1
|
Howe CJ, Nisbet RER, Barbrook AC. Evolution: The plasticity of plastids. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R1058-R1060. [PMID: 37875081 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Many chloroplast-bearing plants and algae lost their photosynthetic activity during evolution but retained their chloroplasts for other functions. A group of dinoflagellate algae apparently lost one half of their photosynthetic machinery but retained the other, providing a novel mechanism for light perception.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK.
| | - R Ellen R Nisbet
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Adrian C Barbrook
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Baikie TK, Wey LT, Lawrence JM, Medipally H, Reisner E, Nowaczyk MM, Friend RH, Howe CJ, Schnedermann C, Rao A, Zhang JZ. Photosynthesis re-wired on the pico-second timescale. Nature 2023; 615:836-840. [PMID: 36949188 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05763-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Photosystems II and I (PSII, PSI) are the reaction centre-containing complexes driving the light reactions of photosynthesis; PSII performs light-driven water oxidation and PSI further photo-energizes harvested electrons. The impressive efficiencies of the photosystems have motivated extensive biological, artificial and biohybrid approaches to 're-wire' photosynthesis for higher biomass-conversion efficiencies and new reaction pathways, such as H2 evolution or CO2 fixation1,2. Previous approaches focused on charge extraction at terminal electron acceptors of the photosystems3. Electron extraction at earlier steps, perhaps immediately from photoexcited reaction centres, would enable greater thermodynamic gains; however, this was believed impossible with reaction centres buried at least 4 nm within the photosystems4,5. Here, we demonstrate, using in vivo ultrafast transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy, extraction of electrons directly from photoexcited PSI and PSII at early points (several picoseconds post-photo-excitation) with live cyanobacterial cells or isolated photosystems, and exogenous electron mediators such as 2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone (DCBQ) and methyl viologen. We postulate that these mediators oxidize peripheral chlorophyll pigments participating in highly delocalized charge-transfer states after initial photo-excitation. Our results challenge previous models that the photoexcited reaction centres are insulated within the photosystem protein scaffold, opening new avenues to study and re-wire photosynthesis for biotechnologies and semi-artificial photosynthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomi K Baikie
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Laura T Wey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Joshua M Lawrence
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Erwin Reisner
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Marc M Nowaczyk
- Plant Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Akshay Rao
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Jenny Z Zhang
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Howe CJ, Nisbet RER. Evolution: The great photosynthesis heist. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R185-R187. [PMID: 36917940 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Many eukaryotes acquired chloroplasts by endosymbiotic acquisition of photosynthetic bacteria or already-domesticated chloroplasts from other eukaryotes. However, the ciliate Mesodinium rubrum acquires the nucleus of a photosynthetic eukaryote, as well as its chloroplast, resulting in dramatic metabolic remodelling in the ciliate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - R Ellen R Nisbet
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Howe CJ, Bombelli P. Is it realistic to use microbial photosynthesis to produce electricity directly? PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3001970. [PMID: 36862663 PMCID: PMC9980807 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
It is possible to generate small amounts of electrical power directly from photosynthetic microorganisms-arguably the greenest of green energy. But will it have useful applications, and what are the hurdles if so?
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Paolo Bombelli
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nisbet RER, Howe CJ. 25 years of Protist: A thank you to Editor-in-Chief Michael Melkonian. Protist 2023; 174:125947. [PMID: 36935326 DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2023.125947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
|
6
|
Chen X, Lawrence JM, Wey LT, Schertel L, Jing Q, Vignolini S, Howe CJ, Kar-Narayan S, Zhang JZ. 3D-printed hierarchical pillar array electrodes for high-performance semi-artificial photosynthesis. Nat Mater 2022; 21:811-818. [PMID: 35256790 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-022-01205-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The rewiring of photosynthetic biomachineries to electrodes is a forward-looking semi-artificial route for sustainable bio-electricity and fuel generation. Currently, it is unclear how the electrode and biomaterial interface can be designed to meet the complex requirements for high biophotoelectrochemical performance. Here we developed an aerosol jet printing method for generating hierarchical electrode structures using indium tin oxide nanoparticles. We printed libraries of micropillar array electrodes varying in height and submicrometre surface features, and studied the energy/electron transfer processes across the bio-electrode interfaces. When wired to the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, micropillar array electrodes with microbranches exhibited favourable biocatalyst loading, light utilization and electron flux output, ultimately almost doubling the photocurrent of state-of-the-art porous structures of the same height. When the micropillars' heights were increased to 600 µm, milestone mediated photocurrent densities of 245 µA cm-2 (the closest thus far to theoretical predictions) and external quantum efficiencies of up to 29% could be reached. This study demonstrates how bio-energy from photosynthesis could be more efficiently harnessed in the future and provide new tools for three-dimensional electrode design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Chen
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Laura T Wey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lukas Schertel
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Qingshen Jing
- Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Silvia Vignolini
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Sohini Kar-Narayan
- Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jenny Z Zhang
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lawrence JM, Yin Y, Bombelli P, Scarampi A, Storch M, Wey LT, Climent-Catala A, Baldwin GS, O’Hare D, Howe CJ, Zhang JZ, Ouldridge TE, Ledesma-Amaro R. Synthetic biology and bioelectrochemical tools for electrogenetic system engineering. Sci Adv 2022; 8:eabm5091. [PMID: 35507663 PMCID: PMC9067924 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm5091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology research and its industrial applications rely on deterministic spatiotemporal control of gene expression. Recently, electrochemical control of gene expression has been demonstrated in electrogenetic systems (redox-responsive promoters used alongside redox inducers and electrodes), allowing for the direct integration of electronics with biological processes. However, the use of electrogenetic systems is limited by poor activity, tunability, and standardization. In this work, we developed a strong, unidirectional, redox-responsive promoter before deriving a mutant promoter library with a spectrum of strengths. We constructed genetic circuits with these parts and demonstrated their activation by multiple classes of redox molecules. Last, we demonstrated electrochemical activation of gene expression under aerobic conditions using a novel, modular bioelectrochemical device. These genetic and electrochemical tools facilitate the design and improve the performance of electrogenetic systems. Furthermore, the genetic design strategies used can be applied to other redox-responsive promoters to further expand the available tools for electrogenetics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M. Lawrence
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Yutong Yin
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Paolo Bombelli
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Alberto Scarampi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Marko Storch
- London DNA Foundry, Imperial College Translation and Innovation Hub, London, UK
| | - Laura T. Wey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Geoff S. Baldwin
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Danny O’Hare
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Jenny Z. Zhang
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Corresponding author.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ibrahim IM, Rowden SJL, Cramer WA, Howe CJ, Puthiyaveetil S. Thiol redox switches regulate the oligomeric state of cyanobacterial Rre1, RpaA, and RpaB response regulators. FEBS Lett 2022; 596:1533-1543. [PMID: 35353903 PMCID: PMC9321951 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria employ two‐component sensor‐response regulator systems to monitor and respond to environmental challenges. The response regulators RpaA, RpaB, Rre1 and RppA are integral to circadian clock function and abiotic stress acclimation in cyanobacteria. RpaA, RpaB and Rre1 are known to interact with ferredoxin or thioredoxin, raising the possibility of their thiol regulation. Here, we report that Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 Rre1, RpaA and RpaB exist as higher‐order oligomers under oxidising conditions and that reduced thioredoxin A converts them to monomers. We further show that these response regulators contain redox‐responsive cysteine residues with an Em7 around −300 mV. These findings suggest a direct thiol modulation of the activity of these response regulators, independent of their cognate sensor kinases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iskander M Ibrahim
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Stephen J L Rowden
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, UK
| | - William A Cramer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Sujith Puthiyaveetil
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Hervey JRD, Bombelli P, Lea-Smith DJ, Hulme AK, Hulme NR, Rullay AK, Keighley R, Howe CJ. A dual compartment cuvette system for correcting scattering in whole-cell absorbance spectroscopy of photosynthetic microorganisms. Photosynth Res 2022; 151:61-69. [PMID: 34390453 PMCID: PMC8795073 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-021-00866-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Absorption spectroscopy is widely used to determine absorption and transmission spectra of chromophores in solution, in addition to suspensions of particles, including micro-organisms. Light scattering, caused by photons deflected from part or all of the cells or other particles in suspension, results in distortions to the absorption spectra, lost information and poor resolution. A spectrophotometer with an integrating sphere may be used to alleviate this problem. However, these instruments are not universally available in biology laboratories, for reasons such as cost. Here, we describe a novel, rapid, and inexpensive technique that minimises the effect of light scattering when performing whole-cell spectroscopy. This method involves using a custom made dual compartment cuvette containing titanium dioxide in one chamber as a scattering agent. Measurements were conducted of a range of different photosynthetic micro-organisms of varying cell size and morphology, including cyanobacteria, eukaryotic microalgae and a purple non-sulphur bacterium. A concentration of 1 mg ml-1 titanium dioxide, using a spectrophotometer with a slit width of 5 nm, produced spectra for cyanobacteria and microalgae similar (1-4% difference) to those obtained using an integrating sphere. The spectrum > 520 nm was similar to that with an integrating sphere with the purple non-sulphur bacterium. This system produced superior results to those obtained using a recently reported method, the application of the diffusing agent, Scotch™ Magic tape, to the side of the cuvette. The protocol can be completed in an equivalent period of time to standard whole-cell absorbance spectroscopy techniques, and is, in principle, suitable for any dual-beam spectrophotometer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John R D Hervey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Hopkins Building, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Paolo Bombelli
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Hopkins Building, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, UK
| | - David J Lea-Smith
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Hopkins Building, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, UK
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Alan K Hulme
- Starna Scientific Ltd, Hainault Business Park, 52/54 Fowler Rd, Ilford, IG6 3UT, UK
| | - Nathan R Hulme
- Starna Scientific Ltd, Hainault Business Park, 52/54 Fowler Rd, Ilford, IG6 3UT, UK
| | | | - Robert Keighley
- Shimadzu UK Limited, Unit 1, Mill Crt, Featherstone, MK12 5RD, UK
| | - Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Hopkins Building, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
du Toit JP, Lea-Smith DJ, Git A, Hervey JRD, Howe CJ, Pott RWM. Expression of Alternative Nitrogenases in Rhodopseudomonas palustris Is Enhanced Using an Optimized Genetic Toolset for Rapid, Markerless Modifications. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:2167-2178. [PMID: 34431288 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The phototrophic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris is emerging as a promising biotechnological chassis organism, due to its resilience to a range of harsh conditions, a wide metabolic repertoire, and the ability to quickly regenerate ATP using light. However, realization of this promise is impeded by a lack of efficient, rapid methods for genetic modification. Here, we present optimized tools for generating chromosomal insertions and deletions employing electroporation as a means of transformation. Generation of markerless strains can be completed in 12 days, approximately half the time for previous conjugation-based methods. This system was used for overexpression of alternative nitrogenase isozymes with the aim of improving biohydrogen productivity. Insertion of the pucBa promoter upstream of vnf and anf nitrogenase operons drove robust overexpression up to 4000-fold higher than wild-type. Transcript quantification was facilitated by an optimized high-quality RNA extraction protocol employing lysis using detergent and heat. Overexpression resulted in increased nitrogenase protein levels, extending to superior hydrogen productivity in bioreactor studies under nongrowing conditions, where promoter-modified strains better utilized the favorable energy state created by reduced competition from cell division. Robust heterologous expression driven by the pucBa promoter is thus attractive for energy-intensive biosyntheses suited to the capabilities of R. palustris. Development of this genetic modification toolset will accelerate the advancement of R. palustris as a biotechnological chassis organism, and insights into the effects of nitrogenase overexpression will guide future efforts in engineering strains for improved hydrogen production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Pierre du Toit
