1
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Kang HC, Jeong HJ, Ok JH, Lim AS, Lee K, You JH, Park SA, Eom SH, Lee SY, Lee KH, Jang SH, Yoo YD, Lee MJ, Kim KY. Food web structure for high carbon retention in marine plankton communities. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadk0842. [PMID: 38100582 PMCID: PMC10848704 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk0842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Total annual net primary productions in marine and terrestrial ecosystems are similar. However, a large portion of the newly produced marine phytoplankton biomass is converted to carbon dioxide because of predation. Which food web structure retains high carbon biomass in the plankton community in the global ocean? In 6954 individual samples or locations containing phytoplankton, unicellular protozooplankton, and multicellular metazooplankton in the global ocean, phytoplankton-dominated bottom-heavy pyramids held higher carbon biomass than protozooplankton-dominated middle-heavy diamonds or metazooplankton-dominated top-heavy inverted pyramids. Bottom-heavy pyramids predominated, but the high predation impact by protozooplankton on phytoplankton or the vertical migration of metazooplankton temporarily changed bottom-heavy pyramids to middle-heavy diamonds or top-heavy inverted pyramids but returned to bottom-heavy pyramids shortly. This finding has profound implications for carbon retention by plankton communities in the global ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Chang Kang
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Hae Jin Jeong
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Jin Hee Ok
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - An Suk Lim
- Division of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, South Korea
| | - Kitack Lee
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, South Korea
| | - Ji Hyun You
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Sang Ah Park
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Se Hee Eom
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Sung Yeon Lee
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Kyung Ha Lee
- Food and Nutrition Tech, CJ CheilJedang, Suwon 16495, South Korea
| | - Se Hyeon Jang
- Department of Oceanography, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea
| | - Yeong Du Yoo
- Department of Oceanography, Kunsan National University, Kunsan 54150, South Korea
| | - Moo Joon Lee
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Anyang University, Incheon 23038, South Korea
| | - Kwang Young Kim
- Department of Oceanography, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea
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2
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Miyagishima SY. Taming the perils of photosynthesis by eukaryotes: constraints on endosymbiotic evolution in aquatic ecosystems. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1150. [PMID: 37952050 PMCID: PMC10640588 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05544-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
An ancestral eukaryote acquired photosynthesis by genetically integrating a cyanobacterial endosymbiont as the chloroplast. The chloroplast was then further integrated into many other eukaryotic lineages through secondary endosymbiotic events of unicellular eukaryotic algae. While photosynthesis enables autotrophy, it also generates reactive oxygen species that can cause oxidative stress. To mitigate the stress, photosynthetic eukaryotes employ various mechanisms, including regulating chloroplast light absorption and repairing or removing damaged chloroplasts by sensing light and photosynthetic status. Recent studies have shown that, besides algae and plants with innate chloroplasts, several lineages of numerous unicellular eukaryotes engage in acquired phototrophy by hosting algal endosymbionts or by transiently utilizing chloroplasts sequestrated from algal prey in aquatic ecosystems. In addition, it has become evident that unicellular organisms engaged in acquired phototrophy, as well as those that feed on algae, have also developed mechanisms to cope with photosynthetic oxidative stress. These mechanisms are limited but similar to those employed by algae and plants. Thus, there appear to be constraints on the evolution of those mechanisms, which likely began by incorporating photosynthetic cells before the establishment of chloroplasts by extending preexisting mechanisms to cope with oxidative stress originating from mitochondrial respiration and acquiring new mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Ya Miyagishima
- Department of Gene Function and Phenomics, National Institute of Genetics, 1111 Yata, Mishima, Shizuoka, 411-8540, Japan.
- The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, 1111 Yata, Mishima, Shizuoka, 411-8540, Japan.
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3
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Pinko D, Abramovich S, Rahav E, Belkin N, Rubin-Blum M, Kucera M, Morard R, Holzmann M, Abdu U. Shared ancestry of algal symbiosis and chloroplast sequestration in foraminifera. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadi3401. [PMID: 37824622 PMCID: PMC10569721 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi3401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Foraminifera are unicellular organisms that established the most diverse algal symbioses in the marine realm. Endosymbiosis repeatedly evolved in several lineages, while some engaged in the sequestration of chloroplasts, known as kleptoplasty. So far, kleptoplasty has been documented exclusively in the rotaliid clade. Here, we report the discovery of kleptoplasty in the species Hauerina diversa that belongs to the miliolid clade. The existence of kleptoplasty in the two main clades suggests that it is more widespread than previously documented. We observed chloroplasts in clustered structures within the foraminiferal cytoplasm and confirmed their functionality. Phylogenetic analysis of 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequences showed that H. diversa branches next to symbiont-bearing Alveolinidae. This finding represents evidence of of a relationship between kleptoplastic and symbiotic foraminifera.. Analysis of ribosomal genes and metagenomics revealed that alveolinid symbionts and kleptoplasts belong to the same clade, which suggests a common ancestry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doron Pinko
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Sigal Abramovich
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Eyal Rahav
- National Institute of Oceanography, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Haifa, Israel
| | - Natalia Belkin
- National Institute of Oceanography, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Haifa, Israel
| | - Maxim Rubin-Blum
- National Institute of Oceanography, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Haifa, Israel
| | - Michal Kucera
- MARUM-Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Raphaël Morard
- MARUM-Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Maria Holzmann
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest Ansermet 30, Geneva 4 1211, Switzerland
| | - Uri Abdu
- Department of Life Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
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4
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Brown AL, Casarez GA, Moeller HV. Acquired Phototrophy as an Evolutionary Path to Mixotrophy. Am Nat 2023; 202:458-470. [PMID: 37792914 DOI: 10.1086/725918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
AbstractAcquired photosynthesis transforms genotypically heterotrophic lineages into autotrophs. Transient acquisitions of eukaryotic chloroplasts may provide key evolutionary insight into the endosymbiosis process-the hypothesized mechanism by which eukaryotic cells obtained new functions via organelle retention. Here, we use an eco-evolutionary model to study the environmental conditions under which chloroplast retention is evolutionarily favorable. We focus on kleptoplastidic lineages-which steal functional chloroplasts from their prey-as hypothetical evolutionary intermediates. Our adaptive dynamics analysis reveals a spectrum of evolutionarily stable strategies ranging from phagotrophy to phototrophy to obligate kleptoplasty. Our model suggests that a low-light niche and weak (or absent) trade-offs between chloroplast retention and overall digestive ability favor the evolution of phototrophy. In contrast, when consumers experience strong trade-offs, obligate kleptoplasty emerges as an evolutionary end point. Therefore, the preevolved trade-offs that underlie an evolving lineage's physiology will likely constrain its evolutionary trajectory.
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5
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Sørensen MES, Zlatogursky VV, Onuţ-Brännström I, Walraven A, Foster RA, Burki F. A novel kleptoplastidic symbiosis revealed in the marine centrohelid Meringosphaera with evidence of genetic integration. Curr Biol 2023; 33:3571-3584.e6. [PMID: 37536342 PMCID: PMC7615077 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Plastid symbioses between heterotrophic hosts and algae are widespread and abundant in surface oceans. They are critically important both for extant ecological systems and for understanding the evolution of plastids. Kleptoplastidy, where the plastids of prey are temporarily retained and continuously re-acquired, provides opportunities to study the transitional states of plastid establishment. Here, we investigated the poorly studied marine centrohelid Meringosphaera and its previously unidentified symbionts using culture-independent methods from environmental samples. Investigations of the 18S rDNA from single-cell assembled genomes (SAGs) revealed uncharacterized genetic diversity within Meringosphaera that likely represents multiple species. We found that Meringosphaera harbors plastids of Dictyochophyceae origin (stramenopiles), for which we recovered six full plastid genomes and found evidence of two distinct subgroups that are congruent with host identity. Environmental monitoring by qPCR and catalyzed reporter deposition-fluorescence in situ hybridization (CARD-FISH) revealed seasonal dynamics of both host and plastid. In particular, we did not detect the plastids for 6 months of the year, which, combined with the lack of plastids in some SAGs, suggests that the plastids are temporary and the relationship is kleptoplastidic. Importantly, we found evidence of genetic integration of the kleptoplasts as we identified host-encoded plastid-associated genes, with evolutionary origins likely from the plastid source as well as from other alga sources. This is only the second case where host-encoded kleptoplast-targeted genes have been predicted in an ancestrally plastid-lacking group. Our results provide evidence for gene transfers and protein re-targeting as relatively early events in the evolution of plastid symbioses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E S Sørensen
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; Institute of Microbial Cell Biology, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Vasily V Zlatogursky
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, V6T 1Z4 Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Organismal Biology, Program in Systematic Biology, Uppsala University, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ioana Onuţ-Brännström
- Department of Organismal Biology, Program in Systematic Biology, Uppsala University, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden; Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, 0562 Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Walraven
- Department of Organismal Biology, Program in Systematic Biology, Uppsala University, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rachel A Foster
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fabien Burki
- Department of Organismal Biology, Program in Systematic Biology, Uppsala University, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden; Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden.
