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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

Sulfated mannan of diatoms selects host-specific microbiota in the sunlit ocean.

BACKGROUND: Diatoms, a keystone phylum in Earth's ecosystems, are responsible for substantial oxygen production and the fixation of carbon dioxide in the form of carbohydrates that fuel global food webs. They host diverse prokaryotes, yet how diatoms preferentially recruit those with complementary metabolic traits remains unknown. RESULTS: We discovered that diatoms exude a C6-sulfated α-1,3-mannan that serves as a selective carbon source for adapted Polaribacter. Its structure was resolved using NMR spectroscopy, chromatography, chemical synthesis, and enzymatic dissection. Biochemical, physiological, and structural analyses demonstrated, that specialized Bacteroidota employ a four-enzyme pathway to metabolize this glycan. Metagenomic and transcriptomic data revealed that sulfated mannan utilization loci are globally abundant and actively expressed in surface ocean bacterioplankton. Because this mannan provides only carbon, oxygen, sulfur, and hydrogen, bacteria must obtain other essential elements elsewhere, reinforcing metabolic interdependence. CONCLUSIONS: Together, these results define a chemically specific interaction between diatoms and specialized bacteria that is mediated by a single sulfated polysaccharide and a dedicated four-enzyme degradation pathway. Presence of this pathway in marine metagenomes and transcriptomes indicates that a sulfated mannan from diatoms exerts selection pressure in the sunlit ocean microbiome. Video Abstract.

Diatoms↗

PubMed2026

From isolation to insights: mitochondrial complex I in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum.

Diatoms are among the most ecologically successful microalgae, contributing significantly to marine primary production and global carbon cycling. Their distinctive metabolic architecture, shaped by a complex evolutionary history involving secondary endosymbiosis, includes a highly compartmentalized cell organization and unique metabolic pathways. In Phaeodactylum tricornutum, a model pennate diatom, chloroplasts with four membranes and mitochondria of likely exosymbiotic origin exhibit intricate physical and metabolic interactions that support integrated carbon and nitrogen metabolism. The mitochondrial electron transport chain, essential for ATP synthesis, shows clade-specific structural and compositional adaptations. Despite its importance, detailed proteomic characterization has remained limited. Here, we report a method for the isolation of mitochondrial complex I from P. tricornutum and present a comprehensive proteomic analysis. Our results confirm the presence of carbonic anhydrase and bridge modules, both previously proposed as ancestral features of mitochondrial complex I, and identify at least one novel, clade-specific subunit that resembles NAD(P)H-dependent trans-2-enoyl-CoA/ACP reductases (TER) from other species. The subunit is similar to proteins involved in mitochondrial fatty acid biosynthesis. Our findings provide new insights into the composition, evolutionary conservation, and potential biotechnological relevance of this essential respiratory protein complex in diatoms.

Diatoms↗

PubMed2026

The 100 Diatom Genomes Project.

One hundred diatom species have been selected for genome and transcriptome sequencing. The 100 Diatom Genomes Project aims to provide a scalable framework for understanding diatom biodiversity, ecology and evolution, and for investigating their use in biotechnology.

Diatoms↗

PubMed1979

[Detection of diatoms in bone marrow (femur) of nondrowned (author's transl)].

Diatoms in the bone marrow (femur) of 16 nondrowned bodies were detected by a modern method of ultrafiltration. The rate of diatoms were found to be in the same range as in cases of drowning. The results deny the proof of diatoms even in bone marrow to be useful any longer for the diagnosis of death from drowning.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1977

Role of silicon in diatom metabolism. VIII. Cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP in synchronized cultures of Cylindrotheca fusiformis.

Levels of the cyclic nucleotides, cAMP and cGMP, were determined in four species of pennate diatoms; changes in their levels and ratios were monitored in silicon-starved and light-dark synchronized cultures of Cylindrotheca fusiformis. Content of both cAMP and cGMP changed during the cell cycles: when silicate was added to starved cultures, cAMP, cGMP and DNA levels rose rapidly; cAMP and cGMP declined befor DNA synthesis was complete and continued to fall during the events leading to cell separation. In unstarved synchronies, net synthesis of DNA continued until cell separation; 1 h before cell separation cAMP levels fell while those of cGMP rose. The results support of the proposal that cAMP and cGMP may play a part in the process of cell division in the diatom, possible involving silicon.

