Cellular basis of B12 uptake and remodelling in microalgae revealed using a novel bioassay

Harrison, E. L.; Bunbury, F.; Stadelmann, T.; Sayer, A.; Llavero-Pasquina, M.; Papadopoulos, K. P.; Geisler, K.; Mehrshahi, P.; Davey, M. P.; Smith, A. G.

doi:10.64898/2026.08.07.738727

bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.08.07.738727

Cellular basis of B12 uptake and remodelling in microalgae revealed using a novel bioassay

Harrison, E. L.·Bunbury, F.·Stadelmann, T.·Sayer, A.·Llavero-Pasquina, M.·Papadopoulos, K. P.·Geisler, K.·Mehrshahi, P.·Davey, M. P.·Smith, A. G.

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Abstract

O_LIVitamin B12, an essential micronutrient for many microalgae and humans, is synthesised only by certain prokaryotes. B12 is a complex tetrapyrrole that can exist in many forms (vitamers), some more bioavailable than others. Some microalgae are able to interconvert, or remodel, different B12 vitamers. As microalgae are important primary producers, it is crucial to understand how diverse microalgae acquire, utilise, and remodel this micronutrient. C_LIO_LIThrough the development of a novel algal bioassay for B12 quantification that distinguishes between B12 vitamers with different lower axial ligands, and the generation of targeted knock-out lines, we characterised the role of proteins involved in algal B12 uptake and remodelling. C_LIO_LIWe found that the previously characterised protein CoBalamin-Acquisition protein 1 (CBA1) is also necessary for the acquisition of pseudocobalamin, a less bioavailable form of B12. In addition, we provide the first experimental evidence that COBT is required for Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to remodel B12. C_LIO_LIWe apply the algal B12 bioassay to show that the edible alga Chlorella vulgaris can accumulate pseudocobalamin but is unable to remodel it, highlighting the need for thorough investigation of the metabolic requirements and capabilities of microalgae, especially given the growing interest in microalgae-based food additives. C_LI

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Harrison, E. L., Bunbury, F., Stadelmann, T., Sayer, A., Llavero-Pasquina, M., Papadopoulos, K. P., Geisler, K., Mehrshahi, P., Davey, M. P., Smith, A. G.. 2026-08-07. Cellular basis of B12 uptake and remodelling in microalgae revealed using a novel bioassay. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.08.07.738727

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