Characterization of Proteorhodopsins in the Oceanic Diatom Pseudo-nitzschia Granii
Public Deposited- Last Modified
- February 26, 2019
- Creator
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Catlett, Dylan
- Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology
- Abstract
- Proteorhodopsins are retinal-binding membrane proteins that may act as light-driven proton pumps to generate energy that can be used for metabolism and growth. These proteins were originally characterized in prokaryotes, but have now been found in many eukaryotic marine species including one of the ocean’s most important primary producers, the pennate diatom Pseudo-nitzschia granii. The precise function of proteorhodopsins in P. granii is unknown. Evidence suggests that these proteins are expressed in response to iron limitation to function in the formation of ATP when the photosynthetic machinery, which is highly dependent upon iron availability, is not providing enough energy for the cell. The goal of my research is to elucidate the function of these proteins in diatoms by examining the relative expression levels of the rhodopsin and carotenoid oxygenase genes in response to iron and light limitation. My results suggest that proteorhodopsins do serve as an alternative to photosynthesis for the generation of ATP under iron limitation and that they may also serve to supplement energy production by photosynthesis under light limitation. This research will provide valuable insight into these diatoms’ mechanisms of coping with a common source of environmental stress.
- Date of publication
- autumn 2014
- Keyword
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- Rights statement
- In Copyright
- Note
- Funding: None
- Advisor
- Marchetti, Adrian
- Degree
- Bachelor of Science
- Honors level
- Honors
- Degree granting institution
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Extent
- 16
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