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6
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Johnson MD, Moeller HV, Paight C, Kellogg RM, McIlvin MR, Saito MA, Lasek-Nesselquist E. Functional control and metabolic integration of stolen organelles in a photosynthetic ciliate. Curr Biol 2023; 33:973-980.e5. [PMID: 36773606 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Stealing prey plastids for metabolic gain is a common phenomenon among protists within aquatic ecosystems.1 Ciliates of the Mesodinium rubrum species complex are unique in that they also steal a transcriptionally active but non-dividing prey nucleus, the kleptokaryon, from certain cryptophytes.2 The kleptokaryon enables full control and replication of kleptoplastids but has a half-life of about 10 days.2 Once the kleptokaryon is lost, the ciliate experiences a slow loss of photosynthetic metabolism and eventually death.2,3,4 This transient ability to function phototrophically allows M. rubrum to form productive blooms in coastal waters.5,6,7,8 Here, we show, using multi-omics approaches, that an Antarctic strain of the ciliate not only depends on stolen Geminigera cryophila organelles for photosynthesis but also for anabolic synthesis of fatty acids, amino acids, and other essential macromolecules. Transcription of diverse pathways was higher in the kleptokaryon than that in G. cryophila, and many increased in higher light. Proteins of major biosynthetic pathways were found in greater numbers in the kleptokaryon relative to M. rubrum, implying anabolic dependency on foreign metabolism. We show that despite losing transcriptional control of the kleptokaryon, M. rubrum regulates kleptoplastid pigments with changing light, implying an important role for post-transcriptional control. These findings demonstrate that the integration of foreign organelles and their gene and protein expression, energy metabolism, and anabolism occur in the absence of a stable endosymbiotic association. Our results shed light on potential events early in the process of complex plastid acquisition and broaden our understanding of symbiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Johnson
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA.
| | - Holly V Moeller
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Christopher Paight
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Riss M Kellogg
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Matthew R McIlvin
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Mak A Saito
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
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7
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Phycobilisomes and Phycobiliproteins in the Pigment Apparatus of Oxygenic Photosynthetics: From Cyanobacteria to Tertiary Endosymbiosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032290. [PMID: 36768613 PMCID: PMC9916406 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic photosynthesis originated in the course of evolution as a result of the uptake of some unstored cyanobacterium and its transformation to chloroplasts by an ancestral heterotrophic eukaryotic cell. The pigment apparatus of Archaeplastida and other algal phyla that emerged later turned out to be arranged in the same way. Pigment-protein complexes of photosystem I (PS I) and photosystem II (PS II) are characterized by uniform structures, while the light-harvesting antennae have undergone a series of changes. The phycobilisome (PBS) antenna present in cyanobacteria was replaced by Chl a/b- or Chl a/c-containing pigment-protein complexes in most groups of photosynthetics. In the form of PBS or phycobiliprotein aggregates, it was inherited by members of Cyanophyta, Cryptophyta, red algae, and photosynthetic amoebae. Supramolecular organization and architectural modifications of phycobiliprotein antennae in various algal phyla in line with the endosymbiotic theory of chloroplast origin are the subject of this review.
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8
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Seasonal dynamics of a complex cheilostome bryozoan symbiosis: vertical transfer challenged. Sci Rep 2023; 13:375. [PMID: 36611035 PMCID: PMC9825505 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26251-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Symbiotic associations are dynamic systems influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Here we describe for the first time the developmental and seasonal changes of the funicular bodies in the bryozoan Dendrobeania fruticosa, which are unique temporary organs of cheilostome bryozoans containing prokaryotic symbionts. Histological and ultrastructural studies showed that these organs undergo strong seasonal modification in the White Sea during the ice-free period. Initially (in June) they play a trophic function and support the development of a large population of bacteria. From June to September, both funicular bodies and bacteria show signs of degradation accompanied by development of presumed virus-like particles (VLPs); these self-organize to hollow spheres inside bacteria and are also detected outside of them. Although the destruction of bacteria coincides with the development of VLPs and spheres, the general picture differs considerably from the known instances of bacteriophagy in bryozoans. We broadly discuss potential routes of bacterial infection in Bryozoa and question the hypothesis of vertical transfer, which, although widely accepted in the literature, is contradicted by molecular, morphological and ecological evidence.
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9
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Abstract
Kleptoplasty, the process by which a host organism sequesters and retains algal chloroplasts, is relatively common in protists. The origin of the plastid varies, as do the length of time it is retained in the host and the functionality of the association. In metazoa, the capacity for long-term (several weeks to months) maintenance of photosynthetically active chloroplasts is a unique characteristic of a handful of sacoglossan sea slugs. This capability has earned these slugs the epithets "crawling leaves" and "solar-powered sea slugs." This Unsolved Mystery explores the basis of chloroplast maintenance and function and attempts to clarify contradictory results in the published literature. We address some of the mysteries of this remarkable association. Why are functional chloroplasts retained? And how is the function of stolen chloroplasts maintained without the support of the algal nucleus?
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10
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Kodama Y, Sumita H. The ciliate Paramecium bursaria allows budding of symbiotic Chlorella variabilis cells singly from the digestive vacuole membrane into the cytoplasm during algal reinfection. PROTOPLASMA 2022; 259:117-125. [PMID: 33881616 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-021-01645-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The ciliate Paramecium bursaria harbors several hundred symbiotic Chlorella spp. cells in the cytoplasm. Algal re-endosymbiosis can be artificially induced using alga-removed P. bursaria. During algal re-endosymbiosis, algae ingested into the host digestive vacuoles (DVs) avoid digestion by the host lysosomal enzymes and then escape into the cytoplasm by budding off of the DV membrane. The budded alga-enclosing DV membrane then differentiates into the symbiosome or perialgal vacuole (PV) membrane and is localized beneath the host cell cortex. In this study, we determined whether the PV membrane has the ability to recognize the symbiotic alga singly by eliminating other small microspheres in the same DV. To clarify the accuracy of the budding process, we mixed fluorescent-labeled microspheres of diameter 0.20 µm with isolated symbiotic algae during algal re-endosymbiosis. No fluorescence was observed from the PV membrane, as expected, and the budding DVs that enclosed both undigested and digested algae. Additionally, the algal re-endosymbiosis rate was significantly reduced in the presence of microspheres. These observations showed that the host P. bursaria allowed budding of the algae singly from the membranes of DVs without microspheres and this process required close contact between the DV membrane and the algal cell wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuuki Kodama
- Institute of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Academic Assembly, Shimane University, Matsue, Shimane, Japan.
| | - Haruka Sumita
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, Shimane University, Matsue, Shimane, Japan
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11
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Phylogeny and evolution of functional chloroplast retention in sacoglossan sea slugs (Gastropoda: Heterobranchia). ORG DIVERS EVOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13127-021-00532-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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12
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Cartaxana P, Rey F, LeKieffre C, Lopes D, Hubas C, Spangenberg JE, Escrig S, Jesus B, Calado G, Domingues R, Kühl M, Calado R, Meibom A, Cruz S. Photosynthesis from stolen chloroplasts can support sea slug reproductive fitness. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20211779. [PMID: 34583582 PMCID: PMC8479339 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.1779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Some sea slugs are able to steal functional chloroplasts (kleptoplasts) from their algal food sources, but the role and relevance of photosynthesis to the animal host remain controversial. While some researchers claim that kleptoplasts are slowly digestible 'snacks', others advocate that they enhance the overall fitness of sea slugs much more profoundly. Our analysis shows light-dependent incorporation of 13C and 15N in the albumen gland and gonadal follicles of the sea slug Elysia timida, representing translocation of photosynthates to kleptoplast-free reproductive organs. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids with reported roles in reproduction were produced in the sea slug cells using labelled precursors translocated from the kleptoplasts. Finally, we report reduced fecundity of E. timida by limiting kleptoplast photosynthesis. The present study indicates that photosynthesis enhances the reproductive fitness of kleptoplast-bearing sea slugs, confirming the biological relevance of this remarkable association between a metazoan and an algal-derived organelle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Cartaxana
- CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Felisa Rey
- CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
- Mass Spectrometry Centre, LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Charlotte LeKieffre
- Cell and Plant Physiology Laboratory, University of Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, INRAE, Grenoble Cedex, France
| | - Diana Lopes
- CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Cédric Hubas
- Biologie des Organismes et Écosystèmes Aquatiques (UMR BOREA 8067), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Université, Université de Caen Normandie, Université des Antilles, CNRS, IRD, Station Marine de Concarneau, Place de la croix, Concarneau 29900, France
| | - Jorge E. Spangenberg
- Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics (IDYST), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Stéphane Escrig
- Laboratory for Biological Geochemistry, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Bruno Jesus
- Laboratoire Mer Molécules Santé, Faculté des Sciences et des Techniques, Université de Nantes, Nantes 44322, France
| | - Gonçalo Calado
- Department of Life Sciences, Lusófona University, Campo Grande 376, Lisbon 1749-024, Portugal
- NOVA School of Science and Technology, MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Campus de Caparica, Caparica 2829-516, Portugal
| | - Rosário Domingues
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
- Mass Spectrometry Centre, LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Michael Kühl
- Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Strandpromenaden 5, Helsingør 3000, Denmark
| | - Ricardo Calado
- CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Anders Meibom
- Laboratory for Biological Geochemistry, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, CH-1015, Switzerland
- Center for Advanced Surface Analysis, Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Sónia Cruz
- CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
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13
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Sørensen MES, Wood AJ, Cameron DD, Brockhurst MA. Rapid compensatory evolution can rescue low fitness symbioses following partner switching. Curr Biol 2021; 31:3721-3728.e4. [PMID: 34256017 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.06.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Partner switching plays an important role in the evolution of symbiosis, enabling local adaptation and recovery from the breakdown of symbiosis. Because of intergenomic epistasis, partner-switched symbioses may possess novel combinations of phenotypes but may also exhibit low fitness due to their lack of recent coevolutionary history. Here, we examine the structure and mechanisms of intergenomic epistasis in the Paramecium-Chlorella symbiosis and test whether compensatory evolution can rescue initially low fitness partner-switched symbioses. Using partner-switch experiments coupled with metabolomics, we show evidence for intergenomic epistasis wherein low fitness is associated with elevated symbiont stress responses either in dark or high irradiance environments, potentially owing to mismatched light management traits between the host and symbiont genotypes. Experimental evolution under high light conditions revealed that an initially low fitness partner-switched non-native host-symbiont pairing rapidly adapted, gaining fitness equivalent to the native host-symbiont pairing in less than 50 host generations. Compensatory evolution took two alternative routes: either hosts evolved higher symbiont loads to mitigate for their new algal symbiont's poor performance, or the algal symbionts themselves evolved higher investment in photosynthesis and photoprotective traits to better mitigate light stress. These findings suggest that partner switching combined with rapid compensatory evolution can enable the recovery and local adaptation of symbioses in response to changing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E S Sørensen
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - A Jamie Wood
- Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Duncan D Cameron
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Michael A Brockhurst
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.
