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Selective Metal Ion Homeostasis in Cyanobacteria

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Book cover Prospects and Challenges in Algal Biotechnology

Abstract

Metal homeostasis systems are responsible for the uptake and efflux of both essential and non-essential metals. The capacity of these systems to acquire a particular metal, whilst excluding another is essential for the survival of not just cyanobacteria, but all organisms. The initial step in the acquisition of metal ions from the environment is the physiological binding, or adsorption, of metals to cells. The second step, often energy expensive, is the internalisation of metals, which is facilitated by uptake systems. Metal release from cells requires an efflux system. Both uptake and efflux systems may be controlled by their own regulatory elements. The effectiveness of these transport systems is dependent upon their ability to discriminate effectively between metals. This discrimination is achieved largely by the proteins involved comprising of different metal coordinating ligands strategically positioned in the tertiary structures. For cyanobacteria, arguably the most adept organisms at survival on earth, the information on metal coordination and binding is still limited. However, studies identifying and providing functional characterisation of metal transporters and metalloproteins in cyanobacteria are contributing new insights into metal homeostasis across all living organisms.

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  1. Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia

    Lee Hudek & M. Leigh Ackland

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  1. Lee Hudek
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Correspondence to M. Leigh Ackland .

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  1. Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, India

    Bhumi Nath Tripathi

  2. Department of Botany, School of Life Sciences, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar-Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India

    Dhananjay Kumar

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Hudek, L., Ackland, M.L. (2017). Selective Metal Ion Homeostasis in Cyanobacteria. In: Tripathi, B., Kumar, D. (eds) Prospects and Challenges in Algal Biotechnology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1950-0_7

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