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Biological role of secondary metabolites in symbiotic cyanobacteria

section of a cycadial root showing infection with cyanobacterial symbionts
Photo: Katrin Hinrichs

Background

Nostoc punctiforme is a filamentous cyanobacterium capable of forming symbiotic associations with a wide range of plants including bryophytes, gymnosperms and an angiosperm. The strain exhibits extensive phenotypic characteristics and can differentiate three mutually exclusive cell types: nitrogen-fixing heterocysts, motile hormogonia and spore-like akinetes. One of the noticeable features of the genome is the extraordinary high number of gene clusters encoding nonribosomal peptide synthetases and polyketide synthases. We intend to test the functionality of these clusters and a possible involvement of the metabolites in the complex lifestyle and symbiotic competence of N. punctiforme. Our biological survey can guide the discovery and structural elucidation of novel secondary metabolites in symbiotic cyanobacteria.

section of a cycadial root showing infection with cyanobacterial symbionts
Photo: Katrin Hinrichs
Picture of a young Blaisa Pusilla plant with cyanobacterial symbiont colonies highlighted in reg circles
Photo: Anton Liaimer

Collaborations

Anton Liaimer, University of Tromsoe, Norway

Keishi Ishida, Katharina Graupner, Christian Hertweck, HKI Jena

Eric Helfrich, ETH Zürich

Holger Jenke-Kodama, OIST Okinawa, Japan

Picture of a young Blaisa Pusilla plant with cyanobacterial symbiont colonies highlighted in reg circles
Photo: Anton Liaimer
Micrograph of cyanobacterial mutant filament showing blue and red fluorescence
Photo: Daniel Dehm

Publications

Guljamow, A., Kreische, M., Ishida, K., Liaimer, A., Altermark, B., Bähr, L., Hertweck, C., Ehwald, R., Dittmann, E. (2017) High density cultivation of terrestrial Nostoc strains leads to reprogramming of secondary metabolome. Appl. Environ. Microbiol, 83: e01510-17

Liaimer, A., Jensen, J.B., Dittmann, E. (2016) A Genetic and chemical perspective on symbiotic recruitment of cyanobacteria of the genus Nostoc into the host plant Blasia pusilla. Front. Microbiol., 7:1693. doi: 10.3389/fmib.2016.01693

Liaimer, A., Helfrich, E.J.N., Hinrichs, K., Guljamow, A., Ishida, K., Hertweck, C., Dittmann, E. (2015) Nostopeptolide plays a governing role during cellular differentiation of the symbiotic cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 112: 1862-1867.

Kehr, J.C., Dittmann, E. (2015) Biosynthesis and function of extracellular glycans in cyanobacteria. Life (Basel) 5: 164-180.

Liaimer, A., Jenke-Kodama. H., Ishida, K., Hinrichs, K., Stangeland, J., Hertweck, C., Dittmann, E. (2011) A polyketide interfers with cellular differentiation in the symbiotic cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme. Environmental Microbiology Reports, in press.

Micrograph of cyanobacterial mutant filament showing blue and red fluorescence
Photo: Daniel Dehm