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Knjaz M, Baricevic A, Tankovic MS, Kuzat N, Vlasicek I, Grizancic L, Podolsak I, Pfannkuchen M, Kogovsek T, Pfannkuchen DM. First regional reference database of northern Adriatic diatom transcriptomes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16209. [PMID: 39003315 PMCID: PMC11246432 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67043-4] [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: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Marine microbial communities form the basis for the functioning of marine ecosystems and the conservation of biodiversity. With the application of metagenomics and metatranscriptomics in marine environmental studies, significant progress has been made in analysing the functioning of microbial communities as a whole. These molecular techniques are highly dependent on reliable, well-characterised, comprehensive and taxonomically diverse sequenced reference transcriptomes of microbial organisms. Here we present a set of 12 individual transcriptome assemblies derived from 6 representative diatom species from the northern Adriatic Sea grown under 2 environmentally relevant growth conditions (phosphate replete vs. phosphate deprived). After filtering the reads and assembly, an average number of 64,932 transcripts per assembly was obtained, of which an average of 8856 were assigned to functionally known proteins. Of all assigned transcripts, an average of 6483 proteins were taxonomically assigned to diatoms (Bacillariophyta). On average, a higher number of assigned proteins was detected in the transcriptome assemblies of diatoms grown under replete media condition. On average, 50% of the mapped proteins were shared between the two growth conditions. All recorded proteins in the dataset were classified into 24 COG categories, with approximately 25% belonging to the unknown function and the remaining 75% belonging to all other categories. The resulting diatom reference database for the northern Adriatic, focussing on the response to nutrient limitation as characteristic for the region and predicted for the future world oceans, provides a valuable resource for analysing environmental metatranscriptome and metagenome data. Each northern Adriatic transcriptome can also be used by itself as a reference database for the (meta)transcriptomes and gene expression studies of the associated species that will be generated in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia Knjaz
- Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Rovinj, Croatia
| | - Ana Baricevic
- Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Rovinj, Croatia.
| | | | - Natasa Kuzat
- Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Rovinj, Croatia
| | - Ivan Vlasicek
- Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Rovinj, Croatia
| | - Lana Grizancic
- Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Rovinj, Croatia
| | - Ivan Podolsak
- Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Rovinj, Croatia
| | | | - Tjasa Kogovsek
- Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Rovinj, Croatia
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2
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Murphy EA, Kleiner FH, Helliwell KE, Wheeler GL. Channels of Evolution: Unveiling Evolutionary Patterns in Diatom Ca 2+ Signalling. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1207. [PMID: 38732422 PMCID: PMC11085791 DOI: 10.3390/plants13091207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Diatoms are important primary producers in marine and freshwater environments, but little is known about the signalling mechanisms they use to detect changes in their environment. All eukaryotic organisms use Ca2+ signalling to perceive and respond to environmental stimuli, employing a range of Ca2+-permeable ion channels to facilitate the movement of Ca2+ across cellular membranes. We investigated the distribution of different families of Ca2+ channels in diatom genomes, with comparison to other members of the stramenopile lineage. The four-domain voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (Cav) are present in some centric diatoms but almost completely absent in pennate diatoms, whereas single-domain voltage-gated EukCatA channels were found in all diatoms. Glutamate receptors (GLRs) and pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) also appear to have been lost in several pennate species. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are present in all diatoms, but have not undergone the significant expansion seen in brown algae. All diatom species analysed lacked the mitochondrial uniporter (MCU), a highly conserved channel type found in many eukaryotes, including several stramenopile lineages. These results highlight the unique Ca2+-signalling toolkit of diatoms and indicate that evolutionary gains or losses of different Ca2+ channels may contribute to differences in cellular-signalling mechanisms between species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor A. Murphy
- Marine Biological Association, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK (K.E.H.)
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
| | | | - Katherine E. Helliwell
- Marine Biological Association, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK (K.E.H.)
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Glen L. Wheeler
- Marine Biological Association, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK (K.E.H.)
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3
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Liu S, Chen N. Chromosome-level genome assembly of marine diatom Skeletonema tropicum. Sci Data 2024; 11:403. [PMID: 38643276 PMCID: PMC11032307 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-024-03238-8] [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: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Skeletonema tropicum is a marine diatom of the genus Skeletonema that also includes many well-known species including S. marinoi. S. tropicum is a high temperature preferring species thriving in tropical ocean regions or temperate ocean regions during summer-autumn. However, mechanisms of ecological adaptation of S. tropicum remain poorly understood due partially to the lack of a high-quality whole genome assembly. Here, we report the first high-quality chromosome-scale genome assembly for S. tropicum, using cutting-edge technologies including PacBio single molecular sequencing and high-throughput chromatin conformation capture. The assembled genome has a size of 78.78 Mb with a scaffold N50 of 3.17 Mb, anchored to 23 pseudo-chromosomes. In total, 20,613 protein-coding genes were predicted, of which 17,757 (86.14%) genes were functionally annotated. Collinearity analysis of the genomes of S. tropicum and S. marinoi revealed that these two genomes were highly homologous. This chromosome-level genome assembly of S. tropicum provides a valuable genomic platform for comparative analysis of mechanisms of ecological adaption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuya Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
- Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, 266200, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Nansheng Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China.
- Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, 266200, China.
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China.
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada.
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4
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Audoor S, Bilcke G, Pargana K, Belišová D, Thierens S, Van Bel M, Sterck L, Rijsdijk N, Annunziata R, Ferrante MI, Vandepoele K, Vyverman W. Transcriptional chronology reveals conserved genes involved in pennate diatom sexual reproduction. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17320. [PMID: 38506152 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17320] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Sexual reproduction is a major driver of adaptation and speciation in eukaryotes. In diatoms, siliceous microalgae with a unique cell size reduction-restitution life cycle and among the world's most prolific primary producers, sex also acts as the main mechanism for cell size restoration through the formation of an expanding auxospore. However, the molecular regulators of the different stages of sexual reproduction and size restoration are poorly explored. Here, we combined RNA sequencing with the assembly of a 55 Mbp reference genome for Cylindrotheca closterium to identify patterns of gene expression during different stages of sexual reproduction. These were compared with a corresponding transcriptomic time series of Seminavis robusta to assess the degree of expression conservation. Integrative orthology analysis revealed 138 one-to-one orthologues that are upregulated during sex in both species, among which 56 genes consistently upregulated during cell pairing and gametogenesis, and 11 genes induced when auxospores are present. Several early, sex-specific transcription factors and B-type cyclins were also upregulated during sex in other pennate and centric diatoms, pointing towards a conserved core regulatory machinery for meiosis and gametogenesis across diatoms. Furthermore, we find molecular evidence that the pheromone-induced cell cycle arrest is short-lived in benthic diatoms, which may be linked to their active mode of mate finding through gliding. Finally, we exploit the temporal resolution of our comparative analysis to report the first marker genes for auxospore identity called AAE1-3 ("Auxospore-Associated Expression"). Altogether, we introduce a multi-species model of the transcriptional dynamics during size restoration in diatoms and highlight conserved gene expression dynamics during different stages of sexual reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sien Audoor
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, University Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gust Bilcke
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, University Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katerina Pargana
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, University Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Darja Belišová
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, University Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sander Thierens
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Michiel Van Bel
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lieven Sterck
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nadine Rijsdijk
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, University Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Maria Immacolata Ferrante
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
- Associate to the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics, Trieste, Italy
| | - Klaas Vandepoele
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for AI & Computational Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wim Vyverman
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, University Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
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5