- Department of Process Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Banghoek Road, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
| | - David J. Lea-Smith
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Hopkins Building, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Git
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Hopkins Building, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
| | - John R. D. Hervey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Hopkins Building, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J. Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Hopkins Building, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
| | - Robert W. M. Pott
- Department of Process Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Banghoek Road, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
During photosynthesis, electrons are transferred between the cytochrome b6f complex and photosystem I. This is carried out by the protein plastocyanin in plant chloroplasts, or by either plastocyanin or cytochrome c6 in many cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algal species. There are three further cytochrome c6 homologs: cytochrome c6A in plants and green algae, and cytochromes c6B and c6C in cyanobacteria. The function of these proteins is unknown. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of the evolutionary relationship between the members of the cytochrome c6 family in photosynthetic organisms. Our phylogenetic analyses show that cytochromes c6B and c6C are likely to be orthologs that arose from a duplication of cytochrome c6, but that there is no evidence for separate origins for cytochromes c6B and c6C. We therefore propose renaming cytochrome c6C as cytochrome c6B. We show that cytochrome c6A is likely to have arisen from cytochrome c6B rather than by an independent duplication of cytochrome c6, and present evidence for an independent origin of a protein with some of the features of cytochrome c6A in peridinin dinoflagellates. We conclude with a new comprehensive model of the evolution of the cytochrome c6 family which is an integral part of understanding the function of the enigmatic cytochrome c6 homologs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barnaby Slater
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Darius Kosmützky
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - R Ellen R Nisbet
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Clifford ER, Bradley RW, Wey LT, Lawrence JM, Chen X, Howe CJ, Zhang JZ. Phenazines as model low-midpoint potential electron shuttles for photosynthetic bioelectrochemical systems. Chem Sci 2021; 12:3328-3338. [PMID: 34164103 PMCID: PMC8179378 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc05655c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioelectrochemical approaches for energy conversion rely on efficient wiring of natural electron transport chains to electrodes. However, state-of-the-art exogenous electron mediators give rise to significant energy losses and, in the case of living systems, long-term cytotoxicity. Here, we explored new selection criteria for exogenous electron mediation by examining phenazines as novel low-midpoint potential molecules for wiring the photosynthetic electron transport chain of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 to electrodes. We identified pyocyanin (PYO) as an effective cell-permeable phenazine that can harvest electrons from highly reducing points of photosynthesis. PYO-mediated photocurrents were observed to be 4-fold higher than mediator-free systems with an energetic gain of 200 mV compared to the common high-midpoint potential mediator 2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone (DCBQ). The low-midpoint potential of PYO led to O2 reduction side-reactions, which competed significantly against photocurrent generation; the tuning of mediator concentration was important for outcompeting the side-reactions whilst avoiding acute cytotoxicity. DCBQ-mediated photocurrents were generally much higher but also decayed rapidly and were non-recoverable with fresh mediator addition. This suggests that the cells can acquire DCBQ-resistance over time. In contrast, PYO gave rise to steadier current enhancement despite the co-generation of undesirable reactive oxygen species, and PYO-exposed cells did not develop acquired resistance. Moreover, we demonstrated that the cyanobacteria can be genetically engineered to produce PYO endogenously to improve long-term prospects. Overall, this study established that energetic gains can be achieved via the use of low-potential phenazines in photosynthetic bioelectrochemical systems, and quantifies the factors and trade-offs that determine efficacious mediation in living bioelectrochemical systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor R Clifford
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Robert W Bradley
- Department of Life Sciences Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College SW7 2AZ UK
| | - Laura T Wey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge Tennis Court Road Cambridge CB2 1QW UK
| | - Joshua M Lawrence
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge Tennis Court Road Cambridge CB2 1QW UK
| | - Xiaolong Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge Tennis Court Road Cambridge CB2 1QW UK
| | - Jenny Z Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Solymosi D, Nikkanen L, Muth-Pawlak D, Fitzpatrick D, Vasudevan R, Howe CJ, Lea-Smith DJ, Allahverdiyeva Y. Cytochrome c M Decreases Photosynthesis under Photomixotrophy in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Plant Physiol 2020; 183:700-716. [PMID: 32317358 PMCID: PMC7271781 DOI: 10.1104/pp.20.00284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Photomixotrophy is a metabolic state that enables photosynthetic microorganisms to simultaneously perform photosynthesis and metabolism of imported organic carbon substrates. This process is complicated in cyanobacteria, since many, including Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, conduct photosynthesis and respiration in an interlinked thylakoid membrane electron transport chain. Under photomixotrophy, the cell must therefore tightly regulate electron fluxes from photosynthetic and respiratory complexes. In this study, we demonstrate, via characterization of photosynthetic apparatus and the proteome, that photomixotrophic growth results in a gradual inhibition of QA - reoxidation in wild-type Synechocystis, which largely decreases photosynthesis over 3 d of growth. This process is circumvented by deleting the gene encoding cytochrome c M (CytM), a cryptic c-type heme protein widespread in cyanobacteria. The ΔCytM strain maintained active photosynthesis over the 3-d period, demonstrated by high photosynthetic O2 and CO2 fluxes and effective yields of PSI and PSII. Overall, this resulted in a higher growth rate compared to that of the wild type, which was maintained by accumulation of proteins involved in phosphate and metal uptake, and cofactor biosynthetic enzymes. While the exact role of CytM has not been determined, a mutant deficient in the thylakoid-localized respiratory terminal oxidases and CytM (ΔCox/Cyd/CytM) displayed a phenotype similar to that of ΔCytM under photomixotrophy. This, in combination with other physiological data, and in contrast to a previous hypothesis, suggests that CytM does not transfer electrons to these complexes. In summary, our data suggest that CytM may have a regulatory role in photomixotrophy by modulating the photosynthetic capacity of cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Solymosi
- Laboratory of Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku FI-20014, Finland
| | - Lauri Nikkanen
- Laboratory of Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku FI-20014, Finland
| | - Dorota Muth-Pawlak
- Laboratory of Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku FI-20014, Finland
| | - Duncan Fitzpatrick
- Laboratory of Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku FI-20014, Finland
| | - Ravendran Vasudevan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
| | - David J Lea-Smith
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Yagut Allahverdiyeva
- Laboratory of Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku FI-20014, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Faktorová D, Nisbet RER, Fernández Robledo JA, Casacuberta E, Sudek L, Allen AE, Ares M, Aresté C, Balestreri C, Barbrook AC, Beardslee P, Bender S, Booth DS, Bouget FY, Bowler C, Breglia SA, Brownlee C, Burger G, Cerutti H, Cesaroni R, Chiurillo MA, Clemente T, Coles DB, Collier JL, Cooney EC, Coyne K, Docampo R, Dupont CL, Edgcomb V, Einarsson E, Elustondo PA, Federici F, Freire-Beneitez V, Freyria NJ, Fukuda K, García PA, Girguis PR, Gomaa F, Gornik SG, Guo J, Hampl V, Hanawa Y, Haro-Contreras ER, Hehenberger E, Highfield A, Hirakawa Y, Hopes A, Howe CJ, Hu I, Ibañez J, Irwin NAT, Ishii Y, Janowicz NE, Jones AC, Kachale A, Fujimura-Kamada K, Kaur B, Kaye JZ, Kazana E, Keeling PJ, King N, Klobutcher LA, Lander N, Lassadi I, Li Z, Lin S, Lozano JC, Luan F, Maruyama S, Matute T, Miceli C, Minagawa J, Moosburner M, Najle SR, Nanjappa D, Nimmo IC, Noble L, Novák Vanclová AMG, Nowacki M, Nuñez I, Pain A, Piersanti A, Pucciarelli S, Pyrih J, Rest JS, Rius M, Robertson D, Ruaud A, Ruiz-Trillo I, Sigg MA, Silver PA, Slamovits CH, Jason Smith G, Sprecher BN, Stern R, Swart EC, Tsaousis AD, Tsypin L, Turkewitz A, Turnšek J, Valach M, Vergé V, von Dassow P, von der Haar T, Waller RF, Wang L, Wen X, Wheeler G, Woods A, Zhang H, Mock T, Worden AZ, Lukeš J. Publisher Correction: Genetic tool development in marine protists: emerging model organisms for experimental cell biology. Nat Methods 2020; 17:551. [PMID: 32296171 PMCID: PMC7200595 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-020-0828-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Drahomíra Faktorová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences and Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - R Ellen R Nisbet
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | | | - Elena Casacuberta
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lisa Sudek
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Moss Landing, CA, USA
| | - Andrew E Allen
- Integrative Oceanography Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.,Microbial and Environmental Genomics, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Manuel Ares
- Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Cristina Aresté
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cecilia Balestreri
- The Marine Biological Association, Plymouth and School of Ocean and Earth Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | | | - Patrick Beardslee
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Sara Bender
- Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - David S Booth
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - François-Yves Bouget
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR7621, Observatoire Océanologique, Banyuls sur Mer, France
| | - Chris Bowler
- Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, Université PSL, Paris, France
| | - Susana A Breglia
- Centre for Comparative Genomics and Evolutionary Bioinformatics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Colin Brownlee
- The Marine Biological Association, Plymouth and School of Ocean and Earth Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Gertraud Burger
- Department of Biochemistry and Robert-Cedergren Centre for Bioinformatics and Genomics, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Heriberto Cerutti
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Rachele Cesaroni
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Miguel A Chiurillo
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Thomas Clemente
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Duncan B Coles
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, ME, USA
| | - Jackie L Collier
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth C Cooney
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kathryn Coyne
- University of Delaware College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, Lewes, DE, USA
| | - Roberto Docampo
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Christopher L Dupont
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Elin Einarsson
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Pía A Elustondo
- Centre for Comparative Genomics and Evolutionary Bioinformatics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,AGADA Biosciences Inc., Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Fernan Federici
- Facultad Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Fondo de Desarrollo de Areas Prioritarias, Center for Genome Regulation and Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Veronica Freire-Beneitez
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, UK.,Laboratory of Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology, University of Kent, Kent, UK
| | | | - Kodai Fukuda
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Paulo A García
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter R Girguis
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Fatma Gomaa
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sebastian G Gornik
- Centre for Organismal Studies, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jian Guo
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Moss Landing, CA, USA.,Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Vladimír Hampl
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Yutaka Hanawa
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Esteban R Haro-Contreras
- Centre for Comparative Genomics and Evolutionary Bioinformatics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Elisabeth Hehenberger
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Andrea Highfield
- The Marine Biological Association, Plymouth and School of Ocean and Earth Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Yoshihisa Hirakawa
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Amanda Hopes
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | | | - Ian Hu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jorge Ibañez
- Facultad Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Fondo de Desarrollo de Areas Prioritarias, Center for Genome Regulation and Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Nicholas A T Irwin
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Yuu Ishii
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Natalia Ewa Janowicz
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Adam C Jones
- Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Ambar Kachale
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences and Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Konomi Fujimura-Kamada
- Division of Environmental Photobiology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Binnypreet Kaur
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences and Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | | | - Eleanna Kazana
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, UK.,Laboratory of Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology, University of Kent, Kent, UK
| | - Patrick J Keeling
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nicole King
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Noelia Lander
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Imen Lassadi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Zhuhong Li
