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Life 2015, 5, 554-567; doi:10.3390/life5010554
life
ISSN 2075-1729
www.mdpi.com/journal/life
Communication
Modes of Fatty Acid Desaturation in Cyanobacteria: An Update
Dmitry A. Los * and Kirill S. Mironov
Institute of Plant Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Botanicheskaya Street, Moscow 127276,
Russia; E-Mail: ksmironov@gmail.com
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: losda@ippras.ru;
Tel./Fax: +7-499-977-9372.
Academic Editors: John C. Meeks and Robert Haselkorn
Received: 30 September 2014 / Accepted: 10 February 2015 / Published: xx February 2015
Abstract: Fatty acid composition of individual species of cyanobacteria is conserved and it
may be used as a phylogenetic marker. The previously proposed classification system was
based solely on biochemical data. Today, new genomic data are available, which support a
need to update a previously postulated FA-based classification of cyanobacteria. These
changes are necessary in order to adjust and synchronize biochemical, physiological and
genomic data, which may help to establish an adequate comprehensive taxonomic system
for cyanobacteria in the future. Here, we propose an update to the classification system of
cyanobacteria based on their fatty acid composition.
Keywords: cyanobacteria; fatty acids; fatty acid desaturases; desaturation; lipids; taxonomy
1. Introduction
Cyanobacteria (formerly—blue-green algae) are considered as one of the most ancient groups of living
organisms on Earth [1]. Studies of fossil microorganisms in Precambrian rocks (3.5–0.5 billion years ago)
indicated the temporal morphological changes in fossil cyanobacterial communities caused by the
irreversible changes of physicochemical conditions on Earth [2,3]. Different species of modern
cyanobacteria inhabit almost all environments—from soil to fresh and sea waters, as well as such
extreme habitats as hot springs, soda and salt lakes, etc. The morphology of some species, especially,
extremophilic ones, resemble that found in fossils. Such species are called the relict cyanobacteria [2,4].
A comparison of artificial systems consisting of modern prokaryotes, including extremophilic
OPEN ACCESS
Life 2015, 5 555
cyanobacteria, and Proterozoic forms of cyanobacterial communities suggested that the cyanobacteria
are very conservative and have changed insignificantly morphologically and, probably, physiologically
during the past, at least, 2 billion years [4]. These negligible changes also refer to the membrane system
of cyanobacteria, which is mainly determined by the lipids and fatty acid (FA) species.
The membranes of cyanobacteria are represented by the cytoplasmic (plasma) membrane and thylakoid
membranes. Both membranes contain four major glycerolipids: monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG),
digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG), sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG) and phosphatidylglycerol
(PG). The molecular motion of these glycerolipids is determined mainly by the extents of unsaturation
of the fatty acids that are esterified to the glycerol backbones [5]. The extent of unsaturation is, in turn,
determined by the activity of fatty acid desaturases, the enzymes that introduce double bonds into
specific positions of fatty-acyl chains of lipids [6]. Changes in the unsaturation of FAs affect various
functions of membrane-bound proteins, such as the photochemical and electron-transport reactions that
occur in thylakoid and cytoplasmic membranes of cyanobacterial cells [7].
FA composition of lipids of cyanobacteria is determined by the chain length (number of carbon
atoms) and number of double bonds in these chains. In cyanobacteria, the FA chain length usually varies
from C14 to C18. The number of double bonds in these chains may vary from 0 to 4 providing fully
saturated FAs (with no double bonds), monoenoic (with 1 double bond), dienoic (with 2 double bonds),
trienoic and tetraenoic (with 3 and 4 double bonds, respectively) FAs. FA composition of individual
species of cyanobacteria is so conserved, that it may be used as a phylogenetic marker [8–10].
The system of classification of cyanobacteria according to their FA composition was proposed by
Kenyon [11,12] and improved by Murata and co-workers [13]. According to this Kenyon-Murata
classification, all cyanobacterial strains are divided into four distinct groups. Organisms in Group 1
introduce only one double bond at the ∆9 position of fatty acids (usually C16 or C18 FAs) esterified at the
sn-l position of the glycerol moiety. In cyanobacteria of Group 2, the C18 stearic acid is desaturated at
the ∆9, ∆12, and ∆15 [13] positions and the C16 palmitic acid is desaturated at the ∆9 and ∆12 positions. In
Group 3, the C18 acid is desaturated at the ∆6, ∆9, and ∆12 positions. Finally, in Group 4, the C18 stearic
acid is desaturated at the ∆6, ∆9, ∆12, and ∆15 positions (Table 1) [13].
