A hybrid histidine kinase/response regulator is required for hormogonium development in Nostoc punctiforme
Poster Number
11
Format
Poster Presentation
Faculty Mentor Name
Doug Risser
Faculty Mentor Department
Biological Sciences
Abstract/Artist Statement
The goal of this project is to identify the genes essential for hormogonium development and motility in the filamentous cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme. N. punctiforme differentiates hormogonia, motile filaments which facilitate dispersal, the establishment of nitrogen-fixing symbioses with plants and fungi, and phototaxis. Hormogonium motility is driven by a modified type IV pilus-like system that may also secrete a polysaccharide essential for motility. As part of an ongoing project to identify the genes essential for hormogonium development and motility in N. punctiforme, we are performing an in depth analysis of Npun_R3825, one of several genes identified as essential for hormogonium motility using a transposon mutagenesis screen. Npun_R3825 encodes a hybrid histidine kinase/response regulator, a type of protein that plays a role in signal transduction, allowing bacteria to sense and respond to their environment by activating a phosphorelay. In order to elucidate the role that Npun_R3825 plays in the gene-signaling cascade controlling hormogonium development, a strain with an in-frame deletion of Npun_R3825 was created. This strain was non-motile and failed to undergo any of the morphological changes associated with the development of hormogonia. Based on this data, we speculate that Npun_R3825 plays an essential role in an early stage of hormogonium development.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
Start Date
30-4-2016 10:00 AM
End Date
30-4-2016 12:00 PM
A hybrid histidine kinase/response regulator is required for hormogonium development in Nostoc punctiforme
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
The goal of this project is to identify the genes essential for hormogonium development and motility in the filamentous cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme. N. punctiforme differentiates hormogonia, motile filaments which facilitate dispersal, the establishment of nitrogen-fixing symbioses with plants and fungi, and phototaxis. Hormogonium motility is driven by a modified type IV pilus-like system that may also secrete a polysaccharide essential for motility. As part of an ongoing project to identify the genes essential for hormogonium development and motility in N. punctiforme, we are performing an in depth analysis of Npun_R3825, one of several genes identified as essential for hormogonium motility using a transposon mutagenesis screen. Npun_R3825 encodes a hybrid histidine kinase/response regulator, a type of protein that plays a role in signal transduction, allowing bacteria to sense and respond to their environment by activating a phosphorelay. In order to elucidate the role that Npun_R3825 plays in the gene-signaling cascade controlling hormogonium development, a strain with an in-frame deletion of Npun_R3825 was created. This strain was non-motile and failed to undergo any of the morphological changes associated with the development of hormogonia. Based on this data, we speculate that Npun_R3825 plays an essential role in an early stage of hormogonium development.