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Many algae are auxotrophs for vitamin B12 (cobalamin), which they need as a cofactor for B12-dependent methionine synthase (METH). Because only prokaryotes can synthesize the cobalamin, they must be the ultimate source of the vitamin. In the laboratory, a direct interaction between algae and heterotrophic bacteria has been shown, with bacteria supplying cobalamin in exchange for fixed carbon. Here we establish a system to study this interaction at the molecular level. In a culture of a B12-dependent green alga Chlamydomonas nivalis, we found a contaminating bacterium, identified by 16S rRNA analysis as Mesorhizobium sp. Using the sequenced strain of M. loti (MAFF303099), we found that it was able to support the growth of B12-dependent Lobomonas rostrata, another green alga, in return for fixed carbon. The two organisms form a stable equilibrium in terms of population numbers, which is maintained over many generations in semi-continuous culture, indicating a degree of regulation. However, addition of either vitamin B12 or a carbon source for the bacteria perturbs the equilibrium, demonstrating that the symbiosis is mutualistic and facultative. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii does not require B12 for growth because it encodes a B12-independent methionine synthase, METE, the gene for which is suppressed by addition of exogenous B12. Co-culturing C. reinhardtii with M. loti also results in reduction of METE expression, demonstrating that the bacterium can deliver the vitamin to this B12-independent alga. We discuss the implications of this for the widespread distribution of cobalamin auxotrophy in the algal kingdom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]