Cell Division↗

PubMed1977

Isolation and characterization of cytoplasmic and chloroplastic ribosomes and their ribosomal RNAs from the diatom Cylindrotheca fusiformis.

The cytoplasmic and chloroplast ribosomes from the marine diatom Cylindrotheca fusiformis were isolated and characterized. The cytoplasmic ribosomes sedimented in sucrose at 84S and dissociated into subunits of 64S and 42S in the absence of Mg2+. It contained ribosomal RNAs with molecular weights of 1.31 X 10(6) and 0.70 X 10(6). The chloroplast ribosomes sedimented at 70S only in the presence of high Mg2+ concentrations (25-100 mM). No stable subunits were routinely observed and at very high levels of Mg2+ (greater than 100 mM) the 70S species was converted to a form sedimenting at 55S. At 4 degrees C ribosomal RNAs with molecular weights of 1.1 X 10(6) and 0.40 X 10(6) were detected on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. When the RNAs were resolved at room temperature the large molecular weight component disappeared while RNA with molecular weights of 0.65 X 10(6) and 0.53 X 10(6) were observed. Apparently the large chloroplast RNAs dissociated into two pieces of unequal molecular weight. These properties of the diatom's chloroplast ribosomes are very similar to those of the counterparts in unicellular green algae, which suggests that both types of algae have a common phylogenetic ancestor.

Biological Evolution↗

PubMed1976

Diatom diversity as a function of insecticidal treatment with a controlled-release formulation of chlorpyrifos.

Following treatment with a controlled-release formulation of chlorpyrifos, no substantial differences between diversity estimates were evident for 6 post-treatment weeks for both treated and control plots. By post-treatment week 12, significant decreases in diversity estimates occurred in treated plots, suggesting that a directly proportional relationship exists between chlorpyrifos concentrations and reduced diatom colonization through time. Comparatively, diatom colonization progress "normally" and populations proceeded toward "maturity" in the control plots as indicated by the increase in the diversity estimates between post-treatment weeks 6 and 12. Any adverse effects due to the insecticidal treatment, however, were not considered to be environmentally deleterious in light of the restricted type of habitat (rice culture) in which the chlorpyrifos was used.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed1978

Identification of the sulfolipids in the non-photosynthetic diatom Nitzschia alba.

The four major sulfolipids in the non-photosynthetic marine diatom, Nitzschia alba, were isolated in pure form and their structures were established spectrometrically and by identification of their hydrolysis products as (a) 24-methylene cholesterol sulfate, (b) 1-deoxyceramide-1-sulfonate, (c) phosphatidyl sulfocholine (a sulfonium analogue of phosphatidylcholine) and (d) sulfoquinovosyl diglyceride. The major characteristic fatty acids of the sulfolipids were: for the deoxyceramide sulfonate, 16 : 0 (26%) and 16 : 1-delta3-trans (64%); for the sulfonium analogue, 14 : 0 (30%), 18 : 1 (12%), 18 : 2 (8%), 20 : 5 (27%) and 22 : 6 (4%); and for the sulfoquinovosyl diglyceride (two species, respectively), 14 : 0 (9%, 22%), 16 : 0 (16%, 28%), 18 : 1 (8%, 22%), 20 : 5 (42%, 23%) and 22 : 6 (14%, 2%). Traces of lyso-derivatives of sulfoquinovosyl diglyceride and phosphatidyl sulfocholine were also detected. The deoxyceramide sulfonate and the phosphatidyl sulfocholine represent novel membrane lipid components not previously detected in other organisms. They may however have a widespread distribution in marine diatoms and perhaps in marine organisms generally.

Ceramides↗

PubMed1978

Role of silicon on diatom metabolism. IX. Differential synthesis of DNA polymerases and DNA-binding proteins during silicate starvation and recovery in Cylindrotheca fusiformis.