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Attard K, Singh RK, Gattuso JP, Filbee-Dexter K, Krause-Jensen D, Kühl M, Sejr MK, Archambault P, Babin M, Bélanger S, Berg P, Glud RN, Hancke K, Jänicke S, Qin J, Rysgaard S, Sørensen EB, Tachon F, Wenzhöfer F, Ardyna M. Seafloor primary production in a changing Arctic Ocean. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2303366121. [PMID: 38437536 PMCID: PMC10945780 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2303366121] [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] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Phytoplankton and sea ice algae are traditionally considered to be the main primary producers in the Arctic Ocean. In this Perspective, we explore the importance of benthic primary producers (BPPs) encompassing microalgae, macroalgae, and seagrasses, which represent a poorly quantified source of Arctic marine primary production. Despite scarce observations, models predict that BPPs are widespread, colonizing ~3 million km2 of the extensive Arctic coastal and shelf seas. Using a synthesis of published data and a novel model, we estimate that BPPs currently contribute ~77 Tg C y-1 of primary production to the Arctic, equivalent to ~20 to 35% of annual phytoplankton production. Macroalgae contribute ~43 Tg C y-1, seagrasses contribute ~23 Tg C y-1, and microalgae-dominated shelf habitats contribute ~11 to 16 Tg C y-1. Since 2003, the Arctic seafloor area exposed to sunlight has increased by ~47,000 km2 y-1, expanding the realm of BPPs in a warming Arctic. Increased macrophyte abundance and productivity is expected along Arctic coastlines with continued ocean warming and sea ice loss. However, microalgal benthic primary production has increased in only a few shelf regions despite substantial sea ice loss over the past 20 y, as higher solar irradiance in the ice-free ocean is counterbalanced by reduced water transparency. This suggests complex impacts of climate change on Arctic light availability and marine primary production. Despite significant knowledge gaps on Arctic BPPs, their widespread presence and obvious contribution to coastal and shelf ecosystem production call for further investigation and for their inclusion in Arctic ecosystem models and carbon budgets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Attard
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230Odense M, Denmark
- Danish Institute for Advanced Study, University of Southern Denmark, 5230Odense M, Denmark
- Takuvik International Research Laboratory, CNRS/Université Laval, Québec City, QCG1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Rakesh Kumar Singh
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Geography, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, QCG5L 3A1, Canada
- Center for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing, National University of Singapore, Singapore119076, Singapore
| | - Jean-Pierre Gattuso
- CNRS-Sorbonne Université, Laboratoire d’Océanographie, Villefranche-sur-Mer06230, France
- Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations, Paris75337, France
| | - Karen Filbee-Dexter
- Takuvik International Research Laboratory, CNRS/Université Laval, Québec City, QCG1V 0A6, Canada
- Benthic Communities Group/Institute of Marine Research, His4817, Norway
- School of Biological Science and Indian Oceans Marine Research Centre, University of Western Australia, Perth6009, WA, Australia
| | - Dorte Krause-Jensen
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, 8000Aarhus C, Denmark
- Arctic Research Center, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, 8000Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Michael Kühl
- Department of Biology, Marine Biological Section, University of Copenhagen, 3000Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Mikael K. Sejr
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, 8000Aarhus C, Denmark
- Arctic Research Center, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, 8000Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Philippe Archambault
- Takuvik International Research Laboratory, CNRS/Université Laval, Québec City, QCG1V 0A6, Canada
- ArcticNet, Department of Biology, Université Laval, Québec City, QCG1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Marcel Babin
- Takuvik International Research Laboratory, CNRS/Université Laval, Québec City, QCG1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Simon Bélanger
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Geography, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, QCG5L 3A1, Canada
| | - Peter Berg
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA400123
| | - Ronnie N. Glud
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230Odense M, Denmark
- Danish Institute for Advanced Study, University of Southern Denmark, 5230Odense M, Denmark
- Department of Ocean and Environmental Sciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, 108-8477Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kasper Hancke
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research, 0579Oslo, Norway
| | - Stefan Jänicke
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jing Qin
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Søren Rysgaard
- Arctic Research Center, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, 8000Aarhus C, Denmark
- Centre for Earth Observation Science, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment Earth, and Resources, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Esben B. Sørensen
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Foucaut Tachon
- Takuvik International Research Laboratory, CNRS/Université Laval, Québec City, QCG1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Frank Wenzhöfer
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230Odense M, Denmark
- Helmholtz - Max Planck Joint Research Group for Deep Sea Ecology and Technology, Alfred-Wegener-Institute Helmholtz-Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven27515, Germany
- Helmholtz - Max Planck Joint Research Group for Deep Sea Ecology and Technology, Max-Planck-Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen28359, Germany
| | - Mathieu Ardyna
- Takuvik International Research Laboratory, CNRS/Université Laval, Québec City, QCG1V 0A6, Canada
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6
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Groussman RD, Blaskowski S, Coesel SN, Armbrust EV. MarFERReT, an open-source, version-controlled reference library of marine microbial eukaryote functional genes. Sci Data 2023; 10:926. [PMID: 38129449 PMCID: PMC10739892 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02842-4] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Metatranscriptomics generates large volumes of sequence data about transcribed genes in natural environments. Taxonomic annotation of these datasets depends on availability of curated reference sequences. For marine microbial eukaryotes, current reference libraries are limited by gaps in sequenced organism diversity and barriers to updating libraries with new sequence data, resulting in taxonomic annotation of about half of eukaryotic environmental transcripts. Here, we introduce Marine Functional EukaRyotic Reference Taxa (MarFERReT), a marine microbial eukaryotic sequence library designed for use with taxonomic annotation of eukaryotic metatranscriptomes. We gathered 902 publicly accessible marine eukaryote genomes and transcriptomes and assessed their sequence quality and cross-contamination issues, selecting 800 validated entries for inclusion in MarFERReT. Version 1.1 of MarFERReT contains reference sequences from 800 marine eukaryotic genomes and transcriptomes, covering 453 species- and strain-level taxa, totaling nearly 28 million protein sequences with associated NCBI and PR2 Taxonomy identifiers and Pfam functional annotations. The MarFERReT project repository hosts containerized build scripts, documentation on installation and use case examples, and information on new versions of MarFERReT.
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Affiliation(s)
- R D Groussman
- School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Benjamin Hall IRB, Room 306 616 NE Northlake Place, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.
| | - S Blaskowski
- School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Benjamin Hall IRB, Room 306 616 NE Northlake Place, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
- Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Molecular Engineering & Sciences Building 3946 W Stevens Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - S N Coesel
- School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Benjamin Hall IRB, Room 306 616 NE Northlake Place, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - E V Armbrust
- School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Benjamin Hall IRB, Room 306 616 NE Northlake Place, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.
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7
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Russo MT, Rogato A, Jaubert M, Karas BJ, Falciatore A. Phaeodactylum tricornutum: An established model species for diatom molecular research and an emerging chassis for algal synthetic biology. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2023; 59:1114-1122. [PMID: 37975560 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Diatoms are prominent and highly diverse microalgae in aquatic environments. Compared with other diatom species, Phaeodactylum tricornutum is an "atypical diatom" displaying three different morphotypes and lacking the usual silica shell. Despite being of limited ecological relevance, its ease of growth in the laboratory and well-known physiology, alongside the steady increase in genome-enabled information coupled with effective tools for manipulating gene expression, have meant it has gained increased recognition as a powerful experimental model for molecular research on diatoms. We here present a brief overview of how over the last 25 years P. tricornutum has contributed to the unveiling of fundamental aspects of diatom biology, while also emerging as a new tool for algal process engineering and synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monia T Russo
- Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandra Rogato
- Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources, National Research Council, IBBR-CNR, Naples, Italy
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Marianne Jaubert
- UMR7141 Laboratoire de Biologie du chloroplaste et perception de la lumière chez les micro-algues, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France
| | - Bogumil J Karas
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Angela Falciatore
- UMR7141 Laboratoire de Biologie du chloroplaste et perception de la lumière chez les micro-algues, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France
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8
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Liu S, Xu Q, Chen N. Expansion of photoreception-related gene families may drive ecological adaptation of the dominant diatom species Skeletonema marinoi. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 897:165384. [PMID: 37422237 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Diatom species of the genus Skeletonema are dominant in global coastal waters with important roles in marine primary production and global biogeochemical cycling. Many Skeletonema species have been extensively studied also because they can cause harmful algae blooms (HABs) with negative impacts on marine ecosystems and aquaculture. In this study, the first chromosome-level assembly of the genome of Skeletonema marinoi was constructed. The genome size was 64.99 Mb with a contig N50 of 1.95 Mb. Up to 97.12 % of contigs were successfully anchored on 24 chromosomes. Analysis of the annotated genes revealed 28 large syntenic blocks with 2397 collinear gene pairs in the genome of S. marinoi, suggesting large-scale segmental duplication events in evolution. Substantial expansion of light-harvesting genes encoding fucoxanthin-chlorophyll a/c binding proteins, as well as expansion of photoreceptor gene families encoding aureochromes and cyptochromes (CRY) in S. marinoi were found, which may have shaped ecological adaptation of S. marinoi. In conclusion, the construction of the first high-quality Skeletonema genome assembly offers valuable clues on the ecological and evolutionary characteristics of this dominant coastal diatom species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuya Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266200, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Qing Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443000, China
| | - Nansheng Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266200, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, 8888 niversity Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada.
