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The Myb‐like transcription factor phosphorus starvation response (PtPSR) controls conditional P acquisition and remodelling in marine microalgae
Author(s) -
Kumar Sharma Amit,
Mühlroth Alice,
Jouhet Juliette,
Maréchal Eric,
Alipanah Leila,
Kissen Ralph,
Brembu Tore,
Bones Atle M.,
Winge Per
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.16248
Subject(s) - phaeodactylum tricornutum , biology , transcription factor , cellular stress response , mutant , myb , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , biochemistry , botany , fight or flight response , algae
Summary Phosphorus (P) is one of the limiting macronutrients for algal growth in marine environments. Microalgae have developed adaptation mechanisms to P limitation that involve remodelling of internal phosphate resources and accumulation of lipids. Here, we used in silico analyses to identify the P‐stress regulator PtPSR ( Phaeodactylum tricornutum phosphorus starvation response) in the diatom P. tricornutum . ptpsr mutant lines were generated using gene editing and characterised by various molecular, genetics and biochemical tools. PtPSR belongs to a clade of Myb transcription factors that are conserved in stramenopiles and distantly related to plant P‐stress regulators. PtPSR bound specifically to a conserved cis ‐regulatory element found in the regulatory region of P‐stress‐induced genes. ptpsr knockout mutants showed reduction in cell growth under P limitation. P‐stress responses were impaired in ptpsr mutants compared with wild‐type, including reduced induction of P‐stress response genes, near to complete loss of alkaline phosphatase activity and reduced phospholipid degradation. We conclude that PtPSR is a key transcription factor influencing P scavenging, phospholipid remodelling and cell growth in adaptation to P stress in diatoms.