Phosphate uptake in an obligately marine fungus: a specific requirement for sodium.

Phosphate uptake in the obligately marine fungus Thraustochytrium roseum is maximally stimulated by sodium chloride in a range of concentrations (0.2 to 0.4 molar) similar to those commonly encountered in littoral habitats. The effectiveness of sodium chloride for phosphate transport extends beyond its osmotic function and can be attributed specifically to sodium. Increases in respiration in the presence of the salt can be ascribed primarily to an osmotic effect.