Red-light signaling pathway activates desert cyanobacteria to prepare for desiccation tolerance
Abstract
Desiccation-tolerant cyanobacteria are able to survive frequent cycles of hydration and dehydration, which are closely linked to diurnal light oscillations. Previous studies have shown that light serves as a crucial anticipatory cue, activating desert cyanobacteria to prepare for desiccation. However, the mechanisms underlying their light-coupled desiccation tolerance remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that red-light-induced photosynthetic genes are positively regulated by a LuxR family transcription factor NfSrr1. We further identified the cyanobacteriochrome NfPixJ as interacting with NfSrr1 and functioning as a red light sensor. Phenotypic analysis revealed that the red-light signaling module NfPixJ-NfSrr1 plays a key role in preparing cyanobacteria for desiccation tolerance. This module also regulates the synthesis of protective compatible solutes, suggesting that red light functions as a global regulatory signal for the broader stress response. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the presence of this red-light signaling pathway, mediated by NfPixJ-NfSrr1 module, correlates with the ability of cyanobacteria to thrive in water-deficit habitats. Overall, our findings uncover a red-light signaling pathway that enhances desiccation tolerance as desert cyanobacteria encounter red light at dawn, before water limitation. These results provide insights into the mechanisms behind light-induced anticipatory stress tolerance in photosynthetic organisms.
Article Details
Journal Info
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
National Academy of Sciences
Authors (14)
Hai-Feng Xu
School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University
Guo-Zheng Dai
School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University
Ren-Han Li
School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University
Yang Bai
Ai-Wei Zuo
School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University
Lei Zhao
School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University
Shu-Ren Cui
School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University
Jin-Long Shang
School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University
Chao Cheng
School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University
Yu-Jie Wang
School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University
Gui-Fang Feng
School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University
Deqiang Duanmu
National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University
Aaron Kaplan
Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Edmond J. Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Bao-Sheng Qiu
School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University