1
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Dougan KE, Bellantuono AJ, Kahlke T, Abbriano RM, Chen Y, Shah S, Granados-Cifuentes C, van Oppen MJH, Bhattacharya D, Suggett DJ, Rodriguez-Lanetty M, Chan CX. Whole-genome duplication in an algal symbiont bolsters coral heat tolerance. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadn2218. [PMID: 39028812 PMCID: PMC11259175 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn2218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
The algal endosymbiont Durusdinium trenchii enhances the resilience of coral reefs under thermal stress. D. trenchii can live freely or in endosymbiosis, and the analysis of genetic markers suggests that this species has undergone whole-genome duplication (WGD). However, the evolutionary mechanisms that underpin the thermotolerance of this species are largely unknown. Here, we present genome assemblies for two D. trenchii isolates, confirm WGD in these taxa, and examine how selection has shaped the duplicated genome regions using gene expression data. We assess how the free-living versus endosymbiotic lifestyles have contributed to the retention and divergence of duplicated genes, and how these processes have enhanced the thermotolerance of D. trenchii. Our combined results suggest that lifestyle is the driver of post-WGD evolution in D. trenchii, with the free-living phase being the most important, followed by endosymbiosis. Adaptations to both lifestyles likely enabled D. trenchii to provide enhanced thermal stress protection to the host coral.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E. Dougan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33099, USA
| | - Anthony J. Bellantuono
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33099, USA
| | - Tim Kahlke
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Raffaela M. Abbriano
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Yibi Chen
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sarah Shah
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Camila Granados-Cifuentes
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33099, USA
| | - Madeleine J. H. van Oppen
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia
| | - Debashish Bhattacharya
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - David J. Suggett
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
- KAUST Reefscape Restoration Initiative (KRRI) and Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mauricio Rodriguez-Lanetty
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33099, USA
| | - Cheong Xin Chan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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2
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Yan SH, Wang XL, Xia BM, Wang GC. A multiscale analysis of coralline algae Lithophylloideae (Corallinophycidae, Rhodophyta) shedding new light on understanding cryptic diversity. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2024; 199:108140. [PMID: 38981554 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Cryptic diversity abounds in many biological species, posing challenges to our understanding of biological diversity, conservation and management. Taking the common coralline algae, the subfamily Lithophylloideae as an illustration, this study delved into the implications of cryptic diversity through global-level phylogenetic and geographical analysis based upon Lithophylloideae molecular data worldwide, as well as a multi-locus time-calibrated phylogeny to elucidate their possible evolutionary process. The multiscale analysis revealed the polyphyly in current concept of the genus Lithophyllum. Geographic isolation resulting from the Tethys terminal event (TTE) has led to two distinct distribution regions for this so-called cosmopolitan genus: one regionally distributed along European coasts/Mediterranean that should include the taxonomical Lithophyllum; others widely distributed, particularly among pan-tropic waters, suggesting at least five groups to be rediscovered within the subfamily Lithophylloideae. Meanwhile, the cryptic genus Titanoderma, lacking morphological identification features with Lithophyllum, exhibited differences in distribution and evolutionary patterns consistent with their ecological habits, thus supporting their separation. This study provided useful hints for cryptic diversity, which advocated an integrative thinking to investigating global cryptic diversity and exploring the broad linkages between phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary origin, biogeography, morphological and ecological traits to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Heng Yan
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture (CAS), Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, 266071, China; Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xu-Lei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture (CAS), Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, 266071, China; Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Bang-Mei Xia
- Department of Marine Organism Taxonomy and Phylogeny, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Guang-Ce Wang
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture (CAS), Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, 266071, China; Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China.
