Diacylglyceryl-N,N,N-trimethylhomoserine-dependent lipid remodeling in a green alga, Chlorella kessleri
Yutaro Oishi, Rie Otaki, Yukari Iijima, Eri Kumagai, Motohide Aoki, Mikio Tsuzuki, Shoko Fujiwara, Norihiro Sato
Abstract
Membrane lipid remodeling contributes to the environmental acclimation of plants. In the green lineage, a betaine lipid, diacylglyceryl-N,N,N-trimethylhomoserine (DGTS), is included exclusively among green algae and nonflowering plants. Here, we show that the green alga Chlorella kessleri synthesizes DGTS under phosphorus-deficient conditions through the eukaryotic pathway via the ER. Simultaneously, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, which are similar to DGTS in their zwitterionic properties, are almost completely degraded to release 18.1% cellular phosphorus, and to provide diacylglycerol moieties for a part of DGTS synthesis. This lipid remodeling system that substitutes DGTS for extrachloroplast phospholipids to lower the P-quota operates through the expression induction of the BTA1 gene. Investigation of this lipid remodeling system is necessary in a wide range of lower green plants for a comprehensive understanding of their phosphorus deficiency acclimation strategies.