During recovery from silicate-starvation, a period of active DNA synthesis, synchronized cells of Cylindrotheca fusiformis incorporated 3 times more L-[U-14C]aspartate than did starved cells. Of the diatoms's four DNA polymerases, A and D are synthesized during silicate recovery, indicating that they are involved in silicate-dependent DNA replication. Polymerase B, and the chloroplast enzyme, polymerase C, are synthesized during silicate-starvation and their levels are unaffected by the addition of silicate. DEAE-Sephadex analysis of the DNA-binding proteins, labeled with [14C]- and [3H]asparate, shows that only three proteins are synthesized in cells recovering from silicate-starvation. Two of these proteins correspond to polymerases A and D, while the function of the third protein is not known. At least 15 other proteins are present in silicate-starved cells and their synthesis is repressed upon the addition of silicate. Models are proposed which describe the modes by which silicate might regulate DNA synthesis in the diatom.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1977

The deoxyribonucleic acid polymerases from the diatom Cylindrotheca fusiformis. Partial purification and characterization of four distinct activities.

Four extramitochondrial DNA polymerases from the marine photosynthetic diatom Cylindrotheca fusiformis were isolated and purified more than 1200-fold by chromatography on DNA-cellulose and DEAE-Sephadex. The enzymes were equally susceptible to inhibition by the thiol-blocking agents N-ethylmaleimide and p-chloromercuribenzoate, the zinc chelator o-phenathroline, and the nucleic acid interchelators ethidium bromide and acriflavin; they displayed similar pH optima, preferred activated DNA, and had strict dependence on high K+ for maximum activity. They were differentiated on the basis of their kinetic parameters, template-primer utilization and salt requirements. The four activities varied with growth stage of C. fusiformis. Activities of polymerases A and D doubled in exponential-phase cells as compared with those in stationary-phase cells, and the increase in polymerase B and chloroplast activity C was 20-40%. The relationship of the diatom polymerases to the complements in other organisms is discussed.

Chromatography, Affinity↗

PubMed2026

Chromosome-level genome assembly of a cosmopolitan marine harmful algal bloom diatom species Chaetoceros socialis (Chaetocerotaceae).

Chaetoceros socialis is a cosmopolitan diatom species that is crucial for maintaining marine ecosystem structure and driving elemental cycles. C. socialis can form harmful algal blooms (HABs) that may cause a negative impact on the marine ecosystems. Whole-genome information for C. socialis is still unavailable, which may hinder more targeted studies on its ecological adaptive responses and evolutionary drivers. To address this gap, we employed cutting-edge genomic technologies including PacBio single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing and high-throughput chromatin conformation capture (Hi-C) to achieve the first chromosome-level genome assembly of C. socialis. The assembled genome is 60.22 Mb in size with a scaffold N50 of 7.81 Mb and has been anchored to eight pseudochromosomes. A total of 13,378 protein-coding genes were predicted, of which 12,069 (90.22%) were functionally annotated. This high-quality genomic resource provides a fundamental data platform for systematically elucidating the ecological adaptation mechanisms of C. socialis.

Chromosomes↗

PubMed1978

The lipid composition of the non-photosynthetic diatom Nitzschia alba.

The lipid composition of the non-photosynthetic marine diatom, Nitzschia alba, has been quantitatively determined. Triglycerides accounted for 20% of the cell dry weight and 87% of the total lipids. Smaller amounts of 1,2- and 1,3-diglycerides, free sterol (24-methylene cholesterol), hydrocarbons and an unknown component were the remaining neutral lipids detected. Phosphatidylsulfocholine (phosphatidyl S,S-dimethylmercaptoethanol), present in amounts of 0.8% of cell dry weight (35% of total polar lipids), was the major polar lipid component. Other phospholipids were lysophosphatidylsulfocholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and cardiolipin, but both phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine were completely absent. Another novel sulfolipid, deoxyceramide sulfonic acid, as well as the sulfate ester of the free sterol, were also present. Considerable amounts of the four lipids often associated with photosynthetic organisms, mono- and di-galactosyl diglycerides, sulfoquinovosyl diglyceride and phosphatidylglycerol, were identified in N. alba. However, the fatty acid components of the glycosyl diglycerides did not show the high amounts of polyunsaturated acids (18 : 2, 18 : 3) normally found in photosynthesizing organisms. All polar lipids were found to be associated with various cell membrane fractions in N. alba.

