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Garcia-Jimenez P, Montero-Fernández M, Robaina RