摘要：SummaryCell-cell communication is an essential attribute of multicellular organisms. The effects of perturbed communication were studied in septal protein mutants of the heterocyst-forming filamentous cyanobacteriumAnabaenasp. PCC 7120 model organism. Strains bearingsepJandsepJ/fraC/fraDdeletions showed differences in growth, pigment absorption spectra, and spatial patterns of expression of thehetRgene encoding a heterocyst differentiation master regulator. Global changes in gene expression resulting from deletion of those genes were mapped by RNA sequencing analysis of wild-type and mutant strains, both under nitrogen-replete and nitrogen-poor conditions. The effects ofsepJandfraC/fraDdeletions were non-additive, and perturbed cell-cell communication led to significant changes in global gene expression. Most significant effects, related to carbon metabolism, included increased expression of genes encoding carbon uptake systems and components of the photosynthetic apparatus, as well as decreased expression of genes encoding cell wall components related to heterocyst differentiation and to polysaccharide export.Graphical AbstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•SepJ and Fra septal proteins are key for communication inAnabaenafilaments•Spatial expression of a regulatory gene is affected when those proteins are missing•The transcriptomes ofAnabaenawild-type and septal protein mutants were mapped•Deletion of those proteins leads to global and specific changes in gene expressionMicrobiology; Omics
