Interactions between CCM and N2 fixation in Trichodesmium

Exploring the influence of atmospheric CO2 and O2 levels on the utility of nitrogen isotopes as proxy for biological N2 fixation

Biological N2 fixation (BNF) is traced to the Archean. The nitrogen isotopic fractionation composition (δ15N) of sedimentary rocks is commonly used to reconstruct the presence of ancient diazotrophic ecosystems. While δ15N has been validated mostly using organisms grown under present-day conditions; it has not under the pre-Cambrian conditions, when atmospheric pO2 was lower and pCO2 was higher. Here, we explore δ15N signatures under three atmospheres with (i) elevated CO2 and no O2 (Archean), (ii) present-day CO2, and O2 and (iii) future elevated CO2, in marine and freshwater, heterocytous cyanobacteria. Additionally, we augment our data set from literature for more generalized dependencies of δ15N and the associated fractionation factor epsilon (ε = δ15Nbiomass - δ15NN2) during BNF in Archaea and Bacteria, including cyanobacteria, and habitats. The ε ranges between 3.70‰ and -4.96‰ with a mean ε value of -1.38 ± 0.95‰, for all bacteria, including cyanobacteria, across all tested conditions. The expanded data set revealed correlations of isotopic fractionation of BNF with CO2 concentrations, toxin production, and light, although within 1‰. Moreover, correlation showed significant dependency of ε to species type, C/N ratios and toxin production in cyanobacteria, albeit it within a small range (-1.44 ± 0.89‰). We therefore conclude that δ15N is likely robust when applied to the pre-Cambrian-like atmosphere, stressing the strong cyanobacterial bias. Interestingly, the increased fractionation (lower ε) observed in the toxin-producing Nodularia and Nostoc spp. suggests a heretofore unknown role of toxins in modulating nitrogen isotopic signals that warrants further investigation.IMPORTANCENitrogen is an essential element of life on Earth; however, despite its abundance, it is not biologically accessible. Biological nitrogen fixation is an essential process whereby microbes fix N2 into biologically usable NH3. During this process, the enzyme nitrogenase preferentially uses light 14N, resulting in 15N depleted biomass. This signature can be traced back in time in sediments on Earth, and possibly other planets. In this paper, we explore the influence of pO2 and pCO2 on this fractionation signal. We find the signal is stable, especially for the primary producers, cyanobacteria, with correlations to CO2, light, and toxin-producing status, within a small range. Unexpectedly, we identified higher fractionation signals in toxin-producing Nodularia and Nostoc species that offer insight into why some organisms produce these N-rich toxic secondary metabolites.

Crocosphaera watsonii - A widespread nitrogen-fixing unicellular marine cyanobacterium

Crocosphaera watsonii is a unicellular N2-fixing (diazotrophic) cyanobacterium observed in tropical and subtropical oligotrophic oceans. As a diazotroph, it can be a source of bioavailable nitrogen (N) to the microbial community in N-limited environments, and this may fuel primary production in the regions where it occurs. Crocosphaera watsonii has been the subject of intense study, both in culture and in field populations. Here, we summarize the current understanding of the phylogenetic and physiological diversity of C. watsonii, its distribution, and its ecological niche. Analysis of the relationships among the individual Crocosphaera species and related free-living and symbiotic lineages of diazotrophs based on the nifH gene have shown that the C. watsonii group holds a basal position and that its sequence is more similar to Rippkaea and Zehria than to other Crocosphaera species. This finding warrants further scrutiny to determine if the placement is related to a horizontal gene transfer event. Here, the nifH UCYN-B gene copy number from a recent synthesis effort was used as a proxy for relative C. watsonii abundance to examine patterns of C. watsonii distribution as a function of environmental factors, like iron and phosphorus concentration, and complimented with a synthesis of C. watsonii physiology. Furthermore, we have summarized the current knowledge of C. watsonii with regards to N2 fixation, photosynthesis, and quantitative modeling of physiology. Because N availability can limit primary production, C. watsonii is widely recognized for its importance to carbon and N cycling in ocean ecosystems, and we conclude this review by highlighting important topics for further research on this important species.

