Diatoms outcompete other phytoplankton for nitrate, yet little is known about the mechanisms underpinning this ability. Genomes and genome-enabled studies have shown that diatoms possess unique features of nitrogen metabolism however, the implications for nutrient utilization and growth are poorly understood. Using a combination of transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, fluxomics, and flux balance analysis to examine short-term shifts in nitrogen utilization in the model pennate diatom in Phaeodactylum tricornutum, we obtained a systems-level understanding of assimilation and intracellular distribution of nitrogen. Chloroplasts and mitochondria are energetically integrated at the critical intersection of carbon and nitrogen metabolism in diatoms. Pathways involved in this integration are organelle-localized GS-GOGAT cycles, aspartate and alanine systems for amino moiety exchange, and a split-organelle arginine biosynthesis pathway that clarifies the role of the diatom urea cycle. This unique configuration allows diatoms to efficiently adjust to changing nitrogen status, conferring an ecological advantage over other phytoplankton taxa.
- MeSH
- biologické modely MeSH
- chloroplasty genetika metabolismus MeSH
- dusičnany metabolismus MeSH
- dusík metabolismus MeSH
- metabolické sítě a dráhy genetika MeSH
- metabolomika metody MeSH
- mitochondrie genetika metabolismus MeSH
- molekulární evoluce MeSH
- mořská voda mikrobiologie MeSH
- proteomika metody MeSH
- regulace genové exprese MeSH
- rozsivky genetika metabolismus MeSH
- signální transdukce genetika MeSH
- stanovení celkové genové exprese metody MeSH
- uhlík metabolismus MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH