Organic Phosphorus Utilization Research Articles

Dissolved organic phosphorus promotes Cyclotella growth and adaptability in eutrophic tropical estuaries.

Dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) is an important nutrient for phytoplankton growth in oligotrophic oceans. However, little is known about the impact of DOP on phytoplankton growth in eutrophic waters. In the present study, we conducted field monitoring as well as in situ and laboratory experiments in the Pearl River estuary (PRE). Field observations showed an increase in the nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio and DOP in recent years in the PRE. The phytoplankton community was dominated by nanophytoplankton Cyclotella in the upper and middle estuary, with high concentrations of DOP and light limitation during the ebb stage of the spring to neap tide in summer. The relative abundance of Cyclotella in natural waters was higher after enrichment with estuarine water with a background of 0.40-0.46 µM DOP, even when dissolved inorganic phosphorus was sufficient (0.55-0.76 µM). In addition, the relative abundance of Cyclotella in natural waters was higher after enrichment with phosphoesters. Laboratory culture results also confirmed that phosphoesters can enhance the growth rate of Cyclotella cryptica. Our study highlights that Cyclotella can become the dominant species in estuaries with increased levels of phosphoesters and low and fluctuating light adaptability and under the joint effect of dynamic processes such as upwelling and tides. Our results provide new insights into the role of Cyclotella in biogeochemical cycles affected by DOP utilization and potential applications in relieving the hypoxia of tropical eutrophic estuaries.IMPORTANCEThis study provides evidence that Cyclotella can become the dominant species in estuaries with increased levels of phosphoesters and low and fluctuating light adaptability and under the joint effect of dynamic processes such as upwelling and tides. Our study provides new insights into the role of Cyclotella in biogeochemical cycles affected by dissolved organic phosphorus utilization, especially affected by anthropogenic inputs and climate change. Potential applications include relieving the hypoxia of tropical eutrophic estuaries.

Multi-omics analysis reveals the roles of purple acid phosphatases in organic phosphorus utilization by the tropical legume Stylosanthes guianensis.

Stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis) is a tropical legume known for its exceptional tolerance to low phosphate (Pi), a trait believed to be linked to its high acid phosphatase (APase) activity. Previous studies have observed genotypic variations in APase activity in stylo; however, the gene encoding the crucial APase responsible for this variation remains unidentified. In this study, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were employed to identify eight Pi starvation-inducible (PSI) APases belonging to the purple APase (PAP) family in the roots of stylo and seven in the leaves. Among these PSI-PAPs, SgPAP7 exhibited a significantly positive correlation in its expression levels with the activities of both internal APase and root-associated APase across 20 stylo genotypes under low-Pi conditions. Furthermore, the recombinant SgPAP7 displayed high catalytic activity toward adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) and phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) in vitro. Overexpression (OE) of SgPAP7 in Arabidopsis facilitated exogenous organic phosphorus utilization. Moreover, SgPAP7 OE lines showed lower shoot ADP and PEP levels than the wild type, implying that SgPAP7 is involved in the catabolism and recycling of endogenous ADP and PEP, which could be beneficial for plant growth in low-Pi soils. In conclusion, SgPAP7 is a key gene with a major role in stylo adaptation to low-Pi conditions by facilitating the utilization of both exogenous and endogenous organic phosphorus sources. It may also function as a PEP phosphatase involved in a glycolytic bypass pathway that minimizes the need for adenylates and Pi. Thus, SgPAP7 could be a promising target for improving tolerance of crops to low-Pi availability.