The combined effect of pH and dissolved inorganic carbon concentrations on the physiology of plastidic ciliate Mesodinium rubrum and its cryptophyte prey

Ocean acidification is caused by rising atmospheric partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) and involves a lowering of pH combined with increased concentrations of CO2 and dissolved in organic carbon in ocean waters. Many studies investigated the consequences of these combined changes on marine phytoplankton, yet only few attempted to separate the effects of decreased pH and increased pCO2. Moreover, studies typically target photoautotrophic phytoplankton, while little is known of plastidic protists that depend on the ingestion of plastids from their prey. Therefore, we studied the separate and interactive effects of pH and DIC levels on the plastidic ciliate Mesodinium rubrum, which is known to form red tides in coastal waters worldwide. Also, we tested the effects on their prey, which typically are cryptophytes belonging to the Teleaulax/Plagioslemis/Geminigera species complex. These cryptophytes not only serve as food for the ciliate, but also as a supplier of chloroplasts and prey nuclei. We exposed M. rubrum and the two cryptophyte species, T. acuta, T. amphioxeia to different pH (6.8 - 8) and DIC levels (∼ 6.5 - 26 mg C L-1) and assessed their growth and photosynthetic rates, and cellular chlorophyll a and elemental contents. Our findings did not show consistent significant effects across the ranges in pH and/or DIC, except for M. rubrum, for which growth was negatively affected only by the lowest pH of 6.8 combined with lower DIC concentrations. It thus seems that M. rubrum is largely resilient to changes in pH and DIC, and its blooms may not be strongly impacted by the changes in ocean carbonate chemistry projected for the end of the 21st century.

Better together? Lessons on sociality from Trichodesmium

The N2-fixing cyanobacterium Trichodesmium is an important player in the oceanic nitrogen and carbon cycles. Trichodesmium occurs both as single trichomes and as colonies containing hundreds of trichomes. In this review, we explore the benefits and disadvantages of colony formation, considering physical, chemical, and biological effects from nanometer to kilometer scale. Showing that all major life challenges are affected by colony formation, we claim that Trichodesmium's ecological success is tightly linked to its colonial lifestyle. Microbial interactions in the microbiome, chemical gradients within the colony, interactions with particles, and elevated mobility in the water column shape a highly dynamic microenvironment. We postulate that these dynamics are key to the resilience of Trichodesmium and other colony formers in our changing environment.

Review of Marine Cyanobacteria and the Aspects Related to Their Roles: Chemical, Biological Properties, Nitrogen Fixation and Climate Change

Marine cyanobacteria are an ancient group of photosynthetic microbes dating back to 3.5 million years ago. They are prolific producers of bioactive secondary metabolites. Over millions of years, natural selection has optimized their metabolites to possess activities impacting various biological targets. This paper discusses the historical and existential records of cyanobacteria, and their role in understanding the evolution of marine cyanobacteria through the ages. Recent advancements have focused on isolating and screening bioactive compounds and their respective medicinal properties, and we also discuss chemical property space and clinical trials, where compounds with potential pharmacological effects, such as cytotoxicity, anticancer, and antiparasitic properties, are highlighted. The data have shown that about 43% of the compounds investigated have cytotoxic effects, and around 8% have anti-trypanosome activity. We discussed the role of different marine cyanobacteria groups in fixing nitrogen percentages on Earth and their outcomes in fish productivity by entering food webs and enhancing productivity in different agricultural and ecological fields. The role of marine cyanobacteria in the carbon cycle and their outcomes in improving the efficiency of photosynthetic CO2 fixation in the chloroplasts of crop plants, thus enhancing the crop plant's yield, was highlighted. Ultimately, climate changes have a significant impact on marine cyanobacteria where the temperature rises, and CO2 improves the cyanobacterial nitrogen fixation.

Protection of nitrogenase from photosynthetic O2 evolution in Trichodesmium: methodological pitfalls and advances over 30 years of research

The Trichodesmium genus comprises some of the most abundant N2-fixing organisms in oligotrophic marine ecosystems. Since nitrogenase, the key enzyme for N2 fixation, is irreversibly inhibited upon O2 exposure, these organisms have to coordinate their N2-fixing ability with simultaneous photosynthetic O2 production. Although being the principal object of many laboratory and field studies, the overall process of how Trichodesmium reconciles these two mutually exclusive processes remains unresolved. This is in part due to contradictory results that fuel the Trichodesmium enigma. In this review, we sift through methodological details that could potentially explain the discrepancy between findings related to Trichodesmium's physiology. In doing so, we exhaustively contrast studies concerning both spatial and temporal nitrogenase protective strategies, with particular attention to more recent insights. Finally, we suggest new experimental approaches for solving the complex orchestration of N2 fixation and photosynthesis in Trichodesmium.

