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Biological control of cyanobacteria is a well-researched area with a central focus on laboratory-scale studies. Numerous reports have been made on algicidal isolates, with bacteria as a major component of the antagonists. The research in this review draws a brief summary of what is currently known in the area of freshwater cyanobacteria being inhibited by bacterial isolates. Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes are among the most commonly reported phyla of bacteria associated with or employed in this research area. However, there are limited reports of upscaling these control measures beyond the laboratory scale. Lytic control agents are the most commonly reported in the literature with subsequent cyanotoxin release. From a water quality perspective, this is not feasible. Based on the available literature, temperature, pH and nutrient changes have been explored in this short review as possible contributors to less optimal bacterial performance. Moreover, the investigation into optimising some of these parameters may lead to increased bacterial performance and, therefore, viability for upscaling this biological control. Through the compilation of current research, this review offers insight to live predator-prey cell interactions between cyanobacteria and algicidal bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyanobacteria are an ideal host for biofuel production. Although efforts have been made to genetically engineer cyanobacteria for efficient production of biofuels and other important chemicals, the tools that can be applied to cyanobacteria are still limited. A new gene regulation tool, riboregulator, has been examined for application in cyanobacteria. A riboregulator is a nature-inspired RNA tool, which is composed of two artificially designed RNA fragments. Owing to its high specificity and efficacy, it is suitable for metabolic engineering in cyanobacteria, and several studies have been done to optimize and improve the function of the riboregulator. In this review, we focus on the recent improvements made to riboregulators and compare them with other RNA-mediated gene regulation tools developed in cyanobacteria to investigate future applications of riboregulators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our search for thermophilic and acid-tolerant nucleoside 2′-deoxyribosyltransferases (NDTs), we found a good candidate in an enzyme encoded by Chroococcidiopsis thermalis PCC 7203 (CtNDT). Biophysical and biochemical characterization revealed CtNDT as a homotetramer endowed with good activity and stability at both high temperatures (50-100 °C) and a wide range of pH values (from 3 to 7). CtNDT recognizes purine bases and their corresponding 2′-deoxynucleosides but is also proficient using cytosine and 2′-deoxycytidine as substrates. These unusual features preclude the strict classification of CtNDT as either a type I or a type II NDT and further suggest that this simple subdivision may need to be updated in the future. Our findings also hint at a possible link between oligomeric state and NDT’s substrate specificity. Interestingly from a practical perspective, CtNDT displays high activity (80-100%) in the presence of several water-miscible co-solvents in a proportion of up to 20% and was successfully employed in the enzymatic production of several therapeutic nucleosides such as didanosine, vidarabine, and cytarabine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated seasonal variations in cyanobacterial biomass and the forms of its dominant population ( M. aeruginosa) and their correlation with environmental factors in the water source area of Chaohu City, China from December 2011 to October 2012. The results show that species belonging to the phylum Cyanophyta occupied the maximum proportion of phytoplankton biomass, and that the dominant population in the water source area of Chaohu City was M. aeruginosa. The variation in cyanobacterial biomass from March to August 2012 was well fitted to the logistic growth model. The growth rate of cyanobacteria was the highest in June, and the biomass of cyanobacteria reached a maximum in August. From February to March 2012, the main form of M. aeruginosa was the single-cell form; M. aeruginosa colonies began to appear from April, and blooms appeared on the water surface in May. The maximum diameter of the colonies was recorded in July, and then gradually decreased from August. The diameter range of M. aeruginosa colonies was 18.37-237.77 μm, and most of the colonies were distributed in the range 20-200 μm, comprising 95.5% of the total number of samples. Temperature and photosynthetically active radiation may be the most important factors that influenced the annual variation in M. aeruginosa biomass and forms. The suitable temperature for cyanobacterial growth was in the range of 15-30°C. In natural water bodies, photosynthetically active radiation had a significant positive influence on the colonial diameter of M. aeruginosa ( P <0.01). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eruption of blue-green algal blooms occurs frequently in eutrophic lakes and fish ponds, with associated unpleasant odor and horrid scums. In the present study, we conducted a pre-test experiment in 3 m outdoor concrete ponds to determine the optimum concentration of aluminum sulfate (alum) required for reduction of the cyanobacterial blooms without negative effect on fish growth. As a consequence, 10 mg L alum was named as the optimum concentration that was applied in 1000 m earthen fish ponds. Obtained results showed that Secchi disc values significantly increased from 10 to 24 cm after 14 days of alum application. Alum-treated ponds showed a reduction in total phytoplankton counts by 94 and 96 % compared to the corresponding controls after 10 and 14 days, respectively. Abundance of blue-green algae in the treated ponds was decreased by 98 % compared to the corresponding control after 14 days of alum application. Consequently, dissolved oxygen, pH, total phosphorus, orthophosphate, and chlorophyll ' a' content declined significantly. Our study revealed that using 10 mg L of alum is an effective way to control cyanobacterial blooms in eutrophic waters, especially in fish ponds, without negative effect in water quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Management strategies that prevent the onset of nuisance and noxious cyanobacteria blooms are needed to preserve the integrity and safety of freshwater resource uses. Scientifically defensible data are needed regarding efficacy of proactive approaches in order to assist water resource managers in making informed decisions. As phosphorus availability has been indicated as a crucial aspect of cyanobacteria presence/dominance in freshwater systems, the integration of novel technologies to inactivate phosphorus is a critical component to achieve improved water quality. Phoslock (Phoslock Water Solutions, Ltd.) phosphorus locking technology is composed of the element lanthanum in a bentonite clay matrix that has a high specificity to bind and inactivate soluble reactive phosphorus. This research evaluated the phosphorus binding efficiency of Phoslock in aqueous and sediment matrices and the consequent impact on algae assemblage composition and water quality parameters. Laguna Niguel Lake in California afforded an opportunity to evaluate the operational effectiveness of Phoslock in a system historically plagued by high phosphorus concentrations, potentially toxic cyanobacteria ( Aphanizomenonflos- aquae dominant), and lake closures. Phoslock was able to rapidly (<2 weeks) and significantly ( p < 0.0005) decrease total (>80 %) and free reactive (>95 %) phosphorus in the water column and shift potentially releasable sediment phosphorus fractions to residual forms after treatment. Despite documented cyanobacteria blooms and high pretreatment cell densities, cyanobacteria levels remained below or near detection limits and only comprised a small fraction of the algae assemblage following Phoslock application. This study provides water resource managers an information on operational implementation and efficacy of a phosphorus binding technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, cDNA microarrays were developed from 3569 mRNA reads to analyze the expression profiles of the transcriptomes of Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 under low temperature (LT) stress. Among the genes on the cDNA microarrays, 899 LT-affected genes exhibited a 1.5-fold (or greater) difference in expression compared with the genes from normal unstressed Synechocystis sp. PCC6803. Of the differentially expressed genes, 353 were up-regulated and 246 were down-regulated. The results showed that genes involved in photosynthesis were activated at LT (10°C), including genes for photosystem I, photosystem II, photosynthetic electron transport, and cytochrome b6/f complex. Moreover, desB, one of four genes that encode the fatty acid desaturases, was also induced by LT. However, the LT conditions to some degree enhanced the transcription of some genes. In addition, LT (10°C) may reduce cellular motility by regulating the transcription of spkA ( sll1575), a serine/threonine protein kinase. The results reported in this study may contribute to a better understanding of the responses of the Synechocystis cell to LT, including pathways involved in photosynthesis and repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biotechnological applications of algal polysaccharide as emulsifiers, thickeners and laxatives have led to the screening and selection of certain diazotrophic filamentous cyanobacteria from saline/alkaline soil of Madhya Pradesh, India. Strain specific variation in cell bound, extracellular and total polysaccharide content was quantified under laboratory conditions. Among the cyanobacterial isolates examined Nostoc calcicola RDU-3 was found to produce highest amount (105 mg l) of extracellular polysaccharide on 44th day of growth under diazotrophic growth conditions. Extracellular polysaccharide production of cyanobacterium Nostoc calcicola RDU-3 was optimal at pH-10, temperature 35°C, photoperiod of 24 h and in white light. The Gas Chromatographic analysis of polysaccharide from Nostoc calcicola RDU-3 revealed the presence of ribose (36.03%), xylose (34.13%), rhamnose (29.67%) and glucose (4.0%). The polysaccharide is novel in that it possesses ribose as the predominant monosaccharide with very low levels of glucose. Predominance of ribose monosaccharide is the unique feature which is reported to be used as metabolic supplement to the heart. IR spectrum of extracellular polysaccharide revealed the presence of sulphate group. Such sulphated polysaccharide is reported to have antiviral properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allophycocyanin (APC) is a phycobiliprotein with various biological