Nostoc commune: Difference between revisions
(Created page with "{{Uncurated}} =1. Classification= ==a. Higher order taxa== a. Higher order taxa i. Domain: Bacteria Phylum: Cyanobacteriota Class: Cyanophyceae Order: Nostocales Family: Nostocaceae (1) b. Species Nostoc commune (2) =2. Description and significance= Nostoc commune is a cyanobacteria living in freshwater often found growing on soils and rocks. N. commune forms spherical colonies with trichomes consisting of filaments with a gelatinous polysaccharide matrix,...") |
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{{Uncurated}} | {{Uncurated}} | ||
=1. Classification= | =1. Classification= | ||
a. Higher order taxa: | |||
a. Higher order taxa | Domain: Bacteria | ||
Phylum: Cyanobacteriota | |||
Class: Cyanophyceae | |||
Order: Nostocales | |||
Family: Nostocaceae [[#References|[1]]]. | |||
b. Species: | |||
b. Species | ''Nostoc commune'' [[#References|[2]]] | ||
=2. Description and significance= | =2. Description and significance= | ||
Nostoc commune is a cyanobacteria living in freshwater often found growing on soils and rocks. N. commune forms spherical colonies with trichomes consisting of filaments with a gelatinous polysaccharide matrix, which allows it to survive in harsh conditions | ''Nostoc commune'' is a cyanobacteria living in freshwater often found growing on soils and rocks. ''N. commune'' forms spherical colonies with trichomes consisting of filaments with a gelatinous polysaccharide matrix, which allows it to survive in harsh conditions [[#References|[3]]]. ''N. commune'' is found all over the world including temperate and tropical habitats but also in extreme areas, like polar regions, due to its ability to fix nitrogen. Because of its capacity for nitrogen fixation and its survival without water, ''N. commune'' has potential to improve the sustainability of farming practices [[#References|[4]]]. ''N. commune'' also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant features: the cyanobacteria’s ability to repress pro-inflammatory cytokines can subdue inflammatory diseases [[#References|[3]]]. Much research has been conducted on its efficacy in the medical field, including lowering serum cholesterol levels [[#References|[5]]] and anti-infective [[#References|[6]]], antibacterial [[#References|[7]]], and antioxidant properties [[#References|[8]]]. | ||
=3. Genome structure= | =3. Genome structure= | ||
The genome of N. commune has not been sequenced so far. However, other species of the Nostoc genus have had their genome sequenced, such as the Nostoc sp. strain NIES-3756. This specific strain was found to have one chromosome and two plasmids – two in the case of the NIES-3756 strain (9). What makes N. commune unique is its extreme desiccation tolerance where such colonies can sustain cell growth without differentiation for over 100 years (10). This phenomenon is called cryptobiosis, the state of an organism when it shows no visible signs of life and when its metabolic activity becomes hardly measurable, or comes reversibly to a standstill (11). The extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) in N. commune colonies account for more than 60% of the dry weight (12). The hindrance or removal of EPS is governed by the distinctive sigJ gene that regulates the extracellular polysaccharide (13). With the transcription of sigJ, the absence of EPS causes a significant reduction in the stress tolerance of photosynthesis during desiccation. This specialized extracellular polysaccharide is what makes N. commune unique to other bacteria in its genus and to other bacteria overall. N. commune’s specialized EPS, among other things, allow for the cell to tolerate freezing up to -60ºC in Antarctic Deserts (14) and to –269 °C in liquid helium in the laboratory (15). | The genome of ''N. commune'' has not been sequenced so far. However, other species of the Nostoc genus have had their genome sequenced, such as the Nostoc sp. strain NIES-3756. This specific strain was found to have one chromosome and two plasmids – two in the case of the NIES-3756 strain (9). What makes ''N. commune'' unique is its extreme desiccation tolerance where such colonies can sustain cell growth without differentiation for over 100 years (10). This phenomenon is called cryptobiosis, the state of an organism when it shows no visible signs of life and when its metabolic activity becomes hardly measurable, or comes reversibly to a standstill (11). The extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) in ''N. commune'' colonies account for more than 60% of the dry weight (12). The hindrance or removal of EPS is governed by the distinctive sigJ gene that regulates the extracellular polysaccharide (13). With the transcription of sigJ, the absence of EPS causes a significant reduction in the stress tolerance of photosynthesis during desiccation. This specialized extracellular polysaccharide is what makes ''N. commune'' unique to other bacteria in its genus and to other bacteria overall. ''N. commune’s'' specialized EPS, among other things, allow for the cell to tolerate freezing up to -60ºC in Antarctic Deserts (14) and to –269 °C in liquid helium in the laboratory (15). | ||