Phosphate limitation intensifies negative effects of ocean acidification on globally important nitrogen fixing cyanobacterium

Growth of the prominent nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Trichodesmium is often limited by phosphorus availability in the ocean. How nitrogen fixation by phosphorus-limited Trichodesmium may respond to ocean acidification remains poorly understood. Here, we use phosphate-limited chemostat experiments to show that acidification enhanced phosphorus demands and decreased phosphorus-specific nitrogen fixation rates in Trichodesmium. The increased phosphorus requirements were attributed primarily to elevated cellular polyphosphate contents, likely for maintaining cytosolic pH homeostasis in response to acidification. Alongside the accumulation of polyphosphate, decreased NADP(H):NAD(H) ratios and impaired chlorophyll synthesis and energy production were observed under acidified conditions. Consequently, the negative effects of acidification were amplified compared to those demonstrated previously under phosphorus sufficiency. Estimating the potential implications of this finding, using outputs from the Community Earth System Model, predicts that acidification and dissolved inorganic and organic phosphorus stress could synergistically cause an appreciable decrease in global Trichodesmium nitrogen fixation by 2100.

N2 Fixation in Trichodesmium Does Not Require Spatial Segregation from Photosynthesis

The dominant marine filamentous N₂ fixer, Trichodesmium, conducts photosynthesis and N₂ fixation during the daytime. Because N₂ fixation is sensitive to O₂, some previous studies suggested that spatial segregation of N₂ fixation and photosynthesis is essential in Trichodesmium. However, this hypothesis conflicts with some observations where all the cells contain both photosystems and the N₂-fixing enzyme nitrogenase. Here, we construct a systematic model simulating Trichodesmium metabolism, showing that the hypothetical spatial segregation is probably useless in increasing the Trichodesmium growth and N₂ fixation, unless substances can efficiently transfer among cells with low loss to the environment. The model suggests that Trichodesmium accumulates fixed carbon in the morning and uses that in respiratory protection to reduce intracellular O₂ during the mid-daytime, when photosynthesis is downregulated, allowing the occurrence of N₂ fixation. A cell membrane barrier against O₂ and alternative non-O₂ evolving electron transfer also contribute to maintaining low intracellular O₂. Our study provides a mechanism enabling N₂ fixation despite the presence of photosynthesis across Trichodesmium. IMPORTANCE The filamentous Trichodesmium is a globally prominent marine nitrogen fixer. A long-standing paradox is that the nitrogen-fixing enzyme nitrogenase is sensitive to oxygen, but Trichodesmium conducts both nitrogen fixation and oxygen-evolving photosynthesis during the daytime. Previous studies using immunoassays reported that nitrogenase was limited in some specialized Trichodesmium cells (termed diazocytes), suggesting the necessity of spatial segregation of nitrogen fixation and photosynthesis. However, attempts using other methods failed to find diazocytes in Trichodesmium, causing controversy on the existence of the spatial segregation. Here, our physiological model shows that Trichodesmium can maintain low intracellular O₂ in mid-daytime and achieve feasible nitrogen fixation and growth rates even without the spatial segregation, while the hypothetical spatial segregation might not be useful if substantial loss of substances to the environment occurs when they transfer among the Trichodesmium cells. Our study then suggests a possible mechanism by which Trichodesmium can survive without the spatial segregation.

Effect of Rising Temperature and Carbon Dioxide on the Growth, Photophysiology, and Elemental Ratios of Marine Synechococcus: A Multistressor Approach

Marine picocyanobacteria belonging to the genus Synechococcus are one of the most abundant photosynthetic organisms on Earth. They are often exposed to large fluctuations in temperature and CO2 concentrations in the ocean, which are expected to further change in the coming decades due to ocean acidification and warming resulting from rising atmospheric CO2 levels. To decipher the effect of changing temperature and CO2 levels on Synechococcus, six Synechococcus strains previously isolated from various coastal and open ocean sites were exposed to a matrix of three different temperatures (22 °C, 24 °C and 26 °C) and CO2 levels (400 ppm, 600 ppm and 800 ppm). Thereafter, the specific growth rates, photophysiological parameters (σPSII and Fv/Fm), C/N (mol/mol) ratios and the nitrogen stable isotopic composition (δ15N (‰)) of the strains were measured. Temperature was found to be a stronger driver of the changes in specific growth rates and photophysiology in the Synechococcus strains. Carbon-concentrating mechanisms (CCM) operational in these strains that shield the photosynthetic machinery from directly sensing ambient changes in CO2 possibly played a major role in causing minimal changes in the specific growth rates under the varying CO2 levels.

