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Cyanobacteria are a diverse group of oxygenic, phototrophic bacteria that played a pivotal role in converting Earth’s atmosphere from anoxic to oxygen-rich billions of years ago. They exhibit remarkable morphological diversity, ranging from unicellular forms to filamentous types, with cell sizes varying between 0.5 μm and 100 μm. Cyanobacteria are classified into five groups: Chroococcales (unicellular, dividing by binary fission), Pleurocapsales (unicellular, dividing by...
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Red algae, also known as rhodophytes, are primarily found in marine environments, though some species inhabit freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. These organisms exist in both unicellular and multicellular forms, with some multicellular varieties reaching macroscopic sizes.As phototrophic organisms, red algae contain chlorophyll a; however, their chloroplasts lack chlorophyll b. Instead, they possess phycobiliproteins, which serve as major light-harvesting pigments, similar to those found in...
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The group Stramenopiles include some phototrophic microorganisms. Members of this group possess flagella covered in numerous short, hairlike extensions, a feature that inspired the group's name, derived from the Latin words for "straw" and "hair." Some of the main categories of Stramenopiles include diatoms, golden algae, and brown algae.Diatoms are unicellular, photosynthetic eukaryotes, with over 200 known genera. They play a key role in the planktonic communities of both marine and...
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Polyphosphate: A Multifunctional Metabolite in Cyanobacteria and Algae.

Emanuel Sanz-Luque1,2, Devaki Bhaya1, Arthur R Grossman1

  • 1Department of Plant Biology, The Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA, United States.

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Summary

Polyphosphate (polyP), a vital energy source and cellular regulator found in all life, plays key roles in photosynthetic microbes. This review explores its metabolism, storage, and diverse functions, highlighting potential bioremediation and medical applications.

Keywords:
acidocalcisomebioremediationcyanobacteriametal toxicitymicroalgaephosphate metabolismpolyphosphatestress responses

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Polyphosphate (polyP) is a versatile polymer of orthophosphate found across all life forms.
  • It serves as an ancient energy source, predating ATP, and is stored in cellular vacuoles called acidocalcisomes.
  • PolyP influences numerous cellular processes, including metabolism, homeostasis, stress response, and protein activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the metabolism, storage, and function of polyphosphate (polyP) in photosynthetic microbes, specifically green algae and cyanobacteria.
  • To detail factors influencing polyP synthesis and degradation, and its sequestration in acidocalcisomes.
  • To explore the role of polyP in cellular energetics, acclimation, and metal homeostasis, and its potential applications.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on research in green algae and cyanobacteria.
  • Analysis of studies on polyP synthesis, degradation enzymes, and storage mechanisms.
  • Examination of polyP's involvement in cellular energetics, homeostasis, and stress adaptation.

Main Results:

  • PolyP synthesis and accumulation significantly impact cellular functions in photosynthetic microbes.
  • PolyP plays critical roles in energy storage, inorganic phosphate (PO43-) reservoir, and maintaining homeostasis.
  • PolyP is essential for cellular acclimation to stress conditions and has implications in symbiotic and parasitic interactions.

Conclusions:

  • Polyphosphate (polyP) is a crucial molecule in photosynthetic microbes, involved in energy metabolism, homeostasis, and stress adaptation.
  • Understanding polyP's functions in these organisms opens avenues for potential applications in bioremediation and medicine.
  • Further research into polyP metabolism and function can unlock novel biotechnological and therapeutic strategies.