus, this study shows that, using underexplored cyanobacterial strains, it is still possible to expand the known genetic diversity of genes involved in cyanobactin biosynthesis.
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Pedro N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Leão
authors.forename: Vitor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, Porto 4169-007, Portugal. vmvascon@fc.up.pt.
authors.forename: Vitor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vasconcelos
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics*; D005810:Multigene Family / Q000235:genetics; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; C036777:protease N