Photosynthetic and ultrastructural responses of the chlorophyte Lobosphaera to the stress caused by a high exogenic phosphate concentration

Biotechnology of microalgae holds promise for sustainable using of phosphorus, a finite non-renewable resource. Responses of the green microalga Lobosphaera sp. IPPAS C-2047 to elevated inorganic phosphate (P i ) concentrations were studied. Polyphosphate (PolyP) accumulation and ultrastructural rearrangements were followed in Lobosphaera using light and electron microscopy and linked to the responses of the photosynthetic apparatus probed with chlorophyll fluorescence. High tolerance of Lobosphaera to ≤ 50 g L –1 P i was accompanied by a retention of photosynthetic activity and specific induction of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ up to 4; F v / F m around 0.7). Acclimation of the Lobosphaera to the high P i was accompanied by expansion of the thylakoid lumen and accumulation of the carbon-rich compounds. The toxic effect of the extremely high (100 g L –1 ) P i inhibited the growth by ca. 60%, induced a decline in photosynthetic activity and NPQ along with contraction of the lumen, destruction of the thylakoids, and depletion of starch reserves. The Lobosphaera retained viability at the P i in the range of 25–100 g L −1 showing moderate an increase of intracellular P content (to 4.6% cell dry weight). During the initial high P i exposure, the vacuolar PolyP biosynthesis in Lobosphaera was impaired but recovered upon acclimation. Synthesis of abundant non-vacuolar PolyP inclusions was likely a manifestation of the emergency acclimation of the cells converting the P i excess to less metabolically active PolyP. We conclude that the remarkable P i tolerance of Lobosphaera IPPAS C-2047 is determined by several mechanisms including rapid conversion of the exogenic P i into metabolically safe PolyP, the acclamatory changes in the cell population structure. Possible involvement of NPQ in the high Pi resilience of the Lobosphaera is discussed. Graphical abstract