The cumulative effect of carbon and nitrogen sources on Akinete differentiation in the rice-field cyanobacterium Anabaena sp.

Abstract

Cellular differentiation is one of the unique features of filamentous cyanobacteria (Nostocales). Anabaena sp. is a filamentous cyanobacterium capable of heterotrophy and cellular differentiation into nitrogen-fixing heterocysts and thick walled desiccating cells, the akinetes. For induction of akinetes in the culture of Anabaena sp., combination of sugars and potassium nitrate were added to the basal medium. The results revealed the shortening of period of akinete differentiation. SDS-PAGE experiments indicated that some new proteins appeared while formation of some other proteins was inhibited during the process of akinete differentiation.