Effects of rising atmospheric CO2 levels on physiological response of cyanobacteria and cyanobacterial bloom development: A review

Increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentration negatively impacts aquatic ecosystems and may exacerbate the problem of undesirable cyanobacterial bloom development in freshwater ecosystems. Elevated levels of atmospheric CO₂ may increase the levels of dissolved CO₂ in freshwater systems, via air-water exchanges, enhancing primary production in the water and catchments. Although high CO₂ levels improve cyanobacterial growth and increase cyanobacterial biomass, the impacts on their internal physiological processes can be more complex. Here, we have reviewed previous studies to evaluate the physiological responses of cyanobacteria to high concentrations of CO₂. In response to high CO₂ concentrations, the pressures of inorganic carbon absorption are reduced, and carbon concentration mechanisms are downregulated, affecting the intracellular metabolic processes and competitiveness of the cyanobacteria. Nitrogen and phosphorus metabolism and light utilization are closely related to CO₂ assimilation, and these processes are likely to be affected by resource and energy reallocation when CO₂ levels are high. Additionally, the responses of diazotrophic and toxic cyanobacteria to elevated CO₂ levels were specifically reviewed. The responses of diazotrophic cyanobacteria to elevated CO₂ concentrations were found to be inconsistent, probably because of differences in other factors in experimental designs. Toxic cyanobacteria tended to be superior to non-toxic strains at low levels of CO₂; however, the specific effects of microcystin on the regulation require further investigation. Furthermore, the effects of increasing CO₂ levels on cyanobacterial competitiveness in phytoplankton communities and nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems were reviewed. High CO₂ concentrations may make cyanobacteria less competitive relative to other algal taxa; however, due to the complexity of natural systems and the specificity of algal species, the dominant positions of the cyanobacteria do not seems to be changed. To better understand cyanobacterial responses to elevated CO₂ levels and help control cyanobacterial bloom developments, this review has identified key areas for future research.

Proteomic responses to ocean acidification of the marine diazotroph Trichodesmium under iron-replete and iron-limited conditions

Growth and dinitrogen (N₂) fixation of the globally important diazotrophic cyanobacteria Trichodesmium are often limited by iron (Fe) availability in surface seawaters. To systematically examine the combined effects of Fe limitation and ocean acidification (OA), T. erythraeum strain IMS101 was acclimated to both Fe-replete and Fe-limited concentrations under ambient and acidified conditions. Proteomic analysis showed that OA affected a wider range of proteins under Fe-limited conditions compared to Fe-replete conditions. OA also led to an intensification of Fe deficiency in key cellular processes (e.g., photosystem I and chlorophyll a synthesis) in already Fe-limited T. erythraeum. This is a result of reallocating Fe from these processes to Fe-rich nitrogenase to compensate for the suppressed N₂ fixation. To alleviate the Fe shortage, the diazotroph adopts a series of Fe-based economic strategies (e.g., upregulating Fe acquisition systems for organically complexed Fe and particulate Fe, replacing ferredoxin by flavodoxin, and using alternative electron flow pathways to produce ATP). This was more pronounced under Fe-limited-OA conditions than under Fe limitation only. Consequently, OA resulted in a further decrease of N₂- and carbon-fixation rates in Fe-limited T. erythraeum. In contrast, Fe-replete T. erythraeum induced photosystem I (PSI) expression to potentially enhance the PSI cyclic flow for ATP production to meet the higher demand for energy to cope with the stress caused by OA. Our study provides mechanistic insight into the holistic response of the globally important N₂-fixing marine cyanobacteria Trichodesmium to acidified and Fe-limited conditions of future oceans.

CO2 modulation of the rates of photosynthesis and light-dependent O2 consumption in Trichodesmium

As atmospheric CO2 concentrations increase, so too does the dissolved CO2 and HCO3- concentrations in the world's oceans. There are still many uncertainties regarding the biological response of key groups of organisms to these changing conditions, which is crucial for predicting future species distributions, primary productivity rates, and biogeochemical cycling. In this study, we established the relationship between gross photosynthetic O2 evolution and light-dependent O2 consumption in Trichodesmium erythraeum IMS101 acclimated to three targeted pCO2 concentrations (180 µmol mol-1=low-CO2, 380 µmol mol-1=mid-CO2, and 720 µmol mol-1=high-CO2). We found that biomass- (carbon) specific, light-saturated maximum net O2 evolution rates (PnC,max) and acclimated growth rates increased from low- to mid-CO2, but did not differ significantly between mid- and high-CO2. Dark respiration rates were five times higher than required to maintain cellular metabolism, suggesting that respiration provides a substantial proportion of the ATP and reductant for N2 fixation. Oxygen uptake increased linearly with gross O2 evolution across light intensities ranging from darkness to 1100 µmol photons m-2 s-1. The slope of this relationship decreased with increasing CO2, which we attribute to the increased energetic cost of operating the carbon-concentrating mechanism at lower CO2 concentrations. Our results indicate that net photosynthesis and growth of T. erythraeum IMS101 would have been severely CO2 limited at the last glacial maximum, but that the direct effect of future increases of CO2 may only cause marginal increases in growth.