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3
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Cunning R, Lenz EA, Edmunds PJ. Measuring multi-year changes in the Symbiodiniaceae algae in Caribbean corals on coral-depleted reefs. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17358. [PMID: 38827291 PMCID: PMC11141555 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Monitoring coral cover can describe the ecology of reef degradation, but rarely can it reveal the proximal mechanisms of change, or achieve its full potential in informing conservation actions. Describing temporal variation in Symbiodiniaceae within corals can help address these limitations, but this is rarely a research priority. Here, we augmented an ecological time series of the coral reefs of St. John, US Virgin Islands, by describing the genetic complement of symbiotic algae in common corals. Seventy-five corals from nine species were marked and sampled in 2017. Of these colonies, 41% were sampled in 2018, and 72% in 2019; 28% could not be found and were assumed to have died. Symbiodiniaceae ITS2 sequencing identified 525 distinct sequences (comprising 42 ITS2 type profiles), and symbiont diversity differed among host species and individuals, but was in most cases preserved within hosts over 3 yrs that were marked by physical disturbances from major hurricanes (2017) and the regional onset of stony coral tissue loss disease (2019). While changes in symbiont communities were slight and stochastic over time within colonies, variation in the dominant symbionts among colonies was observed for all host species. Together, these results indicate that declining host abundances could lead to the loss of rare algal lineages that are found in a low proportion of few coral colonies left on many reefs, especially if coral declines are symbiont-specific. These findings highlight the importance of identifying Symbiodiniaceae as part of a time series of coral communities to support holistic conservation planning. Repeated sampling of tagged corals is unlikely to be viable for this purpose, because many Caribbean corals are dying before they can be sampled multiple times. Instead, random sampling of large numbers of corals may be more effective in capturing the diversity and temporal dynamics of Symbiodiniaceae metacommunities in reef corals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross Cunning
- Conservation Research Department, John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Elizabeth A. Lenz
- University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
| | - Peter J. Edmunds
- Department of Biology, California State University, Northridge, Northridge, California, United States
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4
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Burgunter-Delamare B, Shetty P, Vuong T, Mittag M. Exchange or Eliminate: The Secrets of Algal-Bacterial Relationships. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:829. [PMID: 38592793 PMCID: PMC10974524 DOI: 10.3390/plants13060829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Algae and bacteria have co-occurred and coevolved in common habitats for hundreds of millions of years, fostering specific associations and interactions such as mutualism or antagonism. These interactions are shaped through exchanges of primary and secondary metabolites provided by one of the partners. Metabolites, such as N-sources or vitamins, can be beneficial to the partner and they may be assimilated through chemotaxis towards the partner producing these metabolites. Other metabolites, especially many natural products synthesized by bacteria, can act as toxins and damage or kill the partner. For instance, the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii establishes a mutualistic partnership with a Methylobacterium, in stark contrast to its antagonistic relationship with the toxin producing Pseudomonas protegens. In other cases, as with a coccolithophore haptophyte alga and a Phaeobacter bacterium, the same alga and bacterium can even be subject to both processes, depending on the secreted bacterial and algal metabolites. Some bacteria also influence algal morphology by producing specific metabolites and micronutrients, as is observed in some macroalgae. This review focuses on algal-bacterial interactions with micro- and macroalgal models from marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments and summarizes the advances in the field. It also highlights the effects of temperature on these interactions as it is presently known.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bertille Burgunter-Delamare
- Matthias Schleiden Institute of Genetics, Bioinformatics and Molecular Botany, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany; (P.S.); (T.V.)
| | - Prateek Shetty
- Matthias Schleiden Institute of Genetics, Bioinformatics and Molecular Botany, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany; (P.S.); (T.V.)
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Trang Vuong
- Matthias Schleiden Institute of Genetics, Bioinformatics and Molecular Botany, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany; (P.S.); (T.V.)
| | - Maria Mittag
- Matthias Schleiden Institute of Genetics, Bioinformatics and Molecular Botany, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany; (P.S.); (T.V.)
