Pronounced uptake and metabolism of organic substrates by diatoms revealed by pulse-labeling metabolomics

ABSTRACT: Diatoms contribute as a major group of microalgae to approximately 20% of the global carbon fixation. In the plankton, these algae are exposed to a plethora of metabolites, especially when competing algae are lysed. In line with evidence that these phototrophs can also engage in heterotrophy we asked about the scope of uptake of organic material from lysed competitors. Using labelled metabolites released during lysis of algae grown under a 13CO2 atmosphere, we show that the cosmopolitan diatom Chaetoceros didymus takes up organic substrates with little bias. The newly developed pulse label / metabolomics analyses revealed not only uptake, but also diverse catabolic and anabolic usage of acquired metabolites. One of the most dominant phytoplankton groups is thus competing with other heterotrophs for organic material, suggesting that a form of absorbotrophy may have substantial impact on organic material fluxes in the oceans. This calls for refinement of our understanding of competition in the plankton.

INSTRUMENT(S): Liquid Chromatography MS - - reverse phase

SUBMITTER: Nils Meyer 

PROVIDER: MTBLS2333 | MetaboLights | 2021-12-09

REPOSITORIES: MetaboLights