Inorganic carbon and pH dependency of photosynthetic rates in Trichodesmium

Increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations are leading to increases in dissolved CO2 and HCO3- concentrations and decreases in pH and CO32- in the world's oceans. There remain many uncertainties as to the magnitude of biological responses of key organisms to these chemical changes. In this study, we established the relationship between photosynthetic carbon fixation rates and pH, CO2, and HCO3- concentrations in the diazotroph, Trichodesmium erythraeum IMS101. Inorganic 14C-assimilation was measured in TRIS-buffered artificial seawater medium where the absolute and relative concentrations of CO2, pH, and HCO3- were manipulated. First, we varied the total dissolved inorganic carbon concentration (TIC) (<0 to ~5 mM) at constant pH, so that ratios of CO2 and HCO3- remained relatively constant. Second, we varied pH (~8.54 to 7.52) at constant TIC, so that CO2 increased whilst HCO3- declined. We found that 14C-assimilation could be described by the same function of CO2 for both approaches, but it showed different dependencies on HCO3- when pH was varied at constant TIC than when TIC was varied at constant pH. A numerical model of the carbon-concentrating mechanism (CCM) of Trichodesmium showed that carboxylation rates are modulated by HCO3- and pH. The decrease in assimilation of inorganic carbon (Ci) at low CO2, when TIC was varied, was due to HCO3- uptake limitation of the carboxylation rate. Conversely, when pH was varied, Ci assimilation declined due to a high-pH mediated increase in HCO3- and CO2 leakage rates, potentially coupled to other processes (uncharacterised within the CCM model) that restrict Ci assimilation rates under high-pH conditions.

In Synechococcus sp. competition for energy between assimilation and acquisition of C and those of N only occurs when growth is light limited

The carbon-concentrating mechanisms (CCMs) of cyanobacteria counteract the low CO2 affinity and CO2:O2 selectivities of the Rubisco of these photolithotrophs and the relatively low oceanic CO2 availability. CCMs have a significant energy cost; if light is limiting, the use of N sources whose assimilation demands less energy could permit a greater investment of energy into CCMs and inorganic C (Ci) assimilation. To test this, we cultured Synechococcus sp. UTEX LB 2380 under either N or energy limitation, in the presence of NO3- or NH4+. When growth was energy-limited, NH4+-grown cells had a 1.2-fold higher growth rate, 1.3-fold higher dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC)-saturated photosynthetic rate, 19% higher linear electron transfer, 80% higher photosynthetic 1/K1/2(DIC), 2.0-fold greater slope of the linear part of the photosynthesis versus DIC curve, 3.5-fold larger intracellular Ci pool, and 2.3-fold higher Zn quota than NO3--grown cells. When energy was not limiting growth, there were not differences between NH4+- and NO3--grown cells, except for higher linear electron transfer and larger intracellular Ci pool.We conclude that, when energy limits growth, cells that use the cheaper N source divert energy from N assimilation to C acquisition and assimilation; this does not happen when energy is not limiting.

Progress and challenges of engineering a biophysical CO2-concentrating mechanism into higher plants

Growth and productivity in important crop plants is limited by the inefficiencies of the C3 photosynthetic pathway. Introducing CO2-concentrating mechanisms (CCMs) into C3 plants could overcome these limitations and lead to increased yields. Many unicellular microautotrophs, such as cyanobacteria and green algae, possess highly efficient biophysical CCMs that increase CO2 concentrations around the primary carboxylase enzyme, Rubisco, to enhance CO2 assimilation rates. Algal and cyanobacterial CCMs utilize distinct molecular components, but share several functional commonalities. Here we outline the recent progress and current challenges of engineering biophysical CCMs into C3 plants. We review the predicted requirements for a functional biophysical CCM based on current knowledge of cyanobacterial and algal CCMs, the molecular engineering tools and research pipelines required to translate our theoretical knowledge into practice, and the current challenges to achieving these goals.

Insights into the Planktothrix genus: Genomic and metabolic comparison of benthic and planktic strains

Planktothrix is a dominant cyanobacterial genus forming toxic blooms in temperate freshwater ecosystems. We sequenced the genome of planktic and non planktic Planktothrix strains to better represent this genus diversity and life style at the genomic level. Benthic and biphasic strains are rooting the Planktothrix phylogenetic tree and widely expand the pangenome of this genus. We further investigated in silico the genetic potential dedicated to gas vesicles production, nitrogen fixation as well as natural product synthesis and conducted complementary experimental tests by cell culture, microscopy and mass spectrometry. Significant differences for the investigated features could be evidenced between strains of different life styles. The benthic Planktothrix strains showed unexpected characteristics such as buoyancy, nitrogen fixation capacity and unique natural product features. In comparison with Microcystis, another dominant toxic bloom-forming genus in freshwater ecosystem, different evolutionary strategies were highlighted notably as Planktothrix exhibits an overall greater genetic diversity but a smaller genomic plasticity than Microcystis. Our results are shedding light on Planktothrix evolution, phylogeny and physiology in the frame of their diverse life styles.

