Project description:Nitrogenases are the only enzymes able to ‘fix’ gaseous nitrogen into bioavailable ammonia and, hence, are essential for sustaining life. Catalysis by nitrogenases requires both a large amount of ATP and electrons donated by strongly reducing ferredoxins or flavodoxins. Our knowledge about the mechanisms of electron transfer to nitrogenase enzymes is limited, with electron transport to the iron (Fe)-nitrogenase having hardly been investigated. Here, we characterised the electron transfer pathway to the Fe-nitrogenase in Rhodobacter capsulatus via proteome analyses, genetic deletions, complementation studies and phylogenetics. Proteome analyses revealed an upregulation of four ferredoxins under nitrogen-fixing conditions reliant on the Fe-nitrogenase in a molybdenum nitrogenase knockout strain (nifD), compared to non-nitrogen-fixing conditions. Based on these findings, R. capsulatus strains with deletions of ferredoxin (fdx) and flavodoxin (fld, nifF) genes were constructed to investigate their roles in nitrogen fixation by the Fe-nitrogenase. R. capsulatus deletion strains were characterised by monitoring diazotrophic growth and nitrogenase activity in vivo. Only deletion of fdxC or fdxN resulted in slower growth and reduced Fe-nitrogenase activity, whereas the double-deletion of both fdxC and fdxN abolished diazotrophic growth. Differences in the proteomes of ∆fdxC and ∆fdxN strains, in conjunction with differing plasmid complementation behaviours of fdxC and fdxN, indicate that the two Fds likely possess different roles and functions. These findings will guide future engineering of the electron transport systems to nitrogenase enzymes, with the aim of increased electron flux and product formation.
Project description:Genome-wide identification and characterization of small RNAs in Rhodobacter capsulatus and identification of small RNAs affected by loss of the response regulator CtrA
Project description:Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis in Rhodobacter capsulatus and Application to Comparative Expression Analysis of Rhodobacter sphaeroides
Project description:DNA packaging bias and differential expression of gene transfer agent genes within a population during production and release of the Rhodobacter capsulatus gene transfer agent, RcGTA
Project description:The GtaR quorum-sensing protein negatively regulates a capsular polysaccharide gene transfer agent (RcGTA) receptor on Rhodobacter capsulatus cells
Project description:An RNA degrading, high molecular weight complex was purified from Rhodobacter capsulatus. N-terminal sequencing, glycerol-gradient centrifugation, and immunoaffinity purification as well as functional assays were used to determine the physical and biochemical characteristics of the complex. The complex comprises RNase E and two DEAD-box RNA helicases of 74 and 65 kDa, respectively. Most surprisingly, the transcription termination factor Rho is a major, firmly associated component of the degradosome.
Project description:Global transcriptome analyses at growth before and after 10 min of photooxidative stress were applied to monitor stress dependent gene expression in the alpha-proteobacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus. Transcriptome profiles of pigmented cultures with high aeration were monitored before and after the onset of singlet oxygen stress.