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14
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Cytoklepty in the plankton: A host strategy to optimize the bioenergetic machinery of endosymbiotic algae. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2025252118. [PMID: 34215695 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2025252118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Endosymbioses have shaped the evolutionary trajectory of life and remain ecologically important. Investigating oceanic photosymbioses can illuminate how algal endosymbionts are energetically exploited by their heterotrophic hosts and inform on putative initial steps of plastid acquisition in eukaryotes. By combining three-dimensional subcellular imaging with photophysiology, carbon flux imaging, and transcriptomics, we show that cell division of endosymbionts (Phaeocystis) is blocked within hosts (Acantharia) and that their cellular architecture and bioenergetic machinery are radically altered. Transcriptional evidence indicates that a nutrient-independent mechanism prevents symbiont cell division and decouples nuclear and plastid division. As endosymbiont plastids proliferate, the volume of the photosynthetic machinery volume increases 100-fold in correlation with the expansion of a reticular mitochondrial network in close proximity to plastids. Photosynthetic efficiency tends to increase with cell size, and photon propagation modeling indicates that the networked mitochondrial architecture enhances light capture. This is accompanied by 150-fold higher carbon uptake and up-regulation of genes involved in photosynthesis and carbon fixation, which, in conjunction with a ca.15-fold size increase of pyrenoids demonstrates enhanced primary production in symbiosis. Mass spectrometry imaging revealed major carbon allocation to plastids and transfer to the host cell. As in most photosymbioses, microalgae are contained within a host phagosome (symbiosome), but here, the phagosome invaginates into enlarged microalgal cells, perhaps to optimize metabolic exchange. This observation adds evidence that the algal metamorphosis is irreversible. Hosts, therefore, trigger and benefit from major bioenergetic remodeling of symbiotic microalgae with potential consequences for the oceanic carbon cycle. Unlike other photosymbioses, this interaction represents a so-called cytoklepty, which is a putative initial step toward plastid acquisition.
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15
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Moeller HV, Hsu V, Lepori-Bui M, Mesrop LY, Chinn C, Johnson MD. Prey type constrains growth and photosynthetic capacity of the kleptoplastidic ciliate Mesodinium chamaeleon (Ciliophora). JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2021; 57:916-930. [PMID: 33454988 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Kleptoplastidic, or chloroplast-stealing, lineages offer insight into the process of acquiring photosynthesis. By quantifying the ability of these organisms to retain and use photosynthetic machinery from their prey, we can understand how intermediaries on the endosymbiosis pathway might have evolved regulatory and maintenance mechanisms. Here, we focus on a mixotrophic kleptoplastidic ciliate, Mesodinium chamaeleon, noteworthy for its ability to retain functional chloroplasts from at least half a dozen cryptophyte algal genera. We contrasted the performance of kleptoplastids from blue-green and red cryptophyte prey as a function of light level and feeding history. Our experiments showed that starved M. chamaeleon cells are able to maintain photosynthetic function for at least 2 weeks and that M. chamaeleon containing red plastids lost chlorophyll and electron transport capacity faster than those containing blue-green plastids. However, likely due to increased pigment content and photosynthetic rates in red plastids, M. chamaeleon had higher growth rates and more prolonged growth when feeding on red cryptophytes. For example, M. chamaeleon grew rapidly and extensively when fed the blue-green cryptophyte Chroomonas mesostigmatica, but this growth appeared to hinge on high levels of feeding supporting photosynthetic activity. In contrast, even starved M. chamaeleon containing red plastids from Rhodomonas salina could achieve high photosynthetic rates and extensive growth. Our findings show that plastid origin impacts the maintenance and magnitude of photosynthetic activity, though whether this is due to variation in ciliate control or gradual loss of plastid function in ingested prey cells remains unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly V Moeller
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, USA
| | - Veronica Hsu
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, USA
| | - Michelle Lepori-Bui
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, USA
| | - Lisa Y Mesrop
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, USA
| | - Cara Chinn
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, USA
| | - Matthew D Johnson
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, 02543, USA
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16
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Muñoz-Gómez SA, Kreutz M, Hess S. A microbial eukaryote with a unique combination of purple bacteria and green algae as endosymbionts. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabg4102. [PMID: 34117067 PMCID: PMC8195481 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg4102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Oxygenic photosynthesizers (cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae) have repeatedly become endosymbionts throughout evolution. In contrast, anoxygenic photosynthesizers (e.g., purple bacteria) are exceedingly rare as intracellular symbionts. Here, we report on the morphology, ultrastructure, lifestyle, and metagenome of the only "purple-green" eukaryote known. The ciliate Pseudoblepharisma tenue harbors green algae and hundreds of genetically reduced purple bacteria. The latter represent a new candidate species of the Chromatiaceae that lost known genes for sulfur dissimilation. The tripartite consortium is physiologically complex because of the versatile energy metabolism of each partner but appears to be ecologically specialized as it prefers hypoxic sediments. The emergent niche of this complex symbiosis is predicted to be a partial overlap of each partners' niches and may be largely defined by anoxygenic photosynthesis and possibly phagotrophy. This purple-green ciliate thus represents an extraordinary example of how symbiosis merges disparate physiologies and allows emergent consortia to create novel ecological niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio A Muñoz-Gómez
- Institute for Zoology, Cologne Biocenter, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Str. 47b, 50674 Cologne, Germany.
- Center for Mechanism of Evolution, The Biodesign Institute, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, 727 E. Tyler St., Tempe, AZ 85281-5001, USA
| | - Martin Kreutz
- Private Laboratory, Am See 27, 78465 Constance, Germany
| | - Sebastian Hess
- Institute for Zoology, Cologne Biocenter, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Str. 47b, 50674 Cologne, Germany.
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17
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Hsu V, Moeller HV. Metabolic Symbiosis Facilitates Species Coexistence and Generates Light-Dependent Priority Effects. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.614367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic symbiosis is a form of symbiosis in which organisms exchange metabolites, typically for mutual benefit. For example, acquired phototrophs like Paramecium bursaria obtain photosynthate from endosymbiotic green algae called Chlorella. In addition to facilitating the persistence of P. bursaria by providing a carbon source that supplements P. bursaria’s heterotrophic digestion of bacteria, symbiotic Chlorella may impact competitive interactions between P. bursaria and other bacterivores, with cascading effects on community composition and overall diversity. Here, we tested the effects of metabolic symbiosis on coexistence by assessing the impacts of acquired phototrophy on priority effects, or the effect of species arrival order on species interactions, between P. bursaria and its competitor Colpidium. Our results suggest light-dependent priority effects. The acquired phototroph benefited from metabolic symbiosis during sequential arrival of each organism in competition, and led to increased growth of late-arriving Colpidium. These findings demonstrate that understanding the consequences of priority effects for species coexistence requires consideration of metabolic symbiosis.
