State transitions at the crossroad of thylakoid signalling pathways

In order to maintain optimal photosynthetic activity under a changing light environment, plants and algae need to balance the absorbed light excitation energy between photosystem I and photosystem II through processes called state transitions. Variable light conditions lead to changes in the redox state of the plastoquinone pool which are sensed by a protein kinase closely associated with the cytochrome b 6 f complex. Preferential excitation of photosystem II leads to the activation of the kinase which phosphorylates the light-harvesting system (LHCII), a process which is subsequently followed by the release of LHCII from photosystem II and its migration to photosystem I. The process is reversible as dephosphorylation of LHCII on preferential excitation of photosystem I is followed by the return of LHCII to photosystem II. State transitions involve a considerable remodelling of the thylakoid membranes, and in the case of Chlamydomonas, they allow the cells to switch between linear and cyclic electron flow. In this alga, a major function of state transitions is to adjust the ATP level to cellular demands. Recent studies have identified the thylakoid protein kinase Stt7/STN7 as a key component of the signalling pathways of state transitions and long-term acclimation of the photosynthetic apparatus. In this article, we present a review on recent developments in the area of state transition

Crosstalk regulation among group 2- Sigma factors in Synechocystis PCC6803

BACKGROUND: The cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC6803 contains one group 1 (sigA) and four group 2 (sigB, sigC, sigD and sigE) sigma factors. The activity of these multiple sigma factors determines the transcriptional program of this bacterium. We wanted to study the role of the group 2 sigma factors in Synechocystis. We have therefore constructed mutants of each of the group 2 sigma factors and investigated their crosstalk. RESULTS: We used quantitative RT-PCR analysis to measure the relative abundance of the sig mRNAs in the four sigma mutants. Our data indicate that a network of mutual transcriptional regulation links the expression of the sigma genes. Accordingly, an environmental stress acting on only one of the sigma factors will indirectly modify the expression of most of the other sigma factors. This was confirmed by the transcriptional analysis of the sig mRNAs as a function of nitrogen starvation. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our observations suggest that the crosstalk regulation between all group 1 and group 2 genes could be important for the adaptation of the bacterium to different environmental and physiological conditions

Inferring the connectivity of a regulatory network from mRNA quantification in Synechocystis PCC6803

A major task of contemporary biology is to understand and predict the functioning of regulatory networks. We use expression data to deduce the regulation network connecting the sigma factors of Synechocystis PCC6803, the most global regulators in bacteria. Synechocystis contains one group 1 (SigA) and four group 2 (SigB, SigC, SigD and SigE) sigma factors. From the relative abundance of the sig mRNA measured in the wild-type and the four group 2 sigma mutants, we derive a network of the influences of each sigma factor on the transcription of all other sigma factors. Internal or external stimuli acting on only one of the sigma factors will thus indirectly modify the expression of most of the others. From this model, we predict the control points through which the circadian time modulates the expression of the sigma factors. Our results show that the cross regulation between the group 1 and group 2 sigma factors is very important for the adaptation of the bacterium to different environmental and physiological conditions

Immune response of polarized cystic fibrosis airway epithelial cells infected with Influenza A virus

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disease caused by mutations of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, is characterized by dysfunction of the immune response in the airway epithelium that leads to prolonged infection, colonization and exacerbated inflammation. In this study, we determined the gene expression profile of airway epithelial cells knockdown for CFTR (CFTR KD) in response to bacterial and viral challenges. Methods: In a first approach, polarized CFTR KD and their control counterpart (CFTR CTL) cells were stimulated with P. aeruginosa-derived virulence factor flagellin. Next, we developed a model of Influenza A virus (IAV) infection in CTL and CFTR KD polarized cells. mRNA was collected for transcriptome analysis. Results: Beside the expected pro-inflammatory response, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis highlighted key molecular pathways and players involved in IAV and anti-viral interferon signaling. Although IAV replication was similar in both cell types, multiplex gene expression analysis revealed changes of key immune genes dependent on time of infection that were found to be CFTR-dependent and/or IAV-dependent. Interferons are key signaling proteins/cytokines in the antibacterial and antiviral response. To evaluate their impact on the altered gene expression profile in CFTR responses to pathogens, we measured transcriptome changes after exposure to Type I-, Type II- and Type III-interferons. Conclusions: Our findings reveal target genes in understanding the defective immune response in the CF airway epithelium in the context of viral infection. Information provided in this study would be useful to understand the dysfunctional immune response of the CF airway epithelium during infection

