Abstract:Metallothioneins (MTs) are cysteine-rich, metal-sequestering cytosolic proteins that play a key role in maintaining metal homeostasis and detoxification. We had previously characterized NmtA, a MT from the heterocystous, nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 and demonstrated its role in providing protection against cadmium toxicity. In this study, we illustrate the regulation of Anabaena NmtA by AzuR (Alr0831) belonging to the SmtB/ArsR family of transcriptional repressors. There is curre… Show more
“…In addition to the set of expected DEGs previously reported as Zur/FurB‐targets (Napolitano et al, 2012), a series of novel genes involved in the homeostasis and transport of metals exhibited altered transcription in the Δ zur strain. Among them, the smtB ‐like repressor aztR ( all7621 ) and the divergently transcribed Zn/Pb exporting ATPase aztA ( alr7622 ) putatively involved in zinc homeostasis (Divya & Acharya, 2021; Napolitano et al, 2012) were upregulated. Also, a set of transporters involved in the homeostasis of other metals displayed altered transcription levels in the Δ zur strain, including the downregulation of several TonB‐dependent iron transporters.…”
Zinc is required for the activity of many enzymes and plays an essential role in gene regulation and redox homeostasis. In Anabaena (Nostoc) sp. PCC7120, the genes involved in zinc uptake and transport are controlled by the metalloregulator Zur (FurB). Comparative transcriptomics of a zur mutant (Δzur) with the parent strain unveiled unexpected links between zinc homeostasis and other metabolic pathways. A notable increase in the transcription of numerous desiccation tolerance‐related genes, including genes involved in the synthesis of trehalose and the transference of saccharide moieties, among many others, was detected. Biofilm formation analysis under static conditions revealed a reduced capacity of Δzur filaments to form biofilms compared to the parent strain, and such capacity was enhanced when Zur was overexpressed. Furthermore, microscopy analysis revealed that zur expression is required for the correct formation of the envelope polysaccharide layer in the heterocyst, as Δzur cells showed reduced staining with alcian blue compared to Anabaena sp. PCC7120. We suggest that Zur is an important regulator of the enzymes involved in the synthesis and transport of the envelope polysaccharide layer, influencing heterocyst development and biofilm formation, both relevant processes for cell division and interaction with substrates in its ecological niche.
“…In addition to the set of expected DEGs previously reported as Zur/FurB‐targets (Napolitano et al, 2012), a series of novel genes involved in the homeostasis and transport of metals exhibited altered transcription in the Δ zur strain. Among them, the smtB ‐like repressor aztR ( all7621 ) and the divergently transcribed Zn/Pb exporting ATPase aztA ( alr7622 ) putatively involved in zinc homeostasis (Divya & Acharya, 2021; Napolitano et al, 2012) were upregulated. Also, a set of transporters involved in the homeostasis of other metals displayed altered transcription levels in the Δ zur strain, including the downregulation of several TonB‐dependent iron transporters.…”
Zinc is required for the activity of many enzymes and plays an essential role in gene regulation and redox homeostasis. In Anabaena (Nostoc) sp. PCC7120, the genes involved in zinc uptake and transport are controlled by the metalloregulator Zur (FurB). Comparative transcriptomics of a zur mutant (Δzur) with the parent strain unveiled unexpected links between zinc homeostasis and other metabolic pathways. A notable increase in the transcription of numerous desiccation tolerance‐related genes, including genes involved in the synthesis of trehalose and the transference of saccharide moieties, among many others, was detected. Biofilm formation analysis under static conditions revealed a reduced capacity of Δzur filaments to form biofilms compared to the parent strain, and such capacity was enhanced when Zur was overexpressed. Furthermore, microscopy analysis revealed that zur expression is required for the correct formation of the envelope polysaccharide layer in the heterocyst, as Δzur cells showed reduced staining with alcian blue compared to Anabaena sp. PCC7120. We suggest that Zur is an important regulator of the enzymes involved in the synthesis and transport of the envelope polysaccharide layer, influencing heterocyst development and biofilm formation, both relevant processes for cell division and interaction with substrates in its ecological niche.
Copper (Cu) resistance among various microorganisms is attracting interest. The chemolithoautotrophic bacterium
A. caldus
, which can tolerate extreme copper stress (≥10 g/L Cu ions), is typically used to bioleach chalcopyrite (CuFeS
2
).
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.