Genome-Wide Assessment of Putative Superoxide Dismutases in Unicellular and Filamentous Cyanobacteria

Abstract

Cyanobacteria are photoautotrophic prokaryotes capable to grow in diverse ecological habitats, originated 2.5-3.5 billion years ago and were first to produce oxygen. Since then superoxide dismutases (SOD) acquired great significance due to their ability to catalyze detoxification of byproducts of oxygenic photosynthesis i.e. superoxide radicals. In the present study, we extracted information regarding SODs from species of sequenced cyanobacteria and investigated their diversity, conservation, domain structure, and evolution. 144 putative SOD homologs were identified. Unlike other protein families (ex. HIGHLIGHTS  144 putative SOD homologs were identified among 85 sequenced cyanobacterial genomes.  Gene gain-and-loss is insignificant during SOD evolution as they lack additional domain.  Increased transcript level under abiotic stress confirms their role in abiotic stress.  Insert a highlight no longer than 85 characters.  Insert a highlight no longer than 85 characters. HIGHLIGHTS • Insert 1-4 highlights no longer than 85 characters. • Insert a highlight no longer than 85 characters.