title: Unexpected capacity for organic carbon assimilation by Thermosynechococcus elongatus, a crucial photosynthetic model organism.
abstract: Genetic modification of key residues of photosystems is essential to identify functionally crucial processes by spectroscopic and crystallographic investigation; the required protein stability favours use of thermophilic species. The currently unique thermophilic photosynthetic model organism is the cyanobacterial genus Thermosynechococcus. We report the ability of Thermosynechococcus elongatus to assimilate organic carbon, specifically D-fructose. Growth in the presence of a photosynthesis inhibitor opens the door towards crucial amino acid substitutions in photosystems by the rescue of otherwise lethal mutations. Yet depression of batch-culture growth after 7 days implies that additional developments are needed.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Experimentalphysik/Biophysik & Photosynthese, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zilliges
authors.affiliation: Institut für Experimentalphysik/Biophysik & Photosynthese, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dau
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D061249:Batch Cell Culture Techniques; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D004187:Disaccharides / Q000378:metabolism; D004237:Diuron / Q000494:pharmacology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004795:Enzyme Stability; D005632:Fructose / Q000378:metabolism*; D005690:Galactose / Q000378:metabolism*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D006540:Herbicides / Q000494:pharmacology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D008954:Models, Biological; D010429:Pentoses / Q000378:metabolism; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004187:Disaccharides; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D006540:Herbicides; D010429:Pentoses; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex; D005632:Fructose; D004237:Diuron; D005947:Glucose; D005690:Galactose
keywords: carbon metabolism; cyanobacteria; mixotrophy and photo-heterotrophy; photosystem II