Book chapter
Molecular mechanisms of stress tolerance in Cyanobacteria
Ecophysiology and Biochemistry of Cyanobacteria, pp.131-153
Springer Singapore
01/01/2022
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Abstract
Organisms exposed to diverse environmental conditions have developed mechanisms that enable them to adjust, adapt and survive. Understanding the adaptation strategies employed by different species will allow us to better comprehend and predict future biodiversity alterations under changing climate conditions.
Cyanobacteria are prokaryotes found in various aquatic habitats, including terrestrial, as well as freshwater and saltwater systems. The aim of this study is to portray the diversity of habitats occupied by cyanobacteria and the molecular mechanisms employed by cyanobacterial species in response to exposure to, often extreme, abiotic stressors such as elevated water temperatures and light stress. Specifically, the focus of this review is to summarise the underlining mechanisms utilised by cyanobacteria allowing for their survival over billions of years. The climate changes that have been occurring over the past few decades in the environment have resulted in global warming, increased solar radiation and hypersalinity, and are predicted to continue rising in the future. Increased environmental pressure on marine cyanobacteria and other organisms is especially happening due to the prolonged and irregular periods of warm sea temperature, so-called marine heatwaves (MHWs). These periods of MHW are becoming more frequent and are putting additional pressure on marine organisms and diverse ecosystems. Many organisms adjust by changing the profile of genes expressed and performing complex cellular changes in response to stress. Understanding the consequences of elevated temperatures, hypersalinity and the impact of damaging ultraviolet radiation is not completely clear in terms of the ability of cyanobacteria to adapt/acclimatise. Under heat stress, changes in gene regulations in cyanobacteria affect the expression of different genes such as the one encoding molecular chaperones, photosynthetic and oxidative stress-related genes. An overview of various molecular mechanisms is discussed here, as well as the ability of cyanobacteria to endure thermal and light stress conditions.
Details
- Title
- Molecular mechanisms of stress tolerance in Cyanobacteria
- Creators
- Nedeljka Rosic - Southern Cross University
- Contributors
- Rajesh Prasad Rastogi (Editor)
- Publication Details
- Ecophysiology and Biochemistry of Cyanobacteria, pp.131-153
- Publisher
- Springer Singapore; Singapore
- Identifiers
- 991012997198402368
- Academic Unit
- Human Sciences; Marine Ecology Research Centre; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Book chapter