Using geomorphic and biological indicators of coastal uplift for the evaluation of paleoseismicity and

The westernmost part of the Gulf of Corinth (Greece) is an area of very fast extension (~15 mm/yr according to geodetic measurements) and active normal faulting, accompanied by intense coastal uplift and high seismicity. This study presents geomorphic and biological evidence of Holocene coastal uplift at the western extremity of the Gulf, where such evidence was previously unknown. Narrow shore platforms (benches) and rare notches occur mainly on Holocene littoral conglomerates of uplifting small fan deltas. They are perhaps the only primary paleoseismic evidence likely to provide information on earthquake recurrence at coastal faults in the specific part of the Rift system, whereas dated marine fauna can provide constraints on average Holocene coastal uplift rate. The types of geomorphic and biological evidence identified are not ideal, and there are limitations and pitfalls involved in their evaluation. In a first approach, 5 uplifted paleoshorelines may be indentified, at 0.4- 0.7, 1.0-1.3, 1.4-1.7, 2.0-2.3 and 2.8-3.4 m a.m.s.l. They probably formed after 1728 or 2250 Cal. B.P. (depending on the marine reservoir correction used in the calibration of measured radiocarbon ages). A most conservative estimate for the average coastal uplift rate during the Late Holocene is 1.6 or 1.9 mm/yr minimum (with different amounts of reservoir correction). Part of the obtained radiocarbon ages of Lithophaga sp. allows for much higher Holocene uplift rates, of the order of 3-4 mm/yr, which cannot be discarded given that similar figures exist in the bibliography on Holocene and Pleistocene uplift at neighbouring areas. They should best be cross-checked by further studies though. That the identified paleoshoreline record corresponds to episodes of coastal uplift only, cannot be demonstrated beyond all doubt by independent evidence, but it appears the most likely interpretation, given the geological and active-tectonic context and, what is known about eustatic sea-level fluctuations in the Mediterranean. Proving that the documented uplifts were abrupt (i.e., arguably coseismic), is equally difficult, but reasonably expected and rather probable. Five earthquakes in the last ca. 2000 yrs on the coastal fault zone responsible for the uplift, compare well with historical seismicity and the results of recent on-fault paleoseismological studies at the nearby Eliki fault zone. Exact amounts of coseismic uplift cannot be determined precisely, unless the rate of uniform ("regional") non-seismic uplift of Northern Peloponnesus at the specific part of the Corinth Rift is somehow constrained

Geometry and slip rate of the Aigion fault, a young normal fault system in the western Gulf of Corinth

The Aigion fault is one of the youngest major normal faults in the Gulf of Corinth, Greece, with an immature displacement profile. Based on geometry, slip rate and comparison with regional faults, we estimate the fault system length at ~10 km. We find the slip rate of the fault system is ~3.5 ± 1 mm/yr decreasing to ~2.5 ± 0.7 mm/yr close to its eastern tip. Complex fault geometry and displacement profiles on the shelf east of Aigion are consistent with the latter as the eastern tip location. Analysis of slip on this fault system and the established fault to the south (Western Eliki Fault) suggests that slip was transferred rapidly but not homogeneously between the two faults during the period of contemporaneous activity. Together with a lack of evidence of lateral propagation at the eastern fault tip in the last 10–13 k.y., we suggest that the fault developed and established its current length rapidly, within its 200–300 k.y. history. These results contribute to our understanding of the process of northward fault migration into the rift and the development of new normal faults

Geomorphological, stratigraphic and geochronological evidence of fast Pleistocene coastal uplift in the westernmost part of the Corinth Gulf Rift (Greece)

Rapid extension and active normal faulting in the western extremity of the Corinth Gulf are accompanied by fast coastal uplift.We investigate Pleistocene uplift west of Aigion, by attempting to date remains of marine terraces and sedimentary sequences by calcareous nannoplankton and U-series analyses. Net uplift initiated recently, due to abandonment of an older rift-bounding fault zone and increase in activity on the presently active, coastal fault zone. This change apparently coincides with an abrupt slow down (or, termination) of secondary fault block tilting within the broader hangingwall block of the older zone, indicated by an angular unconformity that dates in the early part ofMIS10 ( 390–350 ka BP, preferably, in the earlier part of this period). Net uplift driven by the coastal zone resulted in the formation of MIS9c (330 ka) and younger terraces. The formation of the unconformity and the initiation of net uplift coincide temporally with a 300–400 ka unconformity recognized by recent studies in a wide area offshore Aigion i.e. they could be part of an evolutionary event that affected the entirewestern part of the Corinth Rift or, a large area therein. Uplift rate estimates at four locations are discussed with reference to the morphotectonic context of differential uplift of secondary fault blocks, and the context of possible increase in uplift ratewith time. Themost reliable and most useful estimate for uplift rate at the longitude of the studied transect is 1.74–1.85mm/year (time-averaged estimate for the last 240 ka, based on calcareous nannoplankton and sequence-stratigraphic interpretation

