Phycobilisome Degradation Research Articles

Convergence of two global transcriptional regulators on nitrogen induction of the stress‐acclimation gene nblA in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942

Cyanobacteria respond to environmental stress conditions by degrading their phycobilisomes, the light harvesting complexes for photosynthesis. The expression of nblA, a key gene in this process, is controlled by the response regulator NblR in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942. Here we show that, under nitrogen stress, nblA is also regulated by NtcA, the global regulator for nitrogen control. NtcA activation of nblA was found to be nitrogen-specific and did not take place under sulphur stress. Transcripts from the two major transcription start points (tsp) for the nblA gene were induced in response to nitrogen and sulphur starvation. The most active one (tspII) required both NblR and NtcA to induce full nblA expression under nitrogen starvation. NblR and NtcA bound in vitro to a DNA fragment from the nblA promoter region, suggesting that, under nitrogen stress, both NblR and NtcA activate the main regulated promoter (PnblA-2) by direct DNA-binding. The structure of PnblA-2 differs from that of the canonical NtcA-activated promoter and it is therefore proposed to represent a novel type of NtcA-dependent promoter. We analysed expression patterns from ntcA and selected NtcA targets in NtcA(-), NblR(-) and wild-type strains, and discuss data suggesting further interrelations between phycobilisome degradation and nitrogen assimilation regulatory pathways.

Nitrogen or sulfur starvation differentially affects phycobilisome degradation and expression of the nblA gene in Synechocystis strain PCC 6803.

Nitrogen (N) limitation in cyanobacteria is well documented: a reduced growth rate is observed, accompanied by a cessation of phycobiliprotein synthesis and an ordered degradation of phycobilisomes (PBS). This leads to a dramatic bleaching phenomenon known as chlorosis. In Synechococcus strain PCC 7942, bleaching due to PBS degradation is also observed under sulfur (S) or phosphorus (P) limitation, and all three are under the control of the nblA gene product, a 59-amino-acid polypeptide which is overexpressed under N, S, and P starvation (J. L. Collier, and A. R. Grossman, EMBO J. 13:1039-1047, 1994). Cyanobase sequence data for Synechocystis strain PCC 6803 indicate the presence of two tandem open reading frames (sll0452 and sll0453) homologous to nblA. We cloned the two genes, identified a unique 5' mRNA end suggestive of a single transcription start site, and studied nblA expression under conditions of N or S starvation by Northern hybridization: transcripts were detected only under N starvation (no signal is detected in replete medium or with S starvation), whether nblA1 or nblA2 was used as a probe. Mutations in nblA1 and nblA2 were constructed by insertion of a kanamycin cassette; both mutations were nonbleaching under N starvation. Synechocystis strain PCC 6803 does not bleach under S starvation, consistent with the absence of nblA induction in these conditions. These results were confirmed by analysis of the PBS components: sequential degradation of phycocyanin and associated linkers was observed only under conditions of N starvation. This indicates differences between Synechocystis strain PCC 6803 and Synechococcus strain PCC 7942 in their regulatory and signaling pathways leading to N- and S-starved phenotypes.

Expression of two nblA-homologous genes is required for phycobilisome degradation in nitrogen-starved Synechocystis sp. PCC6803

One of the responses exhibited by cyanobacteria when they are limited for an essential nutrient is the rapid degradation of their light-harvesting complex, the phycobilisome. Phycobilisome degradation is an ordered proteolytic process, visible by a color change of the cyanobacterial cell from blue–green to yellow–green (chlorosis). The small polypeptide NblA plays a key role in degradation of phycobilisomes in Synechococcus sp. PCC7942. Unlike Synechococcus, Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 has two nblA-homologous genes, nblA1 and nblA2, which are contiguous on the genome. Here we show that nblA1 and nblA2 are simultaneously expressed in Synechocystis 6803 upon nitrogen deprivation, and are both required for phycobilisome degradation.

Expression of two nblA-homologous genes is required for phycobilisome degradation in nitrogen-starved Synechocystis sp. PCC6803.

One of the responses exhibited by cyanobacteria when they are limited for an essential nutrient is the rapid degradation of their light-harvesting complex, the phycobilisome. Phycobilisome degradation is an ordered proteolytic process, visible by a color change of the cyanobacterial cell from blue-green to yellow-green (chlorosis). The small polypeptide NblA plays a key role in degradation of phycobilisomes in Synechococcus sp. PCC7942. Unlike Synechococcus, Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 has two nblA-homologous genes, nblA1 and nblA2, which are contiguous on the genome. Here we show that nblA1 and nblA2 are simultaneously expressed in Synechocystis 6803 upon nitrogen deprivation, and are both required for phycobilisome degradation.