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
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5
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Dougan KE, Deng ZL, Wöhlbrand L, Reuse C, Bunk B, Chen Y, Hartlich J, Hiller K, John U, Kalvelage J, Mansky J, Neumann-Schaal M, Overmann J, Petersen J, Sanchez-Garcia S, Schmidt-Hohagen K, Shah S, Spröer C, Sztajer H, Wang H, Bhattacharya D, Rabus R, Jahn D, Chan CX, Wagner-Döbler I. Multi-omics analysis reveals the molecular response to heat stress in a "red tide" dinoflagellate. Genome Biol 2023; 24:265. [PMID: 37996937 PMCID: PMC10666404 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-03107-4] [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: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND "Red tides" are harmful algal blooms caused by dinoflagellate microalgae that accumulate toxins lethal to other organisms, including humans via consumption of contaminated seafood. These algal blooms are driven by a combination of environmental factors including nutrient enrichment, particularly in warm waters, and are increasingly frequent. The molecular, regulatory, and evolutionary mechanisms that underlie the heat stress response in these harmful bloom-forming algal species remain little understood, due in part to the limited genomic resources from dinoflagellates, complicated by the large sizes of genomes, exhibiting features atypical of eukaryotes. RESULTS We present the de novo assembled genome (~ 4.75 Gbp with 85,849 protein-coding genes), transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome from Prorocentrum cordatum, a globally abundant, bloom-forming dinoflagellate. Using axenic algal cultures, we study the molecular mechanisms that underpin the algal response to heat stress, which is relevant to current ocean warming trends. We present the first evidence of a complementary interplay between RNA editing and exon usage that regulates the expression and functional diversity of biomolecules, reflected by reduction in photosynthesis, central metabolism, and protein synthesis. These results reveal genomic signatures and post-transcriptional regulation for the first time in a pelagic dinoflagellate. CONCLUSIONS Our multi-omics analyses uncover the molecular response to heat stress in an important bloom-forming algal species, which is driven by complex gene structures in a large, high-G+C genome, combined with multi-level transcriptional regulation. The dynamics and interplay of molecular regulatory mechanisms may explain in part how dinoflagellates diversified to become some of the most ecologically successful organisms on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E Dougan
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Zhi-Luo Deng
- Helmholtz-Center for Infection Research (HZI), Inhoffenstraße 7, Braunschweig, 38124, Germany
| | - Lars Wöhlbrand
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Reuse
- Braunschweig Center for Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Boyke Bunk
- German Culture Collection for Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (DSMZ), Inhoffenstraße 7B, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Yibi Chen
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Juliane Hartlich
- Braunschweig Center for Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Karsten Hiller
- Braunschweig Center for Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Uwe John
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity at the University of Oldenburg (HIFMB), Ammerländer Heerstraße 231, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Jana Kalvelage
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Mansky
- Braunschweig Center for Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Meina Neumann-Schaal
- German Culture Collection for Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (DSMZ), Inhoffenstraße 7B, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jörg Overmann
- German Culture Collection for Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (DSMZ), Inhoffenstraße 7B, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jörn Petersen
- German Culture Collection for Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (DSMZ), Inhoffenstraße 7B, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Selene Sanchez-Garcia
- Braunschweig Center for Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Kerstin Schmidt-Hohagen
- Braunschweig Center for Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Sarah Shah
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Cathrin Spröer
- German Culture Collection for Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (DSMZ), Inhoffenstraße 7B, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Helena Sztajer
- Braunschweig Center for Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Hui Wang
- Braunschweig Center for Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Debashish Bhattacharya
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Ralf Rabus
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Dieter Jahn
- Braunschweig Center for Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Cheong Xin Chan
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Irene Wagner-Döbler
- Braunschweig Center for Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106, Brunswick, Germany.