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18
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Kayal E, Alves-de-Souza C, Farhat S, Velo-Suarez L, Monjol J, Szymczak J, Bigeard E, Marie D, Noel B, Porcel BM, Corre E, Six C, Guillou L. Dinoflagellate Host Chloroplasts and Mitochondria Remain Functional During Amoebophrya Infection. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:600823. [PMID: 33424803 PMCID: PMC7793755 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.600823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dinoflagellates are major components of phytoplankton that play critical roles in many microbial food webs, many of them being hosts of countless intracellular parasites. The phototrophic dinoflagellate Scrippsiella acuminata (Dinophyceae) can be infected by the microeukaryotic parasitoids Amoebophrya spp. (Syndiniales), some of which primarily target and digest the host nucleus. Early digestion of the nucleus at the beginning of the infection is expected to greatly impact the host metabolism, inducing the knockout of the organellar machineries that highly depend upon nuclear gene expression, such as the mitochondrial OXPHOS pathway and the plastid photosynthetic carbon fixation. However, previous studies have reported that chloroplasts remain functional in swimming host cells infected by Amoebophrya. We report here a multi-approach monitoring study of S. acuminata organelles over a complete infection cycle by nucleus-targeting Amoebophrya sp. strain A120. Our results show sustained and efficient photosystem II activity as a hallmark of functional chloroplast throughout the infection period despite the complete digestion of the host nucleus. We also report the importance played by light on parasite production, i.e., the amount of host biomass converted to parasite infective propagules. Using a differential gene expression analysis, we observed an apparent increase of all 3 mitochondrial and 9 out of the 11 plastidial genes involved in the electron transport chains (ETC) of the respiration pathways during the first stages of the infection. The longer resilience of organellar genes compared to those encoded by the nucleus suggests that both mitochondria and chloroplasts remain functional throughout most of the infection. This extended organelle functionality, along with higher parasite production under light conditions, suggests that host bioenergetic organelles likely benefit the parasite Amoebophrya sp. A120 and improve its fitness during the intracellular infective stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Kayal
- Fédération de Recherche 2424 Sorbonne Université & Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Roscoff, France
| | - Catharina Alves-de-Souza
- Algal Resources Collection, Center for Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, United States
| | - Sarah Farhat
- Génomique Métabolique, Génoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Université d'Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
| | - Lourdes Velo-Suarez
- UMR 1078, Genetics, Functional Genomics and Biotechnology, INSERM. UFR Médecine, Brest, France
| | - Joanne Monjol
- UMR 7144 Sorbonne Université & Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique, «Adaptation and Diversity in Marine Environment», Team «Ecology of Marine Plankton, ECOMAP», Station Biologique de Roscoff, Roscoff, France
| | - Jeremy Szymczak
- UMR 7144 Sorbonne Université & Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique, «Adaptation and Diversity in Marine Environment», Team «Ecology of Marine Plankton, ECOMAP», Station Biologique de Roscoff, Roscoff, France
| | - Estelle Bigeard
- UMR 7144 Sorbonne Université & Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique, «Adaptation and Diversity in Marine Environment», Team «Ecology of Marine Plankton, ECOMAP», Station Biologique de Roscoff, Roscoff, France
| | - Dominique Marie
- UMR 7144 Sorbonne Université & Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique, «Adaptation and Diversity in Marine Environment», Team «Ecology of Marine Plankton, ECOMAP», Station Biologique de Roscoff, Roscoff, France
| | - Benjamin Noel
- Génomique Métabolique, Génoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Université d'Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
| | - Betina M Porcel
- Génomique Métabolique, Génoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Université d'Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
| | - Erwan Corre
- Fédération de Recherche 2424 Sorbonne Université & Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Roscoff, France
| | - Christophe Six
- UMR 7144 Sorbonne Université & Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique, «Adaptation and Diversity in Marine Environment», Team «Ecology of Marine Plankton, ECOMAP», Station Biologique de Roscoff, Roscoff, France
| | - Laure Guillou
- UMR 7144 Sorbonne Université & Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique, «Adaptation and Diversity in Marine Environment», Team «Ecology of Marine Plankton, ECOMAP», Station Biologique de Roscoff, Roscoff, France
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19
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Onuma R, Hirooka S, Kanesaki Y, Fujiwara T, Yoshikawa H, Miyagishima SY. Changes in the transcriptome, ploidy, and optimal light intensity of a cryptomonad upon integration into a kleptoplastic dinoflagellate. THE ISME JOURNAL 2020; 14:2407-2423. [PMID: 32514116 PMCID: PMC7490267 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-020-0693-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Endosymbiosis of unicellular eukaryotic algae into previously nonphotosynthetic eukaryotes has established chloroplasts in several eukaryotic lineages. In addition, certain unicellular organisms in several different lineages ingest algae and utilize them as temporal chloroplasts (kleptoplasts) for weeks to months before digesting them. Among these organisms, the dinoflagellate Nusuttodinium aeruginosum ingests the cryptomonad Chroomonas sp. and enlarges the kleptoplast with the aid of the cryptomonad nucleus. To understand how the cryptomonad nucleus is remodeled in the dinoflagellate, here we examined changes in the transcriptome and ploidy of the ingested nucleus. We show that, after ingestion, genes involved in metabolism, translation, and DNA replication are upregulated while those involved in sensory systems and cell motility are downregulated. In the dinoflagellate cell, the cryptomonad nucleus undergoes polyploidization that correlates with an increase in the mRNA levels of upregulated genes. In addition, the ingested nucleus almost loses transcriptional responses to light. Because polyploidization and loss of transcriptional regulation are also known to have occurred during the establishment of endosymbiotic organelles, these changes are probably a common trend in endosymbiotic evolution. Furthermore, we show that the kleptoplast and dinoflagellate are more susceptible to high light than the free-living cryptomonad but that the ingested nucleus reduces this damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Onuma
- Department of Gene Function and Phenomics, National Institute of Genetics, Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka, 411-8540, Japan.
| | - Shunsuke Hirooka
- Department of Gene Function and Phenomics, National Institute of Genetics, Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka, 411-8540, Japan
| | - Yu Kanesaki
- Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
| | - Takayuki Fujiwara
- Department of Gene Function and Phenomics, National Institute of Genetics, Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka, 411-8540, Japan
- Department of Genetics, Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka, 411-8540, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Yoshikawa
- Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1 Sakuragaoka, Setagaya, Tokyo, 156-8502, Japan
| | - Shin-Ya Miyagishima
- Department of Gene Function and Phenomics, National Institute of Genetics, Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka, 411-8540, Japan.
- Department of Genetics, Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka, 411-8540, Japan.
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20
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Better off alone? New insights in the symbiotic relationship between the flatworm Symsagittifera roscoffensis and the microalgae Tetraselmis convolutae. Symbiosis 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s13199-020-00691-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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21
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Sørensen MES, Lowe CD, Minter EJA, Wood AJ, Cameron DD, Brockhurst MA. The role of exploitation in the establishment of mutualistic microbial symbioses. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2020; 366:5528313. [PMID: 31271421 PMCID: PMC6638607 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnz148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary theory suggests that the conditions required for the establishment of mutualistic symbioses through mutualism alone are highly restrictive, often requiring the evolution of complex stabilising mechanisms. Exploitation, whereby initially the host benefits at the expense of its symbiotic partner and mutual benefits evolve subsequently through trade-offs, offers an arguably simpler route to the establishment of mutualistic symbiosis. In this review, we discuss the theoretical and experimental evidence supporting a role for host exploitation in the establishment and evolution of mutualistic microbial symbioses, including data from both extant and experimentally evolved symbioses. We conclude that exploitation rather than mutualism may often explain the origin of mutualistic microbial symbioses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E S Sørensen
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Chris D Lowe
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Ewan J A Minter
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - A Jamie Wood
- Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK.,Department of Mathematics, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Duncan D Cameron
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Michael A Brockhurst
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
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22
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Nomura M, Kamikawa R, Ishida KI. Fine Structure Observation of Feeding Behavior, Nephroselmis spp.-derived Chloroplast Enlargement, and Mitotic Processes in the Katablepharid Hatena arenicola. Protist 2020; 171:125714. [PMID: 32088560 DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2020.125714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 01/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The difficult-to-cultivate katablepharid Hatena arenicola ingests green algae, Nephroselmis spp., and temporarily retains a Nephroselmis-derived cell compartment (kleptochloroplast), including a chloroplast within a phagocytotic vacuole. H. arenicola has a unique life history; during cell division, the Nephroselmis-derived cell compartment is only inherited by one of two daughter cells. However, the detailed morphological transition of the Nephroselmis cell to a kleptochloroplast and the mitotic process of the host cell remain unclear. Herein, we observed feeding behavior, enlargement of the Nephroselmis-derived chloroplast, and mitotic processes in H. arenicola using light and electron microscopy. During feeding behavior, H. arenicola peeled off the cell coverings and flagella of the Nephroselmis cell, which selectively accumulated in a vacuole separate to one containing a Nephroselmis cell body. An obvious nucleolus, but no heterochromatin was observed in the Nephroselmis-derived nucleus during the chloroplast-enlarging process, while compressed heterochromatin was explicitly observed in the nuclei of free-living Nephroselmis cells. The cell membrane of an ingested Nephroselmis cell disintegrated during enlargement of the Nephroselmis-derived chloroplast. The process of mitosis in H. arenicola was very similar to that of other katablepharids and cryptophytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mami Nomura
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan.
| | - Ryoma Kamikawa
- Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida, Nihonmatsu-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichiro Ishida
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
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23
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Sørensen MES, Wood AJ, Minter EJA, Lowe CD, Cameron DD, Brockhurst MA. Comparison of Independent Evolutionary Origins Reveals Both Convergence and Divergence in the Metabolic Mechanisms of Symbiosis. Curr Biol 2020; 30:328-334.e4. [PMID: 31902722 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.11.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Through the merger of previously independent lineages, symbiosis promotes the acquisition of new traits and exploitation of inaccessible ecological niches [1, 2], driving evolutionary innovation and important ecosystem functions [3-6]. The transient nature of establishment makes study of symbiotic origins difficult, but experimental comparison of independent origins could reveal the degree of convergence in the underpinning mechanisms [7, 8]. We compared the metabolic mechanisms of two independent origins of Paramecium bursaria-Chlorella photosymbiosis [9-11] using a reciprocal metabolomic pulse-chase method. This showed convergent patterns of nutrient exchange and utilization for host-derived nitrogen in the Chlorella genotypes [12, 13] and symbiont-derived carbon in the P. bursaria genotypes [14, 15]. Consistent with a convergent primary nutrient exchange, partner-switched host-symbiont pairings were functional. Direct competition of hosts containing native or recombined symbionts against isogenic symbiont-free hosts showed that the fitness benefits of symbiosis for hosts increased with irradiance but varied by genotype. Global metabolism varied more between the Chlorella than the P. bursaria genotypes and suggested divergent mechanisms of light management. Specifically, the algal symbiont genotypes either produced photo-protective carotenoid pigments at high irradiance or more chlorophyll, resulting in corresponding differences in photosynthetic efficiency and non-photochemical quenching among host-symbiont pairings. These data suggest that the multiple origins of P. bursaria-Chlorella symbiosis use a convergent nutrient exchange, whereas other photosynthetic traits linked to functioning of photosymbiosis have diverged. Although convergence enables partner switching among diverse strains, phenotypic mismatches resulting from divergence of secondary symbiotic traits could mediate host-symbiont specificity in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E S Sørensen
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - A Jamie Wood
- Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Ewan J A Minter
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Chris D Lowe
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Duncan D Cameron
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Michael A Brockhurst
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK.