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9
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Klapper FA, Kiel C, Bellstedt P, Vyverman W, Pohnert G. Structure Elucidation of the First Sex-Inducing Pheromone of a Diatom. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202307165. [PMID: 37607131 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202307165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Diatoms are abundant unicellular microalgae, responsible for ≈20 % of global photosynthetic CO2 fixation. Nevertheless, we know little about fundamental aspects of their biology, such as their sexual reproduction. Pheromone-mediated chemical communication is crucial for successful mating. An attraction pheromone was identified in the diatom Seminavis robusta, but metabolites priming cells for sex and synchronizing search and mating behavior remained elusive. These sex-inducing pheromones (SIP) induce cell cycle arrest and trigger the production of the attraction pheromone. Here we describe the challenging structure elucidation of an S. robusta SIP. Guided by metabolomics, a candidate metabolite was identified and elucidated by labeling experiments, NMR, ESI MSn analyses, and chemical transformations. The use of negative ion mode MS was essential to decipher the unprecedented hydroxyproline and β-sulfated aspartate-containing cyclic heptapeptide that acts in femtomolar concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska A Klapper
- Institute for Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Bioorganic Analytics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Lessingstrasse 8, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Christine Kiel
- Institute for Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Bioorganic Analytics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Lessingstrasse 8, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Department of Plankton and Microbial Ecology, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Zur alten Fischerhütte 2, 16775, Stechlin, Germany
| | - Peter Bellstedt
- Institute of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University of Zurich & University Hospital, Rämistrasse 100, 8091, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Wim Vyverman
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S8, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Georg Pohnert
- Institute for Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Bioorganic Analytics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Lessingstrasse 8, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, 07745, Jena, Germany
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10
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Zackova Suchanova J, Bilcke G, Romanowska B, Fatlawi A, Pippel M, Skeffington A, Schroeder M, Vyverman W, Vandepoele K, Kröger N, Poulsen N. Diatom adhesive trail proteins acquired by horizontal gene transfer from bacteria serve as primers for marine biofilm formation. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 240:770-783. [PMID: 37548082 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Biofilm-forming benthic diatoms are key primary producers in coastal habitats, where they frequently dominate sunlit intertidal substrata. The development of gliding motility in raphid diatoms was a key molecular adaptation that contributed to their evolutionary success. However, the structure-function correlation between diatom adhesives utilized for gliding and their relationship to the extracellular matrix that constitutes the diatom biofilm is unknown. Here, we have used proteomics, immunolocalization, comparative genomics, phylogenetics and structural homology analysis to investigate the evolutionary history and function of diatom adhesive proteins. Our study identified eight proteins from the adhesive trails of Craspedostauros australis, of which four form a new protein family called Trailins that contain an enigmatic Choice-of-Anchor A (CAA) domain, which was acquired through horizontal gene transfer from bacteria. Notably, the CAA-domain shares a striking structural similarity with one of the most widespread domains found in ice-binding proteins (IPR021884). Our work offers new insights into the molecular basis for diatom biofilm formation, shedding light on the function and evolution of diatom adhesive proteins. This discovery suggests that there is a transition in the composition of biomolecules required for initial surface colonization and those utilized for 3D biofilm matrix formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jirina Zackova Suchanova
- B CUBE Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, 01307, Germany
| | - Gust Bilcke
- Department of Biology, Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
| | - Beata Romanowska
- B CUBE Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, 01307, Germany
| | - Ali Fatlawi
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47-49, Dresden, 01307, Germany
- Centre for Scalable Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (ScaDS.AI), Chemnitzer Str. 46b, Dresden, 01187, Germany
| | - Martin Pippel
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Germany Center for Systems Biology, Pfotenhauerstraße 108, Dresden, 01307, Germany
| | - Alastair Skeffington
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Michael Schroeder
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47-49, Dresden, 01307, Germany
- Centre for Scalable Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (ScaDS.AI), Chemnitzer Str. 46b, Dresden, 01187, Germany
| | - Wim Vyverman
- Department of Biology, Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Klaas Vandepoele
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
| | - Nils Kröger
- B CUBE Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, 01307, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, 01062, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, 01062, Germany
| | - Nicole Poulsen
- B CUBE Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, 01307, Germany
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11
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Poulsen N, Kröger N. Thalassiosira pseudonana (Cyclotella nana) (Hustedt) Hasle et Heimdal (Bacillariophyceae): A genetically tractable model organism for studying diatom biology, including biological silica formation. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2023; 59:809-817. [PMID: 37424141 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
In 2004, Thalassiosira pseudonana was the first eukaryotic marine alga to have its genome sequenced. Since then, this species has quickly emerged as a valuable model species for investigating the molecular underpinnings of essentially all aspects of diatom life, particularly bio-morphogenesis of the cell wall. An important prerequisite for the model status of T. pseudonana is the ongoing development of increasingly precise tools to study the function of gene networks and their encoded proteins in vivo. Here, we briefly review the current toolbox for genetic manipulation, highlight specific examples of its application in studying diatom metabolism, and provide a peek into the role of diatoms in the emerging field of silica biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Poulsen
- B CUBE - Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nils Kröger
- B CUBE - Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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12
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Milner DS, Galindo LJ, Irwin NAT, Richards TA. Transporter Proteins as Ecological Assets and Features of Microbial Eukaryotic Pangenomes. Annu Rev Microbiol 2023; 77:45-66. [PMID: 36944262 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-032421-115538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Here we review two connected themes in evolutionary microbiology: (a) the nature of gene repertoire variation within species groups (pangenomes) and (b) the concept of metabolite transporters as accessory proteins capable of providing niche-defining "bolt-on" phenotypes. We discuss the need for improved sampling and understanding of pangenome variation in eukaryotic microbes. We then review the factors that shape the repertoire of accessory genes within pangenomes. As part of this discussion, we outline how gene duplication is a key factor in both eukaryotic pangenome variation and transporter gene family evolution. We go on to outline how, through functional characterization of transporter-encoding genes, in combination with analyses of how transporter genes are gained and lost from accessory genomes, we can reveal much about the niche range, the ecology, and the evolution of virulence of microbes. We advocate for the coordinated systematic study of eukaryotic pangenomes through genome sequencing and the functional analysis of genes found within the accessory gene repertoire.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Milner
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom;
| | | | - Nicholas A T Irwin
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom;
- Merton College, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas A Richards
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom;
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13
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Shemi A, Ben-Dor S, Rotkopf R, Dym O, Vardi A. Phylogeny and biogeography of the algal DMS-releasing enzyme in the global ocean. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:72. [PMID: 37452148 PMCID: PMC10349084 DOI: 10.1038/s43705-023-00280-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Phytoplankton produce the volatile dimethyl sulfide (DMS), an important infochemical mediating microbial interactions, which is also emitted to the atmosphere and affecting the global climate. Albeit the enzymatic source for DMS in eukaryotes was elucidated, namely a DMSP lyase (DL) called Alma1, we still lack basic knowledge regarding its taxonomic distribution. We defined unique sequence motifs which enable the identification of DL homologs (DLHs) in model systems and environmental populations. We used these motifs to predict DLHs in diverse algae by analyzing hundreds of genomic and transcriptomic sequences from model systems under stress conditions and from environmental samples. Our findings show that the DL enzyme is more taxonomically widespread than previously thought, as it is encoded by known algal taxa as haptophytes and dinoflagellates, but also by chlorophytes, pelagophytes and diatoms, which were conventionally considered to lack the DL enzyme. By exploring the Tara Oceans database, we showed that DLHs are widespread across the oceans and are predominantly expressed by dinoflagellates. Certain dinoflagellate DLHs were differentially expressed between the euphotic and mesopelagic zones, suggesting a functional specialization and an involvement in the metabolic plasticity of mixotrophic dinoflagellates. In specific regions as the Southern Ocean, DLH expression by haptophytes and diatoms was correlated with environmental drivers such as nutrient availability. The expanded repertoire of putative DL enzymes from diverse microbial origins and geographic niches suggests new potential players in the marine sulfur cycle and provides a foundation to study the cellular function of the DL enzyme in marine microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adva Shemi
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Shifra Ben-Dor
- Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Ron Rotkopf
- Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Orly Dym
- Structural Proteomics Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Assaf Vardi
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel.
