Physiological and Transcriptional Responses to Phosphorus Deficiency and Glucose-6-Phosphate Supplementation in Neopyropia yezoensis

Abstract

Neopyropia yezoensis, a marine red algae species, has significant economic and ecological value. However, phosphorus (P) deficiency has emerged as a growing concern in many cultivation regions, negatively impacting its growth. To adapt to P deficiency, algae have evolved various strategies, including using dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) sources to sustain growth. Despite its prevalence as a form of DOP, the utilization mechanism of glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) by N. yezoensis remains unclear. In this study, the physiological and transcriptional responses of N. yezoensis to P deficiency and G6P supplementation were examined. The results demonstrated that prolonged P deficiency significantly inhibited the growth of N. yezoensis and had a negative impact on physiological indicators such as photosynthetic pigments and antioxidant enzyme activity. However, G6P treatment gradually alleviated these adverse effects over time. Both P deficiency and G6P treatment were associated with increased expression of genes involved in signal transduction and P starvation responses while concurrently downregulating genes related to photosynthesis and antioxidant defenses. In contrast, the suppression of gene expression was less significant under G6P treatment. This study elucidates the adaptive strategies of N. yezoensis in response to P deficiency and clarifies the regulatory pathways involved in G6P utilization, providing novel insights into its P nutrient acquisition and metabolic regulation.