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Senjie Lin
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, CT, USA
| | - Jean-Claude Lozano
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR7621, Observatoire Océanologique, Banyuls sur Mer, France
| | - Fulei Luan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | | | - Tamara Matute
- Facultad Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Fondo de Desarrollo de Areas Prioritarias, Center for Genome Regulation and Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Cristina Miceli
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Jun Minagawa
- Division of Environmental Photobiology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan.,Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Mark Moosburner
- Integrative Oceanography Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.,Microbial and Environmental Genomics, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sebastián R Najle
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.,Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular, CONICET, and Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Deepak Nanjappa
- University of Delaware College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, Lewes, DE, USA
| | - Isabel C Nimmo
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Luke Noble
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA.,Institute de Biologie de l'ENS, Département de biologie, École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Anna M G Novák Vanclová
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Mariusz Nowacki
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Isaac Nuñez
- Facultad Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Fondo de Desarrollo de Areas Prioritarias, Center for Genome Regulation and Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Arnab Pain
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.,Center for Zoonosis Control, Global Institution for Collaborative Research and Education, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Angela Piersanti
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Sandra Pucciarelli
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Jan Pyrih
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, UK.,Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Joshua S Rest
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Mariana Rius
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | | | - Albane Ruaud
- Facultad Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Fondo de Desarrollo de Areas Prioritarias, Center for Genome Regulation and Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago de Chile, Chile.,Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Iñaki Ruiz-Trillo
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.,Departament de Genètica Microbiologia i Estadıśtica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Monika A Sigg
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Pamela A Silver
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Claudio H Slamovits
- Centre for Comparative Genomics and Evolutionary Bioinformatics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - G Jason Smith
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Moss Landing, CA, USA
| | | | - Rowena Stern
- The Marine Biological Association, Plymouth and School of Ocean and Earth Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Estienne C Swart
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anastasios D Tsaousis
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, UK.,Laboratory of Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology, University of Kent, Kent, UK
| | - Lev Tsypin
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Aaron Turkewitz
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jernej Turnšek
- Integrative Oceanography Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.,Microbial and Environmental Genomics, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matus Valach
- Department of Biochemistry and Robert-Cedergren Centre for Bioinformatics and Genomics, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Valérie Vergé
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR7621, Observatoire Océanologique, Banyuls sur Mer, France
| | - Peter von Dassow
- Facultad Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Fondo de Desarrollo de Areas Prioritarias, Center for Genome Regulation and Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago de Chile, Chile.,Instituto Milenio de Oceanografia de Chile, Concepción, Chile
| | | | - Ross F Waller
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lu Wang
- Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxue Wen
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Glen Wheeler
- The Marine Biological Association, Plymouth and School of Ocean and Earth Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - April Woods
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Moss Landing, CA, USA
| | - Huan Zhang
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, CT, USA
| | - Thomas Mock
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
| | - Alexandra Z Worden
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Moss Landing, CA, USA. .,Ocean EcoSystems Biology Unit, Marine Ecology Division, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences and Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Baers LL, Breckels LM, Mills LA, Gatto L, Deery MJ, Stevens TJ, Howe CJ, Lilley KS, Lea-Smith DJ. Proteome Mapping of a Cyanobacterium Reveals Distinct Compartment Organization and Cell-Dispersed Metabolism. Plant Physiol 2019; 181:1721-1738. [PMID: 31578229 PMCID: PMC6878006 DOI: 10.1104/pp.19.00897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are complex prokaryotes, incorporating a Gram-negative cell wall and internal thylakoid membranes (TMs). However, localization of proteins within cyanobacterial cells is poorly understood. Using subcellular fractionation and quantitative proteomics, we produced an extensive subcellular proteome map of an entire cyanobacterial cell, identifying ∼67% of proteins in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, ∼1000 more than previous studies. Assigned to six specific subcellular regions were 1,712 proteins. Proteins involved in energy conversion localized to TMs. The majority of transporters, with the exception of a TM-localized copper importer, resided in the plasma membrane (PM). Most metabolic enzymes were soluble, although numerous pathways terminated in the TM (notably those involved in peptidoglycan monomer, NADP+, heme, lipid, and carotenoid biosynthesis) or PM (specifically, those catalyzing lipopolysaccharide, molybdopterin, FAD, and phylloquinol biosynthesis). We also identified the proteins involved in the TM and PM electron transport chains. The majority of ribosomal proteins and enzymes synthesizing the storage compound polyhydroxybuyrate formed distinct clusters within the data, suggesting similar subcellular distributions to one another, as expected for proteins operating within multicomponent structures. Moreover, heterogeneity within membrane regions was observed, indicating further cellular complexity. Cyanobacterial TM protein localization was conserved in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) chloroplasts, suggesting similar proteome organization in more developed photosynthetic organisms. Successful application of this technique in Synechocystis suggests it could be applied to mapping the proteomes of other cyanobacteria and single-celled organisms. The organization of the cyanobacterial cell revealed here substantially aids our understanding of these environmentally and biotechnologically important organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura L Baers
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa M Breckels
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
- Computational Proteomics Unit, Cambridge Centre for Proteomics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
| | - Lauren A Mills
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Laurent Gatto
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
- Computational Proteomics Unit, Cambridge Centre for Proteomics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J Deery
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
| | - Tim J Stevens
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn S Lilley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
| | - David J Lea-Smith
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Tucci M, Bombelli P, Howe CJ, Vignolini S, Bocchi S, Schievano A. A Storable Mediatorless Electrochemical Biosensor for Herbicide Detection. Microorganisms 2019; 7:E630. [PMID: 31795453 PMCID: PMC6956157 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7120630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel mediatorless photo-bioelectrochemical sensor operated with a biofilm of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC6803 wt. for herbicide detection with long term stability (>20 days) was successfully developed and tested. Photoanodic current generation was obtained in the absence of artificial mediators. The inhibitory effect on photocurrent of three commonly used herbicides (i.e., atrazine, diuron, and paraquat) was used as a means of measuring their concentrations in aqueous solution. The injection of atrazine and diuron into the algal medium caused an immediate photocurrent drop due to the inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport. The detected concentrations were suitable for environmental analysis, as revealed by a comparison with the freshwater quality benchmarks set by the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States (US EPA). In contrast, paraquat caused an initial increase (~2 h) of the photocurrent effect of about 200%, as this compound can act as a redox mediator between the cells and the anode. A relatively long-term stability of the biosensor was demonstrated, by keeping anodes colonized with cyanobacterial biofilm in the dark at 4 °C. After 22 days of storage, the performance in terms of the photocurrent was comparable with the freshly prepared biosensor. This result was confirmed by the measurement of chlorophyll content, which demonstrated preservation of the cyanobacterial biofilm. The capacity of this biosensor to recover after a cold season or other prolonged environmental stresses could be a key advantage in field applications, such as in water bodies and agriculture. This study is a step forward in the biotechnological development and implementation of storable mediatorless electrochemical biosensors for herbicide detection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Tucci
- e-Bio Center, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 2, 20,133 Milan, Italy; (M.T.); (A.S.)
| | - Paolo Bombelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 2, 20,133 Milano, Italy;
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Hopkins Building, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK;
| | - Christopher J. Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Hopkins Building, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK;
| | - Silvia Vignolini
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK;
| | - Stefano Bocchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 2, 20,133 Milano, Italy;
| | - Andrea Schievano
- e-Bio Center, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 2, 20,133 Milan, Italy; (M.T.); (A.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Wey LT, Bombelli P, Chen X, Lawrence JM, Rabideau CM, Rowden SJL, Zhang JZ, Howe CJ. The Development of Biophotovoltaic Systems for Power Generation and Biological Analysis. ChemElectroChem 2019; 6:5375-5386. [PMID: 31867153 PMCID: PMC6899825 DOI: 10.1002/celc.201900997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Biophotovoltaic systems (BPVs) resemble microbial fuel cells, but utilise oxygenic photosynthetic microorganisms associated with an anode to generate an extracellular electrical current, which is stimulated by illumination. Study and exploitation of BPVs have come a long way over the last few decades, having benefited from several generations of electrode development and improvements in wiring schemes. Power densities of up to 0.5 W m-2 and the powering of small electrical devices such as a digital clock have been reported. Improvements in standardisation have meant that this biophotoelectrochemical phenomenon can be further exploited to address biological questions relating to the organisms. Here, we aim to provide both biologists and electrochemists with a review of the progress of BPV development with a focus on biological materials, electrode design and interfacial wiring considerations, and propose steps for driving the field forward.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura T. Wey
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of CambridgeTennis Court RoadCambridgeCB2 1QWUK
| | - Paolo Bombelli
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of CambridgeTennis Court RoadCambridgeCB2 1QWUK
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche AmbientaliUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanItaly
| | - Xiaolong Chen
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of CambridgeLensfield RoadCambridgeCB1 2EWUK
| | - Joshua M. Lawrence
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of CambridgeTennis Court RoadCambridgeCB2 1QWUK
| | - Clayton M. Rabideau
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of CambridgeTennis Court RoadCambridgeCB2 1QWUK
- Department of Chemical Engineering and BiotechnologyUniversity of Cambridge Philippa Fawcett DrCambridgeCB3 0ASUK
| | - Stephen J. L. Rowden
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of CambridgeTennis Court RoadCambridgeCB2 1QWUK
| | - Jenny Z. Zhang
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of CambridgeLensfield RoadCambridgeCB1 2EWUK
| | - Christopher J. Howe
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of CambridgeTennis Court RoadCambridgeCB2 1QWUK
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Wey LT, Bombelli P, Chen X, Lawrence JM, Rabideau CM, Rowden SJL, Zhang JZ, Howe CJ. Cover Feature: The Development of Biophotovoltaic Systems for Power Generation and Biological Analysis (ChemElectroChem 21/2019). ChemElectroChem 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.201901663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura T. Wey
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of Cambridge Tennis Court Road Cambridge CB2 1QW UK
| | - Paolo Bombelli
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of Cambridge Tennis Court Road Cambridge CB2 1QW UK
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche AmbientaliUniversità degli Studi di Milano Milan Italy
| | - Xiaolong Chen
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB1 2EW UK
| | - Joshua M. Lawrence
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of Cambridge Tennis Court Road Cambridge CB2 1QW UK
| | - Clayton M. Rabideau
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of Cambridge Tennis Court Road Cambridge CB2 1QW UK
- Department of Chemical Engineering and BiotechnologyUniversity of Cambridge Philippa Fawcett Dr Cambridge CB3 0AS UK
| | - Stephen J. L. Rowden
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of Cambridge Tennis Court Road Cambridge CB2 1QW UK
| | - Jenny Z. Zhang
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB1 2EW UK
| | - Christopher J. Howe
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of Cambridge Tennis Court Road Cambridge CB2 1QW UK