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14
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Montuori E, Martinez KA, De Luca D, Ianora A, Lauritano C. Transcriptome Sequencing of the Diatom Asterionellopsis thurstonii and In Silico Identification of Enzymes Potentially Involved in the Synthesis of Bioactive Molecules. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:md21020126. [PMID: 36827167 PMCID: PMC9959416 DOI: 10.3390/md21020126] [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: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Microalgae produce a plethora of primary and secondary metabolites with possible applications in several market sectors, including cosmetics, human nutrition, aquaculture, biodiesel production and treatment/prevention of human diseases. Diatoms, in particular, are the most diversified microalgal group, many species of which are known to have anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetes, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Compounds responsible for these activities are often still unknown. The aim of this study was to de novo sequence the full transcriptome of two strains of the diatom Asterionellopsis thurstonii, sampled from two different locations and cultured in both control and phosphate starvation conditions. We used an RNA-sequencing approach to in silico identify transcripts potentially involved in the synthesis/degradation of compounds with anti-cancer and immunomodulatory properties. We identified transcript coding for L-asparaginase I, polyketide cyclase/dehydrase, bifunctional polyketide phosphatase/kinase, 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (fragment), inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase INPP5B/F, catechol O-Methyltransferase, digalactosyldiacylglycerol synthase (DGD1), 1,2-diacylglycerol-3-beta-galactosyltransferase and glycerolphosphodiester phosphodiesterase. Differential expression analysis also allowed to identify in which culturing condition these enzymes are more expressed. Overall, these data give new insights on the annotation of diatom genes, enzymatic pathways involved in the generation of bioactive molecules and possible exploitation of Asterionellopsis thurstonii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Montuori
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
- Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via Acton 55, 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Kevin A. Martinez
- Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via Acton 55, 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Daniele De Luca
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Foria 223, 80139 Naples, Italy
| | - Adrianna Ianora
- Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via Acton 55, 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Lauritano
- Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via Acton 55, 80133 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: author:
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15
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Chen XH, Yang MK, Li YY, Xie ZX, Zhang SF, Töpel M, Amin SA, Lin L, Ge F, Wang DZ. Improving the genome and proteome annotations of the marine model diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana using a proteogenomics strategy. MARINE LIFE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 5:102-115. [PMID: 37073328 PMCID: PMC10077189 DOI: 10.1007/s42995-022-00161-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Diatoms are unicellular eukaryotic phytoplankton that account for approximately 20% of global carbon fixation and 40% of marine primary productivity; thus, they are essential for global carbon biogeochemical cycling and climate. The availability of ten diatom genome sequences has facilitated evolutionary, biological and ecological research over the past decade; however, a complimentary map of the diatom proteome with direct measurements of proteins and peptides is still lacking. Here, we present a proteome map of the model marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana using high-resolution mass spectrometry combined with a proteogenomic strategy. In-depth proteomic profiling of three different growth phases and three nutrient-deficient samples identified 9526 proteins, accounting for ~ 81% of the predicted protein-coding genes. Proteogenomic analysis identified 1235 novel genes, 975 revised genes, 104 splice variants and 234 single amino acid variants. Furthermore, our quantitative proteomic analysis experimentally demonstrated that a considerable number of novel genes were differentially translated under different nutrient conditions. These findings substantially improve the genome annotation of T. pseudonana and provide insights into new biological functions of diatoms. This relatively comprehensive diatom proteome catalog will complement available diatom genome and transcriptome data to advance biological and ecological research of marine diatoms. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-022-00161-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Huang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science/College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519082 China
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Environment, Minnan Normal University, Zhangzhou, 363000 China
| | - Ming-Kun Yang
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072 China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science/College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 China
| | - Zhang-Xian Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science/College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519082 China
| | - Shu-Feng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science/College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519082 China
| | - Mats Töpel
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 461, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
- IVL-Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Box 53021, 40014 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Shady A. Amin
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, 129188 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Lin Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science/College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519082 China
| | - Feng Ge
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072 China
| | - Da-Zhi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science/College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519082 China
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16
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Pelletier MC, Charpentier M. Assessing the relative importance of stressors to the benthic index, M-AMBI: An example from U.S. estuaries. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 186:114456. [PMID: 36502776 PMCID: PMC9813808 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
M-AMBI, a multivariate benthic index, has been used by European and American (U.S.) authorities to assess estuarine and coastal health and has been used in scientific studies throughout the world. It has been shown to be related to multiple pressures and stressors, but the relative importance of individual stressors within a multiple stressor context has not generally been assessed. In this study, we assembled data collected between 1999 and 2015 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency using consistent methods. These data included sediment and water quality measures and benthic invertebrate data which were used to calculate M-AMBI. We further assembled watersheds for all US estuaries with benthic data and calculated land use metrics. Random forest (RF) was used to identify those variables most strongly related to M-AMBI. Because RF is a compilation of multiple, nonlinear models, we then assessed which of these variables had a direct relationship with M-AMBI. The resulting variables were then assessed using RF to identify the subsets of variables that produced an effective and parsimonious model. This process was conducted at the national and ecoregional scale and the variables identified as being most important to predict M-AMBI were compared with literature reports of ecological patterns in a given area. At the national scale, better condition was correlated with clearer waters, lower amounts of agriculture in the watershed, and lower carbon and metal concentrations in estuarine sediments. Other stressors were identified as being important at the ecoregional scale, although sediment metal concentrations and watershed agriculture were identified as being important in most ecoregions. Our results suggest that this technique is useful to identify the most important variables impacting M-AMBI at broad spatial scales, even when the percentage of sites in Bad or Poor condition is low. This technique also provides an initial identification of important stressors that can be used to target more intensive local studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marguerite C Pelletier
- Atlantic Coastal Environmental Sciences Division, US EPA, ORD, CEMM, Narragansett, RI, USA.
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17
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The molecular basis for pore pattern morphogenesis in diatom silica. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2211549119. [PMID: 36459651 PMCID: PMC9894196 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2211549119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomineral-forming organisms produce inorganic materials with complex, genetically encoded morphologies that are unmatched by current synthetic chemistry. It is poorly understood which genes are involved in biomineral morphogenesis and how the encoded proteins guide this process. We addressed these questions using diatoms, which are paradigms for the self-assembly of hierarchically meso- and macroporous silica under mild reaction conditions. Proteomics analysis of the intracellular organelle for silica biosynthesis led to the identification of new biomineralization proteins. Three of these, coined dAnk1-3, contain a common protein-protein interaction domain (ankyrin repeats), indicating a role in coordinating assembly of the silica biomineralization machinery. Knocking out individual dank genes led to aberrations in silica biogenesis that are consistent with liquid-liquid phase separation as underlying mechanism for pore pattern morphogenesis. Our work provides an unprecedented path for the synthesis of tailored mesoporous silica materials using synthetic biology.
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18
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Filek K, Lebbe L, Willems A, Chaerle P, Vyverman W, Žižek M, Bosak S. More than just hitchhikers: a survey of bacterial communities associated with diatoms originating from sea turtles. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2022; 98:6693935. [PMID: 36073481 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiac104] [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: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Diatoms and bacteria are known for being the first colonizers of submerged surfaces including the skin of marine reptiles. Sea turtle carapace and skin harbor diverse prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes, including several epizoic diatoms. However, the importance of diatom-bacteria associations is hardly investigated in biofilms associated with animal hosts. This study provides an inventory of diatoms, bacteria and diatom-associated bacteria originating from loggerhead sea turtles using both metabarcoding and culturing approaches. Amplicon sequencing of the carapace and skin samples chloroplast gene rbcL and 16S rRNA gene detected, in total, 634 diatom amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and 3661 bacterial ASVs, indicating high diversity. Cultures of putative epizoic and non-epizoic diatoms contained 458 bacterial ASVs and their bacterial assemblages reflected those of their host. Diatom strains allowed for enrichment and isolation of bacterial families rarely observed on turtles, such as Marinobacteraceae, Alteromonadaceae and Alcanivoracaceae. When accounting for phylogenetic relationships between bacterial ASVs, we observed that related diatom genera might retain similar microbial taxa in culture, regardless of the turtle's skin or carapace source. These data provide deeper insights into the sea turtle-associated microbial communities, and reveal the potential of epizoic biofilms as a source of novel microbes and possibly important diatom-bacteria associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Filek
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Liesbeth Lebbe
- Ghent University, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Laboratory of Microbiology, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Anne Willems
- Ghent University, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Laboratory of Microbiology, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter Chaerle
- Ghent University, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Krijgslaan 281-S8, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wim Vyverman
- Ghent University, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Krijgslaan 281-S8, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marta Žižek
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sunčica Bosak
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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19
