Project description:We used RNA sequencing to measure genome-wide gene expression in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 grown under dynamic light regimes that mimic the variation in light intensity seen on a Clear Day in nature, or the rapid changes in light intensity that accompany changes in shading We compare these gene expression dynamics to those of a culture grown under a Low Light condition that mimics the standard laboratory conditions used for study of cyanobacteria. Our analysis reveals that naturally relevant light conditions drastically modify gene expression dynamics in cyanobacteria Notably, the expression of circadian clock-controlled genes is responsive to changes in light intensity, showing modulated dynamics that can allow cyanobacteria to adapt their metabolism to changing environmental conditions
Project description:We used ChIP sequencing to measure genome-wide binding of transcription factors in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 grown under dynamic light regimes that mimic the rapid changes in light intensity that accompany changes in shading. Our analysis reveals that rapid changes in light intensity modulate the binding of RNA polymerase (RNAP) upstream of genes in a way that correlates with changes in downstream gene expression, suggesting that changes in transcriptional regulation control light-responsive gene expression changes. Also, binding of the circadian clock-controlled transcription factor RpaA and the light-responsive transcription factor RpaB change upstream of genes in a manner correlating with RNAP enrichment and downstream gene expression. This suggests that changes in RpaA and RpaB binding upstream of genes regulate the light-responsive expression of genes in cyanobacteria.