Chlorophyll f-driven photosynthesis in a cavernous cyanobacterium

ISME J. 2015 Sep;9(9):2108-11. doi: 10.1038/ismej.2015.14. Epub 2015 Feb 10.

Abstract

Chlorophyll (Chl) f is the most recently discovered chlorophyll and has only been found in cyanobacteria from wet environments. Although its structure and biophysical properties are resolved, the importance of Chl f as an accessory pigment in photosynthesis remains unresolved. We found Chl f in a cyanobacterium enriched from a cavernous environment and report the first example of Chl f-supported oxygenic photosynthesis in cyanobacteria from such habitats. Pigment extraction, hyperspectral microscopy and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of Chl a and f in unicellular cyanobacteria found in enrichment cultures. Amplicon sequencing indicated that all oxygenic phototrophs were related to KC1, a Chl f-containing cyanobacterium previously isolated from an aquatic environment. Microsensor measurements on aggregates demonstrated oxygenic photosynthesis at 742 nm and less efficient photosynthesis under 768- and 777-nm light probably because of diminished overlap with the absorption spectrum of Chl f and other far-red absorbing pigments. Our findings suggest the importance of Chl f-containing cyanobacteria in terrestrial habitats.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chlorophyll / analogs & derivatives*
  • Chlorophyll / chemistry
  • Chlorophyll / genetics
  • Chlorophyll A
  • Classification
  • Cyanobacteria / genetics
  • Cyanobacteria / metabolism*
  • Ecosystem
  • Light
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Oxygen / chemistry
  • Photosynthesis*
  • Pigmentation
  • Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared
  • Water Microbiology

Substances

  • chlorophyll f
  • Chlorophyll
  • Oxygen
  • Chlorophyll A