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Kenkel CD, Smith J, Hubbard KA, Chadwick C, Lorenzen N, Tatters AO, Caron DA. Reduced representation sequencing accurately quantifies relative abundance and reveals population-level variation in Pseudo-nitzschia spp. HARMFUL ALGAE 2022; 118:102314. [PMID: 36195429 PMCID: PMC9869635 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2022.102314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Certain species within the genus Pseudo-nitzschia are able to produce the neurotoxin domoic acid (DA), which can cause illness in humans, mass-mortality of marine animals, and closure of commercial and recreational shellfisheries during toxic events. Understanding and forecasting blooms of these harmful species is a primary management goal. However, accurately predicting the onset and severity of bloom events remains difficult, in part because the underlying drivers of bloom formation have not been fully resolved. Furthermore, Pseudo-nitzschia species often co-occur, and recent work suggests that the genetic composition of a Pseudo-nitzschia bloom may be a better predictor of toxicity than prevailing environmental conditions. We developed a novel next-generation sequencing assay using restriction site-associated DNA (2b-RAD) genotyping and applied it to mock Pseudo-nitzschia communities generated by mixing cultures of different species in known abundances. On average, 94% of the variance in observed species abundance was explained by the expected abundance. In addition, the false positive rate was low (0.45% on average) and unrelated to read depth, and false negatives were never observed. Application of this method to environmental DNA samples collected during natural Pseudo-nitzschia spp. bloom events in Southern California revealed that increases in DA were associated with increases in the relative abundance of P. australis. Although the absolute correlation across time-points was weak, an independent species fingerprinting assay (Automated Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis) supported this and identified other potentially toxic species. Finally, we assessed population-level genomic variation by mining SNPs from the environmental 2bRAD dataset. Consistent shifts in allele frequencies in P. pungens and P. subpacifica were detected between high and low DA years, suggesting that different intraspecific variants may be associated with prevailing environmental conditions or the presence of DA. Taken together, this method presents a potentially cost-effective and high-throughput approach for studies aiming to evaluate both population and species dynamics in mixed samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly D Kenkel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
| | - Jayme Smith
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, 3535 Harbor Boulevard, Suite 110, Costa Mesa, CA, 92626, USA
| | - Katherine A Hubbard
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission-Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWC-FWRI), 100 8th Ave. SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA; Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Christina Chadwick
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission-Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWC-FWRI), 100 8th Ave. SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - Nico Lorenzen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Avery O Tatters
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf Ecosystem Measurement and Modeling Division, 1 Sabine Island Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL, 32561, USA
| | - David A Caron
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
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20
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Skeffington AW, Gentzel M, Ohara A, Milentyev A, Heintze C, Böttcher L, Görlich S, Shevchenko A, Poulsen N, Kröger N. Shedding light on silica biomineralization by comparative analysis of the silica-associated proteomes from three diatom species. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 110:1700-1716. [PMID: 35403318 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Morphogenesis of the intricate patterns of diatom silica cell walls is a protein-guided process, yet to date only very few such silica biomineralization proteins have been identified. Therefore, it is currently unknown whether all diatoms share conserved proteins of a basal silica forming machinery, and whether unique proteins are responsible for the morphogenesis of species-specific silica patterns. To answer these questions, we extracted proteins from the silica of three diatom species (Thalassiosira pseudonana, Thalassiosira oceanica, and Cyclotella cryptica) by complete demineralization of the cell walls. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis of the extracts identified 92 proteins that we name 'soluble silicome proteins' (SSPs). Surprisingly, no SSPs are common to all three species, and most SSPs showed very low similarity to one another in sequence alignments. In-depth bioinformatics analyses revealed that SSPs could be grouped into distinct classes based on short unconventional sequence motifs whose functions are yet unknown. The results from the in vivo localization of selected SSPs indicates that proteins, which lack sequence homology but share unconventional sequence motifs may exert similar functions in the morphogenesis of the diatom silica cell wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair W Skeffington
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
- B CUBE Center for Molecular Bioengineering, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marc Gentzel
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Andre Ohara
- B CUBE Center for Molecular Bioengineering, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexander Milentyev
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christoph Heintze
- B CUBE Center for Molecular Bioengineering, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lorenz Böttcher
- B CUBE Center for Molecular Bioengineering, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan Görlich
- B CUBE Center for Molecular Bioengineering, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Andrej Shevchenko
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicole Poulsen
- B CUBE Center for Molecular Bioengineering, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nils Kröger
- B CUBE Center for Molecular Bioengineering, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, TU Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, TU Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
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21
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Chen J, Huang Y, Shu Y, Hu X, Wu D, Jiang H, Wang K, Liu W, Fu W. Recent Progress on Systems and Synthetic Biology of Diatoms for Improving Algal Productivity. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:908804. [PMID: 35646842 PMCID: PMC9136054 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.908804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microalgae have drawn much attention for their potential applications as a sustainable source for developing bioactive compounds, functional foods, feeds, and biofuels. Diatoms, as one major group of microalgae with high yields and strong adaptability to the environment, have shown advantages in developing photosynthetic cell factories to produce value-added compounds, including heterologous bioactive products. However, the commercialization of diatoms has encountered several obstacles that limit the potential mass production, such as the limitation of algal productivity and low photosynthetic efficiency. In recent years, systems and synthetic biology have dramatically improved the efficiency of diatom cell factories. In this review, we discussed first the genome sequencing and genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) of diatoms. Then, approaches to optimizing photosynthetic efficiency are introduced with a focus on the enhancement of biomass productivity in diatoms. We also reviewed genome engineering technologies, including CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) gene-editing to produce bioactive compounds in diatoms. Finally, we summarized the recent progress on the diatom cell factory for producing heterologous compounds through genome engineering to introduce foreign genes into host diatoms. This review also pinpointed the bottlenecks in algal engineering development and provided critical insights into the future direction of algal production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwei Chen
- Department of Marine Science, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yifan Huang
- Department of Marine Science, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuexuan Shu
- Department of Marine Science, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyue Hu
- Center for Data Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Di Wu
- Department of Marine Science, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hangjin Jiang
- Center for Data Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kui Wang
- Department of Marine Science, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weihua Liu
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weiqi Fu
- Department of Marine Science, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Center for Systems Biology and Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- *Correspondence: Weiqi Fu,
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22
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Gabed N, Verret F, Peticca A, Kryvoruchko I, Gastineau R, Bosson O, Séveno J, Davidovich O, Davidovich N, Witkowski A, Kristoffersen JB, Benali A, Ioannou E, Koutsaviti A, Roussis V, Gâteau H, Phimmaha S, Leignel V, Badawi M, Khiar F, Francezon N, Fodil M, Pasetto P, Mouget JL. What Was Old Is New Again: The Pennate Diatom Haslea ostrearia (Gaillon) Simonsen in the Multi-Omic Age. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20040234. [PMID: 35447907 PMCID: PMC9033121 DOI: 10.3390/md20040234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The marine pennate diatom Haslea ostrearia has long been known for its characteristic blue pigment marennine, which is responsible for the greening of invertebrate gills, a natural phenomenon of great importance for the oyster industry. For two centuries, this taxon was considered unique; however, the recent description of a new blue Haslea species revealed unsuspected biodiversity. Marennine-like pigments are natural blue dyes that display various biological activities—e.g., antibacterial, antioxidant and antiproliferative—with a great potential for applications in the food, feed, cosmetic and health industries. Regarding fundamental prospects, researchers use model organisms as standards to study cellular and physiological processes in other organisms, and there is a growing and crucial need for more, new and unconventional model organisms to better correspond to the diversity of the tree of life. The present work, thus, advocates for establishing H. ostrearia as a new model organism by presenting its pros and cons—i.e., the interesting aspects of this peculiar diatom (representative of benthic-epiphytic phytoplankton, with original behavior and chemodiversity, controlled sexual reproduction, fundamental and applied-oriented importance, reference genome, and transcriptome will soon be available); it will also present the difficulties encountered before this becomes a reality as it is for other diatom models (the genetics of the species in its infancy, the transformation feasibility to be explored, the routine methods needed to cryopreserve strains of interest).
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Affiliation(s)
- Noujoud Gabed
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Gournes Pediados, 71003 Heraklion, Greece; (N.G.); (J.B.K.); (A.B.)
- Oran High School of Biological Sciences (ESSBO), Cellular and Molecular Biology Department, Oran 31000, Algeria
- Laboratoire d’Aquaculture et Bioremediation AquaBior, Université d’Oran 1, Oran 31000, Algeria
| | - Frédéric Verret
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Gournes Pediados, 71003 Heraklion, Greece; (N.G.); (J.B.K.); (A.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-2810-337-852
| | - Aurélie Peticca
- Laboratoire Biologie des Organismes, Stress, Santé, Environnement (BiOSSE), Le Mans Université, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France; (A.P.); (O.B.); (J.S.); (H.G.); (S.P.); (V.L.); (M.B.); (F.K.); (M.F.); (J.-L.M.)
| | - Igor Kryvoruchko
- Department of Biology, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Romain Gastineau
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Szczecin, Mickiewicza 16, 70-383 Szczecin, Poland; (R.G.); (N.D.); (A.W.)
| | - Orlane Bosson
- Laboratoire Biologie des Organismes, Stress, Santé, Environnement (BiOSSE), Le Mans Université, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France; (A.P.); (O.B.); (J.S.); (H.G.); (S.P.); (V.L.); (M.B.); (F.K.); (M.F.); (J.-L.M.)
| | - Julie Séveno
- Laboratoire Biologie des Organismes, Stress, Santé, Environnement (BiOSSE), Le Mans Université, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France; (A.P.); (O.B.); (J.S.); (H.G.); (S.P.); (V.L.); (M.B.); (F.K.); (M.F.); (J.-L.M.)
| | - Olga Davidovich
- Karadag Scientific Station, Natural Reserve of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kurortnoe, 98188 Feodosiya, Russia;
| | - Nikolai Davidovich
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Szczecin, Mickiewicza 16, 70-383 Szczecin, Poland; (R.G.); (N.D.); (A.W.)
- Karadag Scientific Station, Natural Reserve of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kurortnoe, 98188 Feodosiya, Russia;
| | - Andrzej Witkowski
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Szczecin, Mickiewicza 16, 70-383 Szczecin, Poland; (R.G.); (N.D.); (A.W.)
| | - Jon Bent Kristoffersen
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Gournes Pediados, 71003 Heraklion, Greece; (N.G.); (J.B.K.); (A.B.)
| | - Amel Benali
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Gournes Pediados, 71003 Heraklion, Greece; (N.G.); (J.B.K.); (A.B.)
