The Myb like transcription factor Phosphorus Starvation Response (PtPSR) controls conditional P acquisition and remodeling in marine microalgae

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) is one of the limiting macronutrients for algal growth in marine environments. Microalgae have developed adaption 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 Phaeodactylum 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 knock-out 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 adaption to P stress in diatoms.