IMPACT OF STRESS CONDITIONS ON THE PHOTOSYNTHETIC MACHINERY

Organisms sense their environment and attempt to tune their metabolism to ambient conditions to efficiently utilize available resources. Cyanobacteria under conditions of stress (nutrient limitation, excess light) modify the photosynthetic apparatus by eliminating most photosystem II activity and degrading their light‐harvesting complex or phycobilisomes (PBS). We have identified cyanobacterial mutants that cannot acclimate normally to nutrient deprivation. One of these mutants has a lesion in a gene encoding a small polypeptide designated NblA that appears to target the PBS for degradation during nutrient limitation. A second lesion is in the nblB gene, which encodes a polypeptide with homology to a family of lyases involved in attaching chromophores to apophycobiliproteins. This protein may remove bilin chromophores from phycobiliprotein subunits prior to their degradation. A third mutant is defective in nblR, which encodes a transcription factor that controls some of the “general” responses that occur during any of a number of different stress conditions. It is required for degradation of PBS and appears to be necessary for controlling photosynthetic activity during both nutrient limitation and high light conditions; this control is critical for survival of cells during conditions of environmental stress. A fourth mutant is altered in nblS, which encodes a sensor kinase that plays a role in regulating both nutrient stress and high light responses. This sensor protein has a PAS domain, appears to binds a flavin, and integrates the response of the cell to a variety of stress conditions; it may sense the redox status of the cell. I will present a model that describes how cyanobacteria sense and respond to environmental change.

A polypeptide with similarity to phycocyanin alpha-subunit phycocyanobilin lyase involved in degradation of phycobilisomes.

To optimize the utilization of photosynthate and avoid damage that can result from the absorption of excess excitation energy, photosynthetic organisms must rapidly modify the synthesis and activities of components of the photosynthetic apparatus in response to environmental cues. During nutrient-limited growth, cyanobacteria degrade their light-harvesting complex, the phycobilisome, and dramatically reduce the rate of photosynthetic electron transport. In this report, we describe the isolation and characterization of a cyanobacterial mutant that does not degrade its phycobilisomes during either sulfur or nitrogen limitation and exhibits an increased ratio of phycocyanin to chlorophyll during nutrient-replete growth. The mutant phenotype was complemented by a gene encoding a polypeptide with similarities to polypeptides that catalyze covalent bond formation between linear tetrapyrrole chromophores and subunits of apophycobiliproteins. The complementing gene, designated nblB, is expressed at approximately the same level in cells grown in nutrient-replete medium and medium devoid of either sulfur or nitrogen. These results suggest that the NblB polypeptide may be a constitutive part of the machinery that coordinates phycobilisome degradation with environmental conditions.

A response regulator of cyanobacteria integrates diverse environmental signals and is critical for survival under extreme conditions.

Microorganisms must sense their environment and rapidly tune their metabolism to ambient conditions to efficiently use available resources. We have identified a gene encoding a response regulator, NblR, that complements a cyanobacterial mutant unable to degrade its light-harvesting complex (phycobilisome), in response to nutrient deprivation. Cells of the nblR mutant (i) have more phycobilisomes than wild-type cells during nutrient-replete growth, (ii) do not degrade phycobilisomes during sulfur, nitrogen, or phosphorus limitation, (iii) cannot properly modulate the phycobilisome level during exposure to high light, and (iv) die rapidly when starved for either sulfur or nitrogen, or when exposed to high light. Apart from regulation of phycobilisome degradation, NblR modulates additional functions critical for cell survival during nutrient-limited and high-light conditions. NblR does not appear to be involved in acclimation responses that occur only during a specific nutrient limitation. In contrast, it controls at least some of the general acclimation responses; those that occur during any of a number of different stress conditions. NblR plays a pivotal role in integrating different environmental signals that link the metabolism of the cell to light harvesting capabilities and the activities of the photosynthetic apparatus; this modulation is critical for cell survival.

Ultraviolet radiation induces both degradation and synthesis of phycobilisomes in Nostoc sp.: a spectroscopic and biochemical approach

A cyanobacterium, Nostoc sp., isolated from an Andean lake located 3980 m above sea level (Cusco, Peru) was used for this study. Phycobilisomes, the light-harvesting complexes of photosystem II in cyanobacteria, were isolated and their components, allophycocyanin, phycocyanin and phycoerythrin, characterized using absorption spectroscopy, chromatography, SDS-PAGE, and 2D-PAGE. When immobilized cells in agarose were exposed to ultraviolet radiation, the photobleaching of phycobilisomes took place with a faster kinetics than that of chlorophyll a and carotenoids. Isolated thylakoid membranes exposed to ultraviolet radiation confirmed the rapid degradation of phycobilisomes. Nostoc cells were irradiated with UV and the phycobilisomes isolated and analyzed. During the first 15 min of ultraviolet radiation, phycobilisomes were degraded followed by an increase in phycobiliproteins after 30 min ( P<0.05), which was maintained until 45 min of exposure; then the concentration decreased again. Changes in the composition of the phycobilisome rods were observed; absorption spectroscopy indicates a partial depletion of phycocyanin; 2D gels showed that the isoelectric point of phycocyanin was affected indicating effects of ultraviolet radiation at the amino acid level. The clonogenic capacity of the cells was not significantly affected even after 30 min of exposure ( P<0.01).

