Silicon Deficiency Induces Alkaline Phosphatase Enzyme Activity in Cultures of Four Marine Diatoms

Alkaline phosphatase (AP) was detected using ELF-97® in silicon-starved Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries cells; thus, we tested two, alternative hypotheses: Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries has a high phosphate demand, showing signs of phosphate deficiency even when concentrations of orthophosphate are high, or silicate deficiency can stimulate the AP enzyme in this species. We also studied the effect of silicon deficiency on AP in three other common marine diatoms: Thalassiosira pseudonana, Nitzschia pusilla, and Nitschia closterium. Each of the species tested showed a different pattern of AP regulation. AP levels, however, increased in the four diatoms as a result of silicon deficiency, suggesting that AP may be involved in a variety of intracellular processes related to silicon deficiency. Additionally, the results of this study indicate that AP could be stimulated by stressors other than phosphate deficiency, such as silicon deficiency; therefore, it should be used cautiously as an indicator of phosphate limitation.