The available experimental data on desaturation in cyanobacterial cells suggest that the ∆9-desaturase
counts the carbon number from the carboxyl terminus, whereas the so-called ∆15-desaturase is, in fact,
the ω3-desaturase, which counts the carbon number from the methyl-terminus [14]. Although significant
progress has been made in understanding the molecular basis of regiospecific desaturation by soluble
acyl–acyl-carrier-protein desaturases [15] the counting order of the acyl-lipid membrane-bound
∆12-desaturase is still under question. It is also important to note that the ∆15(ω3)-desaturase of
the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cannot introduce double bonds into ∆9 monoenoic FAs,
and it requires ∆9,12 dienoic substrate for its activity [16]. Here, we will use the ∆x abbreviation system
to simplify the designations.
Current conclusions on modes of FA desaturation in cyanobacteria are solely based on biochemical
analysis of FAs and lipid classes [8–14]. Modern advances in sequencing techniques allowed determination
of the whole genomes of various cyanobacterial strains. The genes for the specific acyl-lipid fatty acid
desaturases have been identified in many cyanobacterial species [17]. This supports a need to update the
previously postulated FA-based classification of cyanobacteria. Here, we propose an updated grouping
Life 2015, 5 556
of cyanobacteria, according to their FA composition, based on recent findings in cyanobacterial genomics
and biochemistry.
Table 1. Fatty-acid composition of the total lipids from various cyanobacterial strains
(adapted from Murata et al. 1992 [13]).
Organism
Fatty Acids
14:0 14:1 16:0 16:1 16:2 18:0 18:1 18:2 α18:3 γ18:3 18:4
Δ9 Δ9 Δ9,12 Δ9 Δ9,12 Δ9,12,15 Δ6,9,12 Δ6,9,12,15
Group 1
Mastigocladus laminosus F + − + + − + + − − − −
Synechococcus PCC 7942 U + − + + − + + − − − −
Synechococcus PCC 6301 U + − + + − + + − − − −
Synechococcus lividus U − − + + − + + − − − −
Group 2
Plectonema boryanum F + − + + − + + + + − −
Nostoc muscorum F + − + + − + + + + − −
Anabaena variabilis F − − + + + + + + + − −
Synechococcus PCC 7002 U + − + + − + + + + − −
Group 3
Arthrospira platensis F + + + + − + + + − + −
Synechocystis PCC 6714 U + + + + − + + + − + −
Group 4
Tolypothrix tenius F − − + + − + + + + + +
Synechocystis PCC 6803 U − − + + − + + + + + +
PCC—Number in Pasteur Culture Collection. F—filamentous species; U—unicellulae species.
2. Results and Discussion
2.1. Cyanobacteria of Group 1
The organisms of Group 1 synthesize only monoenoic FAs usually desaturated at Δ9 position.
This group is presented by mesophilic and thermophilic strains of unicellular freshwater Synechococcus
and Cyanobacterium, as well as by ramified filamentous heterocystous thermophilic Mastigocladus
laminosus [18,19]. Previously, it was suggested that the number of double bonds in FA chains correlates
with complexity of cyanobacterial cells [10–12], and filamentous strains are not distributed in Group 1.
However, it appeared that Mastigocladus laminosus also belongs to Group 1 [13,20]. Thus, organisms
that synthesize monoenoic fatty acids (usually, 14:1Δ9, 16:1Δ9, and 18:1Δ9) may be represented by
unicellular and filamentous species (Table 2).
Genomic sequencing and biochemical analysis revealed that desaturation at Δ9 position may be
performed by different isozymes of Δ9-desaturase. Some of these isozymes may be specific to sn-1 or
sn-2 positions of the glycerol moiety [21].
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Table 2. An updated classification of cyanobacteria on the basis of their fatty acid composition.
