Serine/threonine protein kinase SpkA in Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 is a regulator of expression of three putative pilA operons, formation of thick pili, and cell motility.

Previous studies showed that a Ser/Thr protein kinase, SpkA, in Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 is involved in cell motility. The present study, in which DNA microarray analysis and electron microscopy were used, demonstrated that SpkA regulates the expression of putative pilA9-pilA10-pilA11-slr2018, pilA5-pilA6, and pilA1-pilA2 operons and is essential for the formation of thick pili.

Role of Bcl-2 family proteins in a non-apoptotic programmed cell death dependent on autophagy genes.

Programmed cell death can be divided into several categories including type I (apoptosis) and type II (autophagic death). The Bcl-2 family of proteins are well-characterized regulators of apoptosis, and the multidomain pro-apoptotic members of this family, such as Bax and Bak, act as a mitochondrial gateway where a variety of apoptotic signals converge. Although embryonic fibroblasts from Bax/Bak double knockout mice are resistant to apoptosis, we found that these cells still underwent a non-apoptotic death after death stimulation.

A study of lipid secretion from the lichen symbionts, ascomycetous fungus Myelochroa leucotyliza and green alga Trebouxia sp.

Lichens are symbionts of fungi and algae. Although wild fungi secrete lipids to form crystals, those grown in culture either alone or with algae do not secrete enough lipids to be crystallized. To investigate the mode of lipid secretion, we stimulated fungi cultured alone to form crystals.

Identification of crystalline material found in the thallus of the lichen, Myelochroa leucotyliza.

Lichens are symbiotic associations of fungi and algae (or cyanobacteria). Fungal cells produce large amounts of lipid, assisted by algae, and secrete them out of the cells. Some of the secreted lipids crystallize in the thallus of the lichen.