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24
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Responses of unicellular predators to cope with the phototoxicity of photosynthetic prey. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5606. [PMID: 31811209 PMCID: PMC6898599 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13568-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Feeding on unicellular photosynthetic organisms by unicellular eukaryotes is the base of the aquatic food chain and evolutionarily led to the establishment of photosynthetic endosymbionts/organelles. Photosynthesis generates reactive oxygen species and damages cells; thus, photosynthetic organisms possess several mechanisms to cope with the stress. Here, we demonstrate that photosynthetic prey also exposes unicellular amoebozoan and excavates predators to photosynthetic oxidative stress. Upon illumination, there is a commonality in transcriptomic changes among evolutionarily distant organisms feeding on photosynthetic prey. One of the genes commonly upregulated is a horizontally transferred homolog of algal and plant genes for chlorophyll degradation/detoxification. In addition, the predators reduce their phagocytic uptake while accelerating digestion of photosynthetic prey upon illumination, reducing the number of photosynthetic cells inside the predator cells, as this also occurs in facultative endosymbiotic associations upon certain stresses. Thus, some mechanisms in predators observed here probably have been necessary for evolution of endosymbiotic associations. Photosynthesis generates reactive oxygen species that can damage cells. Here, the authors show that unicellular predators of photosynthetic prey have shared responses to photosynthetic oxidative stress and these may also have been important for the evolution of endosymbiosis.
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25
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Lasek-Nesselquist E, Johnson MD. A Phylogenomic Approach to Clarifying the Relationship of Mesodinium within the Ciliophora: A Case Study in the Complexity of Mixed-Species Transcriptome Analyses. Genome Biol Evol 2019; 11:3218-3232. [PMID: 31665294 PMCID: PMC6859813 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evz233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent high-throughput sequencing endeavors have yielded multigene/protein phylogenies that confidently resolve several inter- and intra-class relationships within the phylum Ciliophora. We leverage the massive sequencing efforts from the Marine Microbial Eukaryote Transcriptome Sequencing Project, other SRA submissions, and available genome data with our own sequencing efforts to determine the phylogenetic position of Mesodinium and to generate the most taxonomically rich phylogenomic ciliate tree to date. Regardless of the data mining strategy, the multiprotein data set, or the molecular models of evolution employed, we consistently recovered the same well-supported relationships among ciliate classes, confirming many of the higher-level relationships previously identified. Mesodinium always formed a monophyletic group with members of the Litostomatea, with mixotrophic species of Mesodinium-M. rubrum, M. major, and M. chamaeleon-being more closely related to each other than to the heterotrophic member, M. pulex. The well-supported position of Mesodinium as sister to other litostomes contrasts with previous molecular analyses including those from phylogenomic studies that exploited the same transcriptomic databases. These topological discrepancies illustrate the need for caution when mining mixed-species transcriptomes and indicate that identifying ciliate sequences among prey contamination-particularly for Mesodinium species where expression from stolen prey nuclei appears to dominate-requires thorough and iterative vetting with phylogenies that incorporate sequences from a large outgroup of prey.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew D Johnson
- Biology, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts
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26
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Cruaud P, Vigneron A, Fradette MS, Dorea CC, Culley AI, Rodriguez MJ, Charette SJ. Annual Protist Community Dynamics in a Freshwater Ecosystem Undergoing Contrasted Climatic Conditions: The Saint-Charles River (Canada). Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2359. [PMID: 31681222 PMCID: PMC6805768 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Protists are key stone components of aquatic ecosystems, sustaining primary productivity and aquatic food webs. However, their diversity, ecology and structuring factors shaping their temporal distribution remain strongly misunderstood in freshwaters. Using high-throughput sequencing on water samples collected over 16 different months (including two summer and two winter periods), combined with geochemical measurements and climate monitoring, we comprehensively determined the pico- and nanoeukaryotic community composition and dynamics in a Canadian river undergoing prolonged ice-cover winters. Our analysis revealed a large protist diversity in this fluctuating ecosystem and clear seasonal patterns demonstrating a direct and/or indirect selective role of abiotic factors, such as water temperature or nitrogen concentrations, in structuring the eukaryotic microbial community. Nonetheless, our results also revealed that primary productivity, predatory as well as parasitism lifestyles, inferred from fine phylogenetic placements, remained potentially present over the annual cycle, despite the large seasonal fluctuations and the remodeling of the community composition under ice. In addition, potential interplays with the bacterial community composition were identified supporting a possible contribution of the bacterial community to the temporal dynamics of the protist community structure. Our results illustrate the complexity of the eukaryotic microbial community and provide a substantive and useful dataset to better understand the global freshwater ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perrine Cruaud
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.,Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-Informatique, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.,CRAD, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Adrien Vigneron
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.,Centre D'Études Nordiques, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.,Département de Biologie, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Stéphanie Fradette
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.,Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-Informatique, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.,CRAD, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Caetano C Dorea
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Alexander I Culley
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.,Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-Informatique, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.,Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Buccale, Faculté de Médecine Dentaire, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Manuel J Rodriguez
- CRAD, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.,École Supérieure D'aménagement du Territoire et de Développement Régional (ESAD), Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Steve J Charette
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.,Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-Informatique, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.,Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Québec City, QC, Canada
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A kleptoplastidic dinoflagellate and the tipping point between transient and fully integrated plastid endosymbiosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:17934-17942. [PMID: 31427512 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1910121116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Plastid endosymbiosis has been a major force in the evolution of eukaryotic cellular complexity, but how endosymbionts are integrated is still poorly understood at a mechanistic level. Dinoflagellates, an ecologically important protist lineage, represent a unique model to study this process because dinoflagellate plastids have repeatedly been reduced, lost, and replaced by new plastids, leading to a spectrum of ages and integration levels. Here we describe deep-transcriptomic analyses of the Antarctic Ross Sea dinoflagellate (RSD), which harbors long-term but temporary kleptoplasts stolen from haptophyte prey, and is closely related to dinoflagellates with fully integrated plastids derived from different haptophytes. In some members of this lineage, called the Kareniaceae, their tertiary haptophyte plastids have crossed a tipping point to stable integration, but RSD has not, and may therefore reveal the order of events leading up to endosymbiotic integration. We show that RSD has retained its ancestral secondary plastid and has partitioned functions between this plastid and the kleptoplast. It has also obtained genes for kleptoplast-targeted proteins via horizontal gene transfer (HGT) that are not derived from the kleptoplast lineage. Importantly, many of these HGTs are also found in the related species with fully integrated plastids, which provides direct evidence that genetic integration preceded organelle fixation. Finally, we find that expression of kleptoplast-targeted genes is unaffected by environmental parameters, unlike prey-encoded homologs, suggesting that kleptoplast-targeted HGTs have adapted to posttranscriptional regulation mechanisms of the host.
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28
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Van Steenkiste NWL, Stephenson I, Herranz M, Husnik F, Keeling PJ, Leander BS. A new case of kleptoplasty in animals: Marine flatworms steal functional plastids from diatoms. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaaw4337. [PMID: 31328166 PMCID: PMC6636991 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaw4337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
To date, sea slugs have been considered the only animals known to sequester functional algal plastids into their own cells, via a process called "kleptoplasty." We report here, however, that endosymbionts in the marine flatworms Baicalellia solaris and Pogaina paranygulgus are isolated plastids stolen from diatoms. Ultrastructural data show that kleptoplasts are located within flatworm cells, while algal nuclei and other organelles are absent. Transcriptomic analysis and rbcL amplicons confirm the absence of algal nuclear mRNA and reveal that the plastids originate from different species of diatoms. Laboratory experiments demonstrated photosynthetic activity and short-term retention of kleptoplasts in starved worms. This lineage of flatworms represents the first known case of functional kleptoplasty involving diatoms and only the second known case of kleptoplasty across the entire tree of animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels W. L. Van Steenkiste
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, 4200-6270 University Blvd., Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, 3200-6270 University Blvd., Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - India Stephenson
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, 4200-6270 University Blvd., Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - María Herranz
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, 4200-6270 University Blvd., Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, 3200-6270 University Blvd., Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Filip Husnik
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, 3200-6270 University Blvd., Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Patrick J. Keeling
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, 3200-6270 University Blvd., Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Brian S. Leander
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, 4200-6270 University Blvd., Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, 3200-6270 University Blvd., Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
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29
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Abstract
Over 100 whole-genome sequences from algae are published or soon to be published. The rapidly increasing availability of these fundamental resources is changing how we understand one of the most diverse, complex, and understudied groups of photosynthetic eukaryotes. Genome sequences provide a window into the functional potential of individual algae, with phylogenomics and functional genomics as tools for contextualizing and transferring knowledge from reference organisms into less well-characterized systems. Remarkably, over half of the proteins encoded by algal genomes are of unknown function, highlighting the volume of functional capabilities yet to be discovered. In this review, we provide an overview of publicly available algal genomes, their associated protein inventories, and their quality, with a summary of the statuses of protein function understanding and predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sabeeha S Merchant
- Departments of Plant and Microbial Biology and Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
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30
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Leles SG, Mitra A, Flynn KJ, Stoecker DK, Hansen PJ, Calbet A, McManus GB, Sanders RW, Caron DA, Not F, Hallegraeff GM, Pitta P, Raven JA, Johnson MD, Glibert PM, Våge S. Oceanic protists with different forms of acquired phototrophy display contrasting biogeographies and abundance. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2017.0664. [PMID: 28768886 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.0664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This first comprehensive analysis of the global biogeography of marine protistan plankton with acquired phototrophy shows these mixotrophic organisms to be ubiquitous and abundant; however, their biogeography differs markedly between different functional groups. These mixotrophs, lacking a constitutive capacity for photosynthesis (i.e. non-constitutive mixotrophs, NCMs), acquire their phototrophic potential through either integration of prey-plastids or through endosymbiotic associations with photosynthetic microbes. Analysis of field data reveals that 40-60% of plankton traditionally labelled as (non-phototrophic) microzooplankton are actually NCMs, employing acquired phototrophy in addition to phagotrophy. Specialist NCMs acquire chloroplasts or endosymbionts from specific prey, while generalist NCMs obtain chloroplasts from a variety of prey. These contrasting functional types of NCMs exhibit distinct seasonal and spatial global distribution patterns. Mixotrophs reliant on 'stolen' chloroplasts, controlled by prey diversity and abundance, dominate in high-biomass areas. Mixotrophs harbouring intact symbionts are present in all waters and dominate particularly in oligotrophic open ocean systems. The contrasting temporal and spatial patterns of distribution of different mixotroph functional types across the oceanic provinces, as revealed in this study, challenges traditional interpretations of marine food web structures. Mixotrophs with acquired phototrophy (NCMs) warrant greater recognition in marine research.
