1
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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2
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Kamakura S, Bilcke G, Sato S. Transcriptional responses to salinity-induced changes in cell wall morphology of the euryhaline diatom Pleurosira laevis. J Phycol 2024; 60:308-326. [PMID: 38446079 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Diatoms are unicellular algae with morphologically diverse silica cell walls, which are called frustules. The mechanism of frustule morphogenesis has attracted attention in biology and nanomaterials engineering. However, the genetic regulation of the morphology remains unclear. We therefore used transcriptome sequencing to search for genes involved in frustule morphology in the centric diatom Pleurosira laevis, which exhibits morphological plasticity between flat and domed valve faces in salinity 2 and 7, respectively. We observed differential expression of transposable elements (TEs) and transporters, likely due to osmotic response. Up-regulation of mechanosensitive ion channels and down-regulation of Ca2+-ATPases in cells with flat valves suggested that cytosolic Ca2+ levels were changed between the morphologies. Calcium signaling could be a mechanism for detecting osmotic pressure changes and triggering morphological shifts. We also observed an up-regulation of ARPC1 and annexin, involved in the regulation of actin filament dynamics known to affect frustule morphology, as well as the up-regulation of genes encoding frustule-related proteins such as BacSETs and frustulin. Taken together, we propose a model in which salinity-induced morphogenetic changes are driven by upstream responses, such as the regulation of cytosolic Ca2+ levels, and downstream responses, such as Ca2+-dependent regulation of actin dynamics and frustule-related proteins. This study highlights the sensitivity of euryhaline diatoms to environmental salinity and the role of active cellular processes in controlling gross valve morphology under different osmotic pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiho Kamakura
- Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Fukui Prefectural University, Obama, Fukui, Japan
| | - Gust Bilcke
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Shinya Sato
- Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, Fukui Prefectural University, Obama, Fukui, Japan
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3
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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. New Phytol 2023; 240:770-783. [PMID: 37548082 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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4
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Marotta P, Ruggiero A, Bilcke G. Editorial: Unicellular organisms as an evolutionary snapshot toward multicellularity. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1254636. [PMID: 37664459 PMCID: PMC10470824 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1254636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonella Ruggiero
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
- Developmental Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gust Bilcke
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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5
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Bilcke G, Kamakura S. Scaling the invisible wall: Molecular acclimation of a salinity-tolerant diatom to freshwater. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:2692-2694. [PMID: 37212189 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
In aquatic ecosystems, marine and freshwater environments are separated by steep salinity gradients. The osmotic stress induced by this 'invisible wall' forms an insurmountable barrier for many aquatic lifeforms, including bacteria, algae and animals. Because the osmotic differences when transiting a salinity divide are so hard to overcome, most species have adapted exclusively to a marine or a freshwater lifestyle. A major consequence of this physiological specialization into marine and freshwater organisms is that transitions are relatively rare, impeding regular contact and colonization. While some animals use specialized organs or behaviour to cope with unfavourable salinity levels, unicellular algae such as diatoms are completely dependent on cellular mechanisms to mitigate salinity stress. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Downey and colleagues investigate the transcriptomic response of a salinity-tolerant diatom to a shock treatment with freshwater (Molecular Ecology, 2023). Through frequent sampling and integration of existing RNA sequencing data, a fine-grained model of the acclimation to hypo-osmotic stress emerges. Deciphering the pathways that drive the acute and long-term acclimation to freshwater has major implications for diatom ecology, diversification and resilience to global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gust Bilcke
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Shiho Kamakura
- Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Fukui Prefectural University, Obama, Japan
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6
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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. Plant J 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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7
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Osuna-Cruz CM, Bilcke G, Vancaester E, De Decker S, Bones AM, Winge P, Poulsen N, Bulankova P, Verhelst B, Audoor S, Belisova D, Pargana A, Russo M, Stock F, Cirri E, Brembu T, Pohnert G, Piganeau G, Ferrante MI, Mock T, Sterck L, Sabbe K, De Veylder L, Vyverman W, Vandepoele K. Author Correction: The Seminavis robusta genome provides insights into the evolutionary adaptations of benthic diatoms. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5331. [PMID: 33067470 PMCID: PMC7567852 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19222-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Maria Osuna-Cruz
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.,Bioinformatics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gust Bilcke
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.,Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Emmelien Vancaester
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.,Bioinformatics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sam De Decker
- Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Atle M Bones
- Cell Molecular Biology and Genomics Group, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Per Winge
- Cell Molecular Biology and Genomics Group, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Nicole Poulsen
- B CUBE Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Technical University of Dresden, Tatzberg 41, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Petra Bulankova
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bram Verhelst
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sien Audoor
- Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Darja Belisova
- Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Aikaterini Pargana
- Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Monia Russo
- Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples, Italy
| | - Frederike Stock
- Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Emilio Cirri
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Lessingstrasse 8, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Tore Brembu
- Cell Molecular Biology and Genomics Group, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Georg Pohnert
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Lessingstrasse 8, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Gwenael Piganeau
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, UMR 7232 Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins BIOM, Observatoire Océanologique, F-66650, Banyuls-sur-Mer, France
| | | | - Thomas Mock
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Lieven Sterck
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Koen Sabbe
- Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lieven De Veylder
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wim Vyverman
- Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Klaas Vandepoele
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium. .,VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium. .,Bioinformatics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.
