N. Frankenberg-Dinkel

Early-branching cyanobacteria up-regulate superoxide dismutase activity under a simulated early Earth anoxic atmosphere.

Darkness inhibits autokinase activity of bacterial bathy phytochromes

This study shows that darkness increases the Pfr-form of bathy phytochromes, reducing autokinase activity, and reveals that these proteins function as light-dark sensors rather than red/far-red light sensors.

Virus-encoded Shemin pathway highlights the importance of tetrapyrrole metabolism during host infection

This study identifies viral Shemin pathway genes in bacteriophages that can functionally complement bacterial 5-ALA biosynthesis pathways.

On the evolution of the plant phytochrome chromophore biosynthesis

This study identifies the evolution of HY2 lineage enzymes in streptophyte algae, showing their role in PCB biosynthesis and defining two distinct clades of FDBRs.

Lack of Fe(II) transporters in basal Cyanobacteria complicates iron uptake in ferruginous Archean oceans.

This study shows basal Cyanobacteria lacked Fe(II) transporters, suggesting they scavenged Fe(III) instead of absorbing Fe(II) before the Great Oxygenation Event.

The Pseudomonas aeruginosa phosphodiesterase gene nbdA is transcriptionally regulated by RpoS and AmrZ

This paper identifies the transcriptional regulation of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa gene nbdA by RpoS and AmrZ, and reevaluates the role of nitric oxide and NirS in its expression.

A bacterial signal transduction phosphorelay in the methanogenic archaeon Methanosarcina acetivorans

This study investigates a bacterial-type hybrid histidine kinase in Methanosarcina acetivorans, revealing its in vitro phosphorelay function within an archaeal signal transduction system.

Discovery of a novel small protein factor involved in the coordinated degradation of phycobilisomes in cyanobacteria

The paper identifies NblD, a small protein essential for phycobilisome degradation in cyanobacteria during nitrogen starvation, showing it interacts with β-phycocyanin and is required for coordinated dismantling.

Exchange of a single amino acid residue in the cryptophyte phycobiliprotein lyase GtCPES expands its substrate specificity

This study shows that a single amino acid change in GtCPES expands its substrate specificity to include phycocyanobilin.