Research

Publications
Title: Processing of PatS, a morphogen precursor, in cell extracts of Anabaena sp PCC 7120
First author: Zhang, Lianglin; Zhou, Fang; Wang, Shuai; Xu, Xudong
Journal: FEBS LETTERS
Years: 2017
Volume / issue: 591 /
DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12582
Abstract: Upon N-stepdown, Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 differentiates heterocysts along filaments in a semiregular pattern. A 17-amino acid peptide called PatS is a morphogen precursor for pattern formation. The principal PatS derivative involved in heterocyst patterning has been proposed to be the C-terminal peptide PatS-5 (RGSGR), PatS-6 (ERGSGR), or PatS-8 (CDERGSGR). We present the first evidence for processing of PatS in cell extracts of this cyanobacterium. PatS is probably cleaved between the C-terminal 7th and 8th amino acid residues, producing PatS-7 (DERGSGR), then converted into PatS-6 and PatS-5. The processing site could be changed by a substitution at the C-terminal 8th residue.