Heterocyst Thylakoid Bioenergetics
Heterocysts are specialized cells that differentiate in the filaments of heterocystous cyanobacteria. Their role is to maintain a microoxic environment for the nitrogenase enzyme during diazotrophic growth. The lack of photosynthetic water oxidation in the heterocyst puts special constraints on the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2019-01-01
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| Series: | Life |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/9/1/13 |
| _version_ | 1811306237620387840 |
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| author | Ann Magnuson |
| author_facet | Ann Magnuson |
| author_sort | Ann Magnuson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Heterocysts are specialized cells that differentiate in the filaments of heterocystous cyanobacteria. Their role is to maintain a microoxic environment for the nitrogenase enzyme during diazotrophic growth. The lack of photosynthetic water oxidation in the heterocyst puts special constraints on the energetics for nitrogen fixation, and the electron transport pathways of heterocyst thylakoids are slightly different from those in vegetative cells. During recent years, there has been a growing interest in utilizing heterocysts as cell factories for the production of fuels and other chemical commodities. Optimization of these production systems requires some consideration of the bioenergetics behind nitrogen fixation. In this overview, we emphasize the role of photosynthetic electron transport in providing ATP and reductants to the nitrogenase enzyme, and provide some examples where heterocysts have been used as production facilities. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T08:40:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-23f07f287c584c7487c145579d15c9c0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-1729 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T08:40:51Z |
| publishDate | 2019-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Life |
| spelling | doaj.art-23f07f287c584c7487c145579d15c9c02022-12-22T02:53:54ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292019-01-01911310.3390/life9010013life9010013Heterocyst Thylakoid BioenergeticsAnn Magnuson0Department of Chemistry—Ångström, Uppsala University, Box 523, 75120 Uppsala, SwedenHeterocysts are specialized cells that differentiate in the filaments of heterocystous cyanobacteria. Their role is to maintain a microoxic environment for the nitrogenase enzyme during diazotrophic growth. The lack of photosynthetic water oxidation in the heterocyst puts special constraints on the energetics for nitrogen fixation, and the electron transport pathways of heterocyst thylakoids are slightly different from those in vegetative cells. During recent years, there has been a growing interest in utilizing heterocysts as cell factories for the production of fuels and other chemical commodities. Optimization of these production systems requires some consideration of the bioenergetics behind nitrogen fixation. In this overview, we emphasize the role of photosynthetic electron transport in providing ATP and reductants to the nitrogenase enzyme, and provide some examples where heterocysts have been used as production facilities.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/9/1/13cyanobacteriathylakoidphotosynthesis nitrogen fixationferredoxinbiofuel |
| spellingShingle | Ann Magnuson Heterocyst Thylakoid Bioenergetics Life cyanobacteria thylakoid photosynthesis nitrogen fixation ferredoxin biofuel |
| title | Heterocyst Thylakoid Bioenergetics |
| title_full | Heterocyst Thylakoid Bioenergetics |
| title_fullStr | Heterocyst Thylakoid Bioenergetics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Heterocyst Thylakoid Bioenergetics |
| title_short | Heterocyst Thylakoid Bioenergetics |
| title_sort | heterocyst thylakoid bioenergetics |
| topic | cyanobacteria thylakoid photosynthesis nitrogen fixation ferredoxin biofuel |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/9/1/13 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT annmagnuson heterocystthylakoidbioenergetics |