Global proteome response of Synechocystis 6803 to extreme copper environments applied to control the activity of the inducible petJ promoter.

AIMS

Cyanobacteria are prokaryotes performing oxygenic photosynthesis, and they can be engineered to harness solar energy for production of commodity and high-value chemicals by means of synthetic biology. The Cu -regulated petJ promoter (P ), which controls the expression of the endogenous cytochrome c553, can be used for expression of foreign products in Synechocystis 6803. We aimed to disclose potential bottlenecks in application of the P in synthetic biology approaches.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Quantitative label-free mass spectrometry revealed global proteome changes which occurred during nutrient conditions which repress or activate of P in Synechocystis 6803.

CONCLUSIONS

Some irreversible proteome alterations were discovered due to the copper stress, including downregulation of the ribosomal proteins, significant changes in protein amounts of the cell surface layer and the outer and inner membranes.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study revealed limitations in the use of P for biotechnological applications.