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Hicks JL, Lassadi I, Carpenter EF, Eno M, Vardakis A, Waller RF, Howe CJ, Nisbet RER. An essential pentatricopeptide repeat protein in the apicomplexan remnant chloroplast. Cell Microbiol 2019; 21:e13108. [PMID: 31454137 PMCID: PMC6899631 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The malaria parasite Plasmodium and other apicomplexans such as Toxoplasma evolved from photosynthetic organisms and contain an essential, remnant plastid termed the apicoplast. Transcription of the apicoplast genome is polycistronic with extensive RNA processing. Yet little is known about the mechanism of apicoplast RNA processing. In plants, chloroplast RNA processing is controlled by multiple pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins. Here, we identify the single apicoplast PPR protein, PPR1. We show that the protein is essential and that it binds to RNA motifs corresponding with previously characterized processing sites. Additionally, PPR1 shields RNA transcripts from ribonuclease degradation. This is the first characterization of a PPR protein from a nonphotosynthetic plastid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna L Hicks
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Faculty of Science, Waikato University, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Imen Lassadi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Emma F Carpenter
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Madeleine Eno
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Ross F Waller
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - R Ellen R Nisbet
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Dorrell RG, Nisbet RER, Barbrook AC, Rowden SJL, Howe CJ. Integrated Genomic and Transcriptomic Analysis of the Peridinin Dinoflagellate Amphidinium carterae Plastid. Protist 2019; 170:358-373. [PMID: 31415953 DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The plastid genomes of peridinin-containing dinoflagellates are highly unusual, possessing very few genes, which are located on small chromosomal elements termed "minicircles". These minicircles may contain genes, or no recognisable coding information. Transcripts produced from minicircles may undergo unusual processing events, such as the addition of a 3' poly(U) tail. To date, little is known about the genetic or transcriptional diversity of non-coding sequences in peridinin dinoflagellate plastids. These sequences include empty minicircles, and regions of non-coding DNA in coding minicircles. Here, we present an integrated plastid genome and transcriptome for the model peridinin dinoflagellate Amphidinium carterae, identifying a previously undescribed minicircle. We also profile transcripts covering non-coding regions of the psbA and petB/atpA minicircles. We present evidence that antisense transcripts are produced within the A. carterae plastid, but show that these transcripts undergo different end cleavage events from sense transcripts, and do not receive 3' poly(U) tails. The difference in processing events between sense and antisense transcripts may enable the removal of non-coding transcripts from peridinin dinoflagellate plastid transcript pools.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - R Ellen R Nisbet
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Nimmo IC, Barbrook AC, Lassadi I, Chen JE, Geisler K, Smith AG, Aranda M, Purton S, Waller RF, Nisbet RER, Howe CJ. Genetic transformation of the dinoflagellate chloroplast. eLife 2019; 8:45292. [PMID: 31317866 PMCID: PMC6639071 DOI: 10.7554/elife.45292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Coral reefs are some of the most important and ecologically diverse marine environments. At the base of the reef ecosystem are dinoflagellate algae, which live symbiotically within coral cells. Efforts to understand the relationship between alga and coral have been greatly hampered by the lack of an appropriate dinoflagellate genetic transformation technology. By making use of the plasmid-like fragmented chloroplast genome, we have introduced novel genetic material into the dinoflagellate chloroplast genome. We have shown that the introduced genes are expressed and confer the expected phenotypes. Genetically modified cultures have been grown for 1 year with subculturing, maintaining the introduced genes and phenotypes. This indicates that cells continue to divide after transformation and that the transformation is stable. This is the first report of stable chloroplast transformation in dinoflagellate algae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel C Nimmo
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian C Barbrook
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Imen Lassadi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jit Ern Chen
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.,Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Katrin Geisler
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Alison G Smith
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Manuel Aranda
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saul Purton
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ross F Waller
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - R Ellen R Nisbet
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Vasudevan R, Gale GAR, Schiavon AA, Puzorjov A, Malin J, Gillespie MD, Vavitsas K, Zulkower V, Wang B, Howe CJ, Lea-Smith DJ, McCormick AJ. CyanoGate: A Modular Cloning Suite for Engineering Cyanobacteria Based on the Plant MoClo Syntax. Plant Physiol 2019; 180:39-55. [PMID: 30819783 PMCID: PMC6501082 DOI: 10.1104/pp.18.01401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2019] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in synthetic biology research have been underpinned by an exponential increase in available genomic information and a proliferation of advanced DNA assembly tools. The adoption of plasmid vector assembly standards and parts libraries has greatly enhanced the reproducibility of research and the exchange of parts between different labs and biological systems. However, a standardized modular cloning (MoClo) system is not yet available for cyanobacteria, which lag behind other prokaryotes in synthetic biology despite their huge potential regarding biotechnological applications. By building on the assembly library and syntax of the Plant Golden Gate MoClo kit, we have developed a versatile system called CyanoGate that unites cyanobacteria with plant and algal systems. Here, we describe the generation of a suite of parts and acceptor vectors for making (1) marked/unmarked knock-outs or integrations using an integrative acceptor vector, and (2) transient multigene expression and repression systems using known and previously undescribed replicative vectors. We tested and compared the CyanoGate system in the established model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and the more recently described fast-growing strain Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973. The UTEX 2973 fast-growth phenotype was only evident under specific growth conditions; however, UTEX 2973 accumulated high levels of proteins with strong native or synthetic promoters. The system is publicly available and can be readily expanded to accommodate other standardized MoClo parts to accelerate the development of reliable synthetic biology tools for the cyanobacterial community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ravendran Vasudevan
- Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
| | - Grant A R Gale
- Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, United Kingdom
| | - Alejandra A Schiavon
- Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
| | - Anton Puzorjov
- Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
| | - John Malin
- Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D Gillespie
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Konstantinos Vavitsas
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- CSIRO, Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
| | - Valentin Zulkower
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
| | - Baojun Wang
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
| | - David J Lea-Smith
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Alistair J McCormick
- Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Chen JE, Barbrook AC, Cui G, Howe CJ, Aranda M. The genetic intractability of Symbiodinium microadriaticum to standard algal transformation methods. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211936. [PMID: 30779749 PMCID: PMC6380556 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Modern transformation and genome editing techniques have shown great success across a broad variety of organisms. However, no study of successfully applied genome editing has been reported in a dinoflagellate despite the first genetic transformation of Symbiodinium being published about 20 years ago. Using an array of different available transformation techniques, we attempted to transform Symbiodinium microadriaticum (CCMP2467), a dinoflagellate symbiont of reef-building corals, with the view to performing subsequent CRISPR-Cas9 mediated genome editing. Plasmid vectors designed for nuclear transformation containing the chloramphenicol resistance gene under the control of the CaMV p35S promoter as well as several putative endogenous promoters were used to test a variety of transformation techniques including biolistics, electroporation and agitation with silicon carbide whiskers. Chloroplast-targeted transformation was attempted using an engineered Symbiodinium chloroplast minicircle encoding a modified PsbA protein expected to confer atrazine resistance. We report that we have been unable to confer chloramphenicol or atrazine resistance on Symbiodinium microadriaticum strain CCMP2467.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jit Ern Chen
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
- Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Adrian C. Barbrook
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Guoxin Cui
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Christopher J. Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Manuel Aranda
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Laws MB, Magill M, Mastroleo NR, Gamarel KE, Howe CJ, Walthers J, Monti PM, Souza T, Wilson IB, Rose GS, Kahler CW. Corrigendum to "A sequential analysis of motivational interviewing technical skills and client responses" [Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 92 (2018 Sep) 27-34]. J Subst Abuse Treat 2019; 98:26-27. [PMID: 30665600 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M B Laws
- Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States.
| | - M Magill
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States; Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States
| | - N R Mastroleo
- College of Community and Public Affairs, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, United States
| | - K E Gamarel
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - C J Howe
- Department of Epidemiology, Centers for Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States
| | - J Walthers
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States; Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States
| | - P M Monti
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States; Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States
| | - T Souza
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States; Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States
| | - I B Wilson
- Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States
| | - G S Rose
- William James College, Newton, MA, United States
| | - C W Kahler
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States; Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Klinger CM, Paoli L, Newby RJ, Wang MYW, Carroll HD, Leblond JD, Howe CJ, Dacks JB, Bowler C, Cahoon AB, Dorrell RG, Richardson E. Plastid Transcript Editing across Dinoflagellate Lineages Shows Lineage-Specific Application but Conserved Trends. Genome Biol Evol 2018; 10:1019-1038. [PMID: 29617800 PMCID: PMC5888634 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Dinoflagellates are a group of unicellular protists with immense ecological and evolutionary significance and cell biological diversity. Of the photosynthetic dinoflagellates, the majority possess a plastid containing the pigment peridinin, whereas some lineages have replaced this plastid by serial endosymbiosis with plastids of distinct evolutionary affiliations, including a fucoxanthin pigment-containing plastid of haptophyte origin. Previous studies have described the presence of widespread substitutional RNA editing in peridinin and fucoxanthin plastid genes. Because reports of this process have been limited to manual assessment of individual lineages, global trends concerning this RNA editing and its effect on the biological function of the plastid are largely unknown. Using novel bioinformatic methods, we examine the dynamics and evolution of RNA editing over a large multispecies data set of dinoflagellates, including novel sequence data from the peridinin dinoflagellate Pyrocystis lunula and the fucoxanthin dinoflagellate Karenia mikimotoi. We demonstrate that while most individual RNA editing events in dinoflagellate plastids are restricted to single species, global patterns, and functional consequences of editing are broadly conserved. We find that editing is biased toward specific codon positions and regions of genes, and generally corrects otherwise deleterious changes in the genome prior to translation, though this effect is more prevalent in peridinin than fucoxanthin lineages. Our results support a model for promiscuous editing application subsequently shaped by purifying selection, and suggest the presence of an underlying editing mechanism transferred from the peridinin-containing ancestor into fucoxanthin plastids postendosymbiosis, with remarkably conserved functional consequences in the new lineage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christen M Klinger
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lucas Paoli
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Robert J Newby
- Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University
| | - Matthew Yu-Wei Wang
- Center for Computational Science and Department of Computer Science, Columbus State University, Columbus, GA 31907
| | - Hyrum D Carroll
- Center for Computational Science and Department of Computer Science, Columbus State University, Columbus, GA 31907
| | | | | | - Joel B Dacks
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Chris Bowler
- Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Aubery Bruce Cahoon
- Department of Natural Sciences, The University of Virginia's College at Wise
| | - Richard G Dorrell
- Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Abstract
Plastics are synthetic polymers derived from fossil oil and largely resistant to biodegradation. Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) represent ∼92% of total plastic production. PE is largely utilized in packaging, representing ∼40% of total demand for plastic products (www.plasticseurope.org) with over a trillion plastic bags used every year [1]. Plastic production has increased exponentially in the past 50 years (Figure S1A in Supplemental Information, published with this article online). In the 27 EU countries plus Norway and Switzerland up to 38% of plastic is discarded in landfills, with the rest utilized for recycling (26%) and energy recovery (36%) via combustion (www.plasticseurope.org), carrying a heavy environmental impact. Therefore, new solutions for plastic degradation are urgently needed. We report the fast bio-degradation of PE by larvae of the wax moth Galleria mellonella, producing ethylene glycol.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Bombelli
