Transcriptional responses of Trichodesmium to natural inverse gradients of Fe and P availability

The filamentous diazotrophic cyanobacterium Trichodesmium is responsible for a significant fraction of marine di-nitrogen (N-2) fixation. Growth and distribution of Trichodesmium and other diazotrophs in the vast oligotrophic subtropical gyres is influenced by iron (Fe) and phosphorus (P) availability, while reciprocally influencing the biogeochemistry of these nutrients. Here we use observations across natural inverse gradients in Fe and P in the North Atlantic subtropical gyre (NASG) to demonstrate how Trichodesmium acclimates in situ to resource availability. Transcriptomic analysis identified progressive upregulation of known iron-stress biomarker genes with decreasing Fe availability, and progressive upregulation of genes involved in the acquisition of diverse P sources with decreasing P availability, while genes involved in N-2 fixation were upregulated at the intersection under moderate Fe and P availability. Enhanced N-2 fixation within the Fe and P co-stressed transition region was also associated with a distinct, consistent metabolic profile, including the expression of alternative photosynthetic pathways that potentially facilitate ATP generation required for N-2 fixation with reduced net oxygen production. The observed response of Trichodesmium to availability of both Fe and P supports suggestions that these biogeochemically significant organisms employ unique molecular, and thus physiological responses as adaptations to specifically exploit the Fe and P co-limited niche they construct.

Automated summary

The study demonstrates how Trichodesmium acclimates to resource availability by upregulating iron-stress biomarker genes with decreasing Fe availability and upregulating genes involved in the acquisition of diverse P sources with decreasing P availability. Enhanced N-2 fixation within the Fe and P co-stressed transition region was associated with a distinct metabolic profile, suggesting unique physiological responses to exploit the Fe and P co-limited niche.