The conserved protein CBA1 is required for vitamin B12 uptake in different algal lineages

Abstract

Microalgae play an essential role in global net primary productivity and global biogeochemical cycling, but despite their phototrophic lifestyle, over half of algal species depend on a supply of the corrinoid vitamin B12 (cobalamin) for growth. This essential organic micronutrient is produced only by a subset of prokaryotic organisms, which implies that for algal species to use this compound, they must first acquire it from external sources. Previous studies have identified protein components involved in vitamin B12 uptake in bacterial species and humans. However, little is known about how it is taken up in algae. Here, we demonstrate the essential role of a protein, CBA1 (for cobalamin acquisition protein 1), in B12 uptake in Phaeodactylum tricornutum, using CRISPR-Cas9 to generate targeted knockouts, and in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, by insertional mutagenesis. In both cases, CBA1 knockout lines are no longer able to take up exogenous vitamin B12.