Effects of Interaction between Claroideogolmus etuicatum and Bacillus aryabhattai on the Utilization of Organic Phosphorus in Camellia oleifera Abel.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are involved in phosphorus (P) mobilization and turnover; however, the impact of their interaction on plant P absorption and organic P mineralization in the hyphosphere (rootless soil) are unknown. This study examined the interactive effects of two native microorganisms, namely Claroideogolmus etuicatum and Bacillus aryabhattai, and the effects of co-inoculation of both microorganisms on organic P mineralization and the subsequent transfer to Camellia oleifera, using a three-compartment microcosm with a nylon mesh barrier. The results demonstrated that the co-inoculation treatment (AMF + PSB) significantly increased the plant P content and biomass accumulation in C. oleifera compared to those of the non-inoculated control. Furthermore, co-inoculation boosted soil phosphatase and phytase activities as well as the liable P content. Compared to the non-inoculated control, inoculation of AMF decreased the NaOH-Po content. A correlation analysis showed that AMF colonization and hyphal density was significantly positively correlated with H2O-P and NaHCO3-Pi and negatively correlated with NaOH-Po. It was shown that co-inoculation could increase phosphatase activity, phytase activity, and promote the liable P content, thus increasing the phosphorus content and biomass accumulation of C. oleifera. In conclusion, AMF and PSB interactively enhanced the mineralization of soil organic P, and therefore positively affected P uptake and plant growth.

A newly isolated Bacillus megaterium OQ560352 promotes maize growth in saline soils by altering rhizosphere microbial communities and organic phosphorus utilization

Limited activity of the rhizosphere microbiome and reduced soil nutrient cycling, in particular phosphorus (P), in saline soils, leads to a loss in crop productivity. Using plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as microbiological fertilizer to regulate rhizosphere ecology and increase nutrient uptake is a potential approach to improve plant growth in saline conditions. In present study, a novel Bacillus megaterium strain isolated from saline soil was found to promote crop growth. The results showed that a B. megaterium OQ560352 strain altered the composition of fungal and bacterial communities in the rhizosphere of maize and increased the relative abundance of genes involved in P cycling. Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes were identified as phyla because they had a negative correlation with soil P concentration and a positive correlation with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Compared to chemical fertilizer applied alone on saline soil, NPK fertilizer mixed with B. megaterium improved shoot biomass, shoot P concentration, soil P concentration, and ALP activity by 4%, 6%, 10%, and 13%, respectively. Collectively, the present study suggests that the novel isolated B. megaterium is an efficient PGPR for regulating the rhizosphere microbiome in saline soils to promote plant resistance to salinity.

Genome-wide and candidate gene association studies identify BnPAP17 as conferring the utilization of organic phosphorus in oilseed rape

Phosphorus (P) is essential for living plants, and P deficiency is one of the key factors limiting the yield in rapeseed production worldwide. As the most important organ for plants, root morphology traits (RMTs) play a key role in P absorption. To investigate the genetic variability of RMT under low P availability, we dissected the genetic structure of RMTs by genome-wide association studies (GWAS), linkage mapping and candidate gene association studies (CGAS). A total of 52 suggestive loci were associated with RMTs under P stress conditions in 405 oilseed rape accessions. The purple acid phosphatase gene BnPAP17 was found to control the lateral root number (LRN) and root dry weight (RDW) under low P stress. The expression of BnPAP17 was increased in shoot tissue in P-efficient cultivars compared to root tissue and P-inefficient cultivars in response to low P stress. Moreover, the haplotype of BnPAP17Hap3 was detected for the selective breeding of P efficiency in oilseed rape. Over-expression of the BnPAP17Hap3 could promote the shoot and root growth with enhanced tolerance to low P stress and organic phosphorus (Po) utilization in oilseed rape. Collectively, these findings increase our understanding of the mechanisms underlying BnPAP17-mediated low P stress tolerance in oilseed rape.

Watermelon responds to organic fertilizer by enhancing root-associated acid phosphatase activity to improve organic phosphorus utilization