CO2-dependent carbon isotope fractionation in dinoflagellates relates to their inorganic carbon fluxes

Carbon isotope fractionation (εp) between the inorganic carbon source and organic matter has been proposed to be a function of pCO2. To understand the CO2-dependency of εp and species-specific differences therein, inorganic carbon fluxes in the four dinoflagellate species Alexandrium fundyense, Scrippsiella trochoidea, Gonyaulax spinifera and Protoceratium reticulatum have been measured by means of membrane-inlet mass spectrometry. In-vivo assays were carried out at different CO2 concentrations, representing a range of pCO2 from 180 to 1200 μatm. The relative bicarbonate contribution (i.e. the ratio of bicarbonate uptake to total inorganic carbon uptake) and leakage (i.e. the ratio of CO2 efflux to total inorganic carbon uptake) varied from 0.2 to 0.5 and 0.4 to 0.7, respectively, and differed significantly between species. These ratios were fed into a single-compartment model, and εp values were calculated and compared to carbon isotope fractionation measured under the same conditions. For all investigated species, modeled and measured εp values were comparable (A. fundyense, S. trochoidea, P. reticulatum) and/or showed similar trends with pCO2 (A. fundyense, G. spinifera, P. reticulatum). Offsets are attributed to biases in inorganic flux measurements, an overestimated fractionation factor for the CO2-fixing enzyme RubisCO, or the fact that intracellular inorganic carbon fluxes were not taken into account in the model. This study demonstrates that CO2-dependency in εp can largely be explained by the inorganic carbon fluxes of the individual dinoflagellates.

How rising CO2 and global warming may stimulate harmful cyanobacterial blooms

Climate change is likely to stimulate the development of harmful cyanobacterial blooms in eutrophic waters, with negative consequences for water quality of many lakes, reservoirs and brackish ecosystems across the globe. In addition to effects of temperature and eutrophication, recent research has shed new light on the possible implications of rising atmospheric CO₂ concentrations. Depletion of dissolved CO₂ by dense cyanobacterial blooms creates a concentration gradient across the air-water interface. A steeper gradient at elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentrations will lead to a greater influx of CO₂, which can be intercepted by surface-dwelling blooms, thus intensifying cyanobacterial blooms in eutrophic waters. Bloom-forming cyanobacteria display an unexpected diversity in CO₂ responses, because different strains combine their uptake systems for CO₂ and bicarbonate in different ways. The genetic composition of cyanobacterial blooms may therefore shift. In particular, strains with high-flux carbon uptake systems may benefit from the anticipated rise in inorganic carbon availability. Increasing temperatures also stimulate cyanobacterial growth. Many bloom-forming cyanobacteria and also green algae have temperature optima above 25°C, often exceeding the temperature optima of diatoms and dinoflagellates. Analysis of published data suggests that the temperature dependence of the growth rate of cyanobacteria exceeds that of green algae. Indirect effects of elevated temperature, like an earlier onset and longer duration of thermal stratification, may also shift the competitive balance in favor of buoyant cyanobacteria while eukaryotic algae are impaired by higher sedimentation losses. Furthermore, cyanobacteria differ from eukaryotic algae in that they can fix dinitrogen, and new insights show that the nitrogen-fixation activity of heterocystous cyanobacteria can be strongly stimulated at elevated temperatures. Models and lake studies indicate that the response of cyanobacterial growth to rising CO₂ concentrations and elevated temperatures can be suppressed by nutrient limitation. The greatest response of cyanobacterial blooms to climate change is therefore expected to occur in eutrophic and hypertrophic lakes.

Levels of daily light doses under changed day-night cycles regulate temporal segregation of photosynthesis and N2 Fixation in the cyanobacterium Trichodesmium erythraeum IMS101

