The Glycine Decarboxylase Complex is not Essential for the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803

M. Hagemann; J. Vinnemeier; I. Oberpichler; R. Boldt; H. Bauwe

doi:10.1055/s-2004-830445

Plant Biology, Table of Contents

Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2005; 7(1): 15-22
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-830445

Research Paper

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart KG · New York

The Glycine Decarboxylase Complex is not Essential for the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803

M. Hagemann¹ , J. Vinnemeier¹ ^, ² , I. Oberpichler¹ ^, ³ , R. Boldt¹ , H. Bauwe¹

¹Universität Rostock, FB Biowissenschaften, Pflanzenphysiologie, Albert-Einstein-Straße 3 a, 18051 Rostock, Germany
²Present address: Roche Diagnostics GmbH Penzberg, Pharmaceutical Biotech Production, Nonnenwald 2, 82372 Penzberg, Germany
³Present address: Freie Universität Berlin, Institut für Biologie, Pflanzenphysiologie, Königin-Luise-Straße 12 - 16, 14195 Berlin, Germany

Abstract

In order to investigate the metabolic importance of glycine decarboxylase (GDC) in cyanobacteria, mutants were generated defective in the genes encoding GDC subunits and the serine hydroxymethyl-transferase (SHMT). It was possible to mutate the genes for GDC subunits P, T, or H protein in the cyanobacterial model strain Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, indicating that GDC is not necessary for cell viability under standard conditions. In contrast, the SHMT coding gene was found to be essential. Almost no changes in growth, pigmentation, or photosynthesis were detected in the GDC subunit mutants, regardless of whether or not they were cultivated at ambient or high CO₂ concentrations. The mutation of GDC led to an increased glycine/serine ratio in the mutant cells. Furthermore, supplementation of the medium with low glycine concentrations was toxic for the mutants but not for wild type cells. Conditions stimulating photorespiration in plants, such as low CO₂ concentrations, did not induce but decrease the expression of the GDC and SHMT genes in Synechocystis. It appears that, in contrast to heterotrophic bacteria and plants, GDC is dispensable for Synechocystis and possibly other cyanobacteria.

Key words

Cyanobacteria - glycine resistance - inorganic carbon - mutation - gene expression

Full Text

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M. Hagemann

Universität Rostock
FB Biowissenschaften, Pflanzenphysiologie

Albert-Einstein-Straße 3 a

18051 Rostock

Germany

Email: martin.hagemann@biologie.uni-rostock.de

Editor: R. Mendel