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Affiliation(s)
- S G Leles
- Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - A Mitra
- Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - K J Flynn
- Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - D K Stoecker
- Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, MD 21613, USA
| | - P J Hansen
- Marine Biological Section, University of Copenhagen, 3000 Helsingør, Denmark
| | - A Calbet
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, CSIC. Pg Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - G B McManus
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton CT, 06340, USA
| | - R W Sanders
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - D A Caron
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0371, USA
| | - F Not
- UPMC Université Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin UMR7144, Sorbonne Universités, Station Biologique de Roscoff, 29688 Roscoff, France
| | - G M Hallegraeff
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 129, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - P Pitta
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - J A Raven
- Division of Plant Science, University of Dundee at the James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DQ, UK.,Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - M D Johnson
- Department of Biology, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - P M Glibert
- Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, MD 21613, USA
| | - S Våge
- Department of Biology, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
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31
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Comparative growth rates of cultured marine dinoflagellates in the genus Symbiodinium and the effects of temperature and light. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187707. [PMID: 29186143 PMCID: PMC5706665 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Many dinoflagellate microalgae of the genus Symbiodinium form successful symbioses with a large group of metazoans and selected protists. Yet knowledge of growth kinetics of these endosymbionts and their ecological and evolutionary implications is limited. We used a Bayesian biphasic generalized logistic model to estimate key parameters of the growth of five strains of cultured Symbiodinium, S. microadriaticum (cp-type A194; strain 04–503), S. microadriaticum (cp-type A194; strain CassKB8), S. minutum (cp-type B184; strain Mf 1.05b.01.SCI.01), S. psygmophilum (cp-type B224; strain Mf 11.05b.01) and S. trenchii (cp-type D206; strain Mf 2.2b), grown in four different combinations of temperature and light. Growth kinetics varied among Symbiodinium strains and across treatments. Biphasic growth was especially evident for S. minutum and S. psygmophilum across all treatments. Monophasic growth was more common when final asymptotic densities were relatively low (~ 200 million cells ml-1). All species tended to grow faster and / or reached a higher asymptote at 26°C than at 18°C. The fastest growth was exhibited by S. minutum, with an approximate four-fold increase in estimated cell density after 60 days. The strongest effect of light was seen in S. trenchii, in which increasing light levels resulted in a decrease in initial growth rate, and an increase in asymptotic density, time when growth rate was at its maximum, final growth rate, and maximum growth rate. Results suggest that Symbiodinium species have different photokinetic and thermal optima, which may affect their growth-related nutritional physiology and allow them to modify their response to environmental changes.
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32
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Rey F, Costa ED, Campos AM, Cartaxana P, Maciel E, Domingues P, Domingues MRM, Calado R, Cruz S. Kleptoplasty does not promote major shifts in the lipidome of macroalgal chloroplasts sequestered by the sacoglossan sea slug Elysia viridis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:11502. [PMID: 28904377 PMCID: PMC5597624 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12008-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Sacoglossan sea slugs, also known as crawling leaves due to their photosynthetic activity, are highly selective feeders that incorporate chloroplasts from specific macroalgae. These “stolen” plastids - kleptoplasts - are kept functional inside animal cells and likely provide an alternative source of energy to their host. The mechanisms supporting the retention and functionality of kleptoplasts remain unknown. A lipidomic mass spectrometry-based analysis was performed to study kleptoplasty of the sacoglossan sea slug Elysia viridis fed with Codium tomentosum. Total lipid extract of both organisms was fractionated. The fraction rich in glycolipids, exclusive lipids from chloroplasts, and the fraction rich in betaine lipids, characteristic of algae, were analysed using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HILIC-LC-MS). This approach allowed the identification of 81 molecular species, namely galactolipids (8 in both organisms), sulfolipids (17 in C. tomentosum and 13 in E. viridis) and betaine lipids (51 in C. tomentosum and 41 in E. viridis). These lipid classes presented similar lipidomic profiles in C. tomentosum and E. viridis, indicating that the necessary mechanisms to perform photosynthesis are preserved during the process of endosymbiosis. The present study shows that there are no major shifts in the lipidome of C. tomentosum chloroplasts sequestered by E. viridis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felisa Rey
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM & ECOMARE, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Elisabete da Costa
- Centro de Espetrometria de Massa, Departamento de Química & QOPNA, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana M Campos
- Centro de Espetrometria de Massa, Departamento de Química & QOPNA, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Paulo Cartaxana
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM & ECOMARE, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Elisabete Maciel
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM & ECOMARE, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.,Centro de Espetrometria de Massa, Departamento de Química & QOPNA, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Pedro Domingues
- Centro de Espetrometria de Massa, Departamento de Química & QOPNA, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - M Rosário M Domingues
- Centro de Espetrometria de Massa, Departamento de Química & QOPNA, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Calado
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM & ECOMARE, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sónia Cruz
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM & ECOMARE, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
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33
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Kleptoplast photosynthesis is nutritionally relevant in the sea slug Elysia viridis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7714. [PMID: 28798379 PMCID: PMC5552801 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08002-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Several sacoglossan sea slug species feed on macroalgae and incorporate chloroplasts into tubular cells of their digestive diverticula. We investigated the role of the “stolen” chloroplasts (kleptoplasts) in the nutrition of the sea slug Elysia viridis and assessed how their abundance, distribution and photosynthetic activity were affected by light and starvation. Elysia viridis individuals feeding on the macroalga Codium tomentosum were compared with starved specimens kept in dark and low light conditions. A combination of variable Chl a fluorescence and hyperspectral imaging, and HPLC pigment analysis was used to evaluate the spatial and temporal variability of photopigments and of the photosynthetic capacity of kleptoplasts. We show increased loss of weight and body length in dark-starved E. viridis as compared to low light-starved sea slugs. A more pronounced decrease in kleptoplast abundance and lower photosynthetic electron transport rates were observed in dark-starved sea slugs than in low light-starved animals. This study presents strong evidence of the importance of kleptoplast photosynthesis for the nutrition of E. viridis in periods of food scarcity. Deprived of photosynthates, E. viridis could accelerate the breakdown of kleptoplasts in the dark to satisfy its’ energy requirements.
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34
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Moeller HV, Johnson MD. Preferential Plastid Retention by the Acquired Phototroph Mesodinium chamaeleon. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2017; 65:148-158. [PMID: 28710891 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The ciliate genus Mesodinium contains species that rely to varying degrees on photosynthetic machinery stolen from cryptophyte algal prey. Prey specificity appears to scales inversely with this reliance: The predominantly phototrophic M. major/rubrum species complex exhibits high prey specificity, while the heterotrophic lineages M. pulex and pupula are generalists. Here, we test the hypothesis that the recently described mixotroph M. chamaeleon, which is phylogenetically intermediate between M. major/rubrum and M. pulex/pupula, exhibits intermediate prey preferences. Using a series of feeding and starvation experiments, we demonstrate that M. chamaeleon grazes and retains plastids at rates which often exceed those observed in M. rubrum, and retains plastids from at least five genera of cryptophyte algae. Despite this relative generality, M. chamaeleon exhibits distinct prey preferences, with higher plastid retention, mixotrophic growth rates and efficiencies, and starvation tolerance when offered Storeatula major, a cryptophyte that M. rubrum does not appear to ingest. These results suggest that niche partitioning between the two acquired phototrophs may be mediated by prey identity. M. chamaeleon appears to represent an intermediate step in the transition to strict reliance on acquired phototrophy, indicating that prey specificity may evolve alongside degree of phototrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly V Moeller
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, 02543, USA.,Department of Ecology, Evolution, & Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, USA.,Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Matthew D Johnson
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, 02543, USA
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35
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Bodył A. Did some red alga-derived plastids evolveviakleptoplastidy? A hypothesis. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2017; 93:201-222. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Bodył
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Protistology, Department of Invertebrate Biology, Evolution and Conservation, Institute of Environmental Biology; University of Wrocław, ul. Przybyszewskiego 65; 51-148 Wrocław Poland
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36
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Valadez-Cano C, Olivares-Hernández R, Resendis-Antonio O, DeLuna A, Delaye L. Natural selection drove metabolic specialization of the chromatophore in Paulinella chromatophora. BMC Evol Biol 2017; 17:99. [PMID: 28410570 PMCID: PMC5392233 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-017-0947-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Genome degradation of host-restricted mutualistic endosymbionts has been attributed to inactivating mutations and genetic drift while genes coding for host-relevant functions are conserved by purifying selection. Unlike their free-living relatives, the metabolism of mutualistic endosymbionts and endosymbiont-originated organelles is specialized in the production of metabolites which are released to the host. This specialization suggests that natural selection crafted these metabolic adaptations. In this work, we analyzed the evolution of the metabolism of the chromatophore of Paulinella chromatophora by in silico modeling. We asked whether genome reduction is driven by metabolic engineering strategies resulted from the interaction with the host. As its widely known, the loss of enzyme coding genes leads to metabolic network restructuring sometimes improving the production rates. In this case, the production rate of reduced-carbon in the metabolism of the chromatophore. Results We reconstructed the metabolic networks of the chromatophore of P. chromatophora CCAC 0185 and a close free-living relative, the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. WH 5701. We found that the evolution of free-living to host-restricted lifestyle rendered a fragile metabolic network where >80% of genes in the chromatophore are essential for metabolic functionality. Despite the lack of experimental information, the metabolic reconstruction of the chromatophore suggests that the host provides several metabolites to the endosymbiont. By using these metabolites as intracellular conditions, in silico simulations of genome evolution by gene lose recover with 77% accuracy the actual metabolic gene content of the chromatophore. Also, the metabolic model of the chromatophore allowed us to predict by flux balance analysis a maximum rate of reduced-carbon released by the endosymbiont to the host. By inspecting the central metabolism of the chromatophore and the free-living cyanobacteria we found that by improvements in the gluconeogenic pathway the metabolism of the endosymbiont uses more efficiently the carbon source for reduced-carbon production. In addition, our in silico simulations of the evolutionary process leading to the reduced metabolic network of the chromatophore showed that the predicted rate of released reduced-carbon is obtained in less than 5% of the times under a process guided by random gene deletion and genetic drift. We interpret previous findings as evidence that natural selection at holobiont level shaped the rate at which reduced-carbon is exported to the host. Finally, our model also predicts that the ABC phosphate transporter (pstSACB) which is conserved in the genome of the chromatophore of P. chromatophora strain CCAC 0185 is a necessary component to release reduced-carbon molecules to the host. Conclusion Our evolutionary analysis suggests that in the case of Paulinella chromatophora natural selection at the holobiont level played a prominent role in shaping the metabolic specialization of the chromatophore. We propose that natural selection acted as a “metabolic engineer” by favoring metabolic restructurings that led to an increased release of reduced-carbon to the host. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-017-0947-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilio Valadez-Cano
- Departamento de Ingeniería Genética, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Irapuato, Km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte Carr. Irapuato-León, 36821, Guanajuato, Irapuato, Mexico
| | - Roberto Olivares-Hernández
- Departamento de Procesos y Tecnología, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa, Av. Vasco de Quiroga 4871, Santa Fe, Del. Cuajimalpa, C.P. 05348, Ciudad de Mexico, México, Mexico
| | - Osbaldo Resendis-Antonio
- Human Systems Biology Laboratory, Coordinación de la Investigación Científica-Red de Apoyo a la Investigación (RAI), UNAM, México City, Mexico.,Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), 14610, México City, Mexico
| | - Alexander DeLuna
- Unidad de Genómica Avanzada (Langebio), Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Guanajuato, Irapuato, Mexico
| | - Luis Delaye
- Departamento de Ingeniería Genética, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Irapuato, Km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte Carr. Irapuato-León, 36821, Guanajuato, Irapuato, Mexico.
