Essential role of the plasmid hik31 operon in regulating central metabolism in the dark in S ynechocystis sp. PCC 6803

• Published in: Molecular microbiology 2014-01, Vol.91 (1), p.79-97
• Main Authors: Nagarajan, Sowmya, Srivastava, Sanvesh, Sherman, Louis A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0950-382X; 1365-2958
• DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12442

The plasmid hik31 operon ( P 3, slr6039‐slr6041) is located on the pSYSX plasmid in S ynechocystis sp. PCC 6803. A P 3 mutant (Δ P3 ) had a growth defect in the dark and a pigment defect that was worsened by the addition of glucose. The glucose defect was from incomplete metabolism of the substrate, was pH dependent, and completely overcome by the addition of bicarbonate. Addition of organic carbon and nitrogen sources partly alleviated the defects of the mutant in the dark. Electron micrographs of the mutant revealed larger cells with division defects, glycogen limitation, lack of carboxysomes, deteriorated thylakoids and accumulation of polyhydroxybutyrate and cyanophycin. A microarray experiment over two days of growth in light‐dark plus glucose revealed downregulation of several photosynthesis, amino acid biosynthesis, energy metabolism genes; and an upregulation of cell envelope and transport and binding genes in the mutant. Δ P3 had an imbalance in carbon and nitrogen levels and many sugar catabolic and cell division genes were negatively affected after the first dark period. The mutant suffered from oxidative and osmotic stress, macronutrient limitation, and an energy deficit. Therefore, the P 3 operon is an important regulator of central metabolism and cell division in the dark.