Programmed cell death in the marine cyanobacterium Trichodesmium mediates carbon and nitrogen export.

ABSTRACT: The extent of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) export to the deep ocean depends upon the efficacy of the biological pump that transports primary production to depth, thereby preventing its recycling in the upper photic zone. The dinitrogen-fixing (diazotrophic) Trichodesmium spp. contributes significantly to oceanic C and N cycling by forming extensive blooms in nutrient-poor tropical and subtropical regions. These massive blooms generally collapse several days after forming, but the cellular mechanism responsible, along with the magnitude of associated C and N export processes, are as yet unknown. Here, we used a custom-made, 2-m high water column to simulate a natural bloom and to specifically test and quantify whether the programmed cell death (PCD) of Trichodesmium mechanistically regulates

SUBMITTER: Bar-Zeev E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3834853 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature