Expression of hetN during heterocyst differentiation and its inhibition of hetR up-regulation in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120

Li, B., Huang, X. and Zhao, J. (2002) Expression of hetN during heterocyst differentiation and its inhibition of hetR up-regulation in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. FEBS Letters, 517(1-3), pp. 87-91. (doi: 10.1016/S0014-5793(02)02582-6)

Abstract

The <i>hetN</i> gene plays an important role in heterocyst differentiation and pattern formation. An immunoblotting study showed that the <i>hetN</i> gene in <i>Anabaena</i> sp. PCC 7120 was expressed in vegetative cells grown with combined nitrogen. After a switch to a medium without combined nitrogen, <i>hetN</i> expression first declined and was then followed by a rapid increase in its product, HetN, which was only present in mature heterocysts. HetN is located on both thylakoid membranes and plasma membranes as determined by immunoblotting using purified membranes. Overexpression of <i>hetN</i> completely prevented <i>hetR</i> up-regulation under nitrogen-deprivation conditions, suggesting that its role in pattern control may depend on its inhibition of <i>hetR</i> expression.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Huang, Dr Xu
• Authors: Li, B., Huang, X., and Zhao, J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
• Journal Name: FEBS Letters
• Publisher: Elsevier BV
• ISSN: 0014-5793
• ISSN (Online): 1873-3468