Metabolic control of acclimation to nutrient deprivation dependent on polyphosphate synthesis

Polyphosphate, an energy-rich polymer conserved in all kingdoms of life, is integral to many cellular stress responses, including nutrient deprivation, and yet, the mechanisms that underlie its biological roles are not well understood. In this work, we elucidate the physiological function of this polymer in the acclimation of the model alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to nutrient deprivation. Our data reveal that polyphosphate synthesis is vital to control cellular adenosine 5′-triphosphate homeostasis and maintain both respiratory and photosynthetic electron transport upon sulfur deprivation. Using both genetic and pharmacological approaches, we show that electron flow in the energy-generating organelles is essential to induce and sustain acclimation to sulfur deprivation at the transcriptional level. These previously unidentified links among polyphosphate synthesis, photosynthetic and respiratory electron flow, and the acclimation of cells to nutrient deprivation could unveil the mechanism by which polyphosphate helps organisms cope with a myriad of stress conditions in a fluctuating environment.

Regulation of Sulfur Homeostasis in Mycorrhizal Maize Plants Grown in a Fe-Limited Environment

Sulfur is an essential macronutrient for growth of higher plants. The entry of the sulfate anion into the plant, its importation into the plastids for assimilation, its long-distance transport through the vasculature, and its storage in the vacuoles require specific sulfate transporter proteins. In this study, mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal maize plants were grown for 60 days in an S-deprived substrate, whilst iron was provided to the plants in the sparingly soluble form of FePO4. On day 60, sulfate was provided to the plants. The gene expression patterns of a number of sulfate transporters as well as sulfate assimilation enzymes were studied in leaves and roots of maize plants, both before as well as after sulfate supply. Prolonged sulfur deprivation resulted in a more or less uniform response of the genes’ expressions in the roots of non-mycorrhizal and mycorrhizal plants. This was not the case neither in the roots and leaves after the supply of sulfur, nor in the leaves of the plants during the S-deprived period of time. It is concluded that mycorrhizal symbiosis modified plant demands for reduced sulfur, regulating accordingly the uptake, distribution, and assimilation of the sulfate anion.

Optimization of Hydrogen Gas Production Conditions from Egyptian Chlamydomonas Sp

Hydrogen gas could provide attractive options as ideal fuel for a world, in which environmental friendly and economically sustainable manner. Microalgae have the ability to bio-synthesis hydrogen gas. Algal H2 does do not generate any toxic or polluting bi-products and could potentially offer value-added products derived from algal biomass. In this work, the feasibility of coupling sulfur deprivation and light on hydrogen production by Chlamydomonas sp grown in photobioreactor was investigated. The cells growth, hydrogen production, total carbohydrate and chlorophyll content were determined. The results showed that, under optimum condition, algae cells were required 168 hr (7days) to reach the late logarithmic phase (the algal dry weight 4.11 g/L). Whereas the algae cells were needed about 18~22 days to reach this value (3.55 g/ L) when grow in optimum medium. The concentration of Chlorophyll (5.65%) and carbohydrate (39.46%) were accumulated in algae cells grow in S-deprives medium coupled with dark condition over that did in algae cells cultured in optimum medium. After about a 24 h of cultivation, photo-production of H2 was observed for C. sp either in absence or presence of sulfate. But under sulfur deprivation coupled with dark condition, higher H2 gas was obtained after 16 hr (7 several days) of incubation period. In new design photobioreactors (PhBRs), after 18 days of cultivation, the volume of H2 gas in was found to be 450 ml in cells grow in sulfur-deprived culture). This value was 360 ml in cells grow under optimal condition.