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In silico characterization and transcriptomic analysis of nif family genes from Anabaena sp. PCC7120

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Abstract

In silico approaches in conjunction with morphology, nitrogenase activity, and qRT-PCR explore the impact of selected abiotic stressor such as arsenic, salt, cadmium, copper, and butachlor on nitrogen fixing (nif family) genes of diazotrophic cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC7120. A total of 19 nif genes are present within the Anabaena genome that is involved in the process of nitrogen fixation. Docking studies revealed the interaction between these nif gene-encoded proteins and the selected abiotic stressors which were further validated through decreased heterocyst frequency, fragmentation of filaments, and downregulation of nitrogenase activity under these stresses indicating towards their toxic impact on nitrogen fixation potential of filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC7120. Another appealing finding of this study is even though having similar binding energy and similar interacting residues between arsenic/salt and copper/cadmium to nif-encoded proteins, arsenic and cadmium are more toxic than salt and copper for nitrogenase activity of Anabaena which is crucial for growth and yield of rice paddy and soil reclamation.

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Acknowledgements

Shilpi Singh is thankful to Prof. L. C. Rai, FNA, and Prof. J. P. Gaur, Centre of Advanced Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, for their intellectual feedbacks and for using lab facilities. Shilpi Singh is also thankful to DST-WOSA for financial support. Alok Kumar Shrivastava is thankful to SERB-DST, New Delhi for DST Young Scientist Award.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Algal Biology, Center of Advanced Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India

    Shilpi Singh

  2. Department of Botany, Mahatma Gandhi Central University Bihar, District: East Champaran, Motihari, 845401, India

    Alok Kumar Shrivastava

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  1. Shilpi Singh
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Correspondence to Shilpi Singh.

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Shilpi Singh and Alok Kumar Shrivastava contributed equally to this work.

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Singh, S., Shrivastava, A.K. In silico characterization and transcriptomic analysis of nif family genes from Anabaena sp. PCC7120. Cell Biol Toxicol 33, 467–482 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10565-017-9388-7

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