Organic fertilizer is commonly used to increase crop yields and improve soil quality. However, it is unclear whether crops adapt to organic fertilizer by regulating metabolic pathways that are involved in nutrient utilization. In this study, we focused on the organic phosphorus (Po) in organic fertilizer and, using watermelon, investigated changes in gene expression and metabolic pathways in response to organic fertilizer and the combination of chemical fertilizer and organic fertilizer (chemical fertilizer 70% and organic fertilizer 30%, based on phosphorus supply). Purple acid phosphatase (PAP) gene expression was upregulated in leaves and roots of watermelon grown in organic fertilizer alone and in the combination of chemical/organic fertilizer, resulting in enhanced phosphatase activity in roots. When the ratio of chemical to organic fertilizer was 85/15, root-associated acid phosphatase (APase) activity increased over chemical fertilizer alone. This formulation also resulted in increased inorganic phosphate (Pi) concentration in roots and leaves, and the upregulation of the secretory APase genes ClaPAP10/12/15/26, and ClaPAP18 in roots. In conclusion, watermelon responds to organic fertilizer by upregulating expression of secretory ClaPAP genes, subsequently enhancing root-associated APase activity further improving the hydrolysis of phosphomonoesters, and ultimately facilitating Po utilization by roots. The mechanisms of P utilization by roots comprise the enhancement of APase and phytase activity, absorption of small Po molecules, uptake of Pi, and the increase of lateral root number when organic fertilizer is applied to the plants. These findings help to establish the mechanisms by which plants respond to organic fertilizer by regulating metabolic pathways at the transcriptional level.

Dissolved organic phosphorus utilization by the marine bacterium Ruegeria pomeroyiDSS-3 reveals chain length-dependent polyphosphate degradation.

SummaryDissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) is a critical nutritional resource for marine microbial communities. However, the relative bioavailability of different types of DOP, such as phosphomonoesters (P‐O‐C) and phosphoanhydrides (P‐O‐P), is poorly understood. Here we assess the utilization of these P sources by a representative bacterial copiotroph, Ruegeria pomeroyi DSS‐3. All DOP sources supported equivalent growth by R. pomeroyi, and all DOP hydrolysis rates were upregulated under phosphorus depletion (−P). A long‐chain polyphosphate (45polyP) showed the lowest hydrolysis rate of all DOP substrates tested, including tripolyphosphate (3polyP). Yet the upregulation of 45polyP hydrolysis under −P was greater than any other substrate analyzed. Proteomics revealed three common P acquisition enzymes potentially involved in polyphosphate utilization, including two alkaline phosphatases, PhoD and PhoX, and one 5′‐nucleotidase (5′‐NT). Results from DOP substrate competition experiments show that these enzymes likely have broad substrate specificities, including chain length‐dependent reactivity toward polyphosphate. These results confirm that DOP, including polyP, are bioavailable nutritional P sources for R. pomeroyi, and possibly other marine heterotrophic bacteria. Furthermore, the chain‐length dependent mechanisms, rates and regulation of polyP hydrolysis suggest that these processes may influence the composition of DOP and the overall recycling of nutrients within marine dissolved organic matter.

Excessive nitrogen addition accelerates N assimilation and P utilization by enhancing organic carbon decomposition in a Tibetan alpine steppe

High amounts of deposited nitrogen (N) dramatically influence the stability and functions of alpine ecosystems by changing soil microbial community functions, but the mechanism is still unclear. To investigate the impacts of increased N deposition on microbial community functions, a 2-year multilevel N addition (0, 10, 20, 40, 80 and 160 kg N ha−1 year−1) field experiment was set up in an alpine steppe on the Tibetan Plateau. Soil microbial functional genes (GeoChip 4.6), together with soil enzyme activity, soil organic compounds and environmental variables, were used to explore the response of microbial community functions to N additions. The results showed that the N addition rate of 40 kg N ha−1 year−1 was the critical value for soil microbial functional genes in this alpine steppe. A small amount of added N (≤40 kg N ha−1 year−1) had no significant effects on the abundance of microbial functional genes, while high amounts of added N (>40 kg N ha−1 year−1) significantly increased the abundance of soil organic carbon degradation genes. Additionally, the abundance of microbial functional genes associated with NH4+, including ammonification, N fixation and assimilatory nitrate reduction pathways, was significantly increased under high N additions. Further, high N additions also increased soil organic phosphorus utilization, which was indicated by the increase in the abundance of phytase genes and alkaline phosphatase activity. Plant richness, soil NO2−/NH4+ and WSOC/WSON were significantly correlated with the abundance of microbial functional genes, which drove the changes in microbial community functions under N additions. These findings help us to predict that increased N deposition in the future may alter soil microbial functional structure, which will lead to changes in microbially-mediated biogeochemical dynamics in alpine steppes on the Tibetan Plateau and will have extraordinary impacts on microbial C, N and P cycles.

