Amino acid uptake by the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium fundyense |
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Authors: | E H John K J Flynn |
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Institution: | (1) Swansea Algal and Plankton Research Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales Swansea, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, South Wales, Great Britain Fax: +44 (0) 1792 295 447 E-mail: k.j.flynn@swansea.ac.uk, GB |
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Abstract: | A toxic axenic strain of Alexandrium fundyense is shown to be capable of removing dissolved free amino acids (DFAAs) until concentrations are similar (low nM) to those found in natural waters. Uptake is greatest during exponential growth, rather than during C and/or N-stress as
is usual in diatoms and other flagellates. A wide range of amino acids can be taken up, their concentration being decreased
within a few hours to the levels observed prior to DFAA addition. The maximum rate of DFAA-N uptake, during early exponential
phase, was 0.8 pmol-N cell−1 h−1, equivalent to ≃20% of the total N requirement. More typically, the contribution of DFAA-N was only ≃5%. However, these uptake
rates are not sustainable. It is apparent that this organism cannot use amino-N to support significant growth, even though
it can take up DFAAs. This, and the fact that the composition of the internal amino acid pool differed from that externally,
is further evidence that the N-physiology of this genus is abnormal (differences to other dinoflagellates include an abnormally
high concentration of glutamine and arginine, an effective absence of amine X, and release of nitrite during the␣concurrent
assimilation of nitrate and ammonium in␣darkness). There is no evidence that the use of DFAAs enhance toxin content, except
when cells are supplied with very high (unnatural) concentrations of arginine.
Received: 8 May 1989 / Accepted: 14 September 1998 |
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