Abstract
The transcript sizes of fcp genes of Cyclotella cryptica, belonging to different fcp gene clusters and encoding different fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c light harvesting polypeptides (Fcps), were determined. Furthermore, the diurnal expression of the fcp1/fcp2/fcp3/fcp5 gene cluster and the steady state mRNA concentrations of all gene clusters were investigated in response to light quality and quantity. The mRNAs of the gene cluster consisting of fcp1/fcp2/fcp3/fcp5 are approx. 950 bases in length, whereas those of the fcp4 and the fcp6/fcp7/fcp12 clusters are approx. 1050 (fcp4 ), 880 (fcp6/fcp7 ) and 1150 (fcp12 ) bases in lengths. The transcript levels of the fcp1/fcp2/fcp3/fcp5 gene cluster increased with the onset of light, reached a maximum around noon and dropped in the afternoon. The steady state mRNA concentrations of the fcp1/fcp2/fcp3/fcp5 gene cluster and of the fcp4 gene cluster were higher, when Cyclotella cryptica was grown in low light, while the steady state mRNA concentration of the fcp6/fcp7/fcp12 gene cluster increased under high light growth conditions. The steady state mRNA concentrations of all gene clusters were highest when Cyclotella cryptica was grown in red light, intermediate in green light, and lowest in blue light.
Abbreviations
BL: blue light
Chl a , b , c : Chlorophyll a , b , c
Fcp: fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c binding protein
fcp genes: genes encoding fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c binding proteins
GL: green light
LH: light harvesting
LHC: light harvesting complex
LL: low intensity white light
HL: high intensity white light
PSI: photosystem I
PSII: photosystem II
RL: red light
Key words
Bacillariophyceae -
Cyclotella
- diatoms - fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c light harvesting proteins - RT-PCR - steady state mRNA concentrations
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E. Rhiel
Geomikrobiologie ICBM Carl-von-Ossietzky-Universität Oldenburg
POB 2503 26129 Oldenburg Germany
Email: erhard@africa.geomic.uni-oldenburg.de
Section Editor: U. Lüttge