细菌的光响应及其机制研究进展

Behavior and mechanism of bacterial response to light illumination

光作为一种环境信号,对细菌的生长和代谢有广泛的调节作用。对于光合细菌来讲,一方面,感光蛋白可以协助光合细菌游向最适的光环境,以利于其细胞内的光系统进行光合作用;另一方面,一些光合细菌可以感受并捕获光能为代谢提供能量。目前发现有些非光合细菌也有光响应,感光蛋白在细菌基因组内是普遍存在的,而且与细菌的一些生理功能有关。本文以非光合细菌为主介绍了目前在细菌中发现的趋光现象及其响应机制。

Light is an important and ubiquitous environmental signal that regulates bacterial metabolism and growth. On one hand photosynthetic bacteria swim to the zones with light intensity optimal for the functioning of the photon-driven carbon assimilation. On the other hand, some phototrophic bacteria also sense and capture light to derive energy for metabolisms other than photosynthesis. Beside the phototrophic bacteria, certain microbes use the light only for the purpose of communication and environmental positioning. Large variety of photosensory proteins is encoded in the bacterial genomes and responsible for these physiological functions. Here, we review the light-induced physiological and behavioral responses and the mechanism of light mediated signaling in bacteria, especially in nonphototrophic bacteria.