Comparative transcriptomics of two environmentally relevant cyanobacteria reveals unexpected transcriptome diversity.

ABSTRACT: Prochlorococcus is a genus of abundant and ecologically important marine cyanobacteria. Here, we present a comprehensive comparison of the structure and composition of the transcriptomes of two Prochlorococcus strains, which, despite their similarities, have adapted their gene pool to specific environmental constraints. We present genome-wide maps of transcriptional start sites (TSS) for both organisms, which are representatives of the two most diverse clades within the two major ecotypes adapted to high- and low-light conditions, respectively. Our data suggest antisense transcription for three-quarters of all genes, which is substantially more than that observed in other bacteria. We discovered hundreds of TSS within genes, most notably within 16 of the 29 prochlorosin genes, in strain MI

SUBMITTER: Voigt K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4184020 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature