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Microcystins induce morphological and physiological changes in selected representative phytoplanktons.

Bojan Sedmak1, Tina Elersek

  • 1National Institute of Biology, Vecna pot 111, SI-1001, Ljubljana, Slovenia. bojan.sedmak@nib.si

Microbial Ecology
|April 29, 2006
PubMed
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Dissolved microcystins (MCs) impact phytoplankton metabolism, causing cell aggregation and pigment changes. These toxins, even from producing cyanobacteria, affect both producing and non-producing strains in bloom conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental toxicology
  • Aquatic microbiology
  • Phycology

Background:

  • Microcystins (MCs) are common cyanotoxins in aquatic environments, often associated with harmful algal blooms.
  • Understanding MCs' ecological role and impact on non-target organisms like phytoplankton is crucial for water quality management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of MC-LR, MC-RR, and MC-YR on representative phytoplankton species.
  • To determine if MCs induce morphological and physiological changes in both MC-producing and non-producing cyanobacteria and other algae.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro experiments exposing Microcystis aeruginosa (MC-producing and non-producing strains) and Scenedesmus quadricauda to MC variants at 5 x 10(-7) M.
  • Assessment of phytoplankton responses under light conditions mimicking cyanobacterial blooms (50 micromol m(-2) s(-1)).

Related Experiment Videos

  • Observation of morphological changes (cell aggregation, volume) and physiological alterations (pigment overproduction).

    • Main Results:

    • All three MC variants induced cell aggregation, increased cell volume, and overproduction of photosynthetic pigments in tested phytoplankton.
    • These effects were observed in both MC-producing and non-producing Microcystis aeruginosa and in Scenedesmus quadricauda.
    • The observed changes suggest MCs may act as a signal related to deteriorating light conditions caused by cyanobacterial proliferation.

    Conclusions:

    • Dissolved microcystins significantly influence phytoplankton metabolism and physiology, with effects varying by organism and signaling pathways.
    • Microcystins affect not only non-producing algae but also the producing cyanobacteria, indicating complex ecological interactions.
    • The role of microcystins within producing cells may differ from their role in the surrounding water environment.