The multicellular nature of filamentous heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria.

摘要: Cyanobacteria carry out oxygenic photosynthesis, play a key role in the cycling of carbon and nitrogen biosphere, have had large impact on evolution life Earth itself. Many cyanobacterial strains exhibit multicellular lifestyle, growing as filaments that can be hundreds cells long endowed with intercellular communication. Furthermore, under depletion combined nitrogen, filament growth requires activity two interdependent cell types: vegetative fix CO2 heterocysts N2. Intercellular molecular transfer is essential for signaling involved regulation heterocyst differentiation reciprocal nutrition cells. Here we review various aspects multicellularity their differentiation, including architecture emphasis structures used communication; survey theoretical models been put forward to understand patterning discuss factors need considered these reflect biological entity; finally, since division filamentous cyanobacteria has peculiarity producing linked instead independent cells, distinct organisms.