=4. Cell structure= | =4. Cell structure= | ||
N. commune is a Gram-negative photosynthetic cyanobacterium that is well adapted to terrestrial environments, as it has the ability to regulate metabolic processes based on the resources available and the ability to withstand harsh temperatures. In natural habitats, N. commune forms non-spherical, irregularly spreading, macroscopic colonies. When N. commune is wet, it is observed to be bluish-green, olive-green, or brown in appearance with a slippery texture, but in dry conditions, it transforms into a crisp, brownish mat (16). At the cellular level, the bacteria consist of trichomes of cells embedded in a jelly-like-extracellular matrix (17). The gelatinous polysaccharide matrix allows N. commune to fix nitrogen in harsh conditions with no oxygen or no light (18). | ''N. commune'' is a Gram-negative photosynthetic cyanobacterium that is well adapted to terrestrial environments, as it has the ability to regulate metabolic processes based on the resources available and the ability to withstand harsh temperatures. In natural habitats, ''N. commune'' forms non-spherical, irregularly spreading, macroscopic colonies. When ''N. commune'' is wet, it is observed to be bluish-green, olive-green, or brown in appearance with a slippery texture, but in dry conditions, it transforms into a crisp, brownish mat (16). At the cellular level, the bacteria consist of trichomes of cells embedded in a jelly-like-extracellular matrix (17). The gelatinous polysaccharide matrix allows ''N. commune'' to fix nitrogen in harsh conditions with no oxygen or no light (18). | ||
=5. Metabolic processes= | =5. Metabolic processes= | ||
At a temperature of 0-30ºC and proper moisture levels, N.commune carries out oxygenic photosynthesis and metabolic activities (19, 20), but under dry conditions, the process is inhibited. Light becomes dangerous when not being absorbed so N.commune deactivates photosystem II. This is because if photosynthesis is halted while photochemical reactions are active due to inhibition of the Calvin cycle, strong reductants or oxidants could be created and these could harm the organism (21). Extracellular pigments like the brownish scytonemin and mycosporine-like amino acids absorb ultraviolet light and play a role in protecting the cells from high irradiance and UV radiation (19). Several types of cells are present in N.commune including heterocysts that fix atmospheric nitrogen, providing nitrogen and nutrition to the filamentous cells (22). | At a temperature of 0-30ºC and proper moisture levels, ''N.commune'' carries out oxygenic photosynthesis and metabolic activities (19, 20), but under dry conditions, the process is inhibited. Light becomes dangerous when not being absorbed so ''N.commune'' deactivates photosystem II. This is because if photosynthesis is halted while photochemical reactions are active due to inhibition of the Calvin cycle, strong reductants or oxidants could be created and these could harm the organism (21). Extracellular pigments like the brownish scytonemin and mycosporine-like amino acids absorb ultraviolet light and play a role in protecting the cells from high irradiance and UV radiation (19). Several types of cells are present in ''N.commune'' including heterocysts that fix atmospheric nitrogen, providing nitrogen and nutrition to the filamentous cells (22). | ||
=6. Ecology= | =6. Ecology= | ||
N. commune is found across the globe in a wide range of landscapes due to its unique ability to withstand harsh temperatures. Colonies have been found to avoid the extremely cold and dry habitats of Antarctic valleys and the Arctic, to hot desert soils around the world like the Sonoran desert in Arizona. N. commune can be found in a variety of habitats in all seven continents of the world (10, 23). N. commune has been found near Lake Colleen, in southern Victorian Land, and Antarctica, where the temperatures reach close to -60°C (24). N.commune is ecologically important in dry environments because it acts as a pioneer species, providing an ecosystem with the required organic nutrients and ingredients for other organisms to survive (25). | ''N. commune'' is found across the globe in a wide range of landscapes due to its unique ability to withstand harsh temperatures. Colonies have been found to avoid the extremely cold and dry habitats of Antarctic valleys and the Arctic, to hot desert soils around the world like the Sonoran desert in Arizona. ''N. commune'' can be found in a variety of habitats in all seven continents of the world (10, 23). ''N. commune'' has been found near Lake Colleen, in southern Victorian Land, and Antarctica, where the temperatures reach close to -60°C (24). ''N.commune'' is ecologically important in dry environments because it acts as a pioneer species, providing an ecosystem with the required organic nutrients and ingredients for other organisms to survive (25). | ||