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37
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Laetz EMJ, Rühr PT, Bartolomaeus T, Preisfeld A, Wägele H. Examining the retention of functional kleptoplasts and digestive activity in sacoglossan sea slugs. ORG DIVERS EVOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s13127-016-0308-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Lee KH, Jeong HJ, Kwon JE, Kang HC, Kim JH, Jang SH, Park JY, Yoon EY, Kim JS. Mixotrophic ability of the phototrophic dinoflagellates Alexandrium andersonii, A. affine, and A. fraterculus. HARMFUL ALGAE 2016; 59:67-81. [PMID: 28073508 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2016.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Revised: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The dinoflagellate Alexandrium spp. have received much attention due to their harmful effects on diverse marine organisms, including commercially important species. For minimizing loss due to red tides or blooms of Alexandrium spp., it is very important to understand the eco-physiology of each Alexandrium species and to predict its population dynamics. Its trophic mode (i.e., exclusively autotrophic or mixotrophic) is one of the most critical parameters in establishing prediction models. However, among the 35 Alexandrium species so far described, only six Alexandrium species have been revealed to be mixotrophic. Thus, mixotrophic ability of the other Alexandrium species should be explored. In the present study, whether each of three Alexandrium species (A. andersonii, A. affine, and A. fraterculus) isolated from Korean waters has or lacks mixotrophic ability, was investigated. When diets of diverse algal prey, cyanobacteria, and bacteria sized micro-beads were provided, A. andersonii was able to feed on the prasinophyte Pyramimonas sp., the cryptophyte Teleaulax sp., and the dinoflagellate Heterocapsa rotundata, whereas neither A. affine nor A. fraterculus fed on any prey item. Moreover, mixotrophy elevated the growth rate of A. andersonii. The maximum mixotrophic growth rates of A. andersonii on Pyramimonas sp. under a 14:10h light/dark cycle of 20μEm-2s-1 was 0.432d-1, while the autotrophic growth rate was 0.243d-1. With increasing mean prey concentration, the ingestion rate of A. andersonii increased rapidly at prey concentrations <650ngCml-1 (ca. 16,240 cellsml-1), but became saturated at the higher prey concentrations. The maximum ingestion rate by A. andersonii of Pyramimonas sp. was 1.03ngC predator-1d-1 (25.6 cells predator-1d-1). This evidence suggests that the mixotrophic ability of A. andersonii should be taken into consideration in predicting the outbreak, persistence, and decline of its harmful algal blooms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Ha Lee
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Jin Jeong
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Advanced Institutes of Convergence Technology, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do 16229, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ji Eun Kwon
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Chang Kang
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hye Kim
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Hyeon Jang
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Yeon Park
- Advanced Institutes of Convergence Technology, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do 16229, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Young Yoon
- Advanced Institutes of Convergence Technology, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do 16229, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Seong Kim
- Water and Eco-Bio Corporation, Kunsan National University, Kunsan 54150, Republic of Korea
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Quispe CF, Sonderman O, Khasin M, Riekhof WR, Van Etten JL, Nickerson KW. Comparative genomics, transcriptomics, and physiology distinguish symbiotic from free-living Chlorella strains. ALGAL RES 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2016.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Functional ecology of aquatic phagotrophic protists – Concepts, limitations, and perspectives. Eur J Protistol 2016; 55:50-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2016.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Revised: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Hansen PJ, Ojamäe K, Berge T, Trampe ECL, Nielsen LT, Lips I, Kühl M. Photoregulation in a Kleptochloroplastidic Dinoflagellate, Dinophysis acuta. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:785. [PMID: 27303378 PMCID: PMC4884750 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Some phagotrophic organisms can retain chloroplasts of their photosynthetic prey as so-called kleptochloroplasts and maintain their function for shorter or longer periods of time. Here we show for the first time that the dinoflagellate Dinophysis acuta takes control over "third-hand" chloroplasts obtained from its ciliate prey Mesodinium spp. that originally ingested the cryptophyte chloroplasts. With its kleptochloroplasts, D. acuta can synthesize photosynthetic as well as photoprotective pigments under long-term starvation in the light. Variable chlorophyll fluorescence measurements showed that the kleptochloroplasts were fully functional during 1 month of prey starvation, while the chlorophyll a-specific inorganic carbon uptake decreased within days of prey starvation under an irradiance of 100 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1). While D. acuta cells can regulate their pigmentation and function of kleptochloroplasts they apparently lose the ability to maintain high inorganic carbon fixation rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Per J Hansen
- Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Karin Ojamäe
- Marine Systems Institute, Tallinn University of Technology Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Terje Berge
- Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of CopenhagenHelsingør, Denmark; Centre for Ocean Life, DTU Aqua National Institute for Aquatic Resources, Technical University of DenmarkCharlottenlund, Denmark
| | - Erik C L Trampe
- Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Lasse T Nielsen
- Centre for Ocean Life, DTU Aqua National Institute for Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark Charlottenlund, Denmark
| | - Inga Lips
- Marine Systems Institute, Tallinn University of Technology Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Michael Kühl
- Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of CopenhagenHelsingør, Denmark; Plant Functional Biology and Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology SydneySydney, NSW, Australia
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Sørensen MES, Cameron DD, Brockhurst MA, Wood AJ. Metabolic constraints for a novel symbiosis. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2016; 3:150708. [PMID: 27069664 PMCID: PMC4821275 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.150708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Ancient evolutionary events are difficult to study because their current products are derived forms altered by millions of years of adaptation. The primary endosymbiotic event formed the first photosynthetic eukaryote resulting in both plants and algae, with vast consequences for life on Earth. The evolutionary time that passed since this event means the dominant mechanisms and changes that were required are obscured. Synthetic symbioses such as the novel interaction between Paramecium bursaria and the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PC6803, recently established in the laboratory, permit a unique window on the possible early trajectories of this critical evolutionary event. Here, we apply metabolic modelling, using flux balance analysis (FBA), to predict the metabolic adaptations necessary for this previously free-living symbiont to transition to the endosymbiotic niche. By enforcing reciprocal nutrient trading, we are able to predict the most efficient exchange nutrients for both host and symbiont. During the transition from free-living to obligate symbiosis, it is likely that the trading parameters will change over time, which leads in our model to discontinuous changes in the preferred exchange nutrients. Our results show the applicability of FBA modelling to ancient evolutionary transitions driven by metabolic exchanges, and predict how newly established endosymbioses, governed by conflict, will differ from a well-developed one that has reached a mutual-benefit state.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Duncan D. Cameron
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | | | - A. Jamie Wood
- Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5GG, UK
- Department of Mathematics, University of York, York YO10 5GG, UK
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Dean AD, Minter EJA, Sørensen MES, Lowe CD, Cameron DD, Brockhurst MA, Jamie Wood A. Host control and nutrient trading in a photosynthetic symbiosis. J Theor Biol 2016; 405:82-93. [PMID: 26925812 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2016.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Photosymbiosis is one of the most important evolutionary trajectories, resulting in the chloroplast and the subsequent development of all complex photosynthetic organisms. The ciliate Paramecium bursaria and the alga Chlorella have a well established and well studied light dependent endosymbiotic relationship. Despite its prominence, there remain many unanswered questions regarding the exact mechanisms of the photosymbiosis. Of particular interest is how a host maintains and manages its symbiont load in response to the allocation of nutrients between itself and its symbionts. Here we construct a detailed mathematical model, parameterised from the literature, that explicitly incorporates nutrient trading within a deterministic model of both partners. The model demonstrates how the symbiotic relationship can manifest as parasitism of the host by the symbionts, mutualism, wherein both partners benefit, or exploitation of the symbionts by the hosts. We show that the precise nature of the photosymbiosis is determined by both environmental conditions (how much light is available for photosynthesis) and the level of control a host has over its symbiont load. Our model provides a framework within which it is possible to pose detailed questions regarding the evolutionary behaviour of this important example of an established light dependent endosymbiosis; we focus on one question in particular, namely the evolution of host control, and show using an adaptive dynamics approach that a moderate level of host control may evolve provided the associated costs are not prohibitive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Dean
- Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK; Department of Mathematics, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Ewan J A Minter
- Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Megan E S Sørensen
- Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Christopher D Lowe
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Treliever Road, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Duncan D Cameron
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Alfred Denny Building, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | | | - A Jamie Wood
- Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK; Department of Mathematics, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
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Defining Planktonic Protist Functional Groups on Mechanisms for Energy and Nutrient Acquisition: Incorporation of Diverse Mixotrophic Strategies. Protist 2016; 167:106-20. [PMID: 26927496 DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2016.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Revised: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Arranging organisms into functional groups aids ecological research by grouping organisms (irrespective of phylogenetic origin) that interact with environmental factors in similar ways. Planktonic protists traditionally have been split between photoautotrophic "phytoplankton" and phagotrophic "microzooplankton". However, there is a growing recognition of the importance of mixotrophy in euphotic aquatic systems, where many protists often combine photoautotrophic and phagotrophic modes of nutrition. Such organisms do not align with the traditional dichotomy of phytoplankton and microzooplankton. To reflect this understanding, we propose a new functional grouping of planktonic protists in an eco-physiological context: (i) phagoheterotrophs lacking phototrophic capacity, (ii) photoautotrophs lacking phagotrophic capacity, (iii) constitutive mixotrophs (CMs) as phagotrophs with an inherent capacity for phototrophy, and (iv) non-constitutive mixotrophs (NCMs) that acquire their phototrophic capacity by ingesting specific (SNCM) or general non-specific (GNCM) prey. For the first time, we incorporate these functional groups within a foodweb structure and show, using model outputs, that there is scope for significant changes in trophic dynamics depending on the protist functional type description. Accordingly, to better reflect the role of mixotrophy, we recommend that as important tools for explanatory and predictive research, aquatic food-web and biogeochemical models need to redefine the protist groups within their frameworks.
