SPX-related genes regulate phosphorus homeostasis in the marine phytoplankton, Phaeodactylum tricornutum.

ABSTRACT: Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for marine phytoplankton. Maintaining intracellular P homeostasis against environmental P variability is critical for phytoplankton, but how they achieve this is poorly understood. Here we identify a SPX gene and investigate its role in Phaeodactylum tricornutum. SPX knockout led to significant increases in the expression of phosphate transporters, alkaline phosphatases (the P acquisition machinery) and phospholipid hydrolases (a mechanism to reduce P demand). These demonstrate that SPX is a negative regulator of both P uptake and P-stress responses. Furthermore, we show that SPX regulation of P uptake and metabolism involves a phosphate starvation response regulator (PHR) as an intermediate. Additionally, we find the SPX related genes exist and oper

SUBMITTER: Zhang K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8233357 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature