A daily study of the diatom spring bloom at Roscoff (France) in 1985. III. Free amino acids composition studied by HPLC analysis

The growth of a natural phytoplankton population was studiedduring a monospecific spring bloom of the diatom Rhizosoleniadelicatula at Roscoff (western English Channel). Direct examinationof the intracellular pool of 19 free amino acids (FAA) was usedas an index of the physiological status of the cells. TotalFAA in the particulate matter shows a general decrease duringthe bloom, and FAA cell content varies from 200 mM 1 cell volume^–1to 10 mM at the time of maximum biomass. FAA-N/particulate Nis <3% during the study, slightly decreasing at the timeof maximum biomass. Individual free amino acids appear reliablefor the development of the diatom biomass and good indicatorsof the growing population. At maximum biomass, major compoundsare glutamic acid (30.8 mol%), glutamine (11.7%), alanine (9.9%),isoleucine (6.6%) and lysine (6.4%). Serine, glycine, arginineand aspartic acid appear also as major components during otherperiods of the study. We suggest that the observed changes arean indication of the physiological state of the cells duringthe bloom. In particular glutamine (GLN), glutamic acid (GLU)and the GLN/GLU ratio allow the metabolic evolution of the naturalpopulation to be characterized. GLN is strictly linked to theliving biomass (Chla) while GLU is present at high percentagethroughout the study. The ecological significance of ß-alanine(BALA) is also revealed during this study, being strongly correlatedto degraded matter represented by phaeopigments. These resultsdemonstrate the validity of using individual free amino acidsas an aid in understanding the physiological status of algaein natural bloom conditions.     

Minimal Amino Acid Requirements of the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Pyrococcus abyssi, Isolated from Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents

A minimal growth medium containing only nine amino acids and vitamins as the sole carbon and energy sources allowed the growth of Pyrococcus abyssi GE 5, a novel hyperthermophilic sulfur-metabolizing archaeon isolated from deep-sea hydrothermal vents. The generation time in this medium was about 40 min, and cell densities up to 5 x 10(sup8) cells ml(sup-1) were attained. These results are similar to those obtained previously with complex proteinaceous media.     

A model for carbohydrate metabolism in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum deduced from comparative whole genome analysis

Background

Diatoms are unicellular algae responsible for approximately 20% of global carbon fixation. Their evolution by secondary endocytobiosis resulted in a complex cellular structure and metabolism compared to algae with primary plastids.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The whole genome sequence of the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum has recently been completed. We identified and annotated genes for enzymes involved in carbohydrate pathways based on extensive EST support and comparison to the whole genome sequence of a second diatom, Thalassiosira pseudonana. Protein localization to mitochondria was predicted based on identified similarities to mitochondrial localization motifs in other eukaryotes, whereas protein localization to plastids was based on the presence of signal peptide motifs in combination with plastid localization motifs previously shown to be required in diatoms. We identified genes potentially involved in a C4-like photosynthesis in P. tricornutum and, on the basis of sequence-based putative localization of relevant proteins, discuss possible differences in carbon concentrating mechanisms and CO₂ fixation between the two diatoms. We also identified genes encoding enzymes involved in photorespiration with one interesting exception: glycerate kinase was not found in either P. tricornutum or T. pseudonana. Various Calvin cycle enzymes were found in up to five different isoforms, distributed between plastids, mitochondria and the cytosol. Diatoms store energy either as lipids or as chrysolaminaran (a β-1,3-glucan) outside of the plastids. We identified various β-glucanases and large membrane-bound glucan synthases. Interestingly most of the glucanases appear to contain C-terminal anchor domains that may attach the enzymes to membranes.

Conclusions/Significance

Here we present a detailed synthesis of carbohydrate metabolism in diatoms based on the genome sequences of Thalassiosira pseudonana and Phaeodactylum tricornutum. This model provides novel insights into acquisition of dissolved inorganic carbon and primary metabolic pathways of carbon in two different diatoms, which is of significance for an improved understanding of global carbon cycles.     

