Adaptation of the Cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis to Low CO(2) Concentration in Their Environment

The rate of adaptation of high CO(2) (5% v/v CO(2) in air)-grown Anabaena to a low level of CO(2) (0.05% v/v in air) was determined as a function of O(2) concentration. Exposure of cells to low (2.6%) O(2) concentration resulted in an extended lag in the adaptation to low CO(2) concentration. The rate of adaptation following the lag was not affected by the concentration of O(2). The length of the lag period is markedly affected by the O(2)/CO(2) concentration ratio, indicating that the signal for adaptation to low CO(2) may be related to the relative rate of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activities, rather than to CO(2) concentration proper. This suggestion is supported by the observed accumulation of phosphoglycolate following transfer of cells from high to low CO(2) concentration.