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8
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Osuna-Cruz CM, Bilcke G, Vancaester E, De Decker S, Bones AM, Winge P, Poulsen N, Bulankova P, Verhelst B, Audoor S, Belisova D, Pargana A, Russo M, Stock F, Cirri E, Brembu T, Pohnert G, Piganeau G, Ferrante MI, Mock T, Sterck L, Sabbe K, De Veylder L, Vyverman W, Vandepoele K. The Seminavis robusta genome provides insights into the evolutionary adaptations of benthic diatoms. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3320. [PMID: 32620776 PMCID: PMC7335047 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17191-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Benthic diatoms are the main primary producers in shallow freshwater and coastal environments, fulfilling important ecological functions such as nutrient cycling and sediment stabilization. However, little is known about their evolutionary adaptations to these highly structured but heterogeneous environments. Here, we report a reference genome for the marine biofilm-forming diatom Seminavis robusta, showing that gene family expansions are responsible for a quarter of all 36,254 protein-coding genes. Tandem duplications play a key role in extending the repertoire of specific gene functions, including light and oxygen sensing, which are probably central for its adaptation to benthic habitats. Genes differentially expressed during interactions with bacteria are strongly conserved in other benthic diatoms while many species-specific genes are strongly upregulated during sexual reproduction. Combined with re-sequencing data from 48 strains, our results offer insights into the genetic diversity and gene functions in benthic diatoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Maria Osuna-Cruz
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Bioinformatics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gust Bilcke
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Emmelien Vancaester
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Bioinformatics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sam De Decker
- Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Atle M Bones
- Cell Molecular Biology and Genomics Group, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Per Winge
- Cell Molecular Biology and Genomics Group, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Nicole Poulsen
- B CUBE Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Technical University of Dresden, Tatzberg 41, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Petra Bulankova
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bram Verhelst
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sien Audoor
- Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Darja Belisova
- Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Aikaterini Pargana
- Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Monia Russo
- Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples, Italy
| | - Frederike Stock
- Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Emilio Cirri
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Lessingstrasse 8, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Tore Brembu
- Cell Molecular Biology and Genomics Group, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Georg Pohnert
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Lessingstrasse 8, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Gwenael Piganeau
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, UMR 7232 Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins BIOM, Observatoire Océanologique, F-66650, Banyuls-sur-Mer, France
| | | | - Thomas Mock
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Lieven Sterck
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Koen Sabbe
- Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lieven De Veylder
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wim Vyverman
- Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Klaas Vandepoele
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.
- Bioinformatics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.
