Expression of Scytonemin Biosynthesis Genes under Alternative Stress Conditions in the Cyanobacterium <i>Nostoc punctiforme</i>
The indole-alkaloid scytonemin is a sunscreen pigment that is widely produced among cyanobacteria as an ultraviolet radiation (UVR) survival strategy. Scytonemin biosynthesis is encoded by two gene clusters that are known to be induced by long-wavelength radiation (UVA). Previous studies have charac...
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MDPI AG
2022-02-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/2/427 |
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| author | Janine Bennett Tanya Soule |
| author_facet | Janine Bennett Tanya Soule |
| author_sort | Janine Bennett |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The indole-alkaloid scytonemin is a sunscreen pigment that is widely produced among cyanobacteria as an ultraviolet radiation (UVR) survival strategy. Scytonemin biosynthesis is encoded by two gene clusters that are known to be induced by long-wavelength radiation (UVA). Previous studies have characterized the transcriptome of cyanobacteria in response to a wide range of conditions, but the effect on the expression of scytonemin biosynthesis genes has not been specifically targeted. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the variable response of scytonemin biosynthesis genes to a variety of environmental conditions. Cells were acclimated to white light before supplementation with UVA, UVB, high light, or osmotic stress for 48 h. The presence of scytonemin was determined by absorbance spectroscopy and gene expression of representative scytonemin biosynthesis genes was measured using quantitative PCR. Scytonemin genes were up-regulated in UVA, UVB, and high light, although the scytonemin pigment was not detected under high light. There was no scytonemin or upregulation of these genes under osmotic stress. The lack of pigment production under high light, despite increased gene expression, suggests a time-dependent delay for pigment production or additional mechanisms or genes that may be involved in scytonemin production beyond those currently known. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:22:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ac6a59f280174a0080b6ea8a8ff9cdfd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:22:59Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
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| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj.art-ac6a59f280174a0080b6ea8a8ff9cdfd2023-11-23T21:16:03ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072022-02-0110242710.3390/microorganisms10020427Expression of Scytonemin Biosynthesis Genes under Alternative Stress Conditions in the Cyanobacterium <i>Nostoc punctiforme</i>Janine Bennett0Tanya Soule1Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN 46805, USADepartment of Biological Sciences, Purdue University Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN 46805, USAThe indole-alkaloid scytonemin is a sunscreen pigment that is widely produced among cyanobacteria as an ultraviolet radiation (UVR) survival strategy. Scytonemin biosynthesis is encoded by two gene clusters that are known to be induced by long-wavelength radiation (UVA). Previous studies have characterized the transcriptome of cyanobacteria in response to a wide range of conditions, but the effect on the expression of scytonemin biosynthesis genes has not been specifically targeted. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the variable response of scytonemin biosynthesis genes to a variety of environmental conditions. Cells were acclimated to white light before supplementation with UVA, UVB, high light, or osmotic stress for 48 h. The presence of scytonemin was determined by absorbance spectroscopy and gene expression of representative scytonemin biosynthesis genes was measured using quantitative PCR. Scytonemin genes were up-regulated in UVA, UVB, and high light, although the scytonemin pigment was not detected under high light. There was no scytonemin or upregulation of these genes under osmotic stress. The lack of pigment production under high light, despite increased gene expression, suggests a time-dependent delay for pigment production or additional mechanisms or genes that may be involved in scytonemin production beyond those currently known.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/2/427scytoneminultraviolet radiationhigh lightcyanobacteria |
| spellingShingle | Janine Bennett Tanya Soule Expression of Scytonemin Biosynthesis Genes under Alternative Stress Conditions in the Cyanobacterium <i>Nostoc punctiforme</i> Microorganisms scytonemin ultraviolet radiation high light cyanobacteria |
| title | Expression of Scytonemin Biosynthesis Genes under Alternative Stress Conditions in the Cyanobacterium <i>Nostoc punctiforme</i> |
| title_full | Expression of Scytonemin Biosynthesis Genes under Alternative Stress Conditions in the Cyanobacterium <i>Nostoc punctiforme</i> |
| title_fullStr | Expression of Scytonemin Biosynthesis Genes under Alternative Stress Conditions in the Cyanobacterium <i>Nostoc punctiforme</i> |
| title_full_unstemmed | Expression of Scytonemin Biosynthesis Genes under Alternative Stress Conditions in the Cyanobacterium <i>Nostoc punctiforme</i> |
| title_short | Expression of Scytonemin Biosynthesis Genes under Alternative Stress Conditions in the Cyanobacterium <i>Nostoc punctiforme</i> |
| title_sort | expression of scytonemin biosynthesis genes under alternative stress conditions in the cyanobacterium i nostoc punctiforme i |
| topic | scytonemin ultraviolet radiation high light cyanobacteria |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/2/427 |
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