Biosynthesis and Function of Extracellular Glycans in Cyanobacteria

Life

Jan-Christoph Kehr¹  Elke Dittmann²  John C. Meeks² 

[1] University of Potsdam, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, Department of Microbiology, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24/25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany; E-Mail

关键词: cyanobacteria;    exopolysaccharides;    lipopolysaccharides;    colony formation;   

DOI  :  10.3390/life5010164

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

The cell surface of cyanobacteria is covered with glycans that confer versatility and adaptability to a multitude of environmental factors. The complex carbohydrates act as barriers against different types of stress and play a role in intra- as well as inter-species interactions. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the chemical composition, biosynthesis and biological function of exo- and lipo-polysaccharides from cyanobacteria and give an overview of sugar-binding lectins characterized from cyanobacteria. We discuss similarities with well-studied enterobacterial systems and highlight the unique features of cyanobacteria. We pay special attention to colony formation and EPS biosynthesis in the bloom-forming cyanobacterium, Microcystis aeruginosa.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.