- Laboratoire d’Aquaculture et Bioremediation AquaBior, Université d’Oran 1, Oran 31000, Algeria
- Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université des Sciences et de la Technologie d’Oran Mohamed BOUDIAF-USTO-MB, BP 1505, El M’naouer, Oran 31000, Algeria
| | - Efstathia Ioannou
- Section of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece; (E.I.); (A.K.); (V.R.)
| | - Aikaterini Koutsaviti
- Section of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece; (E.I.); (A.K.); (V.R.)
| | - Vassilios Roussis
- Section of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece; (E.I.); (A.K.); (V.R.)
| | - Hélène Gâteau
- Laboratoire Biologie des Organismes, Stress, Santé, Environnement (BiOSSE), Le Mans Université, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France; (A.P.); (O.B.); (J.S.); (H.G.); (S.P.); (V.L.); (M.B.); (F.K.); (M.F.); (J.-L.M.)
| | - Suliya Phimmaha
- Laboratoire Biologie des Organismes, Stress, Santé, Environnement (BiOSSE), Le Mans Université, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France; (A.P.); (O.B.); (J.S.); (H.G.); (S.P.); (V.L.); (M.B.); (F.K.); (M.F.); (J.-L.M.)
| | - Vincent Leignel
- Laboratoire Biologie des Organismes, Stress, Santé, Environnement (BiOSSE), Le Mans Université, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France; (A.P.); (O.B.); (J.S.); (H.G.); (S.P.); (V.L.); (M.B.); (F.K.); (M.F.); (J.-L.M.)
| | - Myriam Badawi
- Laboratoire Biologie des Organismes, Stress, Santé, Environnement (BiOSSE), Le Mans Université, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France; (A.P.); (O.B.); (J.S.); (H.G.); (S.P.); (V.L.); (M.B.); (F.K.); (M.F.); (J.-L.M.)
| | - Feriel Khiar
- Laboratoire Biologie des Organismes, Stress, Santé, Environnement (BiOSSE), Le Mans Université, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France; (A.P.); (O.B.); (J.S.); (H.G.); (S.P.); (V.L.); (M.B.); (F.K.); (M.F.); (J.-L.M.)
| | - Nellie Francezon
- Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans, UMR CNRS 6283, Le Mans Université, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 2085 Le Mans, France; (N.F.); (P.P.)
| | - Mostefa Fodil
- Laboratoire Biologie des Organismes, Stress, Santé, Environnement (BiOSSE), Le Mans Université, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France; (A.P.); (O.B.); (J.S.); (H.G.); (S.P.); (V.L.); (M.B.); (F.K.); (M.F.); (J.-L.M.)
| | - Pamela Pasetto
- Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans, UMR CNRS 6283, Le Mans Université, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 2085 Le Mans, France; (N.F.); (P.P.)
| | - Jean-Luc Mouget
- Laboratoire Biologie des Organismes, Stress, Santé, Environnement (BiOSSE), Le Mans Université, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France; (A.P.); (O.B.); (J.S.); (H.G.); (S.P.); (V.L.); (M.B.); (F.K.); (M.F.); (J.-L.M.)
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23
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Evolution of Phytoplankton in Relation to Their Physiological Traits. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse10020194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Defining the physiological traits that characterise phytoplankton involves comparison with related organisms in benthic habitats. Comparison of survival time in darkness under natural conditions requires more information. Gas vesicles and flagella as mechanisms of upward movement relative to surrounding water, allowing periodic vertical migration, are not confined to plankton, although buoyancy changes related to compositional changes of a large central vacuole may be restricted to plankton. Benthic microalgae have the same range of photosynthetic pigments as phytoplankton; it is not clear if there are differences in the rate of regulation and acclimation of photosynthetic machinery to variations in irradiance for phytoplankton and for microphytobenthos. There are inadequate data to determine if responses to variations in frequency or magnitude of changes in the supply of inorganic carbon, nitrogen or phosphorus differ between phytoplankton and benthic microalgae. Phagophotomixotrophy and osmophotomixotrophy occur in both phytoplankton and benthic microalgae. Further progress in identifying physiological traits specific to phytoplankton requires more experimentation on benthic microalgae that are closely related to planktonic microalgae, with attention to whether the benthic algae examined have, as far as can be determined, never been planktonic during their evolution or are derived from planktonic ancestors.
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24
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Light intensity and spectral composition drive reproductive success in the marine benthic diatom Seminavis robusta. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17560. [PMID: 34475415 PMCID: PMC8413402 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92838-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The properties of incident light play a crucial role in the mating process of diatoms, a group of ecologically important microalgae. While species-specific requirements for light intensity and photoperiod have been observed in several diatom species, little is known about the light spectrum that allows sexual reproduction. Here, we study the effects of spectral properties and light intensity on the initiation and progression of sexual reproduction in the model benthic diatom Seminavis robusta. We found that distinct stages of the mating process have different requirements for light. Vigorous mating pair formation occurred under a broad range of light intensities, ranging from 10 to 81 µE m−2 s−1, while gametogenesis and subsequent stages were strongly affected by moderate light intensities of 27 µE m−2 s−1 and up. In addition, light of blue or blue–green wavelengths was required for the formation of mating pairs. Combining flow cytometric analysis with expression profiling of the diatom-specific cyclin dsCyc2 suggests that progression through a blue light-dependent checkpoint in the G1 cell cycle phase is essential for induction of sexual reproduction. Taken together, we expand the current model of mating in benthic pennate diatoms, which relies on the interplay between light, cell cycle and sex pheromone signaling.
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25
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Oliver A, Podell S, Pinowska A, Traller JC, Smith SR, McClure R, Beliaev A, Bohutskyi P, Hill EA, Rabines A, Zheng H, Allen LZ, Kuo A, Grigoriev IV, Allen AE, Hazlebeck D, Allen EE. Diploid genomic architecture of Nitzschia inconspicua, an elite biomass production diatom. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15592. [PMID: 34341414 PMCID: PMC8329260 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95106-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
A near-complete diploid nuclear genome and accompanying circular mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes have been assembled from the elite commercial diatom species Nitzschia inconspicua. The 50 Mbp haploid size of the nuclear genome is nearly double that of model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, but 30% smaller than closer relative Fragilariopsis cylindrus. Diploid assembly, which was facilitated by low levels of allelic heterozygosity (2.7%), included 14 candidate chromosome pairs composed of long, syntenic contigs, covering 93% of the total assembly. Telomeric ends were capped with an unusual 12-mer, G-rich, degenerate repeat sequence. Predicted proteins were highly enriched in strain-specific marker domains associated with cell-surface adhesion, biofilm formation, and raphe system gliding motility. Expanded species-specific families of carbonic anhydrases suggest potential enhancement of carbon concentration efficiency, and duplicated glycolysis and fatty acid synthesis pathways across cytosolic and organellar compartments may enhance peak metabolic output, contributing to competitive success over other organisms in mixed cultures. The N. inconspicua genome delivers a robust new reference for future functional and transcriptomic studies to illuminate the physiology of benthic pennate diatoms and harness their unique adaptations to support commercial algae biomass and bioproduct production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Oliver
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sheila Podell
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | | | | | - Sarah R Smith
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics Group, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ryan McClure
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Alex Beliaev
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Pavlo Bohutskyi
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Eric A Hill
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Ariel Rabines
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics Group, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Hong Zheng
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics Group, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lisa Zeigler Allen
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics Group, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alan Kuo
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, USA
| | - Igor V Grigoriev
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, USA.,Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Andrew E Allen
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics Group, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Eric E Allen
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. .,Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. .,Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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26
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Bucchini F, Del Cortona A, Kreft Ł, Botzki A, Van Bel M, Vandepoele K. TRAPID 2.0: a web application for taxonomic and functional analysis of de novo transcriptomes. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:e101. [PMID: 34197621 PMCID: PMC8464036 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in high-throughput sequencing have resulted in a massive increase of RNA-Seq transcriptome data. However, the promise of rapid gene expression profiling in a specific tissue, condition, unicellular organism or microbial community comes with new computational challenges. Owing to the limited availability of well-resolved reference genomes, de novo assembled (meta)transcriptomes have emerged as popular tools for investigating the gene repertoire of previously uncharacterized organisms. Yet, despite their potential, these datasets often contain fragmented or contaminant sequences, and their analysis remains difficult. To alleviate some of these challenges, we developed TRAPID 2.0, a web application for the fast and efficient processing of assembled transcriptome data. The initial processing phase performs a global characterization of the input data, providing each transcript with several layers of annotation, comprising structural, functional, and taxonomic information. The exploratory phase enables downstream analyses from the web application. Available analyses include the assessment of gene space completeness, the functional analysis and comparison of transcript subsets, and the study of transcripts in an evolutionary context. A comparison with similar tools highlights TRAPID’s unique features. Finally, analyses performed within TRAPID 2.0 are complemented by interactive data visualizations, facilitating the extraction of new biological insights, as demonstrated with diatom community metatranscriptomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Bucchini
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Andrea Del Cortona
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Łukasz Kreft
- VIB Bioinformatics Core, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Michiel Van Bel
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Klaas Vandepoele
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Bioinformatics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
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27