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Federica Bertocchini
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnologia de Cantabria-CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria-SODERCAN, Av.da A. Einstein, Santander, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Rowden SJL, Bombelli P, Howe CJ. Biophotovoltaics: Design and Study of Bioelectrochemical Systems for Biotechnological Applications and Metabolic Investigation. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1770:335-346. [PMID: 29978412 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7786-4_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Biophotovoltaic methods rely on the fact that photosynthetic microorganisms, like many others, can export small amounts of electric current. For photosynthetic organisms, this current usually increases on illumination. This "exoelectrogenic" property may be of biotechnological interest, and may also provide useful experimental insights into the physiological status of the cell. We describe how to construct biophotovoltaic devices, and the kinds of measurements that are typically made.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J L Rowden
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich, Kent, UK
| | - Paolo Bombelli
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Call TP, Carey T, Bombelli P, Lea-Smith DJ, Hooper P, Howe CJ, Torrisi F. Platinum-free, graphene based anodes and air cathodes for single chamber microbial fuel cells. J Mater Chem A Mater 2017; 5:23872-23886. [PMID: 29456857 PMCID: PMC5795293 DOI: 10.1039/c7ta06895f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) exploit the ability of microorganisms to generate electrical power during metabolism of substrates. However, the low efficiency of extracellular electron transfer from cells to the anode and the use of expensive rare metals as catalysts, such as platinum, limit their application and scalability. In this study we investigate the use of pristine graphene based electrodes at both the anode and the cathode of a MFC for efficient electrical energy production from the metabolically versatile bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris CGA009. We achieve a volumetric peak power output (PV) of up to 3.51 ± 0.50 W m-3 using graphene based aerogel anodes with a surface area of 8.2 m2 g-1. We demonstrate that enhanced MFC output arises from the interplay of the improved surface area, enhanced conductivity, and catalytic surface groups of the graphene based electrode. In addition, we show a 500-fold increase in PV to 1.3 ± 0.23 W m-3 when using a graphene coated stainless steel (SS) air cathode, compared to an uncoated SS cathode, demonstrating the feasibility of a platinum-free, graphene catalysed MFCs. Finally, we show a direct application for microwatt-consuming electronics by connecting several of these coin sized devices in series to power a digital clock.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Toby P Call
- Department of Biochemistry , University of Cambridge , Hopkins Building, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road , Cambridge , CB2 1QW , UK . ; ; Tel: +44 (0)1223 333688
| | - Tian Carey
- Cambridge Graphene Centre , Department of Engineering , University of Cambridge , 9 JJ Thomson Avenue , Cambridge , CB3 0FA , UK . ; ; Tel: +44 (0)1223 332803
| | - Paolo Bombelli
- Department of Biochemistry , University of Cambridge , Hopkins Building, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road , Cambridge , CB2 1QW , UK . ; ; Tel: +44 (0)1223 333688
| | - David J Lea-Smith
- Department of Biochemistry , University of Cambridge , Hopkins Building, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road , Cambridge , CB2 1QW , UK . ; ; Tel: +44 (0)1223 333688
| | - Philippa Hooper
- Cambridge Graphene Centre , Department of Engineering , University of Cambridge , 9 JJ Thomson Avenue , Cambridge , CB3 0FA , UK . ; ; Tel: +44 (0)1223 332803
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology , University of Cambridge , Philippa Fawcett Drive , Cambridge , CB3 0AS , UK
| | - Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry , University of Cambridge , Hopkins Building, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road , Cambridge , CB2 1QW , UK . ; ; Tel: +44 (0)1223 333688
| | - Felice Torrisi
- Cambridge Graphene Centre , Department of Engineering , University of Cambridge , 9 JJ Thomson Avenue , Cambridge , CB3 0FA , UK . ; ; Tel: +44 (0)1223 332803
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Sawa M, Fantuzzi A, Bombelli P, Howe CJ, Hellgardt K, Nixon PJ. Electricity generation from digitally printed cyanobacteria. Nat Commun 2017; 8:1327. [PMID: 29109396 PMCID: PMC5673893 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01084-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial biophotovoltaic cells exploit the ability of cyanobacteria and microalgae to convert light energy into electrical current using water as the source of electrons. Such bioelectrochemical systems have a clear advantage over more conventional microbial fuel cells which require the input of organic carbon for microbial growth. However, innovative approaches are needed to address scale-up issues associated with the fabrication of the inorganic (electrodes) and biological (microbe) parts of the biophotovoltaic device. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of using a simple commercial inkjet printer to fabricate a thin-film paper-based biophotovoltaic cell consisting of a layer of cyanobacterial cells on top of a carbon nanotube conducting surface. We show that these printed cyanobacteria are capable of generating a sustained electrical current both in the dark (as a ‘solar bio-battery’) and in response to light (as a ‘bio-solar-panel’) with potential applications in low-power devices. Cyanobacteria can be exploited to convert light energy into electrical current, however utilising them efficiently for power generation is a challenge. Here, the authors use a simple commercial inkjet printer to fabricate a thin-film paper-based biophotovoltaic cell capable of driving low-power devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marin Sawa
- Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, University of Arts London, Granary Building, London, N1C 4AA, UK.,Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Ernst Chain Building - Wolfson Laboratories, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Andrea Fantuzzi
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Ernst Chain Building - Wolfson Laboratories, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Paolo Bombelli
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Hopkins Building, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Hopkins Building, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Klaus Hellgardt
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, Bone Building, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Peter J Nixon
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Ernst Chain Building - Wolfson Laboratories, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Abstract
![]()
Factors
governing the photoelectrochemical output of photosynthetic
microorganisms are poorly understood, and energy loss may occur due
to inefficient electron transfer (ET) processes. Here, we systematically
compare the photoelectrochemistry of photosystem II (PSII) protein-films
to cyanobacteria biofilms to derive: (i) the losses in light-to-charge
conversion efficiencies, (ii) gains in photocatalytic longevity, and
(iii) insights into the ET mechanism at the biofilm interface. This
study was enabled by the use of hierarchically structured electrodes,
which could be tailored for high/stable loadings of PSII core complexes
and Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cells.
The mediated photocurrent densities generated by the biofilm were
2 orders of magnitude lower than those of the protein-film. This was
partly attributed to a lower photocatalyst loading as the rate of
mediated electron extraction from PSII in vitro is
only double that of PSII in vivo. On the other hand,
the biofilm exhibited much greater longevity (>5 days) than the
protein-film
(<6 h), with turnover numbers surpassing those of the protein-film
after 2 days. The mechanism of biofilm electrogenesis is suggested
to involve an intracellular redox mediator, which is released during
light irradiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Z Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Paolo Bombelli
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
| | - Katarzyna P Sokol
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Fantuzzi
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London , London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - A William Rutherford
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London , London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
| | - Erwin Reisner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
|
32
|
Adams JW, Howe CJ, Andrews AC, Allen SL, Vinnard C. Tuberculosis screening among HIV-infected patients: tuberculin skin test vs. interferon-gamma release assay. AIDS Care 2017; 29:1504-1509. [PMID: 28486818 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2017.1325438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
National guidelines recommend screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in all HIV-infected patients. Thus, the objective of this study was to measure protocol adherence to national guidelines regarding LTBI screening for HIV-infected patients entering care at an urban primary care clinic specializing in HIV care, identify clinical and other characteristics associated with adherence, and determine whether transitioning from the tuberculin skin test (TST) to the interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) improved adherence. We conducted a retrospective study using protocol adherence to LTBI screening guidelines within twelve months of entering care at an HIV clinic as the primary outcome. Successful protocol adherence was defined as the placement and reading of a TST, performance of an IGRA, or a note in study clinic records documenting prior testing or treatment for tuberculosis in an outside setting. Multivariable modified Poisson regression models were used in analyses. Overall, 32% (n = 118/372) of patients received LTBI screening within twelve months of entering care. Protocol adherence to LTBI screening guidelines increased from 28% to 37% following the transition from TST to IGRA screening. IGRA screening [adjusted prevalence ratio: 1.45, 95% confidence limits: (1.07, 1.96)], male sex [1.47 (1.05, 2.07)], transfer patient status [1.51 (1.05, 2.18)], and greater than one year of clinic attendance [1.62 (1.06, 2.48)] were independently associated with protocol adherence. Among patients without prior LTBI screening or treatment, patients entering the clinic in 2013 under the IGRA screening protocol were more likely to be screened for LTBI compared to patients entering under the TST screening protocol (34.3% vs. 9.7%, p < 0.001). In conclusion, transitioning from TST to IGRA-based screening improved adherence to screening guidelines. However, further work on improving adherence to LTBI screening guidelines among HIV-infected patients is needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J W Adams
- a Department of Epidemiology , Brown University School of Public Health , Providence , USA
| | - C J Howe
- a Department of Epidemiology , Brown University School of Public Health , Providence , USA
| | - A C Andrews
- b Department of Epidemiology , Drexel School of Public Health , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - S L Allen
- c Division of Infectious Diseases & HIV Medicine , Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - C Vinnard
- d Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers , The State University of New Jersey , Newark , NJ , USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Dorrell RG, Klinger CM, Newby RJ, Butterfield ER, Richardson E, Dacks JB, Howe CJ, Nisbet ER, Bowler C. Progressive and Biased Divergent Evolution Underpins the Origin and Diversification of Peridinin Dinoflagellate Plastids. Mol Biol Evol 2016; 34:361-379. [DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msw235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
34
|
Lea-Smith DJ, Ortiz-Suarez ML, Lenn T, Nürnberg DJ, Baers LL, Davey MP, Parolini L, Huber RG, Cotton CAR, Mastroianni G, Bombelli P, Ungerer P, Stevens TJ, Smith AG, Bond PJ, Mullineaux CW, Howe CJ. Hydrocarbons Are Essential for Optimal Cell Size, Division, and Growth of Cyanobacteria. Plant Physiol 2016; 172:1928-1940. [PMID: 27707888 PMCID: PMC5100757 DOI: 10.1104/pp.16.01205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are intricately organized, incorporating an array of internal thylakoid membranes, the site of photosynthesis, into cells no larger than other bacteria. They also synthesize C15-C19 alkanes and alkenes, which results in substantial production of hydrocarbons in the environment. All sequenced cyanobacteria encode hydrocarbon biosynthesis pathways, suggesting an important, undefined physiological role for these compounds. Here, we demonstrate that hydrocarbon-deficient mutants of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 and Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 exhibit significant phenotypic differences from wild type, including enlarged cell size, reduced growth, and increased division defects. Photosynthetic rates were similar between strains, although a minor reduction in energy transfer between the soluble light harvesting phycobilisome complex and membrane-bound photosystems was observed. Hydrocarbons were shown to accumulate in thylakoid and cytoplasmic membranes. Modeling of membranes suggests these compounds aggregate in the center of the lipid bilayer, potentially promoting membrane flexibility and facilitating curvature. In vivo measurements confirmed that Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 mutants lacking hydrocarbons exhibit reduced thylakoid membrane curvature compared to wild type. We propose that hydrocarbons may have a role in inducing the flexibility in membranes required for optimal cell division, size, and growth, and efficient association of soluble and membrane bound proteins. The recent identification of C15-C17 alkanes and alkenes in microalgal species suggests hydrocarbons may serve a similar function in a broad range of photosynthetic organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David J Lea-Smith
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom (D.J.L.-S., L.L.B., C.A.R.C., P.B., C.J.H.);
- Centre for Molecular Science Informatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom (M.L.O.-S., P.J.B.);
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom (T.L., D.J.N., G.M., P.U., C.W.M.);
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EA, United Kingdom (M.P.D., A.G.S.);
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom (L.P.);
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, Singapore 138671 (R.G.H., P.J.B.);
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom (T.J.S.); and
- National University of Singapore, Department of Biological Sciences, Singapore 117543 (P.J.B.)
| | - Maite L Ortiz-Suarez
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom (D.J.L.-S., L.L.B., C.A.R.C., P.B., C.J.H.)
- Centre for Molecular Science Informatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom (M.L.O.-S., P.J.B.)
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom (T.L., D.J.N., G.M., P.U., C.W.M.)
