The Circadian Clock—A Molecular Tool for Survival in Cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic organisms that are known to be responsible for oxygenating Earth’s early atmosphere. Having evolved to ensure optimal survival in the periodic light/dark cycle on this planet, their genetic codes are packed with various tools, including a sophisticated biological tim...
Main Authors: | , , , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
MDPI AG
2020-12-01
|
Series: | Life |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/10/12/365 |
id |
doaj-2d31589273fa4e0cac8954de73053819 |
---|---|
record_format |
Article |
spelling |
doaj-2d31589273fa4e0cac8954de730538192020-12-21T00:01:23ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292020-12-011036536510.3390/life10120365The Circadian Clock—A Molecular Tool for Survival in CyanobacteriaPyonghwa Kim0Manpreet Kaur1Hye-In Jang2Yong-Ick Kim3Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USADepartment of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USASchool of Cosmetic Science and Beauty Biotechnology, Semyung University, Jecheon 27136, KoreaDepartment of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USACyanobacteria are photosynthetic organisms that are known to be responsible for oxygenating Earth’s early atmosphere. Having evolved to ensure optimal survival in the periodic light/dark cycle on this planet, their genetic codes are packed with various tools, including a sophisticated biological timekeeping system. Among the cyanobacteria is <i>Synechococcus elongatus</i> PCC 7942, the simplest clock-harboring organism with a powerful genetic tool that enabled the identification of its intricate timekeeping mechanism. The three central oscillator proteins—KaiA, KaiB, and KaiC—drive the 24 h cyclic gene expression rhythm of cyanobacteria, and the “ticking” of the oscillator can be reconstituted inside a test tube just by mixing the three recombinant proteins with ATP and Mg<sup>2+</sup>. Along with its biochemical resilience, the post-translational rhythm of the oscillation can be reset through sensing oxidized quinone, a metabolite that becomes abundant at the onset of darkness. In addition, the output components pick up the information from the central oscillator, tuning the physiological and behavioral patterns and enabling the organism to better cope with the cyclic environmental conditions. In this review, we highlight our understanding of the cyanobacterial circadian clock and discuss how it functions as a molecular chronometer that readies the host for predictable changes in its surroundings.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/10/12/365circadian clockcircadian rhythmcyanobacteriaKaiABCSasACikA |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Pyonghwa Kim Manpreet Kaur Hye-In Jang Yong-Ick Kim |
spellingShingle |
Pyonghwa Kim Manpreet Kaur Hye-In Jang Yong-Ick Kim The Circadian Clock—A Molecular Tool for Survival in Cyanobacteria Life circadian clock circadian rhythm cyanobacteria KaiABC SasA CikA |
author_facet |
Pyonghwa Kim Manpreet Kaur Hye-In Jang Yong-Ick Kim |
author_sort |
Pyonghwa Kim |
title |
The Circadian Clock—A Molecular Tool for Survival in Cyanobacteria |
title_short |
The Circadian Clock—A Molecular Tool for Survival in Cyanobacteria |
title_full |
The Circadian Clock—A Molecular Tool for Survival in Cyanobacteria |
title_fullStr |
The Circadian Clock—A Molecular Tool for Survival in Cyanobacteria |
title_full_unstemmed |
The Circadian Clock—A Molecular Tool for Survival in Cyanobacteria |
title_sort |
circadian clock—a molecular tool for survival in cyanobacteria |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Life |
issn |
2075-1729 |
publishDate |
2020-12-01 |
description |
Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic organisms that are known to be responsible for oxygenating Earth’s early atmosphere. Having evolved to ensure optimal survival in the periodic light/dark cycle on this planet, their genetic codes are packed with various tools, including a sophisticated biological timekeeping system. Among the cyanobacteria is <i>Synechococcus elongatus</i> PCC 7942, the simplest clock-harboring organism with a powerful genetic tool that enabled the identification of its intricate timekeeping mechanism. The three central oscillator proteins—KaiA, KaiB, and KaiC—drive the 24 h cyclic gene expression rhythm of cyanobacteria, and the “ticking” of the oscillator can be reconstituted inside a test tube just by mixing the three recombinant proteins with ATP and Mg<sup>2+</sup>. Along with its biochemical resilience, the post-translational rhythm of the oscillation can be reset through sensing oxidized quinone, a metabolite that becomes abundant at the onset of darkness. In addition, the output components pick up the information from the central oscillator, tuning the physiological and behavioral patterns and enabling the organism to better cope with the cyclic environmental conditions. In this review, we highlight our understanding of the cyanobacterial circadian clock and discuss how it functions as a molecular chronometer that readies the host for predictable changes in its surroundings. |
topic |
circadian clock circadian rhythm cyanobacteria KaiABC SasA CikA |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/10/12/365 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT pyonghwakim thecircadianclockamoleculartoolforsurvivalincyanobacteria AT manpreetkaur thecircadianclockamoleculartoolforsurvivalincyanobacteria AT hyeinjang thecircadianclockamoleculartoolforsurvivalincyanobacteria AT yongickkim thecircadianclockamoleculartoolforsurvivalincyanobacteria AT pyonghwakim circadianclockamoleculartoolforsurvivalincyanobacteria AT manpreetkaur circadianclockamoleculartoolforsurvivalincyanobacteria AT hyeinjang circadianclockamoleculartoolforsurvivalincyanobacteria AT yongickkim circadianclockamoleculartoolforsurvivalincyanobacteria |
_version_ |
1724376000817528832 |