Interspecific Competition Between Levanderina fissa (Dinophyceae) and the Other Three Microalgal Species in Co-Cultures

Growth interactions between the dinoflagellate Levanderina fissa (=Gyrodinium instriatum) and the other three algal bloom species Skeletonema costatum (Bacillariophyceae), Prorocentrum micans (Dinophyceae), and Chattonella marina (Raphidophyceae) were studied using bi- or tri-algal co-cultures under laboratory conditions. The Lotka-Volterra model was applied to estimate the interspecific competition between them. Results showed that the growth of L. fissa was significantly suppressed in both bi-algal and tri-algal cultures, and the maximum cell densities in co-cultures were only between 21% and 69% of that in mono-culture. L. fissa outcompeted P. micans; however, its effects on S. costatum and C. marina were generally less than the effects of their intraspecific competitions based on the competition coefficients. Contrarily, the inhibitory effects of S. costatum and C. marina on L. fissa were much greater. S. costatum outcompeted the other three species in all co-cultures, and its competition coefficients on the other species were more than 10000 times higher than the opposite. The growth of C. marina was suppressed by S. costatum; however, it outcompeted L. fissa and P. micans. The growth of P. micans was most strongly inhibited in co-cultures, and the maximum cell densities in co-cultures were less than 15% of that in mono-species culture. The results suggested that L. fissa had few advantages in the interspecific competition. The adaptation to low salinity and the utilization of organic phosphorus might be the important reasons for L. fissa to take the competitive predominance in brackish estuarine environments.

Dissolved Organic Phosphorus Utilization by Phytoplankton Reveals Preferential Degradation of Polyphosphates Over Phosphomonoesters

The nutritionally available pool of dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) supports marine primary productivity in a range of ocean ecosystems but remains poorly resolved. Here, the relative lability of model phosphorous (P) compounds representing the major P(V) bond classes of marine DOP – phosphomonoesters (P-O-C) and phosphoanhydrides (P-O-P) – was assessed in diatom cultures of the genus Thalassiosira, as well as coastal field sites of the western North Atlantic. In diatom samples, maximum enzymatic hydrolysis rates revealed that the P-anhydride bonds of inorganic tripolyphosphate (3poly-P), followed by the P-anhydride bonds of adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP), were preferentially degraded relative to the P-monoesters adenosine 5’-monophosphate (AMP) and 4-methylumbelliferone phosphate (MUF-P). Consistent with these rate measurements, targeted proteomics analysis demonstrated that the underlying phosphatase diversity present in diatom samples was dominated by P-anhydride degrading enzymes (inorganic pyrophosphatases and nucleoside triphosphatases). Furthermore, biomass-normalized rates of ATP degradation were always suppressed under P-replete conditions in diatom cultures, but the effect of overall P availability on 3poly-P degradation was inconsistent among diatom strains, suggesting that inorganic polyphosphate (poly-P) degradation may persist irrespective of prevailing P levels in the marine environment. Indeed, the majority of field sites examined in the P-replete coastal western North Atlantic exhibited significantly higher maximum rates of inorganic poly-P hydrolysis relative to P-monoester hydrolysis, which was largely driven by phytoplankton dynamics. Based on these results, the possibility that P-anhydride utilization may contribute comparably or even more substantially than P-esters to community-level P demand, phytoplankton growth, and primary productivity should be considered.

