Biotech Updates

Overexpression of flv3 Gene Improves Photosynthesis in Synechocystis sp. PCC6803

January 7, 2015
http://www.biotechnologyforbiofuels.com/content/pdf/s13068-014-0183-x.pdf

Photosynthetic algae have gained attention as a feedstock for biofuel production since algae cultivation does not compete with agricultural resources. In particular, cyanobacteria are promising as a biomass feedstock due to their high photosynthetic capabilities.

A team led by Kobe University's Tomohisa Hasunuma overexpressed the flv3 gene, which encodes a flavodiiron protein involved in alternate electron flow (AEF) in photosystem I, in Synechocystis sp. PCC6803. Overexpression resulted in improved cell growth with increases in O2 evolution, intracellular ATP level, and turnover of the Calvin cycle. Further analysis confirmed that photosynthetic carbon flow was enhanced in the flv3-overexpressing strain.

Overexpression of flv3 was proven to improve photosynthesis in the Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 due to the  enhanced AEF in photosystem I.