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6
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Van Etten J, Stephens TG, Bhattacharya D. A k-mer-Based Approach for Phylogenetic Classification of Taxa in Environmental Genomic Data. Syst Biol 2023; 72:1101-1118. [PMID: 37314057 DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syad037] [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: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In the age of genome sequencing, whole-genome data is readily and frequently generated, leading to a wealth of new information that can be used to advance various fields of research. New approaches, such as alignment-free phylogenetic methods that utilize k-mer-based distance scoring, are becoming increasingly popular given their ability to rapidly generate phylogenetic information from whole-genome data. However, these methods have not yet been tested using environmental data, which often tends to be highly fragmented and incomplete. Here, we compare the results of one alignment-free approach (which utilizes the D2 statistic) to traditional multi-gene maximum likelihood trees in 3 algal groups that have high-quality genome data available. In addition, we simulate lower-quality, fragmented genome data using these algae to test method robustness to genome quality and completeness. Finally, we apply the alignment-free approach to environmental metagenome assembled genome data of unclassified Saccharibacteria and Trebouxiophyte algae, and single-cell amplified data from uncultured marine stramenopiles to demonstrate its utility with real datasets. We find that in all instances, the alignment-free method produces phylogenies that are comparable, and often more informative, than those created using the traditional multi-gene approach. The k-mer-based method performs well even when there are significant missing data that include marker genes traditionally used for tree reconstruction. Our results demonstrate the value of alignment-free approaches for classifying novel, often cryptic or rare, species, that may not be culturable or are difficult to access using single-cell methods, but fill important gaps in the tree of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Van Etten
- Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolution, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 14 College Farm Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Timothy G Stephens
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 59 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Debashish Bhattacharya
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 59 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
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7
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Ishida H, John U, Murray SA, Bhattacharya D, Chan CX. Developing model systems for dinoflagellates in the post-genomic era. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2023; 59:799-808. [PMID: 37657822 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Dinoflagellates are a diverse group of eukaryotic microbes that are ubiquitous in aquatic environments. Largely photosynthetic, they encompass symbiotic, parasitic, and free-living lineages with a broad spectrum of trophism. Many free-living taxa can produce bioactive secondary metabolites such as biotoxins, some of which cause harmful algal blooms. In contrast, most symbiotic species are crucial for sustaining coral reef health. The year 2023 marked a decade since the first genome data of dinoflagellates became available. The growing genome-scale resources for these taxa are highlighting their remarkable evolutionary and genomic complexities. Here, we discuss the prospect of developing dinoflagellate models using the criteria of accessibility, tractability, resources, research support, and promise. Moving forward in the post-genomic era, we argue for the development of fit-to-purpose models that tailor to specific biological contexts, and that a one-size-fits-all model is inadequate for encapsulating the complex biology, ecology, and evolutionary history of dinoflagellates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisatake Ishida
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Uwe John
- Alfred-Wegener-Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Shauna A Murray
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Debashish Bhattacharya
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Cheong Xin Chan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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8
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Shah S, Dougan KE, Chen Y, Bhattacharya D, Chan CX. Gene duplication is the primary driver of intraspecific genomic divergence in coral algal symbionts. Open Biol 2023; 13:230182. [PMID: 37751888 PMCID: PMC10522408 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.230182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Dinoflagellates in the order Suessiales include the family Symbiodiniaceae, which have essential roles as photosymbionts in corals, and their cold-adapted sister group, Polarella glacialis. These diverse taxa exhibit extensive genomic divergence, although their genomes are relatively small (haploid size < 3 Gbp) when compared with most other free-living dinoflagellates. Different strains of Symbiodiniaceae form symbiosis with distinct hosts and exhibit different regimes of gene expression, but intraspecific whole-genome divergence is poorly understood. Focusing on three Symbiodiniaceae species (the free-living Effrenium voratum and the symbiotic Symbiodinium microadriaticum and Durusdinium trenchii) and the free-living outgroup P. glacialis, for which whole-genome data from multiple isolates are available, we assessed intraspecific genomic divergence with respect to sequence and structure. Our analysis, based on alignment and alignment-free methods, revealed a greater extent of intraspecific sequence divergence in Symbiodiniaceae than in P. glacialis. Our results underscore the role of gene duplication in generating functional innovation, with a greater prevalence of tandemly duplicated single-exon genes observed in the genomes of free-living species than in symbionts. These results demonstrate the remarkable intraspecific genomic divergence in dinoflagellates under the constraint of reduced genome sizes, shaped by genetic duplications and symbiogenesis events during the diversification of Symbiodiniaceae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Shah
