1887

Abstract

Heterocysts, cells specialized in N fixation in cyanobacteria, appeared at near to 2.1 Ga. They constitute one of the oldest forms of differentiated cells in evolution, and are thus an interesting model for studies on evolutionary-developmental biology. How heterocysts arose during evolution remains unknown. In PCC 7120, heterocyst development requires, among other genes, for the initiation of heterocyst differentiation, and , encoding a diffusible inhibitor of heterocyst formation. In this study, we report that both and are widespread among filamentous cyanobacteria that do not form heterocysts or fix N. and are found in proximity on the chromosome in several cases, such as , in which the level of HetR increased following nitrogen deprivation. The gene of could complement a mutant of PCC 7120, and of could suppress heterocyst differentiation in PCC 7120. Thus, key regulatory genes, including and , involved in heterocyst development may have evolved before heterocysts appeared, suggesting that their function was not limited to heterocyst differentiation.

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2009-05-01
2024-03-29
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