Characterization of a Photosynthetic Mutant Selected by Increased Formation of Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate in Rhodobacter sphaeroides

Various mutants either lacking or having decreased levels of light-harvesting complexes and reaction center complex were obtained with a high frequency by an increased formation of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) in Rhodobacter sphaeroides. One of the photosynthesis-defective mutants, PY-17, which was devoid of any of the light-harvesting complexes (B800-850, B875) as well as the reaction center complex, was analyzed further. The mutant showed substantial transcription of the puhA, pufKBALMX, and pucBAC operons coding for the structural proteins of the photosynthetic complexes although each of the activities was lower than that of the wild type. Translation of the pufKBALMX and pucBAC operons were also active in the mutant although with activities different from the corresponding one of the wild type. From these results the mutation appears to exert its effect at the post-translational level of the photosynthetic complex assembly. Complementation of the photosynthesis-defective phenotype of the mutant was achieved with an about 12-kb DNA region containing the puhA gene. The relationship between the formation of PHB and photosynthetic complexes is discussed.