Proteomic Analysis of Unicellular Cyanobacterium Crocosphaera subtropica ATCC 51142 under Extended Light or Dark Growth

Abstract

The daily light–dark cycle is a recurrent and predictable environmental phenomenon to which many organisms, including cyanobacteria, have evolved to adapt. Understanding how cyanobacteria alter their metabolic attributes in response to subjective light or dark growth may provide key features for developing strains with improved photosynthetic efficiency and applications in enhanced carbon sequestration and renewable energy. Here, we undertook a label-free proteomic approach to investigate the effect of extended light (LL) or extended dark (DD) conditions on the unicellular cyanobacterium Crocosphaera subtropica ATCC 51142. We quantified 2287 proteins, of which 603 proteins, were significantly different between the two growth conditions. These proteins represent several biological processes, including photosynthetic electron transport, carbon fixation, stress responses, translation, and protein degradation. One significant observation is the regulation of over two dozen proteases, including ATP-dependent Clp-proteases (endopeptidases) and metalloproteases, the majority of which were upregulated in LL compared to DD. This suggests that proteases play a crucial role in the regulation and maintenance of photosynthesis, especially the PSI and PSII components. The higher protease activity in LL indicates a need for more frequent degradation and repair of certain photosynthetic components, highlighting the dynamic nature of protein turnover and quality control mechanisms in response to prolonged light exposure. The results enhance our understanding of how Crocosphaera subtropica ATCC 51142 adjusts its molecular machinery in response to extended light or dark growth conditions.