Changes in concentration of second messenger cyclic di-GMP when Nostoc cyanobacteria form hormogonia

Abstract

In this research project the changes in concentration of second messenger cyclicdi-GMP when Nostoc cyanobacteria form hormogonia were examined. Hormogoniafilaments are able to glide with type IV pili towards hormogonia inducing factors. Tofind changes in concentration of cyclic di-GMP, Spinach2 Ct ribosensors that respondselectively to cyclic di-GMP, were inserted into the genome of Nostoc species. Thisinsertion was confirmed by PCR amplification. When DFHBI-1T, a non fluorescentdye, binds to the shape of the ribosensor with cyclic di-GMP, it converts into ahighly fluorescent state. It can then be determined if levels of cyclic di-GMP changewhen hormogonia is induced.