biostudies-literatureUnknown8Zhong QLCyanobacteria play pivotal roles in global biogeochemical cycles and aquatic ecosystems due to their widespread distribution and significant contributions to primary production. Yet, the interactions between cyanobacteria and antibiotics remain unclear. This study revealed that Synechocystis sp., a cyanobacterial species, removed 94.27% of 0.1 mg l-1 chloramphenicol (CAP) through enzyme-mediated degradation. While cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP450s) were found unnecessary for CAP removal, a gene encoding cyanobacterial nitroreductase was significantly up-regulated (7.85-fold) under CAP exposure. The purified nitroreductase exhibited strong binding affinity to CAP (K d = 2.9 nM) and a Michaelis constant (K m) of 104.0 μM. By engineering a Research (Washington, D.C.)0692https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12063702biostudies-literatureA Globally Distributed Cyanobacterial Nitroreductase Capable of Conferring Biodegradation of Chloramphenicol.PMC12063702Zhong QLXiong JQfalseA Globally Distributed Cyanobacterial Nitroreductase Capable of Conferring Biodegradation of Chloramphenicol.Cyanobacteria play pivotal roles in global biogeochemical cycles and aquatic ecosystems due to their widespread distribution and significant contributions to primary production. Yet, the interactions between cyanobacteria and antibiotics remain unclear. This study revealed that Synechocystis sp., a cyanobacterial species, removed 94.27% of 0.1 mg l-1 chloramphenicol (CAP) through enzyme-mediated degradation. While cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP450s) were found unnecessary for CAP removal, a gene encoding cyanobacterial nitroreductase was significantly up-regulated (7.85-fold) under CAP exposure. The purified nitroreductase exhibited strong binding affinity to CAP (K d = 2.9 nM) and a Michaelis constant (K m) of 104.0 μM. By engineering a 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z20252026-04-18T03:21:29.159Z2026-04-18T03:11:07.203ZS-EPMC120637024035294710.34133/research.0692