The cyanobacterial clock and metabolism.

The cyanobacterial clock and metabolism.
Curr Opin Microbiol. 2014 Mar 22;18C:90-95
Authors: Pattanayak G, Rust MJ
Abstract
Cyanobacteria possess the simplest known circadian clock, which presents a unique opportunity to study how rhythms are generated and how input signals from the environment reset the clock time. The kaiABC locus forms the core of the oscillator, and the remarkable ability to reconstitute oscillations using purified KaiABC proteins has allowed researchers to study mechanism using the tools of quantitative biochemistry. Autotrophic cyanobacteria experience major shifts in metabolism following a light-dark transition, and recent work suggests that input mechanisms that couple the day-night cycle to the clock involve energy and redox metabolites acting directly on clock proteins. We offer a summary of the current state of knowledge in this system and present a perspective for future lines of investigation.
PMID: 24667330 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Current Opinion in Microbiology - March 22, 2014 Category: Microbiology Authors: Pattanayak G, Rust MJ Tags: Curr Opin Microbiol Source Type: research