Polyhydroxybutyrate particles in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803: facts and fiction

Transmission electron microscopy has been used to identify poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) granules in cyanobacteria for over 40 years. Spherical inclusions inside the cell that are electron-transparent and/or slightly electron-dense and that are found in transmission electron micrographs of cyanobacte...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Photosynthesis research 2013-11, Vol.118 (1-2), p.37-49
Main Authors: Tsang, Tin Ki, Roberson, Robert W, Vermaas, Wim F. J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacteria
Biochemistry
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biopolymers
Cells
Cyanobacteria
Fluorescence
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
genes
granules
Hydroxybutyrates - administration & dosage
Hydroxybutyrates - analysis
Hydroxybutyrates - metabolism
Life Sciences
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
Microscopy, Fluorescence
Photosynthesis
Plant Genetics and Genomics
Plant Physiology
Plant Sciences
Polyesters - administration & dosage
Polyesters - analysis
Polyesters - metabolism
polyhydroxybutyrate
Polymers
Regular Paper
Synechocystis
Synechocystis - chemistry
Synechocystis - metabolism
Synechocystis - ultrastructure
Transmission electron microscopy
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Summary:Transmission electron microscopy has been used to identify poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) granules in cyanobacteria for over 40 years. Spherical inclusions inside the cell that are electron-transparent and/or slightly electron-dense and that are found in transmission electron micrographs of cyanobacteria are generally assumed to be PHB granules. The aim of this study was to test this assumption in different strains of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Inclusions that resemble PHB granules were present in strains lacking a pair of genes essential for PHB synthesis and in wild-type cells under conditions that no PHB granules could be detected by fluorescence staining of PHB. Indeed, in these cells PHB could not be demonstrated chemically by GC/MS either. Based on the results gathered, it is concluded that not all the slightly electron-dense spherical inclusions are PHB granules in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. This result is potentially applicable to other cyanobacteria. Alternate assignments for these inclusions are discussed.
ISSN:0166-8595
1573-5079
DOI:10.1007/s11120-013-9923-1