An iTRAQ-Based Quantitative Analysis To Elaborate the Proteomic Response of Nostoc sp. PCC 7120 under N2 Fixing Conditions

Nostoc sp. PCC 7120 is an oxygen-evolving photoautotrophic N2 fixing filamentous cyanobacterium. Upon nitrogen starvation, a range of processes are initiated, such as differentiation of the heterocysts, specific cells where N2 fixation takes place. We have characterized and quantified the proteome of the Nostoc sp. PCC 7120 wild-type strain grown under N2 fixing and non-N2 fixing conditions. To assess global proteome changes in response to environmental changes, measurements were made using the quantitative proteomics tool, iTRAQ, on a whole cell digest. From this approach, a total of 486 different proteins was accurately identified across 2 biological replicate experiments, where 226 identifications contained 2 or more distinct peptides. Results of metabolic regulation will be discussed to demonstrate that proteomics represents an important tool for the development of heterocystous cyanobacteria for future biological H2 production. Keywords: iTRAQ • cyanobacteria • nitrogen fixation • Nostoc • metabolism • proteome