=7. Pathology= | =7. Pathology= | ||
''N. commune'' does not enact any harmful effects on plants or animals. Generally, many of the species within the Nostoc genus can produce cyanotoxins, hepatotoxic microcystin, cyclic heptapeptides, and β-methylamino-l-alanine, a neurotoxic non-protein amino acid (26 & 27). 33% of the Nostoc strains exhibit cytotoxic activity against mammalian cells. The only hazardous consequence of ''N. commune'' is that due to its slippery nature, it could pose a dangerous covering on rocks which categorizes it as a fall risk to pedestrians (28). | |||
=8. Current Research= | =8. Current Research= | ||
N. commune has been traditionally used as a health and immune promoter for years. The isolated polysaccharides from N. commune vauch exhibit strong antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Additionally, there are current studies exploring the anticancer and tumor-preventing potential of N. commune (29). Furthermore, N. commune exhibits impressive anti-inflammatory features. This quality can be attributed to the isolation of noscomin, an extracellular diterpenoid, and metabolite granting the microbe with antibacterial properties. Noscomin exhibits antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Escherichia coli. However, there is ongoing research on the additional benefits of noscomin (7). Another isolated, secondary metabolite, reduced scytonemin, was shown to play a critical role as a second messenger in regulating anti-inflammatory effects (30). The anti-inflammatory effects could also be attributed to the methods N. commune employs to prevent the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Ingesting N. commune could be a safer and more natural anti-inflammatory drug than manufactured pharmaceuticals on the market (31). | ''N. commune'' has been traditionally used as a health and immune promoter for years. The isolated polysaccharides from ''N. commune'' vauch exhibit strong antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Additionally, there are current studies exploring the anticancer and tumor-preventing potential of ''N. commune'' (29). Furthermore, ''N. commune'' exhibits impressive anti-inflammatory features. This quality can be attributed to the isolation of noscomin, an extracellular diterpenoid, and metabolite granting the microbe with antibacterial properties. Noscomin exhibits antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Escherichia coli. However, there is ongoing research on the additional benefits of noscomin (7). Another isolated, secondary metabolite, reduced scytonemin, was shown to play a critical role as a second messenger in regulating anti-inflammatory effects (30). The anti-inflammatory effects could also be attributed to the methods ''N. commune'' employs to prevent the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Ingesting ''N. commune'' could be a safer and more natural anti-inflammatory drug than manufactured pharmaceuticals on the market (31). | ||
N. commune has wide environmental applications. It could potentially be a new and sustainable treatment for industrial wastewater; N. commune decreased the amount of biological and chemical pollutants in wastewater by 70%, especially metals (32). In addition, N. commune’s nitrogen fixation capabilities have been tested numerous times. N. commune, in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, exhibits nitrogen fixation when combined with glucose. However, aerobic conditions demonstrate a slightly higher nitrogen fixation activity (18). Not only does N. commune use polysaccharides to express antimicrobials and antibacterials, but it maintains water and resists dehydration, even in extreme environments. While N. commune growth in an environment lacking oxygen is slow, it remains alive and plant growth plates incubated with this microbe continue to increase (12). Moreover, cyanobacteria, such as N. commune, can grow in nitrogen-limited and harsh conditions (33). | ''N. commune'' has wide environmental applications. It could potentially be a new and sustainable treatment for industrial wastewater; ''N. commune'' decreased the amount of biological and chemical pollutants in wastewater by 70%, especially metals (32). In addition, ''N. commune’s'' nitrogen fixation capabilities have been tested numerous times. ''N. commune'', in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, exhibits nitrogen fixation when combined with glucose. However, aerobic conditions demonstrate a slightly higher nitrogen fixation activity (18). Not only does ''N. commune'' use polysaccharides to express antimicrobials and antibacterials, but it maintains water and resists dehydration, even in extreme environments. While ''N. commune'' growth in an environment lacking oxygen is slow, it remains alive and plant growth plates incubated with this microbe continue to increase (12). Moreover, cyanobacteria, such as ''N. commune'', can grow in nitrogen-limited and harsh conditions (33). | ||
