Patterns and regulation of silicon accumulation in Synechococcus spp.

• DOI: 10.1111/jpy.12545
• Publication Date: 2017-04-30T13:43:21Z
• Authors: Mark A. Brzezinski; Jeffrey W. Krause; Stephen B. Baines; Jackie L. Collier; Daniel C. Ohnemus; Benjamin S. Twining
• Keywords: Synechococcus; 0106 biological sciences; Silicon; Silicic Acid; 01 natural sciences

Six clones of the marine cyanobacterium Synechococcus , representing four major clades, were all found to contain significant amounts silicon in culture. Growth rate was unaffected by silicic acid, Si( OH ) 4 concentration between 1 and 120 μM suggesting that lacks an obligate need for (Si). Strains contained two pools Si: aqueous soluble insoluble pool. Soluble pool sizes correspond estimated intracellular dissolved Si concentrations 2–24 mM, which would be thermodynamically unstable implying binding organic ligands. The content inversely related growth increased with higher [Si( ] medium. Accumulation rates showed a unique bilinear response increasing from 500 acquisition abruptly 80 100 . Although these linear responses imply some form diffusion‐mediated transport, uptake at low (~1 Si) inhibited orthophosphate, role phosphate transporters acquisition. Theoretical calculations observed are too rapid supported lipid‐solubility diffusion through plasmalemma; however, facilitated involving membrane protein channels may suffice. data used construct working model mechanisms governing