Identification and Characterization of a New Class of Bilin Lyases in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002

The goal of this research is to identify and characterize the enzymes (lyases) responsible for chromophore (bilin) attachment to phycobiliproteins (light harvesting) in cyanobacteria. Candidates for these lyases were first identified in Fremyella diplosiphon as cpeS and cpeT. In Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002, there are three cpeS-like genes (named cpcS, cpcU, and cpcV) and one cpeT-like gene (named cpcT). These genes were cloned, overexpressed, and purified from E. coli. The CpcS and CpcU proteins form a 1:1 complex and catalyze the addition of phycocyanobilin (PCB) to â-82 cysteinyl residue on phycocyanin (PC) in vitro. Tryptic digestion and C18 RP-HPLC confirmed that CpcSU attached bilin at â-82 cysteine. CpcT was also shown to be a lyase specific for â-153 cysteine as confirmed by tryptic digestion and C18 RP-HPLC. CpcSU together and CpcT alone act as phycobiliprotein lyases that added PCB to â- 82 and â-153 cysteinyl residues of phycocyanin respectively, making these proteins a new family of phycobiliprotein lyases.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biological Sciences

Year

2006

Author dc:creator

• Saunée, Nicolle

Contributors dc:contributor

• Schluchter, Wendy
• Timpte, Candace
• Clancy, Mary

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/501

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.uno.edu:td-1501