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Moeller HV, Peltomaa E, Johnson MD, Neubert MG. Acquired phototrophy stabilises coexistence and shapes intrinsic dynamics of an intraguild predator and its prey. Ecol Lett 2016; 19:393-402. [DOI: 10.1111/ele.12572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Revised: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Holly V. Moeller
- Biology Department Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Woods Hole MA USA
| | - Elina Peltomaa
- Department of Environmental Sciences University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
| | - Matthew D. Johnson
- Biology Department Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Woods Hole MA USA
| | - Michael G. Neubert
- Biology Department Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Woods Hole MA USA
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Kim GH, Han JH, Kim B, Han JW, Nam SW, Shin W, Park JW, Yih W. Cryptophyte gene regulation in the kleptoplastidic, karyokleptic ciliate Mesodinium rubrum. HARMFUL ALGAE 2016; 52:23-33. [PMID: 28073468 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2015.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Revised: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Photosynthesis in the ciliate Mesodinium rubrum is achieved using a consortium of cryptophyte algal organelles enclosed in its specialized vacuole. A time-series microarray analysis was conducted on the photosynthetic ciliate using an oligochip containing 15,654 primers designed from EST data of the cryptophyte prey, Teleaulax amphioxeia. The cryptophycean nuclei were transcriptionally active over 13 weeks and approximately 13.5% of transcripts in the ciliate came from the sequestered nuclei. The cryptophyte nuclei and chloroplasts could divide in the ciliate, which were loosely synchronized with host cell division. A large epigenetic modification occurred after the cryptophyte nuclei were sequestered into the ciliate. Most cryptophyte genes involved in the light and dark reactions of photosynthesis, chlorophyll assimilation, as well as in DNA methylation, were consistently up-regulated in the ciliate. The imbalance of division rate between the sequestered cryptophyte nuclei and host nuclei may be the reason for the eventual cessation of the kleptoplastidy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwang Hoon Kim
- Department of Biology, Kongju National University, Kongju 314-701, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ji Hee Han
- Department of Biology, Kongju National University, Kongju 314-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Bora Kim
- Department of Biology, Kongju National University, Kongju 314-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Won Han
- Converging Research Division, National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, Seocheon 325-902, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Won Nam
- Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea
| | - Woongghi Shin
- Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Woo Park
- Southwest Sea Fisheries Research Institute, National Fisheries Research & Development Institute, Yeosu 556-823, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonho Yih
- Department of Oceanography, Kunsan National University, Gunsan 573-701, Republic of Korea
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47
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Iwai S, Fujiwara K, Tamura T. Maintenance of algal endosymbionts in P
aramecium bursaria
: a simple model based on population dynamics. Environ Microbiol 2016; 18:2435-45. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Revised: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sosuke Iwai
- Department of Biology; Faculty of Education; Hirosaki University; Hirosaki 036-8560 Japan
| | - Kenji Fujiwara
- Department of Biology; Faculty of Education; Hirosaki University; Hirosaki 036-8560 Japan
| | - Takuro Tamura
- Department of Biology; Faculty of Education; Hirosaki University; Hirosaki 036-8560 Japan
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48
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Lowe C, Minter E, Cameron D, Brockhurst M. Shining a Light on Exploitative Host Control in a Photosynthetic Endosymbiosis. Curr Biol 2016; 26:207-211. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.11.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Nissen M, Shcherbakov D, Heyer A, Brümmer F, Schill RO. Behaviour of the plathelminth Symsagittifera roscoffensis under different light conditions and the consequences for the symbiotic algae Tetraselmis convolutae. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 218:1693-8. [PMID: 25852067 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.110429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Symsagittifera roscoffensis is a plathelminth living in symbiosis with the green algae Tetraselmis convolutae. Host and symbiont are a model system for the study of endosymbiosis, which has so far mainly focused on their biochemical interactions. Symsagittifera roscoffensis is well known for its positive phototaxis that is hypothesized to optimize the symbiont's light perception for photosynthesis. In this study, we conducted a detailed analysis of phototaxis using light sources of different wavelength and brightness by videotracking. Furthermore, we compared the behavioural data with the electron transfer rate of the photosystem from cultured symbiotic cells. The symbiotic algae is adapted to low light conditions, showing a positive electron transfer rate at a photosynthetically active radiation of 0.112 µmol photons m(-2) s(-1), and S. roscoffensis showed a positive phototactic behaviour for light intensities up to 459.17 µmol photons m(-2) s(-1), which is not optimal regarding the needs of the symbiotic cells and may even harm host and symbiont. Red light cannot be detected by the animals and therefore their eyes seem not to be suitable for measuring the exact photosynthetically active radiation to the benefit of the photosymbionts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Nissen
- Department of Biophysics, Biological Institute, University of Rostock, Gertrudenstr. 11 A, Rostock 18057, Germany Department of Zoology, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomolecular Systems, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, Stuttgart 70569, Germany
| | - Denis Shcherbakov
- Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 30, Stuttgart 70593, Germany
| | - Arnd Heyer
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomolecular Systems, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, Stuttgart 70569, Germany
| | - Franz Brümmer
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomolecular Systems, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, Stuttgart 70569, Germany
| | - Ralph O Schill
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomolecular Systems, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, Stuttgart 70569, Germany
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Baumgartner FA, Pavia H, Toth GB. Acquired phototrophy through retention of functional chloroplasts increases growth efficiency of the sea slug Elysia viridis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0120874. [PMID: 25830355 PMCID: PMC4382131 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Photosynthesis is a fundamental process sustaining heterotrophic organisms at all trophic levels. Some mixotrophs can retain functional chloroplasts from food (kleptoplasty), and it is hypothesized that carbon acquired through kleptoplasty may enhance trophic energy transfer through increased host growth efficiency. Sacoglossan sea slugs are the only known metazoans capable of kleptoplasty, but the relative fitness contributions of heterotrophy through grazing, and phototrophy via kleptoplasts, are not well understood. Fitness benefits (i.e. increased survival or growth) of kleptoplasty in sacoglossans are commonly studied in ecologically unrealistic conditions under extended periods of complete darkness and/or starvation. We compared the growth efficiency of the sacoglossan Elysia viridis with access to algal diets providing kleptoplasts of differing functionality under ecologically relevant light conditions. Individuals fed Codium fragile, which provide highly functional kleptoplasts, nearly doubled their growth efficiency under high compared to low light. In contrast, individuals fed Cladophora rupestris, which provided kleptoplasts of limited functionality, showed no difference in growth efficiency between light treatments. Slugs feeding on Codium, but not on Cladophora, showed higher relative electron transport rates (rETR) in high compared to low light. Furthermore, there were no differences in the consumption rates of the slugs between different light treatments, and only small differences in nutritional traits of algal diets, indicating that the increased growth efficiency of E. viridis feeding on Codium was due to retention of functional kleptoplasts. Our results show that functional kleptoplasts from Codium can provide sacoglossan sea slugs with fitness advantages through photosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Finn A. Baumgartner
- University of Gothenburg, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences-Tjärnö, Strömstad, Sweden
| | - Henrik Pavia
- University of Gothenburg, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences-Tjärnö, Strömstad, Sweden
| | - Gunilla B. Toth
- University of Gothenburg, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences-Tjärnö, Strömstad, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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