The cloning and characterization of two ammonium transporters in the salt-resistant green alga, Dunaliella viridis

Nitrogen (N) balancing metabolism in the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium pacificum against N shift revealed by physiology and N-related genes regulation

The dinoflagellate Alexandrium pacificum is responsible for harmful algal blooms and paralytic shellfish poisoning in marine environments. Its physiology is greatly affected by nitrogen (N) sources; however, the molecular mechanisms involved in N acquisition and balancing are not clearly understood. Here, we determined the full-length gene sequences of nitrate (NO3-) transporter (ApNRT), NO3- reductase (ApNR), and ammonium (NH4+) transporter (ApAMT) from the dinoflagellate A. pacificum. In addition, we examined physiological and transcriptional responses of these three genes under diverse concentrations of NO3- (0.00-8.82 mM) and NH4+ (0.00-1.76 mM). The open reading frames of ApNRT, ApNR, and ApAMT were determined as 1767 bp, 3312 bp, and 1363 bp, without introns in their genomic coding regions. Their encoded proteins were phylogenetically close to those of other photosynthetic eukaryotes. NO3- supplementation promoted cell growth, while NH4+ inhibited it. Expression of ApNRT and ApNR were correlated in both low and high N conditions. Sufficient uptake of one of the N forms (NO3- and NH4+, respectively) suppressed the regulation of the other dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) transporter (ApAMT and ApNRT, respectively). These results showed that A. pacificum may have a selective mechanism for N uptake depending on the available N sources, suggesting a proliferation strategy of dinoflagellate in eutrophic environments.

Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping and Marker Identification for Low Salinity Tolerance Trait in the Swimming Crab (Portunus trituberculatus)

Low salinity is one of the most important abiotic factors that directly affect the abundance of the swimming crab, Portunus trituberculatus. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping could be helpful in identifying the markers and genes involved in low salinity tolerance. In this study, two QTLs of low salt tolerance were mapped on linkage group 17 (LG17, 2.6-5.2 cM) based on a high-density linkage map. Ninety-five markers related to low salinity tolerance were identified via association analysis, and seventy-nine low salt-related candidate genes (including ammonium transport, aldehyde dehydrogenase, and glucosyltransferase) were screened from draft genome of the species via these markers. This represents the first report of QTL mapping for low salinity tolerance in the swimming crab, which may be useful to elucidate salinity adaptation mechanisms.

New molecular insights on the response of the green alga Tetraselmis suecica to nitrogen starvation

Microalgae are currently considered one of the most promising resources for biofuel production, aquaculture feedstock and new pharmaceuticals. Among them, green algae of the genus Tetraselmis are extensively studied for their lipid accumulation in nutrient-starvation conditions. In this paper, we present the full-transcriptome of Tetraselmis suecica and differential expression analysis between nitrogen-starved and -repleted conditions (at stationary phase) focusing not only on lipid metabolism but giving new insights on nutrient starvation responses. Transcripts involved in signal transduction pathways, stress and antioxidant responses and solute transport were strongly up-regulated when T. suecica was cultured under nitrogen starvation. On the contrary, transcripts involved in amino acid synthesis, degradation of sugars, secondary metabolite synthesis, as well as photosynthetic activity were down-regulated under the same conditions. Among differentially expressed transcripts, a polyketide synthase and three lipoxygenases (involved in the synthesis of secondary metabolites with antipredator, anticancer and anti-infective activities) were identified, suggesting the potential synthesis of bioactive compounds by this microalga. In addition, the transcript for a putative nitrilase, enzyme used in nitrile bioremediation, is here reported for the first time for T. suecica. These findings give new insights on T. suecica responses to nutrient starvation and on possible biotechnological applications for green algae.

Identification and characterization of two ammonium transporter genes in flowering Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris)

Ammonium transporters (AMTs), which include AMT1 and AMT2 subfamilies, have been identified and partially characterized in many plants. In this study, two AMT2-type genes from Brassica campestris, namely BcAMT2 and BcAMT2like, were identified and characterized. BcAMT2 and BcAMT2like are 2666 bp and 2952 bp, encode proteins of 490 and 489 amino acids, respectively, and contain five exons and four introns. Transient expression of these proteins labelled with green fluorescence protein in onion epidermal cells indicated that both are located on the plasma membrane. When expressing BcAMT2 or BcAMT2like, the mutant yeast strain 31019b could grow on medium containing 2 mM ammonium as the only nitrogen source when expressing BcAMT2 or BcAMT2like, indicating that both are functional AMT genes. Quantitative PCR results showed that BcAMT2 and BcAMT2like were expressed in all tissues, but they displayed different expression patterns in the reproductive stages. BcAMT2s transcript levels in leaves were positively correlated with ammonium concentration and external pH. Moreover, the expression BcAMT2s responded to diurnal change. Furthermore, the uncharged form of ammonium, i.e., ammonia, might also be transported by BcAMT2s. These results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying ammonium absorption and transportation by the AMT2 subfamily in B. campestris.

Isolation and functional characterization of an ammonium transporter gene, PyAMT1, related to nitrogen assimilation in the marine macroalga Pyropia yezoensis (Rhodophyta)

Ammonium and nitrate are the primary nitrogen sources in natural environments, and are essential for growth and development in photosynthetic eukaryotes. In this study, we report on the isolation and characterization of an ammonium transporter gene (PyAMT1) which performs a key function in nitrogen (N) metabolism of Pyropia yezoensis thalli. The predicted length of PyAMT1 was 483 amino acids (AAs). The AA sequence included 11 putative transmembrane domains and showed approximately 33-44% identity to algal and plant AMT1 AA sequences. Functional complementation in an AMT-defective yeast mutant indicated that PyAMT1 mediated ammonium transport across the plasma membrane. Expression analysis showed that the PyAMT1 mRNA level was strongly induced by N-deficiency, and was more highly suppressed by resupply of inorganic-N than organic-N. These results suggest that PyAMT1 plays important roles in the ammonium transport system, and is highly regulated in response to external/internal N-status.

