Inorganic carbon stimulates the metabolic routes related to the polyhydroxybutyrate production in a Synechocystis sp. strain (cyanobacteria) isolated from wastewater

Abstract

Cyanobacteria are capable of transforming CO2 into polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). In this study, different inorganic carbon concentrations (0–2 gC L−1) were evaluated for a Synechocystis sp. strain isolated from wastewater. Quantitative RT-qPCR was also performed to decipher the links between inorganic carbon and PHB and glycogen metabolism. 2 gC L−1 of bicarbonate stimulated cell growth, nutrients consumption and production of PHB. Using this concentration, a 14%dcw of PHB and an average productivity of 2.45 mgPHB L−1 d−1 were obtained. Gene expression analysis revelated that these conditions caused the overexpression of genes related to glycogen and PHB synthesis. Moreover, a positive correlation between the genes codifying for the glycogen phosphorylase, the acetyl-CoA reductase and the poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) polymerase was found, meaning that PHB synthesis and glycogen catabolism are strongly related. These results provide an exhaustive evaluation of the effect of carbon on the PHB production and cyanobacterial metabolism.