Aluminum effects on marine phytoplankton: implications for a revised Iron Hypothesis (Iron–Aluminum Hypothesis)

In contrast to substantial studies and established knowledge of aluminum (Al) effects (mainly toxicity) on freshwater organisms and terrestrial plants, and even on human health, only a few studies of Al effects on marine organisms have been reported, and our understanding of the role of Al in marine biogeochemistry is limited. In this paper, we review the results of both field and laboratory experiments on the effects of Al on marine organisms, including Al toxicity to marine phytoplankton and the beneficial effects of Al on marine phytoplankton growth, and we discuss possible links of Al to the biological pump and the global carbon cycle. We propose a revised Iron (Fe) Hypothesis, i.e., the Fe–Al Hypothesis that introduces the idea that Al as well as Fe play an important role in the glacial-interglacial change in atmospheric CO2 concentrations and climate change. We propose that Al could not only facilitate Fe utilization, dissolved organic phosphorus utilization and nitrogen fixation by marine phytoplankton, enhancing phytoplankton biomass and carbon fixation in the upper oceans, but also reduce the decomposition and decay of biogenic matter. As a result, Al allows potentially more carbon to be exported and sequestered in the ocean depths through the biological pump. We also propose that Al binds to superoxide to form an Al-superoxide complex, which could catalyze the reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) and thus facilitate Fe utilization by marine phytoplankton and other microbes. Further ocean fertilization experiments with Fe and Al are suggested, to clarify the role of Al in the stimulation of phytoplankton growth and carbon sequestration in the ocean depths.

Promotion Effect of Asian Dust on Phytoplankton Growth and Potential Dissolved Organic Phosphorus Utilization in the South China Sea

AbstractDust deposition is an important nutrient source to the South China Sea (SCS), but few in situ experiments were conducted on phytoplankton response to the deposition. We conducted onboard incubation experiments at three stations near Luzon Strait in the SCS, with addition of multiple dissolved inorganic nutrients, Asian dust, and rainwater. From our results, nitrogen and phosphorus were both urgently needed for phytoplankton growth in the SCS, indicated by the evident Chl a response to the addition of nitrogen and phosphorus together. Almost no evident response was observed by adding phosphorus or iron alone to incubation waters, although a delayed response of Chl a in mass concentration was observed by adding nitrogen alone. The latter implied a possible utilization of dissolved organic phosphorus because of insufficient dissolved inorganic phosphorus in incubation waters. Under such nutrient condition, Asian dust showed an apparent promotion effect on phytoplankton growth by providing sufficient amounts of nitrogen but low phosphorus. Meanwhile, it was found that large sized (> 5 μm) phytoplankton community showed different responses to dust addition at different stations. At stations A3 and A6, Chaetoceros spp. became the dominant species during the bloom period, while at station WG2, Nitzschia spp. became dominant. In combination with different initial nutrients and Chl a levels at the three stations, the different phytoplankton community evolution implied the response difference to external inputs between oligotrophic (stations A3 and A6) and ultraoligotrophic (station WG2) conditions in the SCS.

Intraspecific variation in alkaline phosphatase activity in Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Bacillariophyceae, Bohlin)

To describe potential intraspecific variation in phosphorus incorporation in two strains of Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Bohlin), Ub3 and Ub7, alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity was evaluated via enzyme-labeled fluorescence assay. Analysis using the probe ELF-97(r) provides individual evaluation, and therefore can determine the nutritional status of inorganic phosphorus in phytoplanktonic cells. Bioassays compared the control treatment to both phosphate-enriched and phosphate-depleted treatments by varying only the phosphate concentration in the media. The P. tricornutum strains exhibited differences in their development when incubated in the phosphate-enriched media. The development of the Ub7 strain differed by exhibiting luxury uptake and utilization of organic phosphorus, and the alkaline phosphatase analysis indicated limitations of this clone under such conditions. The Ub7 strain showed higher AP activity, when compared to Ub3, in the P-enriched condition. P. tricornutum presented increases in AP activity and low variation in Surface/Volume ratio, by increasing biovolume and its maximum linear dimension, as strategies for phosphate incorporation. Our results highlight intraspecific differences in alkaline phosphatase activity, and hence differences in the incorporation of organic phosphorus, as the tested species regulated enzymatic activity under different external phosphate concentrations.

Alkaline phosphatases in microbialites and bacterioplankton from Alchichica soda lake, Mexico.

