Acclimation of Oxygenic Photosynthesis to Iron Starvation Is Controlled by the sRNA IsaR1.

Oxygenic photosynthesis crucially depends on proteins that possess Fe2+ or Fe/S complexes as co-factors or prosthetic groups. Here, we show that the small regulatory RNA (sRNA) IsaR1 (Iron-Stress-Activated RNA 1) plays a pivotal role in acclimation to low-iron conditions. The IsaR1 regulon consists of more than 15 direct targets, including Fe2+-containing proteins involved in photosynthetic electron transfer, detoxification of anion radicals, citrate cycle, and tetrapyrrole biogenesis. IsaR1 is essential for maintaining physiological levels of Fe/S cluster biogenesis proteins during iron deprivation. Consequently, IsaR1 affects the acclimation of the photosynthetic apparatus to iron starvation at three levels: (1) directly, via posttranscriptional repression of gene expression; (2) indirectly, via suppression of pigment; and (3) Fe/S cluster biosynthesis. Homologs of IsaR1 are widely conserved throughout the cyanobacterial phylum. We conclude that IsaR1 is a critically important riboregulator. These findings provide a new perspective for understanding the regulation of iron homeostasis in photosynthetic organisms.

Iron deprivation in Synechocystis: inference of pathways, non-coding RNAs, and regulatory elements from comprehensive expression profiling.

Iron is an essential cofactor in many metabolic reactions. Mechanisms controlling iron homeostasis need to respond rapidly to changes in extracellular conditions, but they must also keep the concentration of intracellular iron under strict control to avoid the generation of damaging reactive oxygen species. Due to its role as a redox carrier in photosynthesis, the iron quota in cyanobacteria is about 10 times higher than in model enterobacteria. The molecular details of how such a high quota is regulated are obscure. Here we present experiments that shed light on the iron regulatory system in cyanobacteria. We measured time-resolved changes in gene expression after iron depletion in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 using a comprehensive microarray platform, monitoring both protein-coding and non-coding transcripts. In total, less than a fifth of all protein-coding genes were differentially expressed during the first 72 hr. Many of these proteins are associated with iron transport, photosynthesis, or ATP synthesis. Comparing our data with three previous studies, we identified a core set of 28 genes involved in iron stress response. Among them were genes important for assimilation of inorganic carbon, suggesting a link between the carbon and iron regulatory networks. Nine of the 28 genes have unknown functions and constitute key targets for further functional analysis. Statistical and clustering analyses identified 10 small RNAs, 62 antisense RNAs, four 5'UTRs, and seven intragenic elements as potential novel components of the iron regulatory network in Synechocystis. Hence, our genome-wide expression profiling indicates an unprecedented complexity in the iron regulatory network of cyanobacteria.

Silicone oil-RMN3 mixture ("heavy silicone oil") as internal tamponade for complicated retinal detachment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a silicone oil-RMN3 mixture ("heavy silicone oil") as heavier as water internal retinal tamponade after vitrectomy for complicated retinal detachment. The relative density of the heavier-than-water silicone oil was 1.03 g/cm3, and the viscosity was 3,800 cSt. Heavy silicone oil is designed to tamponade the inferior retina in complicated retinal detachment. METHODS: Patients with a complicated retinal detachment involving the inferior part of the retina requiring internal tamponade with silicone oil were recruited for this prospective study. Inclusion criteria were retinal detachment secondary to proliferative vitreoretinopathy (stage > or = C2), inferior or posterior tears, or penetrating trauma. The heavy silicone oil was injected at the end of surgery after peeling of retinal membranes or retinotomy. Follow-up examinations were scheduled at 1, 3, 6 months, and 1 year after the initial surgery. RESULTS: A total of 33 eyes of 33 patients aged from 20 to 84 years (mean, 56 +/- 18 years) were treated with heavy silicone oil. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 16 months. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with significant proliferative vitreoretinopathy accounted for 17 cases, inferior holes for three, and trauma with retinal detachment for three. Initial visual acuity ranged from 20/50 to hand motions. Initial retinal reattachment was achieved in all cases. Complications included increased intraocular pressure in six eyes (18%), intraocular inflammation and synechia formation in one eye (3%), a central retinal artery occlusion after heavy oil removal in one eye, and scattered retinal hemorrhages during follow-up in two eyes (6%). Significant emulsification was not observed during intraocular tamponade with heavy silicone oil. At the last follow-up, all eyes had macular attachment, and 24 eyes had a visual acuity better than or equal to 20/400. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this prospective study show the good intraocular tolerance of heavy silicone oil as tamponade in complicated retinal detachment. Its specific gravity allows for sufficient tamponade of inferior retinal tears for at least 3 months without significant side effects.