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Here we report on the functional characterization of the hypothetical protein Slr1270, a TolC homologue in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Analysis of a slr1270 insertion deletion mutant and respective wild-type revealed that the mutant presents increased susceptibility to antibiotics. In addition, a detailed study of the exoproteome showed that Slr1270 mediates protein secretion. Among the protein substrates dependent on Slr1270 function, we found the S-layer structural component. Electron microscopy studies of the slr1270 mutant showed that the S-layer is indeed absent. The requirement of functional Slr1270 for protein secretion and drug resistance mechanisms suggests that Slr1270 plays a role similar to that described for TolC in other bacteria. Additional phenotypic traits could also be observed, including slower growth rates at low temperature, impairment in biofilm formation and increased activity of enzymes detoxifying reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, an increased capacity of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) formation and release was also found in the slr1270 mutant, a feature that has not yet been observed in bacteria lacking TolC. This work highlights the marked physiological fitness that the TolC-like Slr1270 bestows to the photosynthetic model Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and presents a valuable model for studying OMVs formation and release.

Here we report on the functional characterization of the hypothetical protein Slr1270, a TolC homologue in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Analysis of a slr1270 insertion deletion mutant and respective wild-type revealed that the mutant presents increased susceptibility to antibiotics. In addition, a detailed study of the exoproteome showed that Slr1270 mediates protein secretion. Among the protein substrates dependent on Slr1270 function, we found the S-layer structural component. Electron microscopy studies of the slr1270 mutant showed that the S-layer is indeed absent. The requirement of functional Slr1270 for protein secretion and drug resistance mechanisms suggests that Slr1270 plays a role similar to that described for TolC in other bacteria. Additional phenotypic traits could also be observed, including slower growth rates at low temperature, impairment in biofilm formation and increased activity of enzymes detoxifying reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, an increased capacity of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) formation and release was also found in the slr1270 mutant, a feature that has not yet been observed in bacteria lacking TolC. This work highlights the marked physiological fitness that the TolC-like Slr1270 bestows to the photosynthetic model Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and presents a valuable model for studying OMVs formation and release.

Background The crisis of antibiotic resistance has been much dis cussed in recent decades within research communities and also in public. However, options to slow down the spread of resistance and the opportunities to discover new antimicrobial agents seem to be limited at present. Can we, by unlocking the hidden potential of fungi, attain new means to gain advantage in this battle? Since the discovery and global use of the first fungalderived antibiotic, penicillin, resistance emerged. As new and larger quantities of antibiotics were introduced to the market, the more rapidly resistance was observed. This development was fostered by substantial over-use and misuse of antimicrobial substances in the treatment of human diseases, as well as their concurrent introduction in agriculture and veterinary settings. In addition to the prominent examples of bacteria, antimicrobial resistance is also advancing in causal agents of notorious infectious diseases such as malaria (a parasite), influenza and HIV (viruses), candidiasis and candidaemia (fungi), all of them posing a major threat to the public health, that collectively cause hundreds of thousands deaths every year. Especially in recent years, national and international programmes and campaigns have been initiated to raise the public awareness on antibiotic resistance. The World Health Organization is monitoring the use of antibiotics and the emergence of resistant microbes, especially in countries where surveillance is virtually non-existent. Likewise, in Europe, US or Australia, where antibiotic usage is already more restricted as a response to concerns about drug resistance, public campaigns such as the

Cyanobacterial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are heteropolysaccharides that possess characteristics suitable for industrial applications, notably a high number of different monomers, strong anionic nature and high hydrophobicity. However, systematic studies that unveil the conditions influencing EPS synthesis and/or its characteristics are mandatory. In this work, Cyanothece sp. CCY 0110 was used as model organism. Our results revealed that this strain is among the most efficient EPS producers, and that the amount of RPS (released polysaccharides) is mainly related to the number of cells, rather than to the amount produced by each cell. Light was the key parameter, with high light intensity enhancing significantly RPS production (reaching 1.8 g L(-1)), especially in the presence of combined nitrogen. The data showed that RPS are composed by nine different monosaccharides (including two uronic acids), the presence of sulfate groups and peptides, and that the polymer is remarkably thermostable and amorphous in nature.