Cyanobacterial nitrogenases: phylogenetic diversity, regulation and functional predictions



Document title: Cyanobacterial nitrogenases: phylogenetic diversity, regulation and functional predictions
Journal: Genetics and molecular biology
Database: PERIÓDICA
System number: 000408502
ISSN: 1415-4757
Authors: 1
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Institutions: 1Universidade Federal de Vicosa, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Vicosa, Minas Gerais. Brasil
Year:
Volumen: 40
Pages: 261-275
Country: Brasil
Language: Inglés
Document type: Artículo
Approach: Experimental, aplicado
English abstract Cyanobacteria is a remarkable group of prokaryotic photosynthetic microorganisms, with several genera capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen (N2) and presenting a wide range of morphologies. Although the nitrogenase complex is not present in all cyanobacterial taxa, it is spread across several cyanobacterial strains. The nitrogenase complex has also a high theoretical potential for biofuel production, since H2 is a by-product produced during N2 fixation. In this review we discuss the significance of a relatively wide variety of cell morphologies and metabolic strategies that allow spatial and temporal separation of N2 fixation from photosynthesis in cyanobacteria. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on 16S rRNA and nifD gene sequences shed light on the evolutionary history of the two genes. Our results demonstrated that (i) sequences of genes involved in nitrogen fixation (nifD) from several morphologically distinct strains of cyanobacteria are grouped in similarity with their morphology classification and phylogeny, and (ii) nifD genes from heterocytous strains share a common ancestor. By using this data we also discuss the evolutionary importance of processes such as horizontal gene transfer and genetic duplication for nitrogenase evolution and diversification. Finally, we discuss the importance of H2 synthesis in cyanobacteria, as well as strategies and challenges to improve cyanobacterial H2 production
Disciplines: Biología
Keyword: Bacterias,
Genética,
Filogenia molecular,
Fijación del nitrógeno,
Nitrogenasa,
Regulación genética,
Cyanobacteria
Keyword: Biology,
Bacteria,
Genetics,
Molecular phylogeny,
Nitrogen fixation,
Nitrogenase,
Genetic regulation,
Cyanobacteria
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