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, and Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072 Queensland, Australia
| | - Katherine E. Dougan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, and Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072 Queensland, Australia
| | - Yibi Chen
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, and Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072 Queensland, Australia
| | - Debashish Bhattacharya
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Cheong Xin Chan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, and Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072 Queensland, Australia
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9
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Davies SW, Gamache MH, Howe-Kerr LI, Kriefall NG, Baker AC, Banaszak AT, Bay LK, Bellantuono AJ, Bhattacharya D, Chan CX, Claar DC, Coffroth MA, Cunning R, Davy SK, del Campo J, Díaz-Almeyda EM, Frommlet JC, Fuess LE, González-Pech RA, Goulet TL, Hoadley KD, Howells EJ, Hume BCC, Kemp DW, Kenkel CD, Kitchen SA, LaJeunesse TC, Lin S, McIlroy SE, McMinds R, Nitschke MR, Oakley CA, Peixoto RS, Prada C, Putnam HM, Quigley K, Reich HG, Reimer JD, Rodriguez-Lanetty M, Rosales SM, Saad OS, Sampayo EM, Santos SR, Shoguchi E, Smith EG, Stat M, Stephens TG, Strader ME, Suggett DJ, Swain TD, Tran C, Traylor-Knowles N, Voolstra CR, Warner ME, Weis VM, Wright RM, Xiang T, Yamashita H, Ziegler M, Correa AMS, Parkinson JE. Building consensus around the assessment and interpretation of Symbiodiniaceae diversity. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15023. [PMID: 37151292 PMCID: PMC10162043 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Within microeukaryotes, genetic variation and functional variation sometimes accumulate more quickly than morphological differences. To understand the evolutionary history and ecology of such lineages, it is key to examine diversity at multiple levels of organization. In the dinoflagellate family Symbiodiniaceae, which can form endosymbioses with cnidarians (e.g., corals, octocorals, sea anemones, jellyfish), other marine invertebrates (e.g., sponges, molluscs, flatworms), and protists (e.g., foraminifera), molecular data have been used extensively over the past three decades to describe phenotypes and to make evolutionary and ecological inferences. Despite advances in Symbiodiniaceae genomics, a lack of consensus among researchers with respect to interpreting genetic data has slowed progress in the field and acted as a barrier to reconciling observations. Here, we identify key challenges regarding the assessment and interpretation of Symbiodiniaceae genetic diversity across three levels: species, populations, and communities. We summarize areas of agreement and highlight techniques and approaches that are broadly accepted. In areas where debate remains, we identify unresolved issues and discuss technologies and approaches that can help to fill knowledge gaps related to genetic and phenotypic diversity. We also discuss ways to stimulate progress, in particular by fostering a more inclusive and collaborative research community. We hope that this perspective will inspire and accelerate coral reef science by serving as a resource to those designing experiments, publishing research, and applying for funding related to Symbiodiniaceae and their symbiotic partnerships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah W. Davies
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Matthew H. Gamache
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | | | | | - Andrew C. Baker
- Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Anastazia T. Banaszak
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Mexico
| | - Line Kolind Bay
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Australia
| | - Anthony J. Bellantuono
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Debashish Bhattacharya
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Cheong Xin Chan
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Danielle C. Claar
- Nearshore Habitat Program, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA, USA
| | | | - Ross Cunning
- Daniel P. Haerther Center for Conservation and Research, John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Simon K. Davy
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Javier del Campo
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC - Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | | | - Jörg C. Frommlet
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Lauren E. Fuess
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, United States
| | - Raúl A. González-Pech
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, United States
| | - Tamar L. Goulet
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, University, MS, United States
| | - Kenneth D. Hoadley
