ABSTRACT Several recently discovered small proteins of less than 100 amino acids control important, but sometimes surprising, steps in the metabolism of cyanobacteria. There is mounting evidence that a large number of small protein genes have also been overlooked in the genome annotation of many other microorganisms. Although too short for enzymatic activity, their functional characterization has frequently revealed the involvement in processes such as signaling and sensing, interspecies communication, stress responses, metabolism, regulation of transcription and translation, and in the formation of multisubunit protein complexes. Cyanobacteria are the only prokaryotes that perform oxygenic photosynthesis. They thrive under a wide variety of conditions as long as there is light and must cope with dynamic changes in the environment. To acclimate to these fluctuations, frequently small regulatory proteins become expressed that target key enzymes and metabolic processes. The consequences of their actions are profound and can even impact the surrounding microbiome. This review highlights the diverse functions of recently discovered small proteins that control cyanobacterial metabolism. It also addresses why many of these proteins have been overlooked so far and explores the potential for implementing metabolic engineering strategies to improve the use of cyanobacteria in biotechnological applications.

Alexander Kraus

Wolfgang R. Hess

BioEssays

分子 - 细胞 - 生物医学 - 生理学 - 转化研究 - 系统 - 鼓励假设 BIOESSAYS 是一份经过同行评审、审查和讨论的期刊。我们的目标是在分子、遗传、细胞或生理维度上发表当代生物学的新颖见解、前瞻性评论和评论，并作为这些领域新思想的讨论论坛。另一个目标是鼓励在有机体研究、系统方法和生态系统方面的跨学科和综合生物学，在适当的情况下。

BioEssays is a peer-reviewed journal that focuses on molecular, cellular, biomedical, physiological, translational research, and systems biology. Our aim is to publish novel insights, forward-looking reviews, and comprehensive commentaries in contemporary biology, serving as a forum for discussion of new ideas in these fields. Additionally, we encourage interdisciplinary and integrative biology research in organism studies, systems approaches, and ecosystems where appropriate.

BioEssays 是一本经过同行评审的期刊，专注于分子、细胞、生物医学、生理学、转化研究和系统生物学等领域。我们的目标是发表当代生物学的新颖见解、前瞻性评论和综合评述，并为这些领域的新思想提供讨论平台。此外，我们还鼓励在有机体研究、系统方法和生态系统方面的跨学科和综合生物学研究。

Category	Quartile
生物学	3
生物学, 生物学	3
生物学, 生化与分子生物学	4

How Small Proteins Adjust the Metabolism of Cyanobacteria Under Stress

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