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Bilcke G, Osuna-Cruz CM, Santana Silva M, Poulsen N, D'hondt S, Bulankova P, Vyverman W, De Veylder L, Vandepoele K. Diurnal transcript profiling of the diatom Seminavis robusta reveals adaptations to a benthic lifestyle. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 107:315-336. [PMID: 33901335 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Coastal regions contribute an estimated 20% of annual gross primary production in the oceans, despite occupying only 0.03% of their surface area. Diatoms frequently dominate coastal sediments, where they experience large variations in light regime resulting from the interplay of diurnal and tidal cycles. Here, we report on an extensive diurnal transcript profiling experiment of the motile benthic diatom Seminavis robusta. Nearly 90% (23 328) of expressed protein-coding genes and 66.9% (1124) of expressed long intergenic non-coding RNAs showed significant expression oscillations and are predominantly phasing at night with a periodicity of 24 h. Phylostratigraphic analysis found that rhythmic genes are enriched in highly conserved genes, while diatom-specific genes are predominantly associated with midnight expression. Integration of genetic and physiological cell cycle markers with silica depletion data revealed potential new silica cell wall-associated gene families specific to diatoms. Additionally, we observed 1752 genes with a remarkable semidiurnal (12-h) periodicity, while the expansion of putative circadian transcription factors may reflect adaptations to cope with highly unpredictable external conditions. Taken together, our results provide new insights into the adaptations of diatoms to the benthic environment and serve as a valuable resource for the study of diurnal regulation in photosynthetic eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gust Bilcke
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- Department of Biology, Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Cristina Maria Osuna-Cruz
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- Bioinformatics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
| | - Marta Santana Silva
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
| | - Nicole Poulsen
- B CUBE Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Technical University of Dresden, Tatzberg 41, Dresden, 01307, Germany
| | - Sofie D'hondt
- Department of Biology, Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Petra Bulankova
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
| | - Wim Vyverman
- Department of Biology, Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Lieven De Veylder
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
| | - Klaas Vandepoele
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- Bioinformatics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
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28
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Bulankova P, Sekulić M, Jallet D, Nef C, van Oosterhout C, Delmont TO, Vercauteren I, Osuna-Cruz CM, Vancaester E, Mock T, Sabbe K, Daboussi F, Bowler C, Vyverman W, Vandepoele K, De Veylder L. Mitotic recombination between homologous chromosomes drives genomic diversity in diatoms. Curr Biol 2021; 31:3221-3232.e9. [PMID: 34102110 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Diatoms, an evolutionarily successful group of microalgae, display high levels of intraspecific genetic variability in natural populations. However, the contribution of various mechanisms generating such diversity is unknown. Here we estimated the genetic micro-diversity within a natural diatom population and mapped the genomic changes arising within clonally propagated diatom cell cultures. Through quantification of haplotype diversity by next-generation sequencing and amplicon re-sequencing of selected loci, we documented a rapid accumulation of multiple haplotypes accompanied by the appearance of novel protein variants in cell cultures initiated from a single founder cell. Comparison of the genomic changes between mother and daughter cells revealed copy number variation and copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity leading to the fixation of alleles within individual daughter cells. The loss of heterozygosity can be accomplished by recombination between homologous chromosomes. To test this hypothesis, we established an endogenous readout system and estimated that the frequency of interhomolog mitotic recombination was under standard growth conditions 4.2 events per 100 cell divisions. This frequency is increased under environmental stress conditions, including treatment with hydrogen peroxide and cadmium. These data demonstrate that copy number variation and mitotic recombination between homologous chromosomes underlie clonal variability in diatom populations. We discuss the potential adaptive evolutionary benefits of the plastic response in the interhomolog mitotic recombination rate, and we propose that this may have contributed to the ecological success of diatoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Bulankova
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Mirna Sekulić
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Denis Jallet
- TBI, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, 135 Avenue de Rangueil, 31077 Toulouse, France
| | - Charlotte Nef
- Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure (IBENS), École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Université Paris, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Cock van Oosterhout
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Tom O Delmont
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Ilse Vercauteren
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Cristina Maria Osuna-Cruz
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Bioinformatics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Emmelien Vancaester
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Bioinformatics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Thomas Mock
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Koen Sabbe
- Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Fayza Daboussi
- TBI, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, 135 Avenue de Rangueil, 31077 Toulouse, France
| | - Chris Bowler
- Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure (IBENS), École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Université Paris, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Wim Vyverman
- Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Klaas Vandepoele
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Bioinformatics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lieven De Veylder
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
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Re-examination of two diatom reference genomes using long-read sequencing. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:379. [PMID: 34030633 PMCID: PMC8147415 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07666-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The marine diatoms Thalassiosira pseudonana and Phaeodactylum tricornutum are valuable model organisms for exploring the evolution, diversity and ecology of this important algal group. Their reference genomes, published in 2004 and 2008, respectively, were the product of traditional Sanger sequencing. In the case of T. pseudonana, optical restriction site mapping was employed to further clarify and contextualize chromosome-level scaffolds. While both genomes are considered highly accurate and reasonably contiguous, they still contain many unresolved regions and unordered/unlinked scaffolds. Results We have used Oxford Nanopore Technologies long-read sequencing to update and validate the quality and contiguity of the T. pseudonana and P. tricornutum genomes. Fine-scale assessment of our long-read derived genome assemblies allowed us to resolve previously uncertain genomic regions, further characterize complex structural variation, and re-evaluate the repetitive DNA content of both genomes. We also identified 1862 previously undescribed genes in T. pseudonana. In P. tricornutum, we used transposable element detection software to identify 33 novel copia-type LTR-RT insertions, indicating ongoing activity and rapid expansion of this superfamily as the organism continues to be maintained in culture. Finally, Bionano optical mapping of P. tricornutum chromosomes was combined with long-read sequence data to explore the potential of long-read sequencing and optical mapping for resolving haplotypes. Conclusion Despite its potential to yield highly contiguous scaffolds, long-read sequencing is not a panacea. Even for relatively small nuclear genomes such as those investigated herein, repetitive DNA sequences cause problems for current genome assembly algorithms. Determining whether a long-read derived genomic assembly is ‘better’ than one produced using traditional sequence data is not straightforward. Our revised reference genomes for P. tricornutum and T. pseudonana nevertheless provide additional insight into the structure and evolution of both genomes, thereby providing a more robust foundation for future diatom research. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07666-3.
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Mini-Review: Potential of Diatom-Derived Silica for Biomedical Applications. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11104533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Diatoms are unicellular eukaryotic microalgae widely distributed in aquatic environments, possessing a porous silica cell wall known as frustule. Diatom frustules are considered as a sustainable source for several industrial applications because of their high biocompatibility and the easiness of surface functionalisation, which make frustules suitable for regenerative medicine and as drug carriers. Frustules are made of hydrated silica, and can be extracted and purified both from living and fossil diatoms using acid treatments or high temperatures. Biosilica frustules have proved to be suitable for biomedical applications, but, unfortunately, they are not officially recognised as safe by governmental food and medical agencies yet. In the present review, we highlight the frustule formation process, the most common purification techniques, as well as advantages and bottlenecks related to the employment of diatom-derived silica for medical purposes, suggesting possible solutions for a large-scale biosilica production.
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Klapper F, Audoor S, Vyverman W, Pohnert G. Pheromone Mediated Sexual Reproduction of Pennate Diatom Cylindrotheca closterium. J Chem Ecol 2021; 47:504-512. [PMID: 33914225 PMCID: PMC8217010 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-021-01277-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Benthic diatoms dominate primary production in marine subtidal and intertidal environments. Their extraordinary species diversity and ecological success is thought to be linked with their predominantly heterothallic sexual reproduction. Little is known about pheromone involvement during mating of pennate diatoms. Here we describe pheromone guided mating in the coastal raphid diatom Cylindrotheca closterium. We show that the two mating types (mt+ and mt−) have distinct functions. Similar to other benthic diatoms, mt+ cells are searching for the mt− cells to pair. To enhance mating efficiency mt− exudes an attraction pheromone which we proved by establishing a novel capillary assay. Further, two more pheromones produced by mt− promote the sexual events. One arrests the cell cycle progression of mt+ while the other induces gametogenesis of mt+. We suggest that C. closterium shares a functionally similar pheromone system with other pennate diatoms like Seminavis robusta and Pseudostaurosira trainorii which synchronize sexual events and mate attraction. Remarkably, we found no evidence of mt+ producing pheromones, which differentiates C. closterium from other pennates and suggests a less complex pheromone system in C. closterium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Klapper
- Bioorganic Analytics, Institute for Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Lessingstrasse 8, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Sien Audoor
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, University Gent, Krijgslaan 281 S8, 9000, Gent, Belgium
| | - Wim Vyverman
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, University Gent, Krijgslaan 281 S8, 9000, Gent, Belgium
| | - Georg Pohnert
- Bioorganic Analytics, Institute for Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Lessingstrasse 8, 07743, Jena, Germany. .,Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, 07745, Jena, Germany.
