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Heterotrophy and nitrate metabolism in a cyanobacteriumPhormidium uncinatum

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Abstract

Nitrate-supported heterotrophic growth ofPhormidium uncinatum was achieved after repeated exposure to glucose in the presence of a photosystem (PS) II inhibitor. Nitrate and glucose utilization as well as activities of their metabolizing enzymes were measured comparatively in photoautotrophic and heterotrophic cells. Nitrate and glucose were taken up together at the ratio of 1:8 (molar basis) and glucose catabolism via glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH) activities transferred desired electrons for nitrate reduction to ammonia through coupled ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase (FNR) activity. Ammonia thus generated was assimilated mainly by NADPH-glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity. These data demonstrate an operation of nitrate assimilation in this cyanobacterium under heterotrophic conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, FRG

    Suvendra Nath Bagchi

  2. Department of Post Graduate Studies and Research in Biological Sciences, R.D. University, 482001, Jabalpur, M.P., India

    Vikas Singh Chauhan & Archna Palod

Authors
  1. Suvendra Nath Bagchi
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  2. Vikas Singh Chauhan
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  3. Archna Palod
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Bagchi, S.N., Chauhan, V.S. & Palod, A. Heterotrophy and nitrate metabolism in a cyanobacteriumPhormidium uncinatum . Current Microbiology 21, 53–57 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02090100

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