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama—Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa, AL, United States
| | - Emily J. Howells
- National Marine Science Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Dustin W. Kemp
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama—Birmingham, Birmingham, Al, United States
| | - Carly D. Kenkel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Sheila A. Kitchen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Todd C. LaJeunesse
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Senjie Lin
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, CT, United States
| | - Shelby E. McIlroy
- Swire Institute of Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Ryan McMinds
- Center for Global Health and Infectious Disease Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | | | - Clinton A. Oakley
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Raquel S. Peixoto
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Carlos Prada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Hollie M. Putnam
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | | | - Hannah G. Reich
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - James Davis Reimer
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Marine Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan
| | | | - Stephanie M. Rosales
- The Cooperative Institute For Marine and Atmospheric Studies, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Osama S. Saad
- Department of Biological Oceanography, Red Sea University, Port-Sudan, Sudan
| | - Eugenia M. Sampayo
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Scott R. Santos
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Eiichi Shoguchi
- Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Edward G. Smith
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Michael Stat
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Timothy G. Stephens
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Marie E. Strader
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - David J. Suggett
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Timothy D. Swain
- Department of Marine and Environmental Science, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, FL, United States
| | - Cawa Tran
- Department of Biology, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Nikki Traylor-Knowles
- Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | | | - Mark E. Warner
- School of Marine Science and Policy, University of Delaware, Lewes, DE, United States
| | - Virginia M. Weis
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Rachel M. Wright
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Tingting Xiang
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Hiroshi Yamashita
- Fisheries Technology Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Maren Ziegler
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen (Germany), Giessen, Germany
| | | | - John Everett Parkinson
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
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10
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Bove CB, Ingersoll MV, Davies SW. Help Me, Symbionts, You're My Only Hope: Approaches to Accelerate our Understanding of Coral Holobiont Interactions. Integr Comp Biol 2022; 62:1756-1769. [PMID: 36099871 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icac141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Tropical corals construct the three-dimensional framework for one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, providing habitat to a plethora of species across taxa. However, these ecosystem engineers are facing unprecedented challenges, such as increasing disease prevalence and marine heatwaves associated with anthropogenic global change. As a result, major declines in coral cover and health are being observed across the world's oceans, often due to the breakdown of coral-associated symbioses. Here, we review the interactions between the major symbiotic partners of the coral holobiont-the cnidarian host, algae in the family Symbiodiniaceae, and the microbiome-that influence trait variation, including the molecular mechanisms that underlie symbiosis and the resulting physiological benefits of different microbial partnerships. In doing so, we highlight the current framework for the formation and maintenance of cnidarian-Symbiodiniaceae symbiosis, and the role that immunity pathways play in this relationship. We emphasize that understanding these complex interactions is challenging when you consider the vast genetic variation of the cnidarian host and algal symbiont, as well as their highly diverse microbiome, which is also an important player in coral holobiont health. Given the complex interactions between and among symbiotic partners, we propose several research directions and approaches focused on symbiosis model systems and emerging technologies that will broaden our understanding of how these partner interactions may facilitate the prediction of coral holobiont phenotype, especially under rapid environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen B Bove
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Sarah W Davies
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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11
