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Mechanisms of inorganic carbon acquisition in two estuarine Rhodophyceans: Bostrychia scorpioides (Hudson) ex Kützing Montagne and Catenella caespitosa (Withering) L. M. Irvine

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Abstract

Marine macroalgae possess a range of mechanisms to increase the availability of CO2 for fixation by ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase. Of these, possession of a periplasmic or external carbonic anhydrase and the ability to use bicarbonate ions is widely distributed. The mechanisms of carbon acquisition were studied in two estuarine red macroalgae Bostrychia scorpioides and Catenella caespitosa using a range of techniques. pH-drift and CO2-depletion experiments at constant pH suggested that CO2 is the main source of inorganic carbon in both species. Inhibitors indicated that internal and external carbonic anhydrase were present in both species. Inhibitors also suggested that uptake of bicarbonate is unlikely to be present (P < 0.05).

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Abbreviations

Rubisco:

Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase

eCA:

External carbonic anhydrase

DBS:

Dextran-bound sulfonamide

AZ:

Acetazolamide

iCA:

Internal carbonic anhydrase

EZ:

Ethoxyzolamide

VAN:

Sodium orthovanadate

MON:

Monensin

DIDS:

4-4′-Diisothiocyanatostibilene-2,2′-disulfonate

Ci:

Inorganic carbon

NSW:

Natural seawater

PAR:

Photosynthetically active radiation

FW:

Fresh weight

NPR:

Net photosynthetic rate

IRGA:

Infra-red gas analyzer

MOPS:

4-Morpholinepropanesulfonic acid

BTP:

Bis–tris propane

PQ:

Photosynthetic quotient

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Acknowledgments

This work was financed by the Grant CICYT CTM 2008-04453/MAR from the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain and a grant from a contract between ENCE and the University of Málaga. This work is included in the framework of Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEIMAR). The authors thank Raquel Sánchez de Pedro for helping in the collection of algae. We also want to thank the two reviewers of this paper and the Editor, Prof. Maberly for their constructive suggestions that greatly improved the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Ecología, Universidad de Málaga, Bulevar de Louis Pasteur s/n, 29010, Málaga, Spain

    Miriam Ruiz-Nieto, F. Xavier Niell & Raquel Carmona

  2. Departamento de Biología Vegetal, Universidad de Málaga, Bulevar de Louis Pasteur s/n, 29010, Málaga, Spain

    José A. Fernández

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  1. Miriam Ruiz-Nieto
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Correspondence to Miriam Ruiz-Nieto.

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Ruiz-Nieto, M., Fernández, J.A., Niell, F.X. et al. Mechanisms of inorganic carbon acquisition in two estuarine Rhodophyceans: Bostrychia scorpioides (Hudson) ex Kützing Montagne and Catenella caespitosa (Withering) L. M. Irvine. Photosynth Res 121, 277–284 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11120-014-0003-y

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