External Iron Regulates Polyphosphate Content in the Acidophilic, Thermophilic Alga Cyanidium caldarium

Abstract

Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of electron-dense bodies (EDB) in the cytosol of the acidophilic, thermophilic red alga Cyanidium caldarium. These bodies contain almost exclusively Fe, P, and O and can play a role in Fe storage. (31)P-nuclear magnetic resonance analysis identified a sharp signal at -23.3 ppm, which was attributed to the phosphate groups of the inner portions of polyphosphate chains. From this evidence, as well as that of a previous ESR study (Nagasaka et al., BioMetals 16:465-470, 2003), it can be concluded that polyphosphates are the major anionic constituents of the EDB. Omission of Fe from the culture medium resulted in substantially decreased polyphosphate levels, demonstrating the control of cellular polyphosphate content by the Fe status of the culture medium.