Curated Papers > In recent years, high-impact research in "Synthetic Biology" (IF ≥ 30, past 5 years)

Diverse light responses of cyanobacteria mediated by phytochrome superfamily photoreceptors.

Literature Information

DOI	10.1038/s41579-018-0110-4
PMID	30410070
Journal	Nature reviews. Microbiology
Impact Factor	103.3
JCR Quartile	Q1
Publication Year	2019
Times Cited	57
Keywords	Cyanobacteria, Light Sensing, Photoreceptors, Signal Transduction, Synthetic Biology
Literature Type	Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Review
ISSN	1740-1526
Pages	37-50
Issue	17(1)
Authors	Lisa B Wiltbank, David M Kehoe

TL;DR

This review explores the diverse roles of bilin-binding photoreceptors in cyanobacteria, which enable these organisms to sense and respond to varying light conditions, thereby regulating essential processes like growth and photosynthesis. The findings underscore the potential applications of these photoreception systems in fields such as optogenetics and synthetic biology, highlighting their ecological significance and adaptability across diverse habitats.

Search for more papers on MaltSci.com

Cyanobacteria · Light Sensing · Photoreceptors · Signal Transduction · Synthetic Biology

Abstract

Cyanobacteria are an evolutionarily and ecologically important group of prokaryotes. They exist in diverse habitats, ranging from hot springs and deserts to glaciers and the open ocean. The range of environments that they inhabit can be attributed in part to their ability to sense and respond to changing environmental conditions. As photosynthetic organisms, one of the most crucial parameters for cyanobacteria to monitor is light. Cyanobacteria can sense various wavelengths of light and many possess a range of bilin-binding photoreceptors belonging to the phytochrome superfamily. Vital cellular processes including growth, phototaxis, cell aggregation and photosynthesis are tuned to environmental light conditions by these photoreceptors. In this Review, we examine the physiological responses that are controlled by members of this diverse family of photoreceptors and discuss the signal transduction pathways through which these photoreceptors operate. We highlight specific examples where the activities of multiple photoreceptors function together to fine-tune light responses. We also discuss the potential application of these photosensing systems in optogenetics and synthetic biology.

MaltSci.com AI Research Service

Intelligent ReadingAnswer any question about the paper and explain complex charts and formulas

Locate StatementsFind traces of a specific claim within the paper

Add to KBasePerform data extraction, report drafting, and advanced knowledge mining

Primary Questions Addressed

1. How do different wavelengths of light specifically influence the growth and photosynthesis of cyanobacteria?
2. What are the implications of the signal transduction pathways in phytochrome superfamily photoreceptors for biotechnological applications?
3. In what ways can the interactions between multiple photoreceptors enhance the adaptability of cyanobacteria to extreme environments?
4. How do environmental factors other than light, such as temperature and nutrient availability, interact with light responses in cyanobacteria?
5. What are the potential applications of cyanobacterial photoreceptors in the development of new optogenetic tools?

Key Findings

Key Insights

1. Research Background and Purpose
   Cyanobacteria, essential prokaryotic organisms with significant evolutionary and ecological roles, inhabit a wide range of environments, from extreme hot springs to polar glaciers. Their adaptability in various habitats is closely linked to their ability to perceive and respond to environmental changes, particularly light, which is crucial for their photosynthetic lifestyle. This review aims to explore the diverse physiological responses mediated by the phytochrome superfamily of photoreceptors in cyanobacteria, focusing on how these organisms utilize light information for growth, movement, and other vital processes.

2. Main Methods and Findings
   The authors conducted a comprehensive review of existing literature on cyanobacterial photoreceptors, particularly those belonging to the phytochrome superfamily, which are known to bind bilins. They analyzed various physiological responses controlled by these photoreceptors, including phototaxis (movement toward or away from light), cell aggregation, and photosynthesis regulation. The review highlights the signal transduction pathways activated by these photoreceptors, detailing specific examples of how multiple photoreceptors interact to optimize cyanobacterial responses to light. The findings emphasize the complexity and diversity of light-sensing mechanisms in cyanobacteria, showcasing their ability to fine-tune physiological processes in response to fluctuating light conditions.

