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Related Experiment Videos

Myoglobin in a cyanobacterium.

M Potts1, S V Angeloni, R E Ebel

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg Va 24061.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|June 19, 1992
PubMed
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A novel myoglobin, cyanoglobin, was discovered in Nostoc commune, a nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium. This hemoprotein is linked to eukaryotic myoglobins and appears under nitrogen-starved, microaerobic conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Myoglobins are typically found in muscle tissue of animals, functioning in oxygen transport and storage.
  • The presence and function of myoglobin-like proteins in prokaryotes, particularly cyanobacteria, remain less understood.
  • Nitrogen fixation in cyanobacteria is a complex process sensitive to oxygen levels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize a myoglobin-like protein in the nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Nostoc commune.
  • To investigate the genetic basis and expression patterns of this novel cyanobacterial hemoprotein.
  • To explore the potential role of cyanoglobin in oxygen homeostasis during nitrogen fixation.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and purification of the hemoprotein from Nostoc commune.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Biochemical characterization including molecular weight determination (12.5 kDa).
  • Amino acid sequencing and comparison with known myoglobins.
  • Gene identification (glbN) and genomic localization relative to nitrogen fixation genes (nifU, nifH).
  • Detection of cyanoglobin expression under specific environmental conditions (nitrogen starvation, microaerobic incubation).

    • Main Results:

    • A soluble hemoprotein, termed cyanoglobin, was identified in Nostoc commune.
    • Cyanoglobin exhibits sequence homology to myoglobins from lower eukaryotes like Paramecium and Tetrahymena.
    • The cyanoglobin gene (glbN) is located adjacent to essential nitrogen fixation genes.
    • Cyanoglobin is specifically detected in cells under nitrogen-starved and microaerobic conditions.

    Conclusions:

    • Nostoc commune possesses a unique cyanoglobin with evolutionary links to eukaryotic myoglobins.
    • The glbN gene's proximity to nif genes suggests a coordinated role in nitrogen fixation.
    • Cyanoglobin expression is regulated by nitrogen availability and oxygen levels, potentially aiding in protecting nitrogenase activity.