Organism
Fatty Acids
14:0 14:1 16:0 16:1 16:2
e 18:0 18:1 18:2 α18:3 γ18:3 18:4
Δ9 Δ9 Δ9,12 Δ9 Δ9,12 Δ9,12,15 Δ6,9,12 Δ6,9,12,15
Group 1
Synechococcus elongatus
PCC 7942 a
− − + + − + + − − − −
Mastigocladus laminosus − − + + − + + − − − −
Synechococcus lividus − − + + − + + − − − −
Synechococcus vulcanus + + + + − + + − − − −
Cyanobacterium stanieri
PCC 7202 a
− − + + − + + − − − −
Cyanobacterium sp. B−1200 b + + + + − + + − − − −
Synechococcus cedrorum − − + + − + + − − − −
Group 2
Prochlorococcus marinus c − − + + + + + + − − −
Synechococcus sp. (marine) d − − + + − + + + − − −
Prochlorothrix hollandica e + + + + + + + + − − −
Group 3α
Leptolyngbya boryana − − + + − + + + + − −
Nostoc sp. − − + + − + + + + − −
Anabaena sp. f − − + + − + + + + − −
Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 a − − + + − + + + + −
Gloeobacter violaceus − − + + − + + + + − −
Trichodesmium erythraeum − − + + − + + + + − −
Group 3γ
Arthrospira platensis B-256 b + − + + − + + + − + −
Synechocystis sp. PCC 6714 a − − + + − + + + − + −
Synechocystis sp. B-274 b − − + + + + + + − + −
Group 4
Tolypothrix tenius + + + + + + + + + + +
Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 a − − + + − + + + + + +
Lyngbya sp. PCC 8106 a − − + + − + + + + + +
Nodularia spumigena − − + + − + + + + + +
a Number in Pasteur Culture Collection (PCC); b Number in the Collection of Microalgae and Cyanobacteria
of the Institute of Plant Physiology RAS (IPPAS); c Prochlorococcus strains NATL1A, MIT 9211, MIT 9301,
MIT 9303, MIT 9312, MIT 9313, MIT 9515, AS9601, CCMP1375, CCMP1986, etc; d Marine species of
Synechococcus: strains BL107, CC9311, CC9605, CC9902, RCC307, RS9917, WH5701, WH7805, WH8102, etc.;
e Prochlorothrix hollandica was reported to have ∆9- and ∆4-desaturase activities [22]; f At least, 9 species of
Anabaena were studied [23].
The presence of six genes for the Δ9-desaturases in the genome of Gloeobacter violaceus [24]
suggests that some isozymes may be specific both to the sn-position and to the carbon chain length of
FAs. Since Nostoc [21] and Gloeobacter [24] do not belong to Group 1, one may suggest that multiple
isoforms of the Δ9-desaturase are not typical to cyanobacteria of Group 1. Indeed, the type strains
of unicellular freshwater Synechococcus, Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 (NCBI Reference Sequence
Life 2015, 5 558
NC_007604) and Synechococcus elongatus PCC 6301 (NC_006576), each have only one gene for the
Δ9-desaturase. The appearance of 18:1Δ9 and 16:1Δ9 at sn-1 and sn-2 in these two strains [13] suggests
that their Δ9-desaturases are not specific to the chain length of FAs and to the sn-position. However, the
genome of a thermophilic unicellular cyanobacterium, Thermosynechococcus elongatus (similarly to
filamentous Nostoc [21], and unusual unicellular “single-membrane” organism, Gloeobacter [24]) also
carries several copies (three) of a gene for the Δ9-desaturase.
The alignment of amino acid sequences of Δ9-desaturases from various strains of cyanobacteria
revealed that these enzymes can be classified into three groups (Figure 1). The first group, DesC1, is
represented by the enzymes that are similar to the Δ9-desaturase, which is specific to sn-1 position of
glycerolipids in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and Anabaena variabilis [25]. Second group, DesC2, forms
a cluster of enzymes homologous to the Δ9-desaturase, which is specific to sn-2 position in Antarctic
Nostoc sp. 36 [21]. Differences in specificity of DesC1 and DesC2 to sn-position were demonstrated in
accurate biochemical experiments [21,25]. The third distinct group of Δ9-desaturases, DesC3, is
clustered by four amino acid sequences that were deduced from the genomic data of Gloeobacter
violaceus [24] and two sequences of other cyanobacterial species.
At least four conservative His-containing domains found in these three groups of Δ9-desaturases.
DesC1 and DesC2 were more similar to each other in amino acid sequences than DesC3 (Figure 1). First,
second, and fourth His-containing domains (HRLXXHRSF, GHRXHH, GESWHNNHHA) are rather
conservative in all three groups of Δ9-desaturases. The major differences in amino and sequences were
observed in the domain 3 of DesC3 if compared to DesC1 and DesC2. The latter two have a very
conservative third domain HFTWFVNSATH, while DesC3 has no His residues in this region.
