Nitrogen status exerts dynamic control over phosphorus sensing and acquisition via PSR1 in colimited marine diatoms

Harrison, EL, Meeda, Y, Gaikwad, T, Wheeler, G and Helliwell, KE 2025 Nitrogen status exerts dynamic control over phosphorus sensing and acquisition via PSR1 in colimited marine diatoms. ScienceAdvances, 11 (35). 10.1126/sciadv.adw8260

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Abstract/Summary

Nutrient availability controls phytoplankton growth in aquatic ecosystems globally. Phytoplankton frequently experience a limiting supply of multiple nutrients simultaneously (colimitation). Ocean warming is predicted to exacerbate marine nutrient limitation. Yet, how phytoplankton adapt their physiology and regulate responses to colimitation is poorly understood. Here, we show that when the crucial macronutrients nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) colimit growth of globally abundant phytoplankton, the diatoms, cellular resources are diverted to prioritize N uptake over P sensing and acquisition. Regulatory mechanisms for responding to fluctuating P supply, including Phosphate Starvation Response 1 (PSR1) and P-resupply sensing via Ca2+ signaling, are strictly nitrate dependent. Further, P-Ca2+ signaling is impaired in psr1 mutants, suggesting that PSR1 is necessary for this response and coordinates adaptations to colimitation. Our study demonstrates a hierarchy of resource allocation during colimitation that points to N starvation mechanisms overriding those of P and could lead to N-P colimitation being masked in many marine ecosystems.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Additional Keywords:	phytoplankton, colimitation, nitrogen, phosphorus, macronutrients, diatoms, phosphate starvation response, PSR1
Subjects:	Ecology and Environment Marine Sciences
Divisions:	Marine Biological Association of the UK > Marine Microbiome
Depositing User:	Ms Kristina Hixon
Date made live:	11 Sep 2025 12:49
Last Modified:	11 Sep 2025 12:49
URI:	https://plymsea.ac.uk/id/eprint/10506

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