=9. Authorship Statement= | =9. Authorship Statement= | ||
Classification and overall editing were completed by Selah Youn. The Introduction of the N. commune was completed by Yuki Ando. Organism key points including genome structure, cell structure, metabolic processes, and ecology were completed by Vasisht Poosapati. Current Research was articulated by Audrey Shen. Organism key points on pathology and other important sections, authorship statement, Chat GPT reformations, bibliography, and picture descriptions were done by Adam Milewski. Further research and acquisition of more information about N. commune was completed by all group members. | Classification and overall editing were completed by Selah Youn. The Introduction of the ''N. commune'' was completed by Yuki Ando. Organism key points including genome structure, cell structure, metabolic processes, and ecology were completed by Vasisht Poosapati. Current Research was articulated by Audrey Shen. Organism key points on pathology and other important sections, authorship statement, Chat GPT reformations, bibliography, and picture descriptions were done by Adam Milewski. Further research and acquisition of more information about ''N. commune'' was completed by all group members. | ||
=11. References= | =11. References= | ||
(1)Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Nostoc commune Vaucher ex Bornet & Flahault, 1888. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=608248 on 2023-10-15 | |||
(2) Nostoc - microbewiki. (2010). https://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Nostoc | |||
(3) Olafsdottir A., Thorlacius G., Sesselja O., Olafsdottir E., Vikingsson A., Freysdottir J., and Hardardottir I. (2014). “A heteroglycan from the cyanobacterium Nostoc commune modulates LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine secretion by THP-1 monocytes through phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt”. Phytomedicine, 21, 1451-1457. | |||
(4) Katoh H., Furukawa J., Tomita-Yokotani K., and Nishi Y. (2012). “Isolation and purification of an axenic diazotrophic drought-tolerant cyanobacterium, Nostoc commune, from natural cyanobacterial crusts and its utilization for field research on soils polluted with radioisotopes”. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)- Bioenergetics, 1817, 1499-1505. | |||
(5) Hori K., Ishibashi G., and Okita O. (1994). Hypocholesterolemic effect of blue-green alga, ishikurage (Nostoc commune) in rats fed atherogenic diet. Plant Foods Human Nutrition, 45, 63-70 | |||
(6) Yamaguchi Y., Naito M., Nishio E., Tomita Y., and Takenaka H. (2009). The anti-infectious activity of edible blue-green algae, Nostoc flagelliforme, Nostoc commune, and Aphanotece sacrum on Listeria monocytogenes in mice. Algal Resources, 1, 61-62 | |||
(7) Jaki B., Heilmann J., and Sticher O. (2000). New antibacterial metabolites from the cyanobacterium Nostoc commune (EAWAG 122b). Journal of Natural Products, 63, 1283-1285 | |||
(8) Ninomiya M., Satoh H., Yamaguchi Y., Takenaka H., and Koketsu M. (2011). Antioxidative activity and chemical constituents of edible terrestrial alga Nostoc commune. Bioscience Biotechnology Biochemistry, 75, 2175-2177. | |||
(9) Hirose Y., Fujisawa T., Ohtsubo Y., et al. (2015). Complete genome sequence of cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. NIES 3756, a potentially useful strain for phytochrome-based bioengineering. Journal of Biotechnology, 218, 51-52. | |||
(10) Cameron R. (1962) Species of Nostoc vaucher occurring in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. Transactions of the American Microscopical Society, 81, 379–384. | |||
(11) Keilin, D.. (1959). The Leeuwenhoek Lecture: The Problem of Anabiosis or Latent Life: History and Current Concept. Proceedings of The Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences, 150, 149-191. | |||
(12) Hill D., Keenan T., Helm R.F., Potts M., Crowe L.M., and Crowe J. H.. (1997). Extracellular polysaccharide of Nostoc commune (Cyanobacteria) inhibits fusion of membrane vesicles during desiccation. Journal of Applied Phycology, 9, 237-248. | |||
(13) Yoshimura H, Okamoto S, Tsumuraya Y, Ohmori M (2007). Group 3 sigma factor gene, sigj, a key regulator of desiccation tolerance, regulates the synthesis of extracellular polysaccharide in cyanobacterium anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. DNA Research, 14, 13–24. | |||
(14) Tamaru Y., Takani Y., Yoshida T., and Sakamoto T. (2005) Crucial role of extracellular polysaccharides in desiccation and freezing tolerance in the terrestrial cyanobacterium Nostoc commune. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 71, 7327–7333. | |||
(15) Sand-Jensen K. (2014). Ecophysiology of gelatinous Nostoc colonies: unprecedented slow growth and survival in resource-poor and harsh environments. Annals of botany, 114(1), 17–33. | |||
(16) Li Z. and Guo M. (2018). “Healthy efficacy of Nostoc commune Vaucher”. Oncotarget, 9, 14669-14679. | |||
(17) Whitton B. and Potts M. (2002). The Ecology of Cyanobacteria: Their Diversity in Time and Space. 1, 465–504. | |||
