ИСТИНА

A set of 62 genes that encode the entire peptidase complement of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 has been identified in the genome database of that cyanobacterium. Sequence comparisons with the Arabidopsis thaliana genome uncovered the homologous chloroplast components inherited from their cyanobacterial ancestor. A systematic gene disruption approach was chosen to individually inactivate, by customary transformation strategies, the majority of the Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 genes encoding peptidase subunits that are related to the Arabidopsis thaliana chloroplast enzymes. This allowed classification of the peptidases that are required for cell viability or are involved in specific stress responses.