Erythromycin mediates co-flocculation between cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and filamentous fungi in liquid cultivation without organic compounds.

Transcriptomic analysis of suspended and flocculated (with the fungi) Synechocystis cells suggested that the EM-mediated co-flocculation was a result of down-regulation of the minor pilin genes and up-regulation of several genes including the chaperone gene for pilin regulation, the S-layer protein genes, the exopolysaccharide-polymerization gene, and the genes for signaling proteins involved in cell attachment and abiotic-stress responses. The EM treatment may be applied in the co-culture between other cyanobacteria and fungi to mediate cell bio-flocculation. Transcriptomic analysis bewteen suspended and flocculated (with the fungi) Synechocystis cells