Minimal transcriptional regulation of horizontally transferred photosynthesis genes in phototrophic bacterium Gemmatimonas phototrophica

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F61388971%3A_____%2F24%3A00598836" target="_blank" >RIV/61388971:_____/24:00598836 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/msystems.00706-24" target="_blank" >https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/msystems.00706-24</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/msystems.00706-24" target="_blank" >10.1128/msystems.00706-24</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Minimal transcriptional regulation of horizontally transferred photosynthesis genes in phototrophic bacterium Gemmatimonas phototrophica

Original language description

The first phototrophic member of the bacterial phylum Gemmatimonadota, Gemmatimonas phototrophica AP64(T), received all its photosynthesis genes via distant horizontal gene transfer from a purple bacterium. Here, we investigated how these acquired genes, which are tightly controlled by oxygen and light in the ancestor, are integrated into the regulatory system of its new host. G. phototrophica grew well under aerobic and semiaerobic conditions, with almost no difference in gene expression. Under aerobic conditions, the growth of G. phototrophica was optimal at 80 mu mol photon m(-2) s(-1), while higher light intensities had an inhibitory effect. The transcriptome showed only a minimal response to the dark-light shift at optimal light intensity, while the exposure to a higher light intensity (200 mu mol photon m(-2) s(-1)) induced already stronger but still transient changes in gene expression. Interestingly, a singlet oxygen defense was not activated under any conditions tested. Our results indicate that G. phototrophica possesses neither the oxygen-dependent repression of photosynthesis genes known from purple bacteria nor the light-dependent repression described in aerobic anoxygenic phototrophs. Instead, G. phototrophica has evolved as a low-light species preferring reduced oxygen concentrations. Under these conditions, the bacterium can safely employ its photoheterotrophic metabolism without the need for complex regulatory mechanisms. IMPORTANCE Horizontal gene transfer is one of the main mechanisms by which bacteria acquire new genes. However, it represents only the first step as the transferred genes have also to be functionally and regulatory integrated into the recipient's cellular machinery. Gemmatimonas phototrophica, a member of bacterial phylum Gemmatimonadota, acquired its photosynthesis genes via distant horizontal gene transfer from a purple bacterium. Thus, it represents a unique natural experiment, in which the entire package of photosynthesis genes was transplanted into a distant host. We show that G. phototrophica lacks the regulation of photosynthesis gene expressions in response to oxygen concentration and light intensity that are common in purple bacteria. This restricts its growth to low-light habitats with reduced oxygen. Understanding the regulation of horizontally transferred genes is important not only for microbial evolution but also for synthetic biology and the engineering of novel organisms, as these rely on the successful integration of foreign genes.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

10606 - Microbiology

Project

Result was created during the realization of more than one project. More information in the Projects tab.

Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2024

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

mSystems

ISSN

2379-5077

e-ISSN

2379-5077

Volume of the periodical

9

Issue of the periodical within the volume

9

Country of publishing house

US - UNITED STATES

Number of pages

14

Pages from-to

e00706-24

UT code for WoS article

001299460200001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85204416510