(18) Hata S., Kishida S., Minesono R., and Tamai T. (2022). “Dried Nostoc commune exhibits nitrogen-fixing activity using glucose under dark conditions after rehydration”. Plant Signaling & Behavior, 17, e2059251. | |||
(19) Ehling-Schulz M. and Scherer S. (1999) UV protection in cyanobacteria. European Journal of Phycology, 34, 329–338. | |||
(20) Møller C., Vangsøe M., and Kaj S. (2014). Comparative growth and metabolism of gelatinous colonies of three cyanobacteria, Nostoc commune, Nostoc pruniforme and Nostoc zetterstedtii, at different temperatures. Freshwater Biology, 59, 2183-2193. | |||
(21) Hirai M., Yamakawa R., Nishio J., Yamaji T., Kashino Y., Koike H., and Satoh K..(2004). Deactivation of Photosynthetic Activities is Triggered by Loss of a Small Amount of Water in a Desiccation-Tolerant Cyanobacterium. Plant and Cell Physiology, 45, 872–878. | |||
(22) Dajana R., Goga M., Matik M., and Bačkor M. (2018). Adaptations of Cyanobacterium Nostoc Commune to Environmental Stress: Comparison of Morphological and Physiological Markers between European and Antarctic Populations after Rehydration. Czech Polar Reports, 8, 84-93. | |||
(23) Dodds W., Gudder D.A., and Mollenhauer D. (1995) The Ecology of Nostoc. Journal of Phycology, 31, 2-18. | |||
(24) Novis P.M., Whitehead D., Gregorich, E.G., et al. (2007). Annual carbon fixation in terrestrial populations of Nostoc commune(Cyanobacteria) from an Antarctic dry valley is driven by temperature regime. Global Change Biology, 13, 1224-1237. | |||
(25) Holst J., Butterbach-Bahl K., Liy C.Y., et al. (2009). Dinitrogen fixation by biological soil crusts in Inner Mongolian steppe. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 45, 679–690. | |||
(26) Sivone K., Namikoshi M., Evans W.R., Fardig M., Carmichael W.W., and Rinehart K.L. (1992) Three new microcystins, cyclic heptapeptide hepatotoxins, from Nostoc sp. strain 152. Chemical Research in Toxicology, 5, 464-469. | |||
(27) Murch S.J., Cox P.A., and Banack S.A. (2004). A mechanism for slow release of biomagnified cyanobacterial neurotoxins and neurodegenerative disease in Guam. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 101, 12228-12231. | |||
(28) Hrouzek P., Tomek P., Lukesova A., et al. (2009). Cytotoxicity and secondary metabolites production in terrestrial Nostoc strains, originating from different climatic/geographic regions and habitats: is their cytotoxicity environmentally dependent? Environmental Toxicology, 26, 345-358. | |||
(29) Guo M., Ding G., Guo S., Li Z., Zhao L., Li K., and Guo X. (2015). “Isolation and antitumor efficacy evaluation of a polysaccharide from Nostoc commune Vauch”. Food and Function, 6, 3035-3044. | |||
(30) Itoh T., Koketsu M., Yokota N., Touho S., Ando M., and Tsukamasa Y. (2014). “Reduced scytonemin isolated from Nostoc commune suppresses LPS/IFNγ-induced NO production in murine macrophage RAW264 cells by inducing hemeoxygenase-1 expression via the Nrf2/ARE pathway”. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 69, 330-338. | |||
(31) Ku C., Pham T., Park Y., Kim B., Shin M., Kang I., and Lee J. (2013). “Edible blue-green algae reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting NF-κB pathway in macrophages and splenocytes”. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1830, 2981-2988. | |||
(32) Atoku D., Ojekunle O., Taiwo A., and Shittu O. (2021). “Evaluating the efficiency of Nostoc commune, Oscillatoria limosa and Chlorella vulgaris in a phycoremediation of heavy metals contaminated industrial wastewater”. Scientific African, 12, e00817. | |||
(33) Peng X. and Bruns M.A. (2019). “Development of a nitrogen fixing cyanobacterial consortium for surface stabilization of agricultural soils”. Journal of Applied Phycology, 31, 1047-1056. | |||
Latest revision as of 14:49, 11 December 2023
1. Classification
a. Higher order taxa: Domain: Bacteria Phylum: Cyanobacteriota Class: Cyanophyceae Order: Nostocales Family: Nostocaceae [1]. b. Species: Nostoc commune [2]
2. Description and significance
Nostoc commune is a cyanobacteria living in freshwater often found growing on soils and rocks. N. commune forms spherical colonies with trichomes consisting of filaments with a gelatinous polysaccharide matrix, which allows it to survive in harsh conditions [3]. N. commune is found all over the world including temperate and tropical habitats but also in extreme areas, like polar regions, due to its ability to fix nitrogen. Because of its capacity for nitrogen fixation and its survival without water, N. commune has potential to improve the sustainability of farming practices [4]. N. commune also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant features: the cyanobacteria’s ability to repress pro-inflammatory cytokines can subdue inflammatory diseases [3]. Much research has been conducted on its efficacy in the medical field, including lowering serum cholesterol levels [5] and anti-infective [6], antibacterial [7], and antioxidant properties [8].