While the diazotrophic cyanobacterium Trichodesmium is known to display inverse diurnal performances of photosynthesis and N₂ fixation, such a phenomenon has not been well documented under different day-night (L-D) cycles and different levels of light dose exposed to the cells. Here, we show differences in growth, N₂ fixation and photosynthetic carbon fixation as well as photochemical performances of Trichodesmium IMS101 grown under 12L:12D, 8L:16D and 16L:8D L-D cycles at 70 μmol photons m^-2 s^-1 PAR (LL) and 350 μmol photons m^-2 s^-1 PAR (HL). The specific growth rate was the highest under LL and the lowest under HL under 16L:8D, and it increased under LL and decreased under HL with increased levels of daytime light doses exposed under the different light regimes, respectively. N₂ fixation and photosynthetic carbon fixation were affected differentially by changes in the day-night regimes, with the former increasing directly under LL with increased daytime light doses and decreased under HL over growth-saturating light levels. Temporal segregation of N₂ fixation from photosynthetic carbon fixation was evidenced under all day-night regimes, showing a time lag between the peak in N₂ fixation and dip in carbon fixation. Elongation of light period led to higher N₂ fixation rate under LL than under HL, while shortening the light exposure to 8 h delayed the N₂ fixation peaking time (at the end of light period) and extended it to night period. Photosynthetic carbon fixation rates and transfer of light photons were always higher under HL than LL, regardless of the day-night cycles. Conclusively, diel performance of N₂ fixation possesses functional plasticity, which was regulated by levels of light energy supplies either via changing light levels or length of light exposure.

Combined effects of different CO2 levels and N sources on the diazotrophic cyanobacterium Trichodesmium

To predict effects of climate change and possible feedbacks, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms behind CO2 responses of biogeochemically relevant phytoplankton species. Previous experiments on the abundant N2 fixers Trichodesmium demonstrated strong CO2 responses, which were attributed to an energy reallocation between its carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) acquisition. Pursuing this hypothesis, we manipulated the cellular energy budget by growing Trichodesmium erythraeum IMS101 under different CO2 partial pressure (pCO2 ) levels (180, 380, 980 and 1400 µatm) and N sources (N2 and NO3 (-) ). Subsequently, biomass production and the main energy-generating processes (photosynthesis and respiration) and energy-consuming processes (N2 fixation and C acquisition) were measured. While oxygen fluxes and chlorophyll fluorescence indicated that energy generation and its diurnal cycle was neither affected by pCO2 nor N source, cells differed in production rates and composition. Elevated pCO2 increased N2 fixation and organic C and N contents. The degree of stimulation was higher for nitrogenase activity than for cell contents, indicating a pCO2 effect on the transfer efficiency from N2 to biomass. pCO2 -dependent changes in the diurnal cycle of N2 fixation correlated well with C affinities, confirming the interactions between N and C acquisition. Regarding effects of the N source, production rates were enhanced in NO3 (-) grown cells, which we attribute to the higher N retention and lower ATP demand compared with N2 fixation. pCO2 effects on C affinity were less pronounced in NO3 (-) users than N2 fixers. Our study illustrates the necessity to understand energy budgets and fluxes under different environmental conditions for explaining indirect effects of rising pCO2 .

Plasticity predicts evolution in a marine alga

Under global change, populations have four possible responses: ‘migrate, acclimate, adapt or die’ (Gienapp et al. 2008 Climate change and evolution: disentangling environmental and genetic response. Mol. Ecol.17, 167–178. (doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2007.03413.x)). The challenge is to predict how much migration, acclimatization or adaptation populations are capable of. We have previously shown that populations from more variable environments are more plastic (Schaum et al. 2013 Variation in plastic responses of a globally distributed picoplankton species to ocean acidification. Nature3, 298–230. (doi:10.1038/nclimate1774)), and here we use experimental evolution with a marine microbe to learn that plastic responses predict the extent of adaptation in the face of elevated partial pressure of CO₂ (pCO₂). Specifically, plastic populations evolve more, and plastic responses in traits other than growth can predict changes in growth in a marine microbe. The relationship between plasticity and evolution is strongest when populations evolve in fluctuating environments, which favour the evolution and maintenance of plasticity. Strikingly, plasticity predicts the extent, but not direction of phenotypic evolution. The plastic response to elevated pCO₂ in green algae is to increase cell division rates, but the evolutionary response here is to decrease cell division rates over 400 generations until cells are dividing at the same rate their ancestors did in ambient CO₂. Slow-growing cells have higher mitochondrial potential and withstand further environmental change better than faster growing cells. Based on this, we hypothesize that slow growth is adaptive under CO₂ enrichment when associated with the production of higher quality daughter cells.

Elevated CO2 causes changes in the photosynthetic apparatus of a toxic cyanobacterium, Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii

We studied the physiological acclimation of growth, photosynthesis and CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM) in Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii exposed to low (present day; L-CO2) and high (1300ppm; H-CO2) pCO2. Results showed that under H-CO2 the cell specific division rate (μc) was higher and the CO2- and light-saturated photosynthetic rates (Vmax and Pmax) doubled. The cells' photosynthetic affinity for CO2 (K0.5CO2) was halved compared to L-CO2 cultures. However, no significant differences were found in dark respiration rates (Rd), pigment composition and light harvesting efficiency (α). In H-CO2 cells, non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), associated with state transitions of the electron transport chain (ETC), was negligible. Simultaneously, a reorganisation of PSII features including antenna connectivity (JconPSIIα), heterogeneity (PSIIα/β) and effective absorption cross sectional area (σPSIIα/β) was observed. In relation to different activities of the CCM, our findings suggest that for cells grown under H-CO2: (1) there is down-regulation of CCM activity; (2) the ability of cells to use the harvested light energy is altered; (3) the occurrence of state transitions is likely to be associated with changes of electron flow (cyclic vs linear) through the ETC; (4) changes in PSII characteristics are important in regulating state transitions.