Dissolved organic phosphorus utilization by different members of natural communities has been closely linked to microbial alkaline phosphatases whose affiliation and diversity is largely unknown. Here we assessed genetic diversity of bacterial alkaline phosphatases phoX and phoD, using highly diverse microbial consortia (microbialites and bacterioplankton) as study models. These microbial consortia are found in an oligo-mesotrophic soda lake with a particular geochemistry, exhibiting a low calcium concentration and a high Mg:Ca ratio relative to seawater. In spite of the relative low calcium concentration in the studied system, our results highlight the diversity of calcium-based metallophosphatases phoX and phoD-like in heterotrophic bacteria of microbialites and bacterioplankton, where phoX was the most abundant alkaline phosphatase found. phoX and phoD-like phylotypes were more numerous in microbialites than in bacterioplankton. A larger potential community for DOP utilization in microbialites was consistent with the TN:TP ratio, suggesting P limitation within these assemblages. A cross-system comparison indicated that diversity of phoX in Lake Alchichica was similar to that of other aquatic systems with a naturally contrasting ionic composition and trophic state, although no phylotypes were shared among systems.

Effects of Aspergillus niger phyA2 Transgenic Maize on Utilization of Organic Phosphorus in Soil

以转黑曲霉植酸酶基因（phyA2）玉米T9代纯合系及与之对应世代的阴性对照为材料,通过低磷土壤培养试验研究植酸酶基因（phyA2）对玉米利用土壤有机磷能力的影响。结果显示,在施用植酸钠和不施磷的条件下,与阴性对照相比,转基因玉米根际土壤的磷酸酶活性分别提高5.17%和5.48%,根际中等活性有机磷分别降低16.2%和28.2%;植株磷积累量分别增加140%和100%,各生长指标都明显好于阴性对照。说明遗传转化的黑曲霉植酸酶基因能提高玉米利用土壤有机磷的能力,增加玉米体内磷的积累,改善玉米的生长状况。

Phosphorus stress of microphytoplankton community in the western subtropical North Pacific

Phosphorus stress in microphytoplankton (diatoms, dinoflagellates, Trichodesmium spp.) and small-sized unicellular cyanobacteria was assayed using a single-cell assay [enzyme-labelled fluorescence (ELF)]. The fractions of ELF-labelled cells varied within and between taxonomic groups along the 141.5°E transect between 20.47°N and 31.6°N. High percentages of ELF-labelled dinoflagellates (66―89%) and Trichodesmium spp. (∼100%) were consistently observed at the surface over the study area. In contrast, the fractions of ELF-labelled diatoms increased in the surface layer from north to south (10―83%), along with the decrease in phosphate concentrations (96 nM to 4 nM). Phosphate amendment experiments conducted in the phosphate-depleted southernmost station showed that phosphorus stress of diatoms and dinoflagellates was alleviated following phosphate addition. In contrast to the microphytoplankton communities, low percentages of ELF-labelled small-sized cyanobacteria were observed throughout the study area, suggesting that these cells were not P-limited. Our results revealed that dissolved organic phosphorus utilization could potentially be important for microphytoplankton in the western subtropical North Pacific.

Overexpression of OsPAP10a, A Root‐Associated Acid Phosphatase, Increased Extracellular Organic Phosphorus Utilization in Rice

Phosphorus (P) deficiency is a major limitation for plant growth and development. Among the wide set of responses to cope with low soil P, plants increase their level of intracellular and secreted acid phosphatases (APases), which helps to catalyze inorganic phosphate (Pi) hydrolysis from organo-phosphates. In this study we characterized the rice (Oryza sativa) purple acid phosphatase 10a (OsPAP10a). OsPAP10a belongs to group Ia of purple acid phosphatases (PAPs), and clusters with the principal secreted PAPs in a variety of plant species including Arabidopsis. The transcript abundance of OsPAP10a is specifically induced by Pi deficiency and is controlled by OsPHR2, the central transcription factor controlling Pi homeostasis. In gel activity assays of root and shoot protein extracts, it was revealed that OsPAP10a is a major acid phosphatase isoform induced by Pi starvation. Constitutive overexpression of OsPAP10a results in a significant increase of phosphatase activity in both shoot and root protein extracts. In vivo root 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-phosphate (BCIP) assays and activity measurements on external media showed that OsPAP10a is a root-associated APase. Furthermore, overexpression of OsPAP10a significantly improved ATP hydrolysis and utilization compared with wild type plants. These results indicate that OsPAP10a can potentially be used for crop breeding to improve the efficiency of P use.