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9
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Stock F, Bilcke G, De Decker S, Osuna-Cruz CM, Van den Berge K, Vancaester E, De Veylder L, Vandepoele K, Mangelinckx S, Vyverman W. Distinctive Growth and Transcriptional Changes of the Diatom Seminavis robusta in Response to Quorum Sensing Related Compounds. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1240. [PMID: 32582129 PMCID: PMC7296067 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In aquatic habitats, diatoms are frequently found in association with Proteobacteria, many members of which employ cell-to-cell communication via N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs). It has been suggested that diatoms could distinguish between beneficial and algicidal bacteria in their surroundings by sensing AHLs. Although some microalgae can interfere with AHL signaling, e.g., by releasing AHL mimics or degrading them, molecular responses to AHLs in microalgae are still unclear. Therefore, we tested the effects of short-chained AHLs, i.e., N-hexanoyl homoserine lactone (C6-HSL), N-3-hydroxyhexanoyl homoserine lactone (OH-C6-HSL), and N-3-oxohexanoyl homoserine lactone (oxo-C6-HSL) and long-chained AHLs, i.e., N-tetradecanoyl homoserine lactone (C14-HSL), N-3-hydroxytetradecanoyl homoserine lactone (OH-C14-HSL), and N-3-oxotetradecanoyl homoserine lactone (oxo-C14-HSL), on growth of the benthic diatom Seminavis robusta. All tested short-chained AHLs did not affect diatom growth, while long-chained AHLs promoted (C14-HSL) or inhibited (OH-C14-HSL and oxo-C14-HSL) growth. To investigate the physiological effects of these long-chained AHLs in more detail, an RNA-seq experiment was performed during which S. robusta was treated with the growth-promoting C14-HSL and the growth-inhibiting oxo-C14-HSL. One tetramic acid was also tested (TA14), a structural rearrangement product of oxo-C14-HSL, which also induced growth inhibition in S. robusta. After 3 days of treatment, analysis revealed that 3,410 genes were differentially expressed in response to at least one of the compounds. In the treatment with the growth-promoting C14-HSL many genes involved in intracellular signaling were upregulated. On the other hand, exposure to growth-inhibiting oxo-C14-HSL and TA14 triggered a switch in lipid metabolism towards increased fatty acid degradation. In addition, oxo-C14-HSL led to downregulation of cell cycle genes, which is in agreement with the stagnation of cell growth in this treatment. Combined, our results indicate that bacterial signaling molecules with high structural similarity induce contrasting physiological responses in S. robusta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederike Stock
- Research group Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gust Bilcke
- Research group Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sam De Decker
- Research group Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Cristina Maria Osuna-Cruz
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
- Bioinformatics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Koen Van den Berge
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Bioinformatics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Emmelien Vancaester
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
- Bioinformatics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lieven De Veylder
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Klaas Vandepoele
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
- Bioinformatics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sven Mangelinckx
- Research group Synthesis, Bioresources and Bioorganic Chemistry (SynBioC), Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wim Vyverman
- Research group Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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10
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Cirri E, De Decker S, Bilcke G, Werner M, Osuna-Cruz CM, De Veylder L, Vandepoele K, Werz O, Vyverman W, Pohnert G. Associated Bacteria Affect Sexual Reproduction by Altering Gene Expression and Metabolic Processes in a Biofilm Inhabiting Diatom. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1790. [PMID: 31428077 PMCID: PMC6688387 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Diatoms are unicellular algae with a fundamental role in global biogeochemical cycles as major primary producers at the base of aquatic food webs. In recent years, chemical communication between diatoms and associated bacteria has emerged as a key factor in diatom ecology, spurred by conceptual and technological advancements to study the mechanisms underlying these interactions. Here, we use a combination of physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic approaches to study the influence of naturally co-existing bacteria, Maribacter sp. and Roseovarius sp., on the sexual reproduction of the biofilm inhabiting marine pennate diatom Seminavis robusta. While Maribacter sp. severely reduces the reproductive success of S. robusta cultures, Roseovarius sp. slightly enhances it. Contrary to our expectation, we demonstrate that the effect of the bacterial exudates is not caused by altered cell-cycle regulation prior to the switch to meiosis. Instead, Maribacter sp. exudates cause a reduced production of diproline, the sexual attraction pheromone of S. robusta. Transcriptomic analyses show that this is likely an indirect consequence of altered intracellular metabolic fluxes in the diatom, especially those related to amino acid biosynthesis, oxidative stress response, and biosynthesis of defense molecules. This study provides the first insights into the influence of bacteria on diatom sexual reproduction and adds a new dimension to the complexity of a still understudied phenomenon in natural diatom populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Cirri
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Sam De Decker
- Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gust Bilcke
- Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Markus Werner
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Cristina Maria Osuna-Cruz
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lieven De Veylder
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Klaas Vandepoele
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Oliver Werz
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Wim Vyverman
- Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Georg Pohnert
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
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