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Phototropin connects blue light perception to starch metabolism in green algae

Author

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  • Yizhong Yuan

    (Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, INRAE, IRIG-LPCV
    Carnegie Institution for Science)

  • Anthony A. Iannetta

    (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

  • Minjae Kim

    (Institute de Biosciences et Biotechnologies Aix-Marseille, Aix Marseille University, CEA, CNRS, BIAM)

  • Patric W. Sadecki

    (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

  • Marius Arend

    (University of Potsdam
    Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology
    Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology)

  • Angeliki Tsichla

    (Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, INRAE, IRIG-LPCV
    Uppsala University)

  • M. Águila Ruiz-Sola

    (Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, INRAE, IRIG-LPCV
    Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad de Sevilla)

  • Georgios Kepesidis

    (Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, INRAE, IRIG-LPCV
    Sandia National Laboratories)

  • Denis Falconet

    (Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, INRAE, IRIG-LPCV)

  • Emmanuel Thevenon

    (Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, INRAE, IRIG-LPCV)

  • Marianne Tardif

    (Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, CEA, UA13 BGE, CNRS, CEA, FR2048)

  • Sabine Brugière

    (Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, CEA, UA13 BGE, CNRS, CEA, FR2048)

  • Yohann Couté

    (Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, CEA, UA13 BGE, CNRS, CEA, FR2048)

  • Jean Philippe Kleman

    (Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS)

  • Irina Sizova

    (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

  • Marion Schilling

    (Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, INRAE, IRIG-LPCV)

  • Juliette Jouhet

    (Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, INRAE, IRIG-LPCV)

  • Peter Hegemann

    (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

  • Yonghua Li-Beisson

    (Institute de Biosciences et Biotechnologies Aix-Marseille, Aix Marseille University, CEA, CNRS, BIAM)

  • Zoran Nikoloski

    (University of Potsdam
    Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology
    Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology)

  • Olivier Bastien

    (Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, INRAE, IRIG-LPCV)

  • Leslie M. Hicks

    (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

  • Dimitris Petroutsos

    (Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, INRAE, IRIG-LPCV
    Uppsala University)

Abstract

In photosynthetic organisms, light acts as an environmental signal to control their development and physiology, as well as energy source to drive the conversion of CO2 into carbohydrates used for growth or storage. The main storage carbohydrate in green algae is starch, which accumulates during the day and is broken down at night to meet cellular energy demands. The signaling role of light quality in the regulation of starch accumulation remains unexplored. Here, we identify PHOTOTROPIN-MEDIATED SIGNALING KINASE 1 (PMSK1) as a key regulator of starch metabolism in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. In its phosphorylated form (PMSK1-P), it activates GLYCERALDEHYDE-3-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE (GAP1), promoting starch biosynthesis. We show that blue light, perceived by PHOTOTROPIN, induces PMSK1 dephosphorylation that in turn represses GAP1 mRNA levels and reduces starch accumulation. These findings reveal a previously uncharacterized blue light-mediated signaling pathway that advances our understanding of photoreceptor-controlled carbon metabolism in microalgae.

Suggested Citation

  • Yizhong Yuan & Anthony A. Iannetta & Minjae Kim & Patric W. Sadecki & Marius Arend & Angeliki Tsichla & M. Águila Ruiz-Sola & Georgios Kepesidis & Denis Falconet & Emmanuel Thevenon & Marianne Tardif , 2025. "Phototropin connects blue light perception to starch metabolism in green algae," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57809-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57809-3
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