A small polypeptide triggers complete degradation of light-harvesting phycobiliproteins in nutrient-deprived cyanobacteria.

Phycobilisomes are the multiprotein complexes predominantly responsible for harvesting light energy in cyanobacteria and some eukaryotic algae. When the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7942 is deprived of an essential nutrient, the phycobilisomes are specifically and rapidly degraded. Degradation may be either partial (after phosphorus deprivation) or complete (after sulfur or nitrogen deprivation). We have developed a visual screen to obtain mutants unable to degrade their phycobilisomes upon nutrient starvation. Complementation of one of these mutants led to the identification of a gene, designated nblA, that encodes a 59 amino acid polypeptide essential for phycobilisome degradation. Transcription of nblA increases dramatically in sulfur- or nitrogen-deprived cells and moderately in phosphorus-deprived cells. Using the phosphorus-regulated alkaline phosphatase (phoA) promoter as a tool, we engineered constructs from which we could control the expression of either sense or antisense nblA. Increased expression of sense nbLA caused complete phycobilisome degradation during phosphorus deprivation, while expression of antisense nblA prevented phycobilisome degradation. Hence, nblA is necessary, and may be sufficient, for the degradation of phycobilisomes under adverse environmental conditions. Further investigation of the mechanism by which nblA causes phycobilisome destruction may reveal general principles that govern the specificity of macromolecular complex degradation.

Chromatic adaptation and the events involved in phycobilisome biosynthesis

Abstract. The major light‐harvesting complex in cyanobacteria and red algae is the phycobilisome, a macromolecular complex that is attached to the surface of the photosynthetic membranes. The phycobilisome is composed of a number of different chromophoric polypeptides called phycobiliproteins and nonchromophoric polypeptides called linker proteins. Several environmental parameters modulate the synthesis, assembly and degradation of phycobilisome components. In many cyanobacteria, the composition of the phycobilisome can change to accommodate the prevalent wavelengths of light in the environment. This phenomenon is called complementary chromatic adaptation. Organisms that exhibit complementary chromatic adaptation must perceive the wavelengths of light in the environment and transduce the light signals into a sequence of biochemical events that result in altering the activities of genes encoding specific phycobiliprotein and linker polypeptides. Other environmental parameters such as light intensity and nutrient status can also have marked effects on both the number and composition of the phycobilisomes. The major concern of this article is the molecular events involved in chromatic adaptation. Most of the information concerning this process has been gained from studies involving the filamentous cyanobacterium Fremyella diplosiphon. However, also briefly considered are some of the complexities involved in phycobilisome biosynthesis and degradation; they include post‐translational modification of phycobilisome polypeptides, the coordinate expression of chromophore and apobiliprotein, the specific degradation of phycobilisomes when cyanobacteria are deprived of macronutrients such as nitrogen, sulphur and phosphorus, and the assembly of the individual phycobilisome components into substructures of the light harvesting complex.

Dynamic aspects of phycobilisome structure

In exponentially growing cells of Synechococcus sp. 6301, over 95% of the phycobiliproteins are located in phycobilisomes, and the remainder is present in the form of low molecular weight aggregates. In addition to the subunits of the phycobiliproteins (C-phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, allophycocyanin B), the phycobilisomes of this unicellular cyanobacterium contain five non-pigmented polypeptides. During the initial phase of starvation (24 h after removal of combined nitrogen from the growth medium), the phycobiliproteins in the low molecular weight fraction largely disappeared. Phycocyanin was lost more rapidly from this fraction than allophycocyanin. Simultaneous changes in the phycobilisome were (1) a decrease in sedimentation coefficient, (2) a decrease in phycocyanin: allophycocyanin ratio, (3) a shift in the fluorescence emission maximum from 673 to 676 nm, and (4) a selective complete loss of a 30,000 dalton non-pigmented polypeptide. Upon extensive nitrogen starvation (72 h), the intracellular level of phycocyanin decreased by over 30-fold. These results indicate that in the early stage of nitrogen starvation, the free phycobiliproteins of the cell are degraded, as well as a significant proportion of the phycocyanin from the periphery of the phycobilisome. However, the structures partially depleted of phycocyanin still function efficiently in energy transfer. On extended starvation, total degradation of residual phycobilisomes takes place, possibly in conjunction with the detachment of these structures from the thylakoids. None of the effects of the absence of combined nitrogen were seen when cells were starved in the presence of chloramphenicol, or in a methionine auxotroph starved for methionine.