Respiration accumulates Calvin cycle intermediates for the rapid start of photosynthesis in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

A mutant deficient in glycogen phosphorylase (∆GlgP) was prepared in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 to suppress respiration.

The accumulated glycogen in ΔGlgP was 250–450% of that accumulated in wild type (WT). The rate of dark respiration in ΔGlgP was 25% of that in WT. In the dark, P700 + reduction was suppressed in ΔGlgP, and the rate corresponded to that in (2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl- p -benzoquinone)-treated WT, supporting a lower respiration rate in ∆GlgP.