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Updated: Sep 28, 2025

Analysis of Fatty Acid Content and Composition in Microalgae
Published on: October 1, 2013
Effect and function of β-N-methylamino-L-alanine in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Sea-Yong Kim1, Ulla Rasmussen1, Sara Rydberg1
1Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, SE 10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract:
The neurotoxin β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is an environmental factor connected to neurodegenerative diseases. BMAA can be produced by various microorganisms (e.g. bacteria, cyanobacteria, dinoflagellates and diatoms) present in diverse ecosystems. No previous study has revealed the function of BMAA in diatoms. In the present study, we combined physiological data with metabolomic and transcriptional data in order to investigate the effect and function of BMAA in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. P. tricornutum, exposed to different concentrations of exogenous BMAA, showed concentration dependent responses. When the concentration of supplemented BMAA was sufficient to arrest the growth of P. tricornutum, oxidative stress and obstructed carbon fixation were obtained from the specific metabolite and transcriptional data. Results also indicated increased concentration of intracellular chlorophyll a and alterations in the GS-GOGAT cycle, whereas the urea cycle was suppressed. We therefore conclude that BMAA represents a toxic metabolite able to control the growth of P. tricornutum by triggering oxidative stress, and further influencing photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolisms.
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