A recent study into the algae Phaeocystis antarctica (P. antarctica), exposed to different conditions of iron and vitamin B12, exposes that these organisms can survive without B12. In this case, theres 2 types of the enzyme that makes the amino acid methionine, one needing B12, and one that is much slower, however does not need B12. “Since there is an expense to B12 self-reliance in terms of metabolic efficiency, a crucial concern is whether or not stress that require B12 may end up being reliant on B12-producing bacteria.” The discovery that P. antarctica has the capability to adapt to minimal vitamin B12 accessibility turns out to be true for many other species of algae that were likewise assumed to be stringent B12 users previously. The findings from this study will pave the way for future research associated to the carbon cycle and how different types of algae make it through in the Southern Oceans severe and cold environment.Reference: “Flexible B12 ecophysiology of Phaeocystis antarctica due to a fusion B12– independent methionine synthase with widespread homologues” by Deepa Rao, Zoltán Füssy, Margaret M. Brisbin, Matthew R. McIlvin, Dawn M. Moran, Andrew E. Allen, Michael J. Follows and Mak A. Saito, 2 February 2024, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.DOI: 10.1073/ pnas.2204075121.
A current research study into the algae Phaeocystis antarctica (P. antarctica), exposed to numerous conditions of iron and vitamin B12, reveals that these organisms can endure without B12.” The discovery that P. antarctica has the capability to adapt to very little vitamin B12 availability turns out to be true for lots of other types of algae that were likewise assumed to be rigorous B12 users previously. The findings from this study will pave the method for future research related to the carbon cycle and how various types of algae endure in the Southern Oceans harsh and cold environment.Reference: “Flexible B12 ecophysiology of Phaeocystis antarctica due to a combination B12– independent methionine synthase with widespread homologues” by Deepa Rao, Zoltán Füssy, Margaret M. Brisbin, Matthew R. McIlvin, Dawn M. Moran, Andrew E. Allen, Michael J. Follows and Mak A. Saito, 2 February 2024, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.DOI: 10.1073/ pnas.2204075121.