Cell Membrane↗

PubMed1977

The deoxyribonucleic acid polymerases from the diatom Cylindrotheca fusiformis. Subcellular distribution, exonuclease activity and heterogeneity of the enzymes.

Four DNA polymerases from the marine diatom Cylindrotheca fusiformis, polymerases A, B, C and D, were further differentiated by their subcellular localization, presence of deoxyribonuclease activity, apparent heterogeneity and molecular weights. Polymerases A, B and D occur in significant amounts in the soluble fraction, suggesting that they were originally localized in the nuclei, whereas polymerase C predominates in the chloroplasts. A mitochondrial DNA polymerase was also isolated and characterized by ion-exchange chromatography. Polymerase D has an associated nuclease activity which prefers denatured DNA and Mg2+, and has a pH optimum higher than that for polymerase activity. Co-elution from a DEAE-Sephadex column and co-sedimentation in glycerol density gradients of deoxyribonuclease and polymerase D activity suggest a molecular association. Polymerases A, B and C are devoid of nuclease activity. Glycerol-gradient-sedimentation analysis showed that all DNA polymerase fractions are heterogeneous at low ionic strengths, with the appearance of a single homogeneous activity of 0.5M-KCl. Estimated molecular weights of 100000, 82000 and 120000 for polymerases A, B and C respectively were obtained from sedimentation analysis and gel filtration. Polymerase D was estimated to have a molecular weight of about 100000 as determined by sedimentation analysis alone.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗

PubMed1978

Analysis of the distribution of spindle microtubules in the diatom Fragilaria.

The spindle of the colonial diatom Fragilaria contains two distinct sets of spindle microtubules (MTs): (a) MTs comprising the central spindle, which is composed of two half-spindles interdigitated to form a region of "overlap"; (b) MTs which radiate laterally from the poles. The central spindles from 28 cells are reconstructed by tracking each MT of the central spindle through consecutive serial sections. Because the colonies of Fragilaria are flat ribbons of contiguous cells (clones), it is possible, by using single ribbons of cells, to compare reconstructed spindles at different mitotic stages with minimal intercellular variability. From these reconstructions we have determined: (a) the changes in distribution of MTs along the spindle during mitosis; (b) the change in the total number of MTs during mitosis; (c) the length of each MT (measured by the number of sections each traverses) at different mitotic stages; (d) the frequency of different classes of MTs (i.e., free, continuous, etc.); (e) the spatial arrangement of MTs from opposite poles in the overlap; (f) the approximate number of MTs, separate from the central spindle, which radiate from each spindle pole. From longitudinal sections of the central spindle, the lengths of the whole spindle, half-spindle, and overlap were measured from 80 cells at different mitotic stages. Numerous sources of error may create inaccuracies in these measurements; these problems are discussed. The central spindle at prophase consists predominantly of continuous MTs (pole to pole). Between late prophase and prometaphase, spindle length increases, and the spindle is transformed into two half-spindles (mainly polar MTs) interdigitated to form the overlap. At late anaphase-telophase, the overlap decreases concurrent with spindle elongation. Our interpretation is that the MTs of the central spindle slide past one another at both late prophase and late anaphase. These changes in MT distribution have the effect of elongating the spindle and are not involved in the poleward movement of the chromosomes. Some aspects of tracking spindle MTs, the interaction of MTs in the overlap, formation of the prophase spindle, and our interpretation of rearrangements of MTs, are discussed.

Cell Cycle↗

PubMed1978

Studies on electron transfer systems in the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. I. Isolation and characterization of cytochromes.