Conservative histidine residues function as coordinators of a diiron cluster in the active center of
a desaturase that performs dehydrogenation reactions resulting in the formation of double bonds in the
FA chains. Therefore, the positioning of His residues affects the specificity of FA desaturases in terms
of a chain length and a position of desaturation [26]. The structural basis for positional specificity of
desaturases is unknown. It might appear that the ability of desaturases to recognize a certain sn-position is
similar to that of glycerolipid acyltransferases, in which a H(X)4D motif is a critical component for the
enzyme’s activity [27].
The specificity of DesC1 and DesC2 to sn-1 and sn-2 positions have been documented [21,25], the
specificity of DesC3 group of Δ9-desaturases was not studied experimentally. Therefore, the exact
function of this type of enzymes is unknown. Chi et al. [17] found that this group of desaturases
resembles a large family of membrane-associated Δ5- or Δ9-desaturases. Analysis of FA composition
of Gloeobacter violaceus did not reveal any Δ5-desaturated FAs [28,29]. So, this should be some
Δ9-desaturase with yet unraveled activity and specificity.
Life 2015, 5 559
Figure 1. Cont.
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Figure 1. Alignment of partial amino acid sequences of the acyl-lipid fatty acid Δ9-desaturases from different cyanobacteria. The desaturases
are clustered into three types of enzymes, DesC1, DesC2, and DesC3, according to their amino acid and functional features. Four conservative
histidine-containing domains are marked. Amino acids identical or similar in all three groups of the Δ9-desaturases are shown in green; amino
acids identical in two groups of desaturases are shown in blue; amino acids, which are unique for one of the desaturase groups, are shown in orange.
Life 2015, 5 561
2.2. Cyanobacteria of Group 2
Previously, cyanobacteria that produce only mono- and dienoic FAs were unknown [13]. Therefore,
Group 2 contained cyanobacteria capable of producing trienoic α-linolenic acid, 18:3Δ9,12,15 (Anabaena,
Nostoc, Gloeobacter violaceus, etc.). Now we know a number of organisms that desaturate C18 and C16
FAs at positions ∆9 and ∆12 to produce mono- and dienoic fatty acids.
Genomes of these organisms contain genes for Δ9- and ∆12-desaturases. These are, mainly,
representatives of marine species, Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus. We propose to allocate these
cyanobacteria into Group 2 (Table 2). The analysis of lipids and FA composition of these organisms
is still limited and requires detailed studies. In some plant, fungi, protist, and animal species, FA
desaturases may possess bifunctional activities; one enzyme may catalyze two reactions, for example,
the formation of double bonds at ∆12 and ω3 (∆15) positions [22,30]. Such bifunctional enzymes have not
been yet reported in cyanobacteria. However, to confirm their absence, more experimental evidence is
necessary on lipids and FAs for cyanobacteria of Group 2.
The freshwater filamentous Prochlorothrix hollandica differs from other cyanobacteria by the
presence of light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding antenna and by the absence of phycobilins.
Prochlorothrix hollandica is known as a C14-rich organism, which contains 5% of 14:0 and 30% of
14:1∆9 in lipids [31]. Prochlorothrix, together with ∆9-desaturase, has the unique ∆4-desaturase activity
and produces unusual 16:1∆4 (25%) and 16:2∆4,9 (10%) FAs [31]. The genetic data for the cyanobacterial
∆4-desaturase is still unavailable. Nevertheless, the presence of high amounts of 16:2∆4,9 (and the
complete absence of 18:2 FAs) should place Prochlorothrix hollandica to a special position in Group 2
of cyanobacteria, which are capable of synthesizing the dienoic FAs.
2.3. Cyanobacteria of Group 3
According to previously proposed classification, the cyanobacterial strains that synthesize trienoic
α-linolenic acid, 18:3∆9,12,15 were assigned to Group 2. These organisms have three distinct FA desaturase
activities: Δ9-, ∆12- and ∆15-desaturases. Organisms of a former Group 3 also have three distinct
desaturases, but, instead of ∆15, they introduce a third double bond at position ∆6 and produce trienoic
γ-linolenic acid, 18:3∆6,9,12, as a final product of desaturation.
We propose to combine all organisms that produce trienoic FAs as the final products of desaturation
into Group 3, which will be divided into two subgroups—Group 3α and Group 3γ—according to the final
product of desaturation—α- or γ-linolenic acids (Table 2).
Cyanobacteria that belong to a newly proposed Group 3α produce α-linolenic acid, 18:3∆9,12,15. These
species (Leptolyngbya boryana (formerly, Plectonema boryanum), Gloeobacter violaceus, Anabaena
sp., Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002, Trichodesmium erythraeum, some Nostoc species) are characterized
both genetically and biochemically.
Genome sequencing of these species confirmed the presence of genes for the specific ∆9-, ∆12-,
and ∆15-desaturases [24,32–34]. Lipid and FA analysis revealed the presence of 16:0, 16:1∆9, 18:0,
18:1∆9, 18:2∆9,12, and 18:3∆9,12,15 FAs [13,23,29,35–38].
The presence of a single strain of marine Synechococcus in this group (namely, Synechococcus sp.
PCC 7002) raises a question about possible diversity of this genus in terms of FA composition. Table 2
Life 2015, 5 562
clearly demonstrates that freshwater Synechococcus strains synthesize monoenoic FAs and belong
to Group 1, whereas marine Synechococcus strains synthesize dienoic FAs and belong to Group 2.
Alternatively, it may raise a question about the correct assignment of a strain PCC 7002 to a genus
of Synechococcus.
Cyanobacteria of Group 3γ are capable of synthesizing the γ-linolenic acid, 18:3∆6,9,12. These organisms
have three distinct FA desaturase activities: Δ6-, ∆9- and ∆12-desaturases. These cyanobacteria are
represented by species of filamentous Arthrospira (Spirulina), unicellular Synechocystis sp. PCC 6714,
and Synechocystis sp. IPPAS B-274.
The genomic and biochemical data for Arthrospira [29,39–41] and Synechocystis sp. PCC 6714 [13,42]
are available, which support the positioning of these strains to Group 3. Synechocystis strains PCC 6714
and PCC 6803 are thought to be closely related species [42]. However, unlike Synechocystis PCC 6803
(Group 4, see below), Synechocystis sp. PCC 6714 lacks a gene for the ω3(Δ15)-desaturase [42], and it
cannot synthesize α-linolenic and/or stearidonic acid.
2.4. Cyanobacteria of Group 4
Cyanobacteria of Group 4 have four acyl-lipid fatty acid desaturases and they can synthesize tetraenoic
stearidonic acid, 18:4∆6,9,12,15, from C18 saturated stearic acid. In a model strain, freshwater unicellular
Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, synthesis of α-linolenic and stearidonic acids is temperature-dependent and
occurs only at low temperatures (15–25 °C) [43]. Therefore, biochemical analysis cannot reveal 18:3α
and 18:4 FAs in cells grown at optimal temperatures (30–36 °C). Genome sequencing [44] together with
gene expression analysis [45] demonstrated the presence and expression of genes for Δ6-, ∆9-, ∆12-,
and ∆15(ω3)-desaturases in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. And besides, the gene for ∆15(ω3)-desaturase
was active only at low temperatures [45].
Similarly, genome sequence analysis of the marine filamentous cyanobacteria Nodularia spumigena
and Lyngbya sp. PCC 8106 revealed the presence of genes for Δ6-, ∆9-, ∆12-, and ∆15(ω3)-desaturases [17].
Thus, these cyanobacteria would potentially produce α-linolenic, γ-linolenic, and stearidonic acids, the
latter as a final product of desaturation.
Solid biochemical evidence is available for freshwater filamentous Tolypothrix species that confirms
the presence of tri- and tetraenoic C18 FAs [12,13,29]. Recent lipid analysis of two strains, Tolypothrix
tenuis and Tolypothrix distorta revealed previously undetected positional isomer of stearidonic acid,
18:4∆3,6,9,12 [46]. This so-called, γ-stearidonic acid was present in cells nearly in trace amounts. If this
data is confirmed, it would be challenging to find a new cyanobacterial desaturase with ∆3 specificity.
The complete genomic sequence of Tolypothrix may clarify whether a fifth, yet unknown, desaturase
exists in cyanobacteria, or a double bond at position ∆3 is formed due to non-specific activity of
∆15(ω3)-desaturase on C16 FA, which is further elongated to C18.
