Calcium-induced physiological and biochemical changes in cyanobacterium Nostoc MAC

B. B. Singh, P. K. Pandey, P. S. Bisen, Surendra Singh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Calcium (Ca2+) induced changes in growth, heterocyst differentiation, nitrogenase activity, NO-3 uptake, NO-2 efflux and Ca2+ ATPase activity have been studied in the wild type Nostoc MAC (Het- Fox-) and its revertant (Het+ Nif+, R1, R2 and R3) mutant strains. Growth, NO-3 uptake NO-2 efflux and Ca2+- ATPase activities of the wild type Nostoc MAC and its revertant (R1, R2 and R3) mutant strains increased with increase in Ca2+ concentration (0-0.5 mM) being maximum at 0.2mA/ Ca2+. Similarly, heterocyst differentiation and nitrogenase activity in the revertant (R1,R2 and R3) mutant strains of the wild type Nostoc MAC also increased in response to Ca2+ and attained their maximum level at 0.2mM Ca2+. In contrast, 0.13mM Ca2+ which is being used in the growth medium for routine culturing of Nostoc MAC cells could support only lower growth, heterocyst differentiation, nitrogenase activity, NO-3 uptake, NO-2 efflux and Ca2+-ATPsC activities as compared to 0.2mM Ca2+. The cultures devoid of Ca2+ on the other hand, showed lowest growth, heterocyst differentiation, nitrogenase activity, NO-3 uptake, NO-2 efflux and Ca2+-ATPaSe activities. The results suggest that (i) 0.2 mM Ca2+ is well suited for the maximum growth, heterocyst differentiation, nitrogenase activity, NO-3 uptake and NO-2 efflux activities in the wild type as well as its revertant mutant strains instead of 0.13 mM Ca2+ which is generally being used for the routine culturing of the Nostoc MAC and its revertant mutant strains; (ii) Ca2+ appears to have a catalytic role in aerobic nitrogen fixation; and (ii) Ca2+ induced physiological and biochemical changes seem to be due to hange in ATP level.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)881-885
Number of pages5
JournalIndian Journal of Experimental Biology
Volume35
Issue number8
StatePublished - Aug 1997
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Calcium-induced physiological and biochemical changes in cyanobacterium Nostoc MAC'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this