Two cytochromes of the C type, c-550 and c-553, were isolated from the marine diatom, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, and purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. The cytochrome c-550 had absorption maxima at 550, 522, and 417 nm in the reduced form and at 524, 407, 351, and 277 nm in the oxidized form. It was an autoxidizable acidic protein with an isoelectric point of 5.1 and had a low redox potential of about -0.20 V at pH 7.0. The molecular weight of this cytochrome was close to 17,000. This cytochrome combined with CO and CN-. The CO complex was dissociated reversibly by light. The cytochrome c-553 had absorption maxima at 553, 522.5, and 417 nm in the reduced form and at 528, 410, and 356 nm in the oxidized form. The protein had an acidic isoelectric point of 3.7 and had a high mid-point redox potential of +0.36 V at pH 7.0. Its molecular weight was approximately 10,500. The cytochrome may be considered to be a photosynthetic cytochrome of the f type. Cytochromes of the B type were also found in Phaeodactylum tricornutum; one in soluble form, and the other in bound form. The soluble form had absorption maxima at 560, 529, and 427 nm in the reduced state and at 413 nm in the oxidized state.

Animals↗

PubMed1978

Studies on electron transfer systems in the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. II. Identification and determination of quinones, cytochromes, and flavins.

Quinones constituting the electron transfer systems in a marine unicellular diatom, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, were isolated and identified chromatographically. The alga contained five quinones, i.e., plastoquinone A, plastoquinone C, plastoquinone D, alpha-tocopherylquinone, and ubiquinone-9. Other types of quinones, such as vitamin K1, were not detected. The contents of plastoquinone A, plastoquinone C, plastoquinone D, ubiquinone-9, and alpha-tocopherylquinone were 25.5, 4.95, 1.99, 4.78, and 0.28 mmol per mol of chlorophyll, respectively. The contents of the soluble C-type cytochromes, cytochrome c-550 and cytochrome c-553, were 2.15 and 4.34 mmol (heme basis) per mol of chlorophyll, respectively. The amount of B-type cytochrome in the bound form was estimated to be 3.24 mmol (heme basis) per mol of chlorophyll. The acid-soluble flavins, FAD and FMN, were present in amounts of 0.68 and 0.41 mmol per mol of chlorophyll, respectively.

Animals↗

PubMed1978

Interactions between the diatom Thallasiosira pseudonanna and an associated pseudomonad in a mariculture system.

The marine diatom Thallasiosira pseudonanna (3H) and several bacteria associated with it were isolated from batch cultures at the University of Delaware mariculture facility. The interaction between the algae and each of the bacteria was investigated. One of the isolates, T827/2B (Pseudomonas sp.), was incapable of surviving in f/2 culture medium unless the algae were present. When the algae and T827/2B were grown together in the f/2 medium, the bacterial growth was stimulated and the algal growth was inhibited. Bacterial filtrate had a similar effect on the algae, indicating that the bacterial effect is an indirect one most likely resulting from the excretion of a harmful compound into the medium. Preliminary characterization of the material excreted by the bacteria indicates that it s proteinaceous in nature. The interactions observed does not fit into any single category of interactions but can be explained as a combination of competition and indirect parasitism.

Antibiosis↗

PubMed1978

Presence and activity of the hexosemonophosphate shunt in a marine pennate chemoorganotrophic diatom, Nitzschia alba, clone Link 001.

A commonly occurrring chemoorganotrophic diatom, Nitzschia alba, clone Link 001, stores primarily fatty acids and utilizes the hexose monophosphate shunt as a major pathway in hexose oxidation. The presence and activity of this pathway in exponentially growing N. alba was demonstrated by the growth on potassium gluconate as a sole carbon source, in vitro assay of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.44), and in vivo radiorespirometric evaluation using [14C]-glucose or -gluconate. Radiorespirometry demonstrated that the hexose monophosphate and Embden--Meyerhoff--Parnas pathways account for 46 and 54% of hexose oxidation, respectively. The predominance of fatty acid storage plus the probable utilization of some C4--C5 hexose monophosphate intermediates in biosynthetic activities support the relatively high hexose monophosphate activity in these exponentially growing cells. Radiorespirometric values are supported by the absence of Enter-Doudoroff activity as determined by the lace of 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate aldolase (EC 4.12.14) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydratase (EC 4.2.1.14) activity.

Aldehyde-Lyases↗