Diacylglyceryl-N,N,N-trimethylhomoserine-dependent lipid remodeling in a green alga, Chlorella kessleri

Membrane lipid remodeling contributes to the environmental acclimation of plants. In the green lineage, a betaine lipid, diacylglyceryl-N,N,N-trimethylhomoserine (DGTS), is included exclusively among green algae and nonflowering plants. Here, we show that the green alga Chlorella kessleri synthesizes DGTS under phosphorus-deficient conditions through the eukaryotic pathway via the ER. Simultaneously, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, which are similar to DGTS in their zwitterionic properties, are almost completely degraded to release 18.1% cellular phosphorus, and to provide diacylglycerol moieties for a part of DGTS synthesis. This lipid remodeling system that substitutes DGTS for extrachloroplast phospholipids to lower the P-quota operates through the expression induction of the BTA1 gene. Investigation of this lipid remodeling system is necessary in a wide range of lower green plants for a comprehensive understanding of their phosphorus deficiency acclimation strategies.

Diacylglyceryl-N,N,N-trimethylhomoserine-dependent Lipid Remodeling in a Green Alga, Chlorella Kessleri

Membrane lipid remodeling contributes to environmental 19 acclimation of plants. In a green lineage, a betaine lipid, diacylglyceryl-N,N,N-trimethylhomoserine (DGTS), is included exclusively among green algae and non-flowering plants. Here we show that, a green alga, Chlorella kessleri, reported to exceptionally possess no DGTS, synthesizes it specifically under phosphorus-deficiency conditions through the eukaryotic pathway via the ER. Simultaneously, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, which are similar to DGTS in its zwitterionic property, are almost completely degraded to release 18.1% cellular phosphorus, and to provide its diacylglycerol moieties for a part of DGTS synthesis. Above lipid remodeling system that substitutes DGTS for extrachloroplast phospholipids to lower the P-quota operates through expression induction of the gene for BTA1 that is functionally identified as responsible for DGTS synthesis, and those for0 phospholipid breakdown. Investigation of this lipid remodeling is necessary in a widerange of lower green plants for a comprehensive understanding of their phosphorus deficiency acclimation strategies.

Singlet oxygen damages the function of Photosystem II in isolated thylakoids and in the green alga Chlorella sorokiniana

Singlet oxygen (1O2) is an important damaging agent, which is produced during illumination by the interaction of the triplet excited state pigment molecules with molecular oxygen. In cells of photosynthetic organisms 1O2 is formed primarily in chlorophyll containing complexes, and damages pigments, lipids, proteins and other cellular constituents in their environment. A useful approach to study the physiological role of 1O2 is the utilization of external photosensitizers. In the present study, we employed a multiwell plate-based screening method in combination with chlorophyll fluorescence imaging to characterize the effect of externally produced 1O2 on the photosynthetic activity of isolated thylakoid membranes and intact Chlorella sorokiniana cells. The results show that the external 1O2 produced by the photosensitization reactions of Rose Bengal damages Photosystem II both in isolated thylakoid membranes and in intact cells in a concentration dependent manner indicating that 1O2 plays a significant role in photodamage of Photosystem II.