Dissolved organic phosphorus utilization and alkaline phosphatase activity of the dinoflagellate Gymnodinium impudicum isolated from the South Sea of Korea

This study investigated alkaline phosphatase (APase) activity and dissolved organic and inorganic phosphorus utilization by the harmful dinoflagellate Gymnodinium impudicum (Fraga et Bravo) Hansen et Moestrup isolated from the South Sea of Korea. Under conditions of limited phosphorus, observation of growth kinetics in batch culture yielded a maximum growth rate (μmax) of 0.41 /day and a half saturation constant (Ks) of 0.71 μM. In time-course experiments, APase was induced as dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) concentrations fell below 0.83 μM, a threshold near the estimated Ks; APase activity increased with further DIP depletion to a maximum of 0.70 pmol/cell/h in the senescent phase. Thus, Ks may be an important index of the threshold DIP concentration for APase induction. G. impudicum utilizes a wide variety of dissolved organic phosphorus compounds in addition to DIP. These results suggest that DIP limitation in the Southern Sea of Korea may have led to the spread of G. impudicum along with the harmful dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides in recent years.

Phosphorus cycling in the North and South Atlantic Ocean subtropical gyres

Despite similar physical properties, the Northern and Southern Atlantic subtropical gyres have different biogeochemical regimes. The Northern subtropical gyre, which is subject to iron deposition from Saharan dust1, is depleted in the nutrient phosphate, possibly as a result of iron-enhanced nitrogen fixation2. Although phosphate depleted, rates of carbon fixation in the euphotic zone of the North Atlantic subtropical gyre are comparable to those of the South Atlantic subtropical gyre3, which is not phosphate limited. Here we use the activity of the phosphorus-specific enzyme alkaline phosphatase to show potentially enhanced utilization of dissolved organic phosphorus occurring over much of the North Atlantic subtropical gyre. We find that during the boreal spring up to 30% of primary production in the North Atlantic gyre is supported by dissolved organic phosphorus. Our diagnostics and composite map of the surface distribution of dissolved organic phosphorus in the subtropical Atlantic Ocean reveal shorter residence times in the North Atlantic gyre than the South Atlantic gyre. We interpret the asymmetry of dissolved organic phosphorus cycling in the two gyres as a consequence of enhanced nitrogen fixation in the North Atlantic Ocean4, which forces the system towards phosphorus limitation. We suggest that dissolved organic phosphorus utilization may contribute to primary production in other phosphorus-limited ocean settings as well.

Transgenic expression of a novel M. truncatula phytase gene results in improved acquisition of organic phosphorus by Arabidopsis

A full-length cDNA encoding an extracellular form of phytase was isolated from the model legume Medicago truncatula. The phytase cDNA (MtPHY1) has an open reading frame of 1,632 bp predicted to encode 543 amino acids including an N-terminal signal peptide of 27 amino acids. The MtPHY1 gene is 5,151 bp in length, containing 7 exons and 6 introns. MtPHY1 transcripts were detected in leaves and roots and levels elevated in roots during growth in low phosphate conditions. Transgenic Arabidopsis lines expressing MtPHY1 under the control of the root-specific MtPT1 promoter or the constitutive CaMV35S promoter were created. Phytase activities in root apoplast of the transgenic Arabidopsis were 12.3- to 16.2-fold higher than those of the control plants. The expressed phytase was secreted into the rhizosphere as demonstrated by enzyme activity staining and HPLC analysis of phytate degradation by root exudates. Transgenic expression of the MtPHY1 led to significant improvement in organic phosphorus utilization and plant growth. When phytate was supplied as the sole source of phosphorus, dry weight of the transgenic Arabidopsis lines were 3.1- to 4.0-fold higher than the control plants and total phosphorus contents were 4.1- to 5.5-fold higher than the control. Transgenic expression of phytase genes of plant origin has great potential for improving plant phosphorus acquisition and for phytoremediation.