Characterization of a glutamine synthetase gene DvGS2 from Dunaliella viridis and biochemical identification of DvGS2-transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana

The salt-tolerant green alga Dunaliella has remarkable capability to survive in some extreme environments such as nitrogen starvation, which makes Dunaliella be a proper model for mining novel genes on nitrogen uptake or assimilation. In this study, a glutamine synthetase (GS) gene DvGS2 with amino acid identity of 72% to other homologous GS proteins, was isolated and characterized from Dunaliella viridis. Phylogenetic comparison with other GSs revealed that DvGS2 occupied an independent phylogenetic position. Expressional analysis in D. viridis cells under nitrogen starvation confirmed that DvGS2 increased its mRNA level in 12h. Subcellular localization study and functional analysis in a GS-deficient Escherichia coli mutant proved that DvGS2 was a chloroplastic and functional GS enzyme. In order to investigate the potential application of DvGS2 in higher plants, the transgenic studies of DvGS2 in Arabidopsis thaliana were carried out. Results showed that the transgenic lines expressed the DvGS2 gene and demonstrated obviously enhanced root length (29%), fresh weight (40%-48% at two concentrations of nitrate supplies), stem length (21%), leaf size (39%) and silique number (44%) in contrast with the wild-type Arabidopsis. Furthermore, the transgenic lines had higher total nitrogen content (35%-43%), total GS activity (39%-45%) and soluble protein concentration (23%-24%) than the wild type. These results indicated that the overexpression of DvGS2 in A. thaliana resulted in higher biomass and the improvement of the host's nitrogen use efficiency.

Characterization of a glutamine synthetase gene DvGS1 from Dunaliella viridis and investigation of the impact on expression of DvGS1 in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana

A novel glutamine synthetase (GS) gene DvGS1 showing highest amino acid sequence identity of 78 % with the other homologous GS proteins from green algae, was isolated and characterized from Dunaliella viridis. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that DvGS1 occupied an independent phylogenetic position which was different with the GSs from higher plants, animals and microbes. Functional complement in E. coli mutant confirmed that the DvGS1 encoded functional GS enzyme. Real-time PCR analysis of DvGS1 in D. viridis cells under nitrogen starvation revealed that the mRNA level of DvGS1 was positively up-regulated in 12 h. The DvGS1 levels at the points of 12 and 24 h were separately twofold and fourfold of the level before nitrogen starvation. In order to investigate the potential application of DvGS1 in higher plants, the transgenic study of DvGS1 in Arabidopsis thaliana was carried out. Phenotype identification demonstrated that all three transgenic lines of T3 generation showed obviously enhanced root length (26 %), fresh weight (22-46 % at two concentrations of nitrate supplies), stem length (26 %), leaf size (29 %) and silique number (30 %) compared with the wild-type Arabidopsis. Biochemical analysis confirmed that all three transgenic lines had higher total nitrogen content, soluble protein concentration, total amino acid content and the leaf GS activity than the wild type plants. The free NH4 (+) and NO3 (-) concentration in fresh leaves of three transgenic lines were reduced by 17-26 % and 14-15 % separately (at two concentrations of nitrate supplies) compared with those of the wild types. All the results indicated that over-expression of DvGS1 in Arabidopsis significantly results in the improvement of growth phenotype and the host's nitrogen use efficiency.

The Dionaea muscipula ammonium channel DmAMT1 provides NH₄⁺ uptake associated with Venus flytrap's prey digestion

BACKGROUND

Ammonium transporter (AMT/MEP/Rh) superfamily members mediate ammonium uptake and retrieval. This pivotal transport system is conserved among all living organisms. For plants, nitrogen represents a macronutrient available in the soil as ammonium, nitrate, and organic nitrogen compounds. Plants living on extremely nutrient-poor soils have developed a number of adaptation mechanisms, including a carnivorous lifestyle. This study addresses the molecular nature, function, and regulation of prey-derived ammonium uptake in the Venus flytrap, Dionaea muscipula, one of the fastest active carnivores.

RESULTS

The Dionaea muscipula ammonium transporter DmAMT1 was localized in gland complexes where its expression was upregulated upon secretion. These clusters of cells decorating the inner trap surface are engaged in (1) secretion of an acidic digestive enzyme cocktail and (2) uptake of prey-derived nutrients. Voltage clamp of Xenopus oocytes expressing DmAMT1 and membrane potential recordings with DmAMT1-expressing Dionaea glands were used to monitor and compare electrophysiological properties of DmAMT1 in vitro and in planta. DmAMT1 exhibited the hallmark biophysical properties of a NH4(+)-selective channel. At depolarized membrane potentials (Vm = 0), the Km (3.2 ± 0.3 mM) indicated a low affinity of DmAMT1 for ammonium that increased systematically with negative going voltages. Upon hyperpolarization to, e.g., -200 mV, a Km of 0.14 ± 0.015 mM documents the voltage-dependent shift of DmAMT1 into a NH4(+) transport system of high affinity.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that regulation of glandular DmAMT1 and membrane potential readjustments of the endocrine cells provide for effective adaptation to varying, prey-derived ammonium sources.