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EA, United Kingdom (M.P.D., A.G.S.)
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom (L.P.)
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, Singapore 138671 (R.G.H., P.J.B.)
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom (T.J.S.); and
- National University of Singapore, Department of Biological Sciences, Singapore 117543 (P.J.B.)
| | - Tchern Lenn
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom (D.J.L.-S., L.L.B., C.A.R.C., P.B., C.J.H.)
- Centre for Molecular Science Informatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom (M.L.O.-S., P.J.B.)
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom (T.L., D.J.N., G.M., P.U., C.W.M.)
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EA, United Kingdom (M.P.D., A.G.S.)
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom (L.P.)
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, Singapore 138671 (R.G.H., P.J.B.)
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom (T.J.S.); and
- National University of Singapore, Department of Biological Sciences, Singapore 117543 (P.J.B.)
| | - Dennis J Nürnberg
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom (D.J.L.-S., L.L.B., C.A.R.C., P.B., C.J.H.)
- Centre for Molecular Science Informatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom (M.L.O.-S., P.J.B.)
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom (T.L., D.J.N., G.M., P.U., C.W.M.)
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EA, United Kingdom (M.P.D., A.G.S.)
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom (L.P.)
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, Singapore 138671 (R.G.H., P.J.B.)
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom (T.J.S.); and
- National University of Singapore, Department of Biological Sciences, Singapore 117543 (P.J.B.)
| | - Laura L Baers
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom (D.J.L.-S., L.L.B., C.A.R.C., P.B., C.J.H.)
- Centre for Molecular Science Informatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom (M.L.O.-S., P.J.B.)
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom (T.L., D.J.N., G.M., P.U., C.W.M.)
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EA, United Kingdom (M.P.D., A.G.S.)
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom (L.P.)
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, Singapore 138671 (R.G.H., P.J.B.)
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom (T.J.S.); and
- National University of Singapore, Department of Biological Sciences, Singapore 117543 (P.J.B.)
| | - Matthew P Davey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom (D.J.L.-S., L.L.B., C.A.R.C., P.B., C.J.H.)
- Centre for Molecular Science Informatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom (M.L.O.-S., P.J.B.)
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom (T.L., D.J.N., G.M., P.U., C.W.M.)
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EA, United Kingdom (M.P.D., A.G.S.)
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom (L.P.)
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, Singapore 138671 (R.G.H., P.J.B.)
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom (T.J.S.); and
- National University of Singapore, Department of Biological Sciences, Singapore 117543 (P.J.B.)
| | - Lucia Parolini
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom (D.J.L.-S., L.L.B., C.A.R.C., P.B., C.J.H.)
- Centre for Molecular Science Informatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom (M.L.O.-S., P.J.B.)
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom (T.L., D.J.N., G.M., P.U., C.W.M.)
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EA, United Kingdom (M.P.D., A.G.S.)
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom (L.P.)
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, Singapore 138671 (R.G.H., P.J.B.)
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom (T.J.S.); and
- National University of Singapore, Department of Biological Sciences, Singapore 117543 (P.J.B.)
| | - Roland G Huber
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom (D.J.L.-S., L.L.B., C.A.R.C., P.B., C.J.H.)
- Centre for Molecular Science Informatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom (M.L.O.-S., P.J.B.)
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom (T.L., D.J.N., G.M., P.U., C.W.M.)
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EA, United Kingdom (M.P.D., A.G.S.)
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom (L.P.)
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, Singapore 138671 (R.G.H., P.J.B.)
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom (T.J.S.); and
- National University of Singapore, Department of Biological Sciences, Singapore 117543 (P.J.B.)
| | - Charles A R Cotton
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom (D.J.L.-S., L.L.B., C.A.R.C., P.B., C.J.H.)
- Centre for Molecular Science Informatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom (M.L.O.-S., P.J.B.)
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom (T.L., D.J.N., G.M., P.U., C.W.M.)
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EA, United Kingdom (M.P.D., A.G.S.)
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom (L.P.)
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, Singapore 138671 (R.G.H., P.J.B.)
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom (T.J.S.); and
- National University of Singapore, Department of Biological Sciences, Singapore 117543 (P.J.B.)
| | - Giulia Mastroianni
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom (D.J.L.-S., L.L.B., C.A.R.C., P.B., C.J.H.)
- Centre for Molecular Science Informatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom (M.L.O.-S., P.J.B.)
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom (T.L., D.J.N., G.M., P.U., C.W.M.)
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EA, United Kingdom (M.P.D., A.G.S.)
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom (L.P.)
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, Singapore 138671 (R.G.H., P.J.B.)
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom (T.J.S.); and
- National University of Singapore, Department of Biological Sciences, Singapore 117543 (P.J.B.)
| | - Paolo Bombelli
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom (D.J.L.-S., L.L.B., C.A.R.C., P.B., C.J.H.)
- Centre for Molecular Science Informatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom (M.L.O.-S., P.J.B.)
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom (T.L., D.J.N., G.M., P.U., C.W.M.)
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EA, United Kingdom (M.P.D., A.G.S.)
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom (L.P.)
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, Singapore 138671 (R.G.H., P.J.B.)
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom (T.J.S.); and
- National University of Singapore, Department of Biological Sciences, Singapore 117543 (P.J.B.)
| | - Petra Ungerer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom (D.J.L.-S., L.L.B., C.A.R.C., P.B., C.J.H.)
- Centre for Molecular Science Informatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom (M.L.O.-S., P.J.B.)
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom (T.L., D.J.N., G.M., P.U., C.W.M.)
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EA, United Kingdom (M.P.D., A.G.S.)
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom (L.P.)
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, Singapore 138671 (R.G.H., P.J.B.)
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom (T.J.S.); and
- National University of Singapore, Department of Biological Sciences, Singapore 117543 (P.J.B.)
| | - Tim J Stevens
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom (D.J.L.-S., L.L.B., C.A.R.C., P.B., C.J.H.)
- Centre for Molecular Science Informatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom (M.L.O.-S., P.J.B.)
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom (T.L., D.J.N., G.M., P.U., C.W.M.)
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EA, United Kingdom (M.P.D., A.G.S.)
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom (L.P.)
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, Singapore 138671 (R.G.H., P.J.B.)
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom (T.J.S.); and
- National University of Singapore, Department of Biological Sciences, Singapore 117543 (P.J.B.)
| | - Alison G Smith
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom (D.J.L.-S., L.L.B., C.A.R.C., P.B., C.J.H.)
- Centre for Molecular Science Informatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom (M.L.O.-S., P.J.B.)
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom (T.L., D.J.N., G.M., P.U., C.W.M.)
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EA, United Kingdom (M.P.D., A.G.S.)
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom (L.P.)
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, Singapore 138671 (R.G.H., P.J.B.)
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom (T.J.S.); and
- National University of Singapore, Department of Biological Sciences, Singapore 117543 (P.J.B.)
| | - Peter J Bond
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom (D.J.L.-S., L.L.B., C.A.R.C., P.B., C.J.H.)
- Centre for Molecular Science Informatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom (M.L.O.-S., P.J.B.)
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom (T.L., D.J.N., G.M., P.U., C.W.M.)
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EA, United Kingdom (M.P.D., A.G.S.)
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom (L.P.)
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, Singapore 138671 (R.G.H., P.J.B.)
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom (T.J.S.); and
- National University of Singapore, Department of Biological Sciences, Singapore 117543 (P.J.B.)
| | - Conrad W Mullineaux
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom (D.J.L.-S., L.L.B., C.A.R.C., P.B., C.J.H.)
- Centre for Molecular Science Informatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom (M.L.O.-S., P.J.B.)
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom (T.L., D.J.N., G.M., P.U., C.W.M.)
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EA, United Kingdom (M.P.D., A.G.S.)
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom (L.P.)
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, Singapore 138671 (R.G.H., P.J.B.)
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom (T.J.S.); and
- National University of Singapore, Department of Biological Sciences, Singapore 117543 (P.J.B.)
| | - Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom (D.J.L.-S., L.L.B., C.A.R.C., P.B., C.J.H.)
- Centre for Molecular Science Informatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom (M.L.O.-S., P.J.B.)
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom (T.L., D.J.N., G.M., P.U., C.W.M.)
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EA, United Kingdom (M.P.D., A.G.S.)
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom (L.P.)
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, Singapore 138671 (R.G.H., P.J.B.)
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom (T.J.S.); and
- National University of Singapore, Department of Biological Sciences, Singapore 117543 (P.J.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Bombelli P, Dennis RJ, Felder F, Cooper MB, Madras Rajaraman Iyer D, Royles J, Harrison STL, Smith AG, Harrison CJ, Howe CJ. Electrical output of bryophyte microbial fuel cell systems is sufficient to power a radio or an environmental sensor. R Soc Open Sci 2016; 3:160249. [PMID: 27853542 PMCID: PMC5098967 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Plant microbial fuel cells are a recently developed technology that exploits photosynthesis in vascular plants by harnessing solar energy and generating electrical power. In this study, the model moss species Physcomitrella patens, and other environmental samples of mosses, have been used to develop a non-vascular bryophyte microbial fuel cell (bryoMFC). A novel three-dimensional anodic matrix was successfully created and characterized and was further tested in a bryoMFC to determine the capacity of mosses to generate electrical power. The importance of anodophilic microorganisms in the bryoMFC was also determined. It was found that the non-sterile bryoMFCs operated with P. patens delivered over an order of magnitude higher peak power output (2.6 ± 0.6 µW m-2) than bryoMFCs kept in near-sterile conditions (0.2 ± 0.1 µW m-2). These results confirm the importance of the microbial populations for delivering electrons to the anode in a bryoMFC. When the bryoMFCs were operated with environmental samples of moss (non-sterile) the peak power output reached 6.7 ± 0.6 mW m-2. The bryoMFCs operated with environmental samples of moss were able to power a commercial radio receiver or an environmental sensor (LCD desktop weather station).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Bombelli
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Hopkins Building, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Ross J. Dennis
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Hopkins Building, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK
- The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Division of Plant Industry, Canberra, Queensland, Australia
| | - Fabienne Felder
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Hopkins Building, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Matt B. Cooper
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA, UK
| | - Durgaprasad Madras Rajaraman Iyer
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jessica Royles
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA, UK
| | - Susan T. L. Harrison
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Alison G. Smith
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA, UK
| | - C. Jill Harrison
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, Downing, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Christopher J. Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Hopkins Building, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Nisbet RER, Kurniawan DP, Bowers HD, Howe CJ. Transcripts in the Plasmodium Apicoplast Undergo Cleavage at tRNAs and Editing, and Include Antisense Sequences. Protist 2016; 167:377-388. [PMID: 27458998 PMCID: PMC4995348 DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2016.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The apicoplast, an organelle found in Plasmodium and many other parasitic apicomplexan species, is a remnant chloroplast that is no longer able to carry out photosynthesis. Very little is known about primary transcripts and RNA processing in the Plasmodium apicoplast, although processing in chloroplasts of some related organisms (chromerids and dinoflagellate algae) shows a number of unusual features, including RNA editing and the addition of 3′ poly(U) tails. Here, we show that many apicoplast transcripts are polycistronic and that there is extensive RNA processing, often involving the excision of tRNA molecules. We have identified major RNA processing sites, and have shown that these are associated with a conserved sequence motif. We provide the first evidence for the presence of RNA editing in the Plasmodium apicoplast, which has evolved independently from editing in dinoflagellates. We also present evidence for long, polycistronic antisense transcripts, and show that in some cases these are processed at the same sites as sense transcripts. Together, this research has significantly enhanced our understanding of the evolution of chloroplast RNA processing in the Apicomplexa and dinoflagellate algae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Ellen R Nisbet
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, United Kingdom.
| | - Davy P Kurniawan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
| | - Harrison D Bowers
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Ermakova M, Huokko T, Richaud P, Bersanini L, Howe CJ, Lea-Smith DJ, Peltier G, Allahverdiyeva Y. Distinguishing the Roles of Thylakoid Respiratory Terminal Oxidases in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Plant Physiol 2016; 171:1307-19. [PMID: 27208274 PMCID: PMC4902628 DOI: 10.1104/pp.16.00479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Various oxygen-utilizing electron sinks, including the soluble flavodiiron proteins (Flv1/3), and the membrane-localized respiratory terminal oxidases (RTOs), cytochrome c oxidase (Cox) and cytochrome bd quinol oxidase (Cyd), are present in the photosynthetic electron transfer chain of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. However, the role of individual RTOs and their relative importance compared with other electron sinks are poorly understood, particularly under light. Via membrane inlet mass spectrometry gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence, P700 analysis, and inhibitor treatment of the wild type and various mutants deficient in RTOs, Flv1/3, and photosystem I, we investigated the contribution of these complexes to the alleviation of excess electrons in the photosynthetic chain. To our knowledge, for the first time, we demonstrated the activity of Cyd in oxygen uptake under light, although it was detected only upon inhibition of electron transfer at the cytochrome b6f site and in ∆flv1/3 under fluctuating light conditions, where linear electron transfer was drastically inhibited due to impaired photosystem I activity. Cox is mostly responsible for dark respiration and competes with P700 for electrons under high light. Only the ∆cox/cyd double mutant, but not single mutants, demonstrated a highly reduced plastoquinone pool in darkness and impaired gross oxygen evolution under light, indicating that thylakoid-based RTOs are able to compensate partially for each other. Thus, both electron sinks contribute to the alleviation of excess electrons under illumination: RTOs continue to function under light, operating on slower time ranges and on a limited scale, whereas Flv1/3 responds rapidly as a light-induced component and has greater capacity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ermakova
- Laboratory of Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku FI-20014, Finland (M.E., T.H., L.B., Y.A.);Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Institut de Biologie Environnementale et de Biotechnologie, Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Biotechnologie des Bactéries et Microalgues, Cadarache, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France (P.R., G.P.);Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Biologie Végétale et Microbiologie Environnementales, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7265, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France (P.R., G.P.);Aix Marseille Université, Biologie Végétale et Microbiologie Environnementales, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7265, F-13284 Marseille, France (P.R., G.P.); andDepartment of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QW United Kingdom (C.J.H., D.J.L.-S.)
| | - Tuomas Huokko
- Laboratory of Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku FI-20014, Finland (M.E., T.H., L.B., Y.A.);Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Institut de Biologie Environnementale et de Biotechnologie, Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Biotechnologie des Bactéries et Microalgues, Cadarache, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France (P.R., G.P.);Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Biologie Végétale et Microbiologie Environnementales, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7265, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France (P.R., G.P.);Aix Marseille Université, Biologie Végétale et Microbiologie Environnementales, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7265, F-13284 Marseille, France (P.R., G.P.); andDepartment of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QW United Kingdom (C.J.H., D.J.L.-S.)
| | - Pierre Richaud
- Laboratory of Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku FI-20014, Finland (M.E., T.H., L.B., Y.A.);Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Institut de Biologie Environnementale et de Biotechnologie, Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Biotechnologie des Bactéries et Microalgues, Cadarache, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France (P.R., G.P.);Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Biologie Végétale et Microbiologie Environnementales, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7265, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France (P.R., G.P.);Aix Marseille Université, Biologie Végétale et Microbiologie Environnementales, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7265, F-13284 Marseille, France (P.R., G.P.); andDepartment of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QW United Kingdom (C.J.H., D.J.L.-S.)
| | - Luca Bersanini
- Laboratory of Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku FI-20014, Finland (M.E., T.H., L.B., Y.A.);Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Institut de Biologie Environnementale et de Biotechnologie, Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Biotechnologie des Bactéries et Microalgues, Cadarache, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France (P.R., G.P.);Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Biologie Végétale et Microbiologie Environnementales, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7265, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France (P.R., G.P.);Aix Marseille Université, Biologie Végétale et Microbiologie Environnementales, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7265, F-13284 Marseille, France (P.R., G.P.); andDepartment of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QW United Kingdom (C.J.H., D.J.L.-S.)
| | - Christopher J Howe
- Laboratory of Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku FI-20014, Finland (M.E., T.H., L.B., Y.A.);Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Institut de Biologie Environnementale et de Biotechnologie, Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Biotechnologie des Bactéries et Microalgues, Cadarache, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France (P.R., G.P.);Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Biologie Végétale et Microbiologie Environnementales, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7265, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France (P.R., G.P.);Aix Marseille Université, Biologie Végétale et Microbiologie Environnementales, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7265, F-13284 Marseille, France (P.R., G.P.); andDepartment of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QW United Kingdom (C.J.H., D.J.L.-S.)
| | - David J Lea-Smith
- Laboratory of Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku FI-20014, Finland (M.E., T.H., L.B., Y.A.);Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Institut de Biologie Environnementale et de Biotechnologie, Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Biotechnologie des Bactéries et Microalgues, Cadarache, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France (P.R., G.P.);Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Biologie Végétale et Microbiologie Environnementales, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7265, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France (P.R., G.P.);Aix Marseille Université, Biologie Végétale et Microbiologie Environnementales, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7265, F-13284 Marseille, France (P.R., G.P.); andDepartment of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QW United Kingdom (C.J.H., D.J.L.-S.)
| | - Gilles Peltier
- Laboratory of Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku FI-20014, Finland (M.E., T.H., L.B., Y.A.);Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Institut de Biologie Environnementale et de Biotechnologie, Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Biotechnologie des Bactéries et Microalgues, Cadarache, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France (P.R., G.P.);Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Biologie Végétale et Microbiologie Environnementales, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7265, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France (P.R., G.P.);Aix Marseille Université, Biologie Végétale et Microbiologie Environnementales, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7265, F-13284 Marseille, France (P.R., G.P.); andDepartment of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QW United Kingdom (C.J.H., D.J.L.-S.)
| | - Yagut Allahverdiyeva
- Laboratory of Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku FI-20014, Finland (M.E., T.H., L.B., Y.A.);Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Institut de Biologie Environnementale et de Biotechnologie, Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Biotechnologie des Bactéries et Microalgues, Cadarache, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France (P.R., G.P.);Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Biologie Végétale et Microbiologie Environnementales, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7265, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France (P.R., G.P.);Aix Marseille Université, Biologie Végétale et Microbiologie Environnementales, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7265, F-13284 Marseille, France (P.R., G.P.); andDepartment of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QW United Kingdom (C.J.H., D.J.L.-S.)
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are ecologically important organisms and potential platforms for production of biofuels and useful industrial products. Genetic manipulation of cyanobacteria, especially model organisms such as Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 and Synechococcus sp. PCC7002, is a key tool for both basic and applied research. Generation of unmarked mutants, whereby chromosomal alterations are introduced into a strain via insertion of an antibiotic resistance cassette (a manipulatable fragment of DNA containing one or more genes), followed by subsequent removal of this cassette using a negative selectable marker, is a particularly powerful technique. Unmarked mutants can be repeatedly genetically manipulated, allowing as many alterations to be introduced into a strain as desired. In addition, the absence of genes encoding antibiotic resistance proteins in the mutated strain is desirable, as it avoids the possibility of 'escape' of antibiotic resistant organisms into the environment. However, detailed methods for repeated rounds of genetic manipulation of cyanobacteria are not well described in the scientific literature. Here we provide a comprehensive description of this technique, which we have successfully used to generate mutants with multiple deletions, single point mutations within a gene of interest and insertion of novel gene cassettes.