3. Core Conclusions
   The review concludes that cyanobacteria possess a sophisticated array of phytochrome photoreceptors that enable them to adapt their physiological functions to varying light environments. This adaptability is crucial for their survival and ecological success. The interaction between different photoreceptors allows for a nuanced response to light, indicating that cyanobacteria can utilize a layered approach to light sensing. This capability not only supports their growth and reproduction but also facilitates their role in broader ecological processes, such as carbon cycling and primary production in aquatic ecosystems.

4. Research Significance and Impact
   Understanding the light response mechanisms in cyanobacteria holds significant implications for various fields, including ecology, biotechnology, and synthetic biology. Insights gained from this research can inform the development of innovative applications in optogenetics, where light-sensitive systems can be engineered for precise control of biological processes. Furthermore, this knowledge may enhance our ability to harness cyanobacteria for biotechnological applications, such as biofuel production and carbon capture, thereby addressing environmental challenges. The study underscores the importance of photoreceptors in shaping the ecological niches and evolutionary trajectories of cyanobacteria, contributing to our overall understanding of microbial adaptability in changing environments.

Literatures Citing This Work

1. MAS NMR on a Red/Far-Red Photochromic Cyanobacteriochrome All2699 from Nostoc. - Qian-Zhao Xu;Pavlo Bielytskyi;James Otis;Christina Lang;Jon Hughes;Kai-Hong Zhao;Aba Losi;Wolfgang Gärtner;Chen Song - International journal of molecular sciences (2019)
2. Emerging Species and Genome Editing Tools: Future Prospects in Cyanobacterial Synthetic Biology. - Grant A R Gale;Alejandra A Schiavon Osorio;Lauren A Mills;Baojun Wang;David J Lea-Smith;Alistair J McCormick - Microorganisms (2019)
3. Phytochrome evolution in 3D: deletion, duplication, and diversification. - Nathan C Rockwell;J Clark Lagarias - The New phytologist (2020)
4. Protochromic absorption changes in the two-cysteine photocycle of a blue/orange cyanobacteriochrome. - Teppei Sato;Takashi Kikukawa;Risako Miyoshi;Kousuke Kajimoto;Chinatsu Yonekawa;Tomotsumi Fujisawa;Masashi Unno;Toshihiko Eki;Yuu Hirose - The Journal of biological chemistry (2019)
5. Color Sensing and Signal Transmission Diversity of Cyanobacterial Phytochromes and Cyanobacteriochromes. - Yvette Villafani;Hee Wook Yang;Youn-Il Park - Molecules and cells (2020)
6. Diurnal Regulation of In Vivo Localization and CO2-Fixing Activity of Carboxysomes in Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942. - Yaqi Sun;Fang Huang;Gregory F Dykes;Lu-Ning Liu - Life (Basel, Switzerland) (2020)
7. Role of diversity-generating retroelements for regulatory pathway tuning in cyanobacteria. - Alec Vallota-Eastman;Eleanor C Arrington;Siobhan Meeken;Simon Roux;Krishna Dasari;Sydney Rosen;Jeff F Miller;David L Valentine;Blair G Paul - BMC genomics (2020)
8. Stress Signaling in Cyanobacteria: A Mechanistic Overview. - Raphaël Rachedi;Maryline Foglino;Amel Latifi - Life (Basel, Switzerland) (2020)
9. Structural Determinants and Their Role in Cyanobacterial Morphogenesis. - Benjamin L Springstein;Dennis J Nürnberg;Gregor L Weiss;Martin Pilhofer;Karina Stucken - Life (Basel, Switzerland) (2020)
10. Pump-Probe Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy of Cyanobacteriochrome TePixJ Yields: Insights into Its Photoconversion. - Jonathan A Clinger;Eefei Chen;David S Kliger;George N Phillips - The journal of physical chemistry. B (2021)

... (47 more literatures)

---

© 2025 MaltSci - We reshape scientific research with AI technology