and pharmacological properties. An expression vector containing five essential genes in charge of biosynthesis of cyanobacterial APC holo-α subunit (holo-ApcA) was constructed, resulting in over-expression of a fluorescent holo-ApcA in E. coli. After being cultured for 16 h, the dry cell density reached 22.5 g l−1, and the expression of holo-HT-ApcA was up to 1 g l−1 broth. The recombinant protein showed similar spectral features to native APC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterocyst differentiation in cyanobacteria is accompanied by developmentally regulated DNA rearrangements that occur within the nifD, fdxN, and hupL genes. These genetic elements are excised from the genome by site-specific recombination during the latter stages of differentiation. The nifD element is excised by the recombinase, XisA, located within the element. Our objective was to examine the XisA-mediated excision of the nifD element. To accomplish this, we observed the ability of XisA to excise substrate plasmids that contained the flanking regions of the nifD element in an E. coli host. Using PCR directed mutagenesis, nucleotides in the nifD element flanking regions in substrate plasmids were altered and the effect on recombination was determined. Results indicate that only certain nucleotides within and surrounding the direct repeats are involved in excision. In some nucleotide positions, the presence of a purine versus a pyrimidine greatly affected recombination. Our results also indicated that the site of excision and branch migration occurs in a 6 bp region within the direct repeats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly active NADPH dehydrogenase supercomplex, which is essential for cyclic electron transport around photosystem I (cyclic PSI) and respiration, was newly identified in cyanobacteria. Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 cells were treated with exogenous glucose (Glc) or 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU); subsequently, active staining of NADPH-nitroblue tetrazolium oxidoreductase, western blot, and the initial rate of P700+ dark reduction were assessed in the cyanobacterium at several time points. The expression and enzyme activity levels of NADPH dehydrogenase supercomplex were gradually inhibited and closely associated with the decrease in the rate of cyclic PSI accompanying the addition of exogenous Glc to the cultures. In contrast, the activity levels were significantly stimulated but did not cause an increase in the rate of cyclic PSI as expected in the presence of DCMU. Since Glc results in the partial reduction of the plastoquinone (PQ) pool while DCMU results in the overoxidation of the PQ pool, the present results demonstrate that the expression and activity of NADPH dehydrogenase supercomplex are under the influence of the redox control of the PQ pool while the operation of cyclic PSI as mediated by this supercomplex requires an appropriate redox poise of the PQ pool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A plasmid library of small genomic fragments from the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 was screened for sequences whose transcripts increase in abundance during a heterocyst development time course. A total of 350 clones were analyzed, representing 1–2% of the Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 genome. Twenty-seven clones (8%) showed some degree of up-regulation after nitrogen starvation. The increase in transcript abundance ranged from 1.2-fold to 3.5-fold. Further analysis of the expression of some of the sequences using Northern blots suggested that the up-regulation values calculated from the screen are underestimates. The collection of up-regulated clones includes novel genes, previously characterized genes, and genes identifiable by similarity to known genes. One of the novel genes has been shown to be required for heterocyst function, and the sequence similarities and expression patterns of some of the others suggest that they may play a role in heterocyst development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study that investigated the use of the Digital Imaging Spectrophotometer for the primary isolation of photosynthetic mutants in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis species PCC 6803. Materials and methods of the study; Information on digital imaging spectrophotometer; Minimum colony size for the selection of mutants.

The focus of the current study is to assess the impact of blue green algae (BGA) technology on farming practices and economic conditions of farming households. The states of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana considered as major rice-growing states of India were chosen for the primary survey. It was observed that use of BGA resulted in 25.2% of urea reduction with an overall 3.8% increase in the yield and a marginal decrease in per acre cultivation cost. Tobit model has been used to identify the determinants of increasing cropping area under BGA. Factors such as age, education, operated land holdings and leased-in land have a positive and significant impact on area under BGA. The study also provided the comparative analysis on yield of paddy, urea consumption and income with and without BGA application. It was observed that farmers earned about 3% greater income along with 41.1% reduction in dosage of urea while reaping 1% higher yield of paddy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]