Carbon dioxide regulation of autotrophy and diazotrophy in the nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum

To understand how carbon and nitrogen metabolism are regulated in diazotrophically and non-diazotrophically grown cultures of the cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum, we investigated the role of bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) in regulating diazotrophy and autotrophy. Results showed that HCO₃⁻ concentration up to 12 mol m⁻³ enhanced growth, specific growth rate, photosynthetic pigments, photosynthetic O₂ evolution and nitrogenase activity under diazotrophic growth conditions. The co-existence of different nitrogen sources in the growth medium further accelerate the examined parameters in the order of NO₃⁻<NO₂⁻<NH₄⁺<proline. Further, we examined the Ca⁺⁺-dependent ATPase activity and cytochrome c oxidase activity in the presence of graded concentration of HCO₃⁻ under diazotrophically grown and non-diazotrophically grown cultures. The activity of these enzymes was higher in the cells grown under elevated HCO₃⁻ concentration. The Ca⁺⁺-dependent ATPase activity was higher than that of cytochrome c oxidase, when NAPH was supplied as the electron donor. This finding suggested that photosynthetic generation of ATP utilized NADPH as an electron donor and cytochrome c oxidase activity is independent of NADPH.

Association of rhizobia with a marine polychaete

We report the presence of Mesorhizobium, a genus best known for its nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with terrestrial legumes, associated with the marine polychaete Meganerilla bactericola (Annelida: Nerillidae). Abundant epibionts were previously described as coating the exterior of M. bactericola, which is found within the anoxic sulfide-oxidizing microbial mats of the Santa Barbara Basin, California, USA. 16S rRNA investigation of the bacterial community associated with this polychaete discovered the presence of bacteria belonging to Mesorhizobium. We identified these bacteria using phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA and three additional functional genes, nifH, atpD and recA, and group-specific fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

Ocean acidification slows nitrogen fixation and growth in the dominant diazotroph Trichodesmium under low-iron conditions

Dissolution of anthropogenic CO(2) increases the partial pressure of CO(2) (pCO(2)) and decreases the pH of seawater. The rate of Fe uptake by the dominant N(2)-fixing cyanobacterium Trichodesmium declines as pH decreases in metal-buffered medium. The slower Fe-uptake rate at low pH results from changes in Fe chemistry and not from a physiological response of the organism. Contrary to previous observations in nutrient-replete media, increasing pCO(2)/decreasing pH causes a decrease in the rates of N(2) fixation and growth in Trichodesmium under low-Fe conditions. This result was obtained even though the bioavailability of Fe was maintained at a constant level by increasing the total Fe concentration at low pH. Short-term experiments in which pCO(2) and pH were varied independently showed that the decrease in N(2) fixation is caused by decreasing pH rather than by increasing pCO(2) and corresponds to a lower efficiency of the nitrogenase enzyme. To compensate partially for the loss of N(2) fixation efficiency at low pH, Trichodesmium synthesizes additional nitrogenase. This increase comes partly at the cost of down-regulation of Fe-containing photosynthetic proteins. Our results show that although increasing pCO(2) often is beneficial to photosynthetic marine organisms, the concurrent decreasing pH can affect primary producers negatively. Such negative effects can occur both through chemical mechanisms, such as the bioavailability of key nutrients like Fe, and through biological mechanisms, as shown by the decrease in N(2) fixation in Fe-limited Trichodesmium.

Trichodesmium--a widespread marine cyanobacterium with unusual nitrogen fixation properties

The last several decades have witnessed dramatic advances in unfolding the diversity and commonality of oceanic diazotrophs and their N₂-fixing potential. More recently, substantial progress in diazotrophic cell biology has provided a wealth of information on processes and mechanisms involved. The substantial contribution by the diazotrophic cyanobacterial genus Trichodesmium to the nitrogen influx of the global marine ecosystem is by now undisputable and of paramount ecological importance, while the underlying cellular and molecular regulatory physiology has only recently started to unfold. Here, we explore and summarize current knowledge, related to the optimization of its diazotrophic capacity, from genomics to ecophysiological processes, via, for example, cellular differentiation (diazocytes) and temporal regulations, and suggest cellular research avenues that now ought to be explored.