The Pkn22 Ser/Thr kinase in Nostoc PCC 7120: role of FurA and NtcA regulators and transcript profiling under nitrogen starvation and oxidative stress

International audienceBackground: The filamentous cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. strain PCC 7120 can fix N2 when combined nitrogen is not available. Furthermore, it has to cope with reactive oxygen species generated as byproducts of photosynthesis and respiration. We have previously demonstrated the synthesis of Ser/Thr kinase Pkn22 as an important survival response of Nostoc to oxidative damage. In this study we wished to investigate the possible involvement of this kinase in signalling peroxide stress and nitrogen deprivation. Results: Quantitative RT-PCR experiments revealed that the pkn22 gene is induced in response to peroxide stress and to combined nitrogen starvation. Electrophoretic motility assays indicated that the pkn22 promoter is recognized by the global transcriptional regulators FurA and NtcA. Transcriptomic analysis comparing a pkn22-insertion mutant and the wild type strain indicated that this kinase regulates genes involved in important cellular functions such as photosynthesis, carbon metabolism and iron acquisition. Since metabolic changes may lead to oxidative stress, we investigated whether this is the case with nitrogen starvation. Our results rather invalidate this hypothesis thereby suggesting that the function of Pkn22 under nitrogen starvation is independent of its role in response to peroxide stress. Conclusions: Our analyses have permitted a more complete functional description of Ser/Thr kinase in Nostoc. We have decrypted the transcriptional regulation of the pkn22 gene, and analysed the whole set of genes under the control of this kinase in response to the two environmental changes often encountered by cyanobacteria in their natural habitat: oxidative stress and nitrogen deprivation

Extensive remodeling of DC function by rapid maturation-induced transcriptional silencing.

The activation, or maturation, of dendritic cells (DCs) is crucial for the initiation of adaptive T-cell mediated immune responses. Research on the molecular mechanisms implicated in DC maturation has focused primarily on inducible gene-expression events promoting the acquisition of new functions, such as cytokine production and enhanced T-cell-stimulatory capacity. In contrast, mechanisms that modulate DC function by inducing widespread gene-silencing remain poorly understood. Yet the termination of key functions is known to be critical for the function of activated DCs. Genome-wide analysis of activation-induced histone deacetylation, combined with genome-wide quantification of activation-induced silencing of nascent transcription, led us to identify a novel inducible transcriptional-repression pathway that makes major contributions to the DC-maturation process. This silencing response is a rapid primary event distinct from repression mechanisms known to operate at later stages of DC maturation. The repressed genes function in pivotal processes--including antigen-presentation, extracellular signal detection, intracellular signal transduction and lipid-mediator biosynthesis--underscoring the central contribution of the silencing mechanism to rapid reshaping of DC function. Interestingly, promoters of the repressed genes exhibit a surprisingly high frequency of PU.1-occupied sites, suggesting a novel role for this lineage-specific transcription factor in marking genes poised for inducible repression

Analysis of the chloroplast protein kinase Stt7 during state transitions

State transitions allow for the balancing of the light excitation energy between photosystem I and photosystem II and for optimal photosynthetic activity when photosynthetic organisms are subjected to changing light conditions. This process is regulated by the redox state of the plastoquinone pool through the Stt7/STN7 protein kinase required for phosphorylation of the light-harvesting complex LHCII and for the reversible displacement of the mobile LHCII between the photosystems. We show that Stt7 is associated with photosynthetic complexes including LHCII, photosystem I, and the cytochrome b6f complex. Our data reveal that Stt7 acts in catalytic amounts. We also provide evidence that Stt7 contains a transmembrane region that separates its catalytic kinase domain on the stromal side from its N-terminal end in the thylakoid lumen with two conserved Cys that are critical for its activity and state transitions. On the basis of these data, we propose that the activity of Stt7 is regulated through its transmembrane domain and that a disulfide bond between the two lumen Cys is essential for its activity. The high-light-induced reduction of this bond may occur through a transthylakoid thiol-reducing pathway driven by the ferredoxin-thioredoxin system which is also required for cytochrome b6f assembly and heme biogenesi