3. Genome structure
The genome of N. commune has not been sequenced so far. However, other species of the Nostoc genus have had their genome sequenced, such as the Nostoc sp. strain NIES-3756. This specific strain was found to have one chromosome and two plasmids – two in the case of the NIES-3756 strain (9). What makes N. commune unique is its extreme desiccation tolerance where such colonies can sustain cell growth without differentiation for over 100 years (10). This phenomenon is called cryptobiosis, the state of an organism when it shows no visible signs of life and when its metabolic activity becomes hardly measurable, or comes reversibly to a standstill (11). The extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) in N. commune colonies account for more than 60% of the dry weight (12). The hindrance or removal of EPS is governed by the distinctive sigJ gene that regulates the extracellular polysaccharide (13). With the transcription of sigJ, the absence of EPS causes a significant reduction in the stress tolerance of photosynthesis during desiccation. This specialized extracellular polysaccharide is what makes N. commune unique to other bacteria in its genus and to other bacteria overall. N. commune’s specialized EPS, among other things, allow for the cell to tolerate freezing up to -60ºC in Antarctic Deserts (14) and to –269 °C in liquid helium in the laboratory (15).
4. Cell structure
N. commune is a Gram-negative photosynthetic cyanobacterium that is well adapted to terrestrial environments, as it has the ability to regulate metabolic processes based on the resources available and the ability to withstand harsh temperatures. In natural habitats, N. commune forms non-spherical, irregularly spreading, macroscopic colonies. When N. commune is wet, it is observed to be bluish-green, olive-green, or brown in appearance with a slippery texture, but in dry conditions, it transforms into a crisp, brownish mat (16). At the cellular level, the bacteria consist of trichomes of cells embedded in a jelly-like-extracellular matrix (17). The gelatinous polysaccharide matrix allows N. commune to fix nitrogen in harsh conditions with no oxygen or no light (18).
5. Metabolic processes
At a temperature of 0-30ºC and proper moisture levels, N.commune carries out oxygenic photosynthesis and metabolic activities (19, 20), but under dry conditions, the process is inhibited. Light becomes dangerous when not being absorbed so N.commune deactivates photosystem II. This is because if photosynthesis is halted while photochemical reactions are active due to inhibition of the Calvin cycle, strong reductants or oxidants could be created and these could harm the organism (21). Extracellular pigments like the brownish scytonemin and mycosporine-like amino acids absorb ultraviolet light and play a role in protecting the cells from high irradiance and UV radiation (19). Several types of cells are present in N.commune including heterocysts that fix atmospheric nitrogen, providing nitrogen and nutrition to the filamentous cells (22).
6. Ecology
N. commune is found across the globe in a wide range of landscapes due to its unique ability to withstand harsh temperatures. Colonies have been found to avoid the extremely cold and dry habitats of Antarctic valleys and the Arctic, to hot desert soils around the world like the Sonoran desert in Arizona. N. commune can be found in a variety of habitats in all seven continents of the world (10, 23). N. commune has been found near Lake Colleen, in southern Victorian Land, and Antarctica, where the temperatures reach close to -60°C (24). N.commune is ecologically important in dry environments because it acts as a pioneer species, providing an ecosystem with the required organic nutrients and ingredients for other organisms to survive (25).
