Cooperative motility, force generation and mechanosensing in a foraging non-photosynthetic diatom.
Open Biol
; 13(10): 230148, 2023 10.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37788707
Diatoms are ancestrally photosynthetic microalgae. However, some underwent a major evolutionary transition, losing photosynthesis to become obligate heterotrophs. The molecular and physiological basis for this transition is unclear. Here, we isolate and characterize new strains of non-photosynthetic diatoms from the coastal waters of Singapore. These diatoms occupy diverse ecological niches and display glucose-mediated catabolite repression, a classical feature of bacterial and fungal heterotrophs. Live-cell imaging reveals deposition of secreted extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). Diatoms moving on pre-existing EPS trails (runners) move faster than those laying new trails (blazers). This leads to cell-to-cell coupling where runners can push blazers to make them move faster. Calibrated micropipettes measure substantial single-cell pushing forces, which are consistent with high-order myosin motor cooperativity. Collisions that impede forward motion induce reversal, revealing navigation-related force sensing. Together, these data identify aspects of metabolism and motility that are likely to promote and underpin diatom heterotrophy.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Diatomeas
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Open Biol
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article
Pais de publicación:
Reino Unido