N-Terminal Protease Gene Phylogeny Reveals the Potential for Novel Cyanobactin Diversity in Cyanobacteria

Marine Drugs

Joana Martins¹  Pedro N. Leão²  Vitor Ramos¹ 

[1] Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, Porto 4169-007, Portugal; E-Mails:;CIIMAR/CIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, Porto 4050-123, Portugal; E-Mail:

关键词: cyanobacteria;    cyanobactins;    bioactive compounds;    phylogeny;   

DOI  :  10.3390/md11124902

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Cyanobactins are a recently recognized group of ribosomal cyclic peptides produced by cyanobacteria, which have been studied because of their interesting biological activities. Here, we have used a PCR-based approach to detect the N-terminal protease (A) gene from cyanobactin synthetase gene clusters, in a set of diverse cyanobacteria from our culture collection (Laboratory of Ecotoxicology, Genomics and Evolution (LEGE) CC). Homologues of this gene were found in Microcystis and Rivularia strains, and for the first time in Cuspidothrix, Phormidium and Sphaerospermopsis strains. Phylogenetic relationships inferred from available A-gene sequences, including those obtained in this work, revealed two new groups of phylotypes, harboring Phormidium, Sphaerospermopsis and Rivularia LEGE isolates. Thus, this study shows that, using underexplored cyanobacterial strains, it is still possible to expand the known genetic diversity of genes involved in cyanobactin biosynthesis.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.