7. Pathology
N. commune does not enact any harmful effects on plants or animals. Generally, many of the species within the Nostoc genus can produce cyanotoxins, hepatotoxic microcystin, cyclic heptapeptides, and β-methylamino-l-alanine, a neurotoxic non-protein amino acid (26 & 27). 33% of the Nostoc strains exhibit cytotoxic activity against mammalian cells. The only hazardous consequence of N. commune is that due to its slippery nature, it could pose a dangerous covering on rocks which categorizes it as a fall risk to pedestrians (28).
8. Current Research
N. commune has been traditionally used as a health and immune promoter for years. The isolated polysaccharides from N. commune vauch exhibit strong antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Additionally, there are current studies exploring the anticancer and tumor-preventing potential of N. commune (29). Furthermore, N. commune exhibits impressive anti-inflammatory features. This quality can be attributed to the isolation of noscomin, an extracellular diterpenoid, and metabolite granting the microbe with antibacterial properties. Noscomin exhibits antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Escherichia coli. However, there is ongoing research on the additional benefits of noscomin (7). Another isolated, secondary metabolite, reduced scytonemin, was shown to play a critical role as a second messenger in regulating anti-inflammatory effects (30). The anti-inflammatory effects could also be attributed to the methods N. commune employs to prevent the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Ingesting N. commune could be a safer and more natural anti-inflammatory drug than manufactured pharmaceuticals on the market (31). N. commune has wide environmental applications. It could potentially be a new and sustainable treatment for industrial wastewater; N. commune decreased the amount of biological and chemical pollutants in wastewater by 70%, especially metals (32). In addition, N. commune’s nitrogen fixation capabilities have been tested numerous times. N. commune, in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, exhibits nitrogen fixation when combined with glucose. However, aerobic conditions demonstrate a slightly higher nitrogen fixation activity (18). Not only does N. commune use polysaccharides to express antimicrobials and antibacterials, but it maintains water and resists dehydration, even in extreme environments. While N. commune growth in an environment lacking oxygen is slow, it remains alive and plant growth plates incubated with this microbe continue to increase (12). Moreover, cyanobacteria, such as N. commune, can grow in nitrogen-limited and harsh conditions (33).
9. Authorship Statement
Classification and overall editing were completed by Selah Youn. The Introduction of the N. commune was completed by Yuki Ando. Organism key points including genome structure, cell structure, metabolic processes, and ecology were completed by Vasisht Poosapati. Current Research was articulated by Audrey Shen. Organism key points on pathology and other important sections, authorship statement, Chat GPT reformations, bibliography, and picture descriptions were done by Adam Milewski. Further research and acquisition of more information about N. commune was completed by all group members.
11. References
(1)Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Nostoc commune Vaucher ex Bornet & Flahault, 1888. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=608248 on 2023-10-15
(2) Nostoc - microbewiki. (2010). https://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Nostoc
(3) Olafsdottir A., Thorlacius G., Sesselja O., Olafsdottir E., Vikingsson A., Freysdottir J., and Hardardottir I. (2014). “A heteroglycan from the cyanobacterium Nostoc commune modulates LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine secretion by THP-1 monocytes through phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt”. Phytomedicine, 21, 1451-1457.
(4) Katoh H., Furukawa J., Tomita-Yokotani K., and Nishi Y. (2012). “Isolation and purification of an axenic diazotrophic drought-tolerant cyanobacterium, Nostoc commune, from natural cyanobacterial crusts and its utilization for field research on soils polluted with radioisotopes”. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)- Bioenergetics, 1817, 1499-1505.
(5) Hori K., Ishibashi G., and Okita O. (1994). Hypocholesterolemic effect of blue-green alga, ishikurage (Nostoc commune) in rats fed atherogenic diet. Plant Foods Human Nutrition, 45, 63-70
(6) Yamaguchi Y., Naito M., Nishio E., Tomita Y., and Takenaka H. (2009). The anti-infectious activity of edible blue-green algae, Nostoc flagelliforme, Nostoc commune, and Aphanotece sacrum on Listeria monocytogenes in mice. Algal Resources, 1, 61-62
(7) Jaki B., Heilmann J., and Sticher O. (2000). New antibacterial metabolites from the cyanobacterium Nostoc commune (EAWAG 122b). Journal of Natural Products, 63, 1283-1285
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