RUI: Photosynthetic Response to Abiotic Stress in Prochlorococcus, A Globally Important Marine Cyanobacterium

RUI：原绿球藻（一种全球重要的海洋蓝藻）对非生物胁迫的光合反应

• 批准号: 0615680
• 负责人: Claire Ting
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: Williams College
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2006
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2006-10-01 至 2010-09-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0615680&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: RUI; Photosynthetic; Response; Abiotic; Stress

Approximately one-half of the photosynthesis on Earth occurs in the oceans. Cyanobacteria of the genus Prochlorococcus are among the most abundant marine photosynthetic prokaryotes, contributing a significant fraction of the primary production in open ocean waters and playing a key role in global carbon and energy cycles. Recent sequencing of the complete genomes of several Prochlorococcus and closely related marine Synechococcus strains has revealed that striking genomic differences have evolved within the Prochlorococcus lineage in response to selection pressures present in the ocean environment. Notably, the more recently evolved Prochlorococcus MED4 strain possesses the smallest genome of any oxygenic phototroph and is missing several genes encoding key photosynthetic apparatus and stress response-related proteins. The overarching goal of this project is to establish how genome level differences between Prochlorococcus belonging to the more recently evolved, high light-adapted clade and Prochlorococcus belonging to the low light-adapted clade translate into selective advantages in photosynthetic capacity under specific environmental conditions. Although light and temperature are two critical factors limiting the global distribution of Prochlorococcus, it is unknown how these factors alter photosynthetic processes in Prochlorococcus. State-of-the-art techniques will be used in characterizing the molecular mechanisms underlying temperature and light stress-induced changes in Prochlorococcus (1) photosynthetic capacity (2) photosynthetic membrane and lipid composition, and (3) key photosynthetic apparatus polypeptides. This project will advance our fundamental understanding of photosynthesis in one of the most abundant and ecologically important primary producers on this planet. As a result, it will contribute to efforts aimed at improving our ability to model accurately primary production in ocean ecosystems. This research will also contribute to our basic understanding of the structure, function, and evolution of the photosynthetic apparatus. Broader Impacts: Numerous undergraduate students will participate in this research over the course of the investigation and this project will serve as an effective educational tool. Through their involvement, students will be exposed to state-of-the-art technology in an exciting field of study and will have the opportunity to participate in national scientific meetings. The ideas and techniques associated with this project will also directly enrich course offerings, and will thus expose a larger group of undergraduates to the importance of scientific research. Moreover, the project participants will continue to participate in ongoing outreach programs and will engage students from rural public schools in mainstream scientific research. This will contribute to local efforts aimed at encouraging students to pursue postsecondary science careers and raising the community's scientific awareness.

地球上大约一半的光合作用发生在海洋中。原绿球藻属的蓝细菌是海洋中最丰富的光合原核生物之一，在开放的海洋沃茨的初级生产中贡献了重要的部分，并在全球碳和能量循环中发挥着关键作用。最近的几个原绿球藻和密切相关的海洋聚球藻菌株的完整基因组测序显示，显着的基因组差异已经演变的原绿球藻谱系在海洋环境中存在的选择压力。值得注意的是，最近进化的原绿球藻MED4菌株拥有任何产氧光养生物的最小基因组，并且缺少编码关键光合机构和应激反应相关蛋白的几个基因。该项目的首要目标是建立基因组水平的差异属于最近进化的，高光适应的进化枝和原绿球藻属于低光适应的进化枝转化为选择性优势，在特定的环境条件下的光合能力。虽然光和温度是限制原绿球藻全球分布的两个关键因素，但这些因素如何改变原绿球藻的光合过程尚不清楚。最先进的技术将用于表征温度和光胁迫诱导的原绿球藻（1）光合能力（2）光合膜和脂质组成，以及（3）关键光合机构多肽变化的分子机制。这个项目将推进我们对地球上最丰富和生态上最重要的初级生产者之一的光合作用的基本理解。因此，它将有助于提高我们准确模拟海洋生态系统初级生产的能力。这项研究也将有助于我们对光合机构的结构，功能和进化的基本理解。更广泛的影响：许多本科生将参与这项研究的调查过程中，这个项目将作为一个有效的教育工具。通过他们的参与，学生将接触到最先进的技术在一个令人兴奋的研究领域，并将有机会参加国家科学会议。与此项目相关的想法和技术也将直接丰富课程设置，从而使更多的本科生了解科学研究的重要性。此外，项目参与者将继续参与正在进行的外展计划，并将吸引农村公立学校的学生参与主流科学研究。这将有助于地方努力鼓励学生从事中学后的科学事业，提高社区的科学意识。