Abstract
The effects of a sudden increase in the amount of available light energy (light shock) on the biosynthesis of the main cellular constituents in the heterocystous cyanobacterium Cyanospira rippkae, growing diazotrophically under light-dark cycles, are described. Light shocks of different magnitude were achieved by quickly preparing four experimental cultures at cell concentrations lower than that of a dense, highlypigmented, stock culture which served as inoculum. The new light regimens were maintained for 10 days by keeping the cultures at the proper dilution rate. The main modifications induced by the light shock were: (1) increase in heterocyst frequency; (2) accumulation of carbohydrates; (3) reduction of phycobiliproteins. The extent of these modifications correlated directly with the intensity of the light shock. Cell composition reached a new steady state 4–5 light-dark cycles after the initial increase in available radiant energy. Since the observed changes in cell composition and in trichome structure showed a noticeable analogy with the chlorosis induced in cyanobacteria by nitrogen starvation (nitrogen chlorosis), we referred to them as ‘light dependent nitrogen chlorosis’. Possibly the photooxidative conditions resulting from the increase in the amount of radiant energy available for highly pigmented cells unbalance nitrogen metabolism by affecting the activity of some key enzymes.
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© 1989 Kluwer Academic Publishers
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Vincenzini, M., Sili, C., Tredici, M.R., Materassi, R. (1989). Light dependent nitrogen chlorosis in a heterocystous cyanobacterium. In: Skinner, F.A., Boddey, R.M., Fendrik, I. (eds) Nitrogen Fixation with Non-Legumes. Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences, vol 35. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0889-5_8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0889-5_8
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