Metabolomic analysis of NAD kinase-deficient mutants of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

NAD kinase (NADK) phosphorylates NAD(H) to NADP(H). The enzyme has a crucial role in the regulation of the NADP(H)/NAD(H) ratio in various organisms. The unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 possesses two NADK-encoding genes, sll1415 and slr0400. To elucidate the metabolic change in NADK-deficient mutants growing under photoautotrophic conditions, we conducted metabolomic analysis using capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry (CE-MS). The growth curves of the wild-type parent (WT) and NADK-deficient mutants (Δ1415 and Δ0400) did not show any differences under photoautotrophic conditions. The NAD(P)(H) balance showed abnormality in both mutants. However, only the metabolite pattern of Δ0400 showed differences compared to WT. These results indicated that the two NADK isoforms have distinct functions in cyanobacterial metabolism.