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Zhang J, Richards ZT, Adam AAS, Chan CX, Shinzato C, Gilmour J, Thomas L, Strugnell JM, Miller DJ, Cooke I. Evolutionary responses of a reef-building coral to climate change at the end of the last glacial maximum. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 39:msac201. [PMID: 36219871 PMCID: PMC9578555 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msac201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change threatens the survival of coral reefs on a global scale, primarily through mass bleaching and mortality as a result of marine heatwaves. While these short-term effects are clear, predicting the fate of coral reefs over the coming century is a major challenge. One way to understand the longer-term effects of rapid climate change is to examine the response of coral populations to past climate shifts. Coastal and shallow-water marine ecosystems such as coral reefs have been reshaped many times by sea-level changes during the Pleistocene, yet, few studies have directly linked this with its consequences on population demographics, dispersal, and adaptation. Here we use powerful analytical techniques, afforded by haplotype phased whole-genomes, to establish such links for the reef-building coral, Acropora digitifera. We show that three genetically distinct populations are present in northwestern Australia, and that their rapid divergence since the last glacial maximum (LGM) can be explained by a combination of founder-effects and restricted gene flow. Signatures of selective sweeps, too strong to be explained by demographic history, are present in all three populations and overlap with genes that show different patterns of functional enrichment between inshore and offshore habitats. In contrast to rapid divergence in the host, we find that photosymbiont communities are largely undifferentiated between corals from all three locations, spanning almost 1000 km, indicating that selection on host genes and not acquisition of novel symbionts, has been the primary driver of adaptation for this species in northwestern Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - Zoe T Richards
- Coral Conservation and Research Group, Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
- Collections and Research, Western Australian Museum, 49 Kew Street Welshpool, WA 6106, Australia
| | - Arne A S Adam
- Coral Conservation and Research Group, Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Cheong Xin Chan
- The University of Queensland, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Chuya Shinzato
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo277-8564, Chiba, Japan
| | - James Gilmour
- Australia Institute of Marine Science, Indian Oceans Marine Research Centre, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Luke Thomas
- Australia Institute of Marine Science, Indian Oceans Marine Research Centre, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
- Oceans Graduate School, The UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Jan M Strugnell
- Department of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
- Centre for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - David J Miller
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
- Marine Climate Change Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan 904-0495
| | - Ira Cooke
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
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12
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Chen Y, Shah S, Dougan KE, van Oppen MJH, Bhattacharya D, Chan CX. Improved Cladocopium goreaui Genome Assembly Reveals Features of a Facultative Coral Symbiont and the Complex Evolutionary History of Dinoflagellate Genes. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10081662. [PMID: 36014080 PMCID: PMC9412976 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dinoflagellates of the family Symbiodiniaceae are crucial photosymbionts in corals and other marine organisms. Of these, Cladocopium goreaui is one of the most dominant symbiont species in the Indo-Pacific. Here, we present an improved genome assembly of C. goreaui combining new long-read sequence data with previously generated short-read data. Incorporating new full-length transcripts to guide gene prediction, the C. goreaui genome (1.2 Gb) exhibits a high extent of completeness (82.4% based on BUSCO protein recovery) and better resolution of repetitive sequence regions; 45,322 gene models were predicted, and 327 putative, topologically associated domains of the chromosomes were identified. Comparison with other Symbiodiniaceae genomes revealed a prevalence of repeats and duplicated genes in C. goreaui, and lineage-specific genes indicating functional innovation. Incorporating 2,841,408 protein sequences from 96 taxonomically diverse eukaryotes and representative prokaryotes in a phylogenomic approach, we assessed the evolutionary history of C. goreaui genes. Of the 5246 phylogenetic trees inferred from homologous protein sets containing two or more phyla, 35–36% have putatively originated via horizontal gene transfer (HGT), predominantly (19–23%) via an ancestral Archaeplastida lineage implicated in the endosymbiotic origin of plastids: 10–11% are of green algal origin, including genes encoding photosynthetic functions. Our results demonstrate the utility of long-read sequence data in resolving structural features of a dinoflagellate genome, and highlight how genetic transfer has shaped genome evolution of a facultative symbiont, and more broadly of dinoflagellates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibi Chen
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sarah Shah
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Katherine E. Dougan
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Madeleine J. H. van Oppen
- School of Bioscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia
| | - Debashish Bhattacharya
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Cheong Xin Chan
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Correspondence:
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