Minimal Amino Acid Requirements of the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Pyrococcus abyssi, Isolated from Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents

Vol. 61, no. 3, p. 1138, column 1, line 4 from bottom: "(A(inf600) = 0.1 = 8 x 10(sup8) cells ml(sup-1))" should read "(A(inf600) = 0.1 = 1.8 x 10(sup8) cells ml(sup-1))." [This corrects the article on p. 1138 in vol. 61.].     

Gradient of dissolved free amino acids and phytoplankton in a shallow bay

A 3 h survey of the concentrations of individual free amino acids, chlorophyll a and phytoplankton species biomass was conducted in the surface waters of a shallow bay. Significant coefficients of correlation were found between chlorophyll a, nanoflagellates, and DFAA concentrations. Although phytoplankton biomass variations sometimes relate to DFAA concentration patterns, consideration of the physiological activity of both phytoplankton and microheterotrophs would undoubtedly explain a more significant fraction of the DFAA variation.This work is a contribution of GREPMA (Groupe Régional d'Etudes Pélagiques en Manche-Atlantique)     

Modelling Si-N-limited growth of diatoms

A mechanistic model for silicon (Si) physiology is developed,interfaced with a model of nitrogen (N) physiology, which iscapable of simulating the major documented facets of Si–Nphysiology in diatoms. The model contains a cell cycle componentthat is involved in regulating the timing of the synthesis ofvalves, girdles and setae. In addition to reproducing the timingof diatom cell division within a light–dark cycle, themodel simulates the following features seen in real diatoms.Synthesis of valves only occurs during G₂ interphase and M,while the girdles and (if appropriate) setae are synthesizedduring G₁. Si stress alone results in a loss of setae, followedby a thinning of the valves in successive generations untila minimum Si cell quota is attained. After this point, the durationof G₂ increases and growth is Si limited. Concurrently, thecarbon (C) cell quota increases, offering the capability tosimulate the documented increase in sinking rates with Si stress.N stress alone results in an increase in the duration of G₁and G₂ interphases, and high Si cell quotas. From this complexmodel, which must be run for arrays of subpopulations to simulatenon-synchronous growth, a simpler model is developed. This iscapable of reproducing similar growth dynamics, although withno reference to component parts of the frustule. When alliedto a photoacclimative submodel, a prediction of the model isthat diatoms starved of Si will release increased amounts ofdissolved organic C because cell growth is halted more rapidlythan the photosystems can be degraded.     

Facteurs hydrologiques et phytoplancton en Baie de Morlaix (Manche Occidentale)

Phytoplankton in Roscoff waters (Western English Channel) was studied in spring and summer of 1979 and 1980, parallel to seasonal changes in physical, chemical and biological variables. Strong tides prevent the formation of a seasonal thermocline and the water column remains well mixed throughout the year. Seasonal changes in temperature and salinity show a continuous increase from April to August-September. Dissolved oxygen, dissolved mineral and organic nitrogen and phosphorus vary in relation to phytoplankton production. Silicate shows a seasonal cycle, but is not completely depleted in the sea-water. A decrease of ammonia during the phytoplankton blooms in 1980 suggests that ammonia plays an important role as a nitrogen source. The NO₃/PO₄ ratio indicates that the sea-water is heavily loaded with nitrate, and shows peak values during phytoplankton blooms, due to a fall in the concentration of phosphate, which may become a limiting nutrient. However, this effect may be offset by a rapid recycling of this nutrient. Chlorophyll a and potential primary production show significant variations. The major blooms are observed in June during both years. The mean production/chl. a ratio is around 6 in both years. Phytoplankton development is marked by the succession of three major groups during the spring-summer blooms: Thalassiosira spp, Rhizosolenia spp and Chaetoceros spp. The regularity in phytoplankton species succession over a number of years suggests that the species concerned are autochtonous and well adapted to their environment.