2.5. Adaptive and Taxonomic Impact of Cyanobacterial Fatty Acid Composition
Cyanobacteria are characterized by rather limited set of FAs in their lipids: C14-C18 FAs with 1–4
double bonds. However, they have diverse phenotypes, and they inhabit very diverse environments,
which, in many cases, are highly extreme. Fatty acid composition can be used to characterize different
species of cyanobacteria, although the exact taxonomic meaning of FA composition is not completely
Life 2015, 5 563
understood. The organization or complexity of cyanobacterial cells (unicellular or filamentous)
does not correlate with FA composition. A number of double bonds in FAs correlates instead with
temperature of the environment. Thermophilic unicellular species usually have monoenoic FAs, whereas
mesophilic or psychrophilic unicellular species produce polyunsaturated FAs, which help them to
survive at low temperatures by adjusting the membrane fluidity [7]. Thermophilic filamentous species
adjust the membrane fluidity by the inhibition of 16:0 acid elongation and by enhancement of the
monoenoic 16:1 acid synthesis [29]. In mesophilic species, both mechanisms—accumulation of 16:1
and desaturation—may be active. In mesophilic filamentous Anabaena variabilis, a drop in temperature
leads to accumulation of C16 in the dark, and to formation of polyunsaturated FAs (mainly, C18) in the
light [29,47].
Fatty acid composition may be used to clarify the taxonomic position of a certain cyanobacterial
strain. Thus, for example, it is rather surprising to find the representatives of genus Synechococcus
(Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002) in diverse Groups 1, 2, and 3. Several authors noticed that the strains
comprising the Synechococcus genus seem to be polyphyletic, and they suggested that this genus should
be separated into different groups [48,49].
In general, the taxonomy of cyanobacteria is complicated and unclear [19,50]. The easiest and mostly
used profiling technique employs the 16S rRNA gene sequence clustering. However, this simplified
approach often leads to false assignments of strains and incorrect annotations. A more promising way to
classify cyanobacterial strains is a polyphasic approach, which takes into consideration molecular,
morphological, biochemical, and physiological characteristics of individual cultures and strains [51,52].
Recent developments in genome sequencing techniques provide a powerful tool for genetic profiling of
cyanobacterial strains implying that sequence annotations are accurate. In such a polyphasic approach,
the fatty acid composition is still a valuable marker to the cyanobacterial taxonomy.
3. Conclusions
The taxonomic system of cyanobacteria is developing according to combined multiple markers,
including molecular, biochemical, ultrastructural, phenotypic and ecological data. The previously proposed
system of biochemical classification of cyanobacteria according to their FA composition [11–13] is also
changing. Here, we propose an update to this system according to newly available genomic and
biochemical data. The basis of the system remains unchanged: cyanobacteria are grouped according the
number of double bonds in their FAs. The major improvements are as follows. (1) The replacement of
organisms in a previous “Group 2” with a new “Group 2” represented mainly by marine unicellular
species, which are characterized by the presence of Δ9- and Δ12-desaturases and are capable of
producing 16:2 or 18:2 FAs as the final product of FA desaturation. (2) Organisms previously assigned
to Group 2 are transferred into Group 3, Subgroup 3α. Strains in this group are characterized by the
presence of Δ9-, Δ12-, and Δ15(ω3)-desaturases, and they synthesize 18:3 α-linolenic acid as a final
product of FA desaturation. (3) Organisms of the former “Group 3” (they have Δ6-, Δ9-, and
Δ12-desaturases, and they synthesize 18:3 γ-linolenic acid) remain in Group 3, but placed into Subgroup
3γ. Group 1 (includes organisms that have Δ9-desaturase(s) and produce only monounsaturated FAs), and
Group 4 (organisms with four FA desaturases, namely Δ6-, Δ9-, Δ12-, and Δ15(ω3)-desaturases, which may
synthesize 18:4 stearidonic acid) remain unchanged.
Life 2015, 5 564
These changes in FA-based classification system are necessary in order to adjust and synchronize
biochemical, physiological and genomic data, which may help to establish an adequate comprehensive
taxonomic system for cyanobacteria in the future.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by a grant from Russian Science Foundation No. 14-24-00020.
Author Contributions
Kirill S. Mironov analyzed amino acid and genomic sequence data; Dmitry A. Los designed research
and wrote the manuscript. Both authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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