Salt-induced photosystem I cyclic electron transfer restores growth on low inorganic carbon in a type 1 NAD(P)H dehydrogenase deficient mutant of Synechocystis PCC6803

The cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC6803 induces a photosystem I cyclic electron transfer route independent of type 1 NAD(P)H dehydrogenase. The capacity to tolerate raised salinity conditions was shown to operate in a mutant lacking functional type 1 NAD(P)H dehydrogenase. The mutant showed salt-induced enhancement of photosystem I cyclic electron transfer and respiratory capacities. Moreover, this salt-adapted energetic state also restored the capacity of the mutant to grow under inorganic carbon limitation. Uptake of the latter in these conditions became almost as efficient as in the wild-type. The acquired energetic capacities, in contrast, did not allow restoration of photoheterotrophic growth in the type I NAD(P)H dehydrogenase mutant. (C) 1998 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.