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Guéguen N, Le Moigne D, Amato A, Salvaing J, Maréchal E. Lipid Droplets in Unicellular Photosynthetic Stramenopiles. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:639276. [PMID: 33968100 PMCID: PMC8100218 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.639276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The Heterokonta or Stramenopile phylum comprises clades of unicellular photosynthetic species, which are promising for a broad range of biotechnological applications, based on their capacity to capture atmospheric CO2 via photosynthesis and produce biomolecules of interest. These molecules include triacylglycerol (TAG) loaded inside specific cytosolic bodies, called the lipid droplets (LDs). Understanding TAG production and LD biogenesis and function in photosynthetic stramenopiles is therefore essential, and is mostly based on the study of a few emerging models, such as the pennate diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum and eustigmatophytes, such as Nannochloropsis and Microchloropsis species. The biogenesis of cytosolic LD usually occurs at the level of the endoplasmic reticulum. However, stramenopile cells contain a complex plastid deriving from a secondary endosymbiosis, limited by four membranes, the outermost one being connected to the endomembrane system. Recent cell imaging and proteomic studies suggest that at least some cytosolic LDs might be associated to the surface of the complex plastid, via still uncharacterized contact sites. The carbon length and number of double bonds of the acyl groups contained in the TAG molecules depend on their origin. De novo synthesis produces long-chain saturated or monounsaturated fatty acids (SFA, MUFA), whereas subsequent maturation processes lead to very long-chain polyunsaturated FA (VLC-PUFA). TAG composition in SFA, MUFA, and VLC-PUFA reflects therefore the metabolic context that gave rise to the formation of the LD, either via an early partitioning of carbon following FA de novo synthesis and/or a recycling of FA from membrane lipids, e.g., plastid galactolipids or endomembrane phosphor- or betaine lipids. In this review, we address the relationship between cytosolic LDs and the complex membrane compartmentalization within stramenopile cells, the metabolic routes leading to TAG accumulation, and the physiological conditions that trigger LD production, in response to various environmental factors.
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Santin A, Caputi L, Longo A, Chiurazzi M, Ribera d'Alcalà M, Russo MT, Ferrante MI, Rogato A. Integrative omics identification, evolutionary and structural analysis of low affinity nitrate transporters in diatoms, diNPFs. Open Biol 2021; 11:200395. [PMID: 33823659 PMCID: PMC8025304 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Diatoms are one of the major and most diverse groups of phytoplankton, with chimeric genomes harbouring a combination of genes of bacterial, animal and plant origin. They have developed sophisticated mechanisms to face environmental variations. In marine environments, nutrients concentration shows significant temporal and spatial variability, influencing phytoplankton growth. Among nutrients, nitrogen, present at micromolar levels, is often a limiting resource. Here, we report a comprehensive characterization of the Nitrate Transporter 1/Peptide Transporter Family (NPF) in diatoms, diNPFs. NPFs are well characterized in many organisms where they recognize a broad range of substrates, ranging from short-chained di- and tri-peptides in bacteria, fungi and mammals to a wide variety of molecules including nitrate in higher plants. Scarce information is available for diNPFs. We integrated-omics, phylogenetic, structural and expression analyses, to infer information on their role in diatoms. diNPF genes diverged to produce two distinct clades with strong sequence and structural homology with either bacterial or plant NPFs, with different predicted sub-cellular localization, suggesting that the divergence resulted in functional diversification. Moreover, transcription analysis of diNPF genes under different laboratory and environmental growth conditions suggests that diNPF diversification led to genetic adaptations that might contribute to diatoms ability to flourish in diverse environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Santin
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Caputi
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Longo
- BioDiscovery Institute, Denton, TX, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Maurizio Chiurazzi
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, CNR, Via P. Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Alessandra Rogato
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy.,Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, CNR, Via P. Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Bonneure E, De Baets A, De Decker S, Van den Berge K, Clement L, Vyverman W, Mangelinckx S. Altering the Sex Pheromone Cyclo(l-Pro-l-Pro) of the Diatom Seminavis robusta towards a Chemical Probe. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1037. [PMID: 33494376 PMCID: PMC7865345 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As a major group of algae, diatoms are responsible for a substantial part of the primary production on the planet. Pennate diatoms have a predominantly benthic lifestyle and are the most species-rich diatom group, with members of the raphid clades being motile and generally having heterothallic sexual reproduction. It was recently shown that the model species Seminavis robusta uses multiple sexual cues during mating, including cyclo(l-Pro-l-Pro) as an attraction pheromone. Elaboration of the pheromone-detection system is a key aspect in elucidating pennate diatom life-cycle regulation that could yield novel fundamental insights into diatom speciation. This study reports the synthesis and bio-evaluation of seven novel pheromone analogs containing small structural alterations to the cyclo(l-Pro-l-Pro) pheromone. Toxicity, attraction, and interference assays were applied to assess their potential activity as a pheromone. Most of our analogs show a moderate-to-good bioactivity and low-to-no phytotoxicity. The pheromone activity of azide- and diazirine-containing analogs was unaffected and induced a similar mating behavior as the natural pheromone. These results demonstrate that the introduction of confined structural modifications can be used to develop a chemical probe based on the diazirine- and/or azide-containing analogs to study the pheromone-detection system of S. robusta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eli Bonneure
- Department of Green Chemistry and Technology—SynBioC, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (E.B.); (A.D.B.)
| | - Amber De Baets
- Department of Green Chemistry and Technology—SynBioC, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (E.B.); (A.D.B.)
| | - Sam De Decker
- Department of Biology—Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281/S8, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.D.D.); (W.V.)
| | - Koen Van den Berge
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281/S9, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (K.V.d.B.); (L.C.)
| | - Lieven Clement
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281/S9, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (K.V.d.B.); (L.C.)
| | - Wim Vyverman
- Department of Biology—Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281/S8, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.D.D.); (W.V.)
| | - Sven Mangelinckx
- Department of Green Chemistry and Technology—SynBioC, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (E.B.); (A.D.B.)
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Annunziata R, Balestra C, Marotta P, Ruggiero A, Manfellotto F, Benvenuto G, Biffali E, Ferrante MI. An optimised method for intact nuclei isolation from diatoms. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1681. [PMID: 33462289 PMCID: PMC7813820 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81238-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to their abundance in the oceans, their extraordinary biodiversity and the increasing use for biotech applications, the study of diatom biology is receiving more and more attention in the recent years. One of the limitations in developing molecular tools for diatoms lies in the peculiar nature of their cell wall, that is made of silica and organic molecules and that hinders the application of standard methods for cell lysis required, for example, to extract organelles. In this study we present a protocol for intact nuclei isolation from diatoms that was successfully applied to three different species: two pennates, Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata and Phaeodactylum tricornutum, and one centric diatom species, Chaetoceros diadema. Intact nuclei were extracted by treatment with acidified NH4F solution combined to low intensity sonication pulses and separated from cell debris via FAC-sorting upon incubation with SYBR Green. Microscopy observations confirmed the integrity of isolated nuclei and high sensitivity DNA electrophoresis showed that genomic DNA extracted from isolated nuclei has low degree of fragmentation. This protocol has proved to be a flexible and versatile method to obtain intact nuclei preparations from different diatom species and it has the potential to speed up applications such as epigenetic explorations as well as single cell ("single nuclei") genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics in different diatom species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pina Marotta
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Napoli, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Elio Biffali
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Napoli, Italy
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Mating type specific transcriptomic response to sex inducing pheromone in the pennate diatom Seminavis robusta. ISME JOURNAL 2020; 15:562-576. [PMID: 33028976 PMCID: PMC8027222 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-020-00797-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sexual reproduction is a fundamental phase in the life cycle of most diatoms. Despite its role as a source of genetic variation, it is rarely reported in natural circumstances and its molecular foundations remain largely unknown. Here, we integrate independent transcriptomic datasets to prioritize genes responding to sex inducing pheromones (SIPs) in the pennate diatom Seminavis robusta. We observe marked gene expression changes associated with SIP treatment in both mating types, including an inhibition of S phase progression, chloroplast division, mitosis, and cell wall formation. Meanwhile, meiotic genes are upregulated in response to SIP, including a sexually induced diatom specific cyclin. Our data further suggest an important role for reactive oxygen species, energy metabolism, and cGMP signaling during the early stages of sexual reproduction. In addition, we identify several genes with a mating type specific response to SIP, and link their expression pattern with physiological specialization, such as the production of the attraction pheromone diproline in mating type − (MT−) and mate-searching behavior in mating type + (MT+). Combined, our results provide a model for early sexual reproduction in pennate diatoms and significantly expand the suite of target genes to detect sexual reproduction events in natural diatom populations.
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