Open AccessA widely distributed phosphate-insensitive phosphatase presents a route for rapid organophosphorus remineralization in the biosphere
Author(s) -
Ian Lidbury,
David J. Scanlan,
Andrew Murphy,
Joseph Alexander Christie-Oleza,
Maria del Mar Aguiló-Ferretjans,
Andrew Hitchcock,
Tim J. Daniell
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2118122119
Subject(s) - phosphomonoesters , phosphate , biochemistry , phosphatase , biology , enzyme , chemistry , inorganic phosphate
Significance At several locations across the globe, terrestrial and marine primary production, which underpin global food security, biodiversity, and climate regulation, are limited by inorganic phosphate availability. A major fraction of the total phosphorus pool exists in organic form, requiring mineralization to phosphate by enzymes known as phosphatases prior to incorporation into cellular biomolecules. Phosphatases are typically synthesized in response to phosphate depletion, assisting with phosphorus acquisition. Here, we reveal that a unique bacterial phosphatase, PafA, is widely distributed in the biosphere and has a distinct functional role in carbon acquisition, releasing phosphate as a by-product. PafA, therefore, represents an overlooked mechanism in the global phosphorus cycle and a hitherto cryptic route for the regeneration of bioavailable phosphorus in nature.