Collapse
|
39
|
Dorrell RG, Hinksman GA, Howe CJ. Diversity of transcripts and transcript processing forms in plastids of the dinoflagellate alga Karenia mikimotoi. Plant Mol Biol 2016; 90:233-47. [PMID: 26768263 PMCID: PMC4717168 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-015-0408-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Plastids produce a vast diversity of transcripts. These include mature transcripts containing coding sequences, and their processing precursors, as well as transcripts that lack direct coding functions, such as antisense transcripts. Although plastid transcriptomes have been characterised for many plant species, less is known about the transcripts produced in other plastid lineages. We characterised the transcripts produced in the fucoxanthin-containing plastids of the dinoflagellate alga Karenia mikimotoi. This plastid lineage, acquired through tertiary endosymbiosis, utilises transcript processing pathways that are very different from those found in plants and green algae, including 3' poly(U) tail addition, and extensive substitutional editing of transcript sequences. We have sequenced the plastid transcriptome of K. mikimotoi, and have detected evidence for divergent evolution of fucoxanthin plastid genomes. We have additionally characterised polycistronic and monocistronic transcripts from two plastid loci, psbD-tRNA (Met)-ycf4 and rpl36-rps13-rps11. We find evidence for a range of transcripts produced from each locus that differ in terms of editing state, 5' end cleavage position, and poly(U) tail addition. Finally, we identify antisense transcripts in K. mikimotoi, which appear to undergo different processing events from the corresponding sense transcripts. Overall, our study provides insights into the diversity of transcripts and processing intermediates found in plastid lineages across the eukaryotes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard G Dorrell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- School of Biology, École Normale Supérieure, Paris, France.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Abstract
The dinoflagellates are an extremely diverse group of algae closely related to the Apicomplexa and the ciliates. Much work has previously been undertaken to determine the presence of various biochemical pathways within dinoflagellate mitochondria. However, these studies were unable to identify several key transcripts including those encoding proteins involved in the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, iron–sulfur cluster biosynthesis, and protein import. Here, we analyze the draft nuclear genome of the dinoflagellate Symbiodinium minutum, as well as RNAseq data to identify nuclear genes encoding mitochondrial proteins. The results confirm the presence of a complete tricarboxylic acid cycle in the dinoflagellates. Results also demonstrate the difficulties in using the genome sequence for the identification of genes due to the large number of introns, but show that it is highly useful for the determination of gene duplication events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin R Butterfield
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
| | - R Ellen R Nisbet
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Anderson A, Laohavisit A, Blaby IK, Bombelli P, Howe CJ, Merchant SS, Davies JM, Smith AG. Exploiting algal NADPH oxidase for biophotovoltaic energy. Plant Biotechnol J 2016; 14:22-8. [PMID: 25641364 PMCID: PMC5016757 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2014] [Revised: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 12/12/2014] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Photosynthetic microbes exhibit light-dependent electron export across the cell membrane, which can generate electricity in biological photovoltaic (BPV) devices. How electrons are exported remains to be determined; the identification of mechanisms would help selection or generation of photosynthetic microbes capable of enhanced electrical output. We show that plasma membrane NADPH oxidase activity is a significant component of light-dependent generation of electricity by the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. NADPH oxidases export electrons across the plasma membrane to form superoxide anion from oxygen. The C. reinhardtii mutant lacking the NADPH oxidase encoded by RBO1 is impaired in both extracellular superoxide anion production and current generation in a BPV device. Complementation with the wild-type gene restores both capacities, demonstrating the role of the enzyme in electron export. Monitoring light-dependent extracellular superoxide production with a colorimetric assay is shown to be an effective way of screening for electrogenic potential of candidate algal strains. The results show that algal NADPH oxidases are important for superoxide anion production and open avenues for optimizing the biological component of these devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ian K Blaby
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Paolo Bombelli
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Julia M Davies
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alison G Smith
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Merchant AT, Georgantopoulos P, Howe CJ, Virani SS, Morales DA, Haddock KS. Effect of Long-Term Periodontal Care on Hemoglobin A1c in Type 2 Diabetes. J Dent Res 2015; 95:408-15. [PMID: 26701348 DOI: 10.1177/0022034515622197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This was a prospective cohort study evaluating 126,805 individuals with diabetes and periodontal disease receiving care at all Veterans Administration medical centers and clinics in the United States from 2005 through 2012. The exposures were periodontal treatment at baseline (PT0) and at follow-up (PT2). The outcomes were change in HbA1c following initial treatment (ΔHbA1c1) and follow-up treatment (ΔHbA1c2), and diabetes control was defined as HbA1c at <7% and <9% following initial and follow-up treatment, respectively. Marginal structural models were used to account for potential confounding and selection bias. The objective was to evaluate the impact of long-term treatment of periodontal disease on glycemic control among individuals with type 2 diabetes. Participants were 64 y old on average, 97% were men, and 71% were white. At baseline, the average diabetes duration was 4 y, 12% of participants were receiving insulin, and 60% had HbA1c <7%. After an average 1.7 y of follow-up, the mean HbA1c increased from 7.03% to 7.21%. About 29.4% of participants attended their periodontal maintenance visit following baseline. Periodontal treatment at baseline and follow-up reduced HbA1c by -0.02% and -0.074%, respectively. Treatment at follow-up increased the likelihood of individuals achieving diabetes control by 5% and 3% at the HbA1c <7% and HbA1c <9% thresholds, respectively, and was observed even among never smokers. HbA1c reduction after periodontal treatment at follow-up was greater (ΔHbA1c2 = -0.25%) among individuals with higher baseline HbA1c. Long-term periodontal care provided in a clinical setting improved long-term glycemic control among individuals with type 2 diabetes and periodontal disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A T Merchant
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA WJB Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - P Georgantopoulos
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA WJB Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia, SC, USA The Southern Network on Adverse Reaction (SONAR) project, the South Carolina Center of Economic Excellence for Medication Safety, the South Carolina College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - C J Howe
- Center for Population Health and Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - S S Virani
- Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - D A Morales
- WJB Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia, SC, USA National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - K S Haddock
- WJB Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia, SC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Gangl D, Zedler JAZ, Rajakumar PD, Martinez EMR, Riseley A, Włodarczyk A, Purton S, Sakuragi Y, Howe CJ, Jensen PE, Robinson C. Biotechnological exploitation of microalgae. J Exp Bot 2015; 66:6975-90. [PMID: 26400987 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erv426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae are a diverse group of single-cell photosynthetic organisms that include cyanobacteria and a wide range of eukaryotic algae. A number of microalgae contain high-value compounds such as oils, colorants, and polysaccharides, which are used by the food additive, oil, and cosmetic industries, among others. They offer the potential for rapid growth under photoautotrophic conditions, and they can grow in a wide range of habitats. More recently, the development of genetic tools means that a number of species can be transformed and hence used as cell factories for the production of high-value chemicals or recombinant proteins. In this article, we review exploitation use of microalgae with a special emphasis on genetic engineering approaches to develop cell factories, and the use of synthetic ecology approaches to maximize productivity. We discuss the success stories in these areas, the hurdles that need to be overcome, and the potential for expanding the industry in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Doris Gangl
- Centre for Molecular Processing, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Julie A Z Zedler
- Centre for Molecular Processing, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Priscilla D Rajakumar
- Institute of Structural & Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Erick M Ramos Martinez
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anthony Riseley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Artur Włodarczyk
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Saul Purton
- Institute of Structural & Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Yumiko Sakuragi
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Poul Erik Jensen
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Colin Robinson
- Centre for Molecular Processing, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Laohavisit A, Anderson A, Bombelli P, Jacobs M, Howe CJ, Davies JM, Smith AG. Enhancing plasma membrane NADPH oxidase activity increases current output by diatoms in biophotovoltaic devices. ALGAL RES 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2015.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
45
|
Wong HT, McCartney DL, Lewis JC, Sampson JR, Howe CJ, de Vries PJ. Intellectual ability in tuberous sclerosis complex correlates with predicted effects of mutations on TSC1 and TSC2 proteins. J Med Genet 2015; 52:815-22. [DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2015-103154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2015] [Accepted: 08/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|
46
|
Abstract
After their endosymbiotic acquisition, plastids become intimately connected with the biology of their host. For example, genes essential for plastid function may be relocated from the genomes of plastids to the host nucleus, and pathways may evolve within the host to support the plastid. In this review, we consider the different degrees of integration observed in dinoflagellates and their associated plastids, which have been acquired through multiple different endosymbiotic events. Most dinoflagellate species possess plastids that contain the pigment peridinin and show extreme reduction and integration with the host biology. In some species, these plastids have been replaced through serial endosymbiosis with plastids derived from a different phylogenetic derivation, of which some have become intimately connected with the biology of the host whereas others have not. We discuss in particular the evolution of the fucoxanthin-containing dinoflagellates, which have adapted pathways retained from the ancestral peridinin plastid symbiosis for transcript processing in their current, serially acquired plastids. Finally, we consider why such a diversity of different degrees of integration between host and plastid is observed in different dinoflagellates and how dinoflagellates may thus inform our broader understanding of plastid evolution and function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard G Dorrell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom; School of Biology, École Normale Superieure, Paris 75005, France
| | - Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Howe CJ, Rich PR, Ubbink M. Derek Bendall (1930-2014). Photosynth Res 2015; 124:249-252. [PMID: 25969387 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-015-0132-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Derek Bendall carried out pioneering work on photosynthetic electron transport, particularly on protein-protein interactions, cytochromes, and cyclic electron transport, as well as on other topics including the biochemistry of tea. He was a keen musician and a gifted gardener, a devoted family man, and a delightful colleague and friend. The bioenergetics community, especially those working on photosynthesis, will miss him sorely.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, UK,
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Bombelli P, Müller T, Herling TW, Howe CJ, Knowles TPJ. A High Power-Density, Mediator-Free, Microfluidic Biophotovoltaic Device for Cyanobacterial Cells. Adv Energy Mater 2015; 5:1-6. [PMID: 26190957 PMCID: PMC4503997 DOI: 10.1002/aenm.201401299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Biophotovoltaics has emerged as a promising technology for generating renewable energy because it relies on living organisms as inexpensive, self-repairing, and readily available catalysts to produce electricity from an abundant resource: sunlight. The efficiency of biophotovoltaic cells, however, has remained significantly lower than that achievable through synthetic materials. Here, a platform is devised to harness the large power densities afforded by miniaturized geometries. To this effect, a soft-lithography approach is developed for the fabrication of microfluidic biophotovoltaic devices that do not require membranes or mediators. Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cells are injected and allowed to settle on the anode, permitting the physical proximity between cells and electrode required for mediator-free operation. Power densities of above 100 mW m-2 are demonstrated for a chlorophyll concentration of 100 μM under white light, which is a high value for biophotovoltaic devices without extrinsic supply of additional energy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Bombelli
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis
Court RoadCambridge, CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Thomas Müller
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield
RoadCambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Therese W Herling
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield
RoadCambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis
Court RoadCambridge, CB2 1QW, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Arif C, Daniels C, Bayer T, Banguera-Hinestroza E, Barbrook A, Howe CJ, LaJeunesse TC, Voolstra CR. Assessing Symbiodinium diversity in scleractinian corals via next-generation sequencing-based genotyping of the ITS2 rDNA region. Mol Ecol 2014; 23:4418-33. [PMID: 25052021 PMCID: PMC4285332 DOI: 10.1111/mec.12869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Revised: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 07/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The persistence of coral reef ecosystems relies on the symbiotic relationship between scleractinian corals and intracellular, photosynthetic dinoflagellates in the genus Symbiodinium. Genetic evidence indicates that these symbionts are biologically diverse and exhibit discrete patterns of environmental and host distribution. This makes the assessment of Symbiodinium diversity critical to understanding the symbiosis ecology of corals. Here, we applied pyrosequencing to the elucidation of Symbiodinium diversity via analysis of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region, a multicopy genetic marker commonly used to analyse Symbiodinium diversity. Replicated data generated from isoclonal Symbiodinium cultures showed that all genomes contained numerous, yet mostly rare, ITS2 sequence variants. Pyrosequencing data were consistent with more traditional denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) approaches to the screening of ITS2 PCR amplifications, where the most common sequences appeared as the most intense bands. Further, we developed an operational taxonomic unit (OTU)-based pipeline for Symbiodinium ITS2 diversity typing to provisionally resolve ecologically discrete entities from intragenomic variation. A genetic distance cut-off of 0.03 collapsed intragenomic ITS2 variants of isoclonal cultures into single OTUs. When applied to the analysis of field-collected coral samples, our analyses confirm that much of the commonly observed SymbiodiniumITS2 diversity can be attributed to intragenomic variation. We conclude that by analysing Symbiodinium populations in an OTU-based framework, we can improve objectivity, comparability and simplicity when assessing ITS2 diversity in field-based studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chatchanit Arif
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Hunt HV, Badakshi F, Romanova O, Howe CJ, Jones MK, Heslop-Harrison JSP. Reticulate evolution in Panicum (Poaceae): the origin of tetraploid broomcorn millet, P. miliaceum. J Exp Bot 2014; 65:3165-75. [PMID: 24723408 PMCID: PMC4071833 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eru161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Panicum miliaceum (broomcorn millet) is a tetraploid cereal, which was among the first domesticated crops, but is now a minor crop despite its high water use efficiency. The ancestors of this species have not been determined; we aimed to identify likely candidates within the genus, where phylogenies are poorly resolved. Nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences from P. miliaceum and a range of diploid and tetraploid relatives were used to develop phylogenies of the diploid and tetraploid species. Chromosomal in situ hybridization with genomic DNA as a probe was used to characterize the genomes in the tetraploid P. miliaceum and a tetraploid accession of P. repens. In situ hybridization showed that half the chromosomes of P. miliaceum hybridized more strongly with labelled genomic DNA from P. capillare, and half with labelled DNA from P. repens. Genomic DNA probes differentiated two sets of 18 chromosomes in the tetraploid P. repens. Our phylogenetic data support the allotetraploid origin of P. miliaceum, with the maternal ancestor being P. capillare (or a close relative) and the other genome being shared with P. repens. Our P. repens accession was also an allotetraploid with two dissimilar but closely related genomes, the maternal genome being similar to P. sumatrense. Further collection of Panicum species, particularly from the Old World, is required. It is important to identify why the water-efficient P. miliaceum is now of minimal importance in agriculture, and it may be valuable to exploit the diversity in this species and its ancestors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harriet V Hunt
- McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3ER, UK
| | - Farah Badakshi
- University of Leicester, Department of Biology, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Olga Romanova
- N.I. Vavilov Research Institute of Plant Industry, 42-44, Bolshaya Morskaya Street, 190000, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Martin K Jones
- Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DZ, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|