Abstract
Simple SummaryPhosphorus (P) is a key nutrient involved in the transfer of energy and the synthesis of several cellular components. It has been reported that P limitation in diatoms induces the synthesis of biomolecules and the accumulation of storage compounds, such as pigments, carbohydrates and lipids, with diverse biological activities, which can be used in diverse biotechnological applications. However, the molecular and biochemical mechanisms related to how diatoms cope with P deficiency are not clear, and research into this has been limited to a few species. The integration of results obtained from omics sciences could provide a broad understanding of the response of diatoms to P limitation, and the information obtained could help to solve challenges such as biomass production, by-products yield and genetic improvement of strains.Diatoms are the most abundant group of phytoplankton, and their success lies in their significant adaptation ability to stress conditions, such as nutrient limitation. Phosphorus (P) is a key nutrient involved in the transfer of energy and the synthesis of several cellular components. Molecular and biochemical mechanisms related to how diatoms cope with P deficiency are not clear, and research into this has been limited to a few species. Among the molecular responses that have been reported in diatoms cultured under P deficient conditions is the upregulation of genes encoding enzymes related to the transport, assimilation, remobilization and recycling of this nutrient. Regarding biochemical responses, due to the reduction of the requirements for carbon structures for the synthesis of proteins and phospholipids, more CO2 is fixed than is consumed by the Calvin cycle. To deal with this excess, diatoms redirect the carbon flow toward the synthesis of storage compounds such as triacylglycerides and carbohydrates, which are excreted as extracellular polymeric substances. This review aimed to gather all current knowledge regarding the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of diatoms related to managing P deficiency in order to provide a wider insight into and understanding of their responses, as well as the metabolic pathways affected by the limitation of this nutrient.
Highlights
Regarding electron transport in photosynthesis, among the genes that were found to be upregulated in C. affinis and S. costatum were those that encode for cytochrome b6-f complex iron–sulfur subunit (Cyt b6f) and F-type H+-transporting ATPase [60,61]. The former is involved in the regulation of electron transport between photosystems I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII), and the latter is known as ATP synthase (ATPase) and catalyzes the hydrolysis or synthesis of ATP coupling with H+ transport across the membrane [87,88]
It has been reported that P limitation in diatoms is an efficient strategy to induce the synthesis of biomolecules and the accumulation of storage compounds, such as pigments, carbohydrates and lipids, with diverse biological activities, which can be used in several biotechnological applications
The information provided by omics sciences and the integration of the results obtained in relevant research have led to a broader understanding of the mechanisms by which diatoms cope with P limitation, since each species may demonstrate different responses
Summary
The role of P inside the cell includes several functions; this element is present in the phospholipids of the cellular membrane as one of the main constituents It is a fundamental component of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and plays a key role in the production of chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH, which are indispensable molecules in the photosynthesis process. Due to the importance of P as a key nutrient involved in the transfer of energy and synthesis of several cellular components, it is of interest to study its effect on the biochemical, molecular and physiological response of diatoms when Pi is limited. We aimed to generate a deeper knowledge than has already been generated on diatoms and their physiological, biochemical and molecular responses to P limitation. We gathered recent information that, to our knowledge, has not been considered in other reviews related to this topic
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