Cyanophycinase

Cyanophycinase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the metabolism of cyanophycin, a reserve material found in cyanobacteria. Cyanophycin is a nitrogen-rich polymer composed of repeating units of arginine and ornithine, and it serves as a storage form of amino acids for the bacteria. Cyanophycinase is responsible for the degradation of this polymer, breaking it down into its constituent amino acids. This process allows cyanobacteria to access stored nitrogen and carbon when environmental conditions are unfavorable, such as during nutrient starvation.

The enzyme is typically a hydrolase, meaning it uses water to break chemical bonds within the cyanophycin structure. The specific mechanism of cyanophycinase action involves cleaving the peptide bonds that link the arginine and ornithine residues together. This enzymatic breakdown is essential for the survival and adaptation of cyanobacteria in diverse and often challenging environments. Research into cyanophycinase has provided insights into bacterial storage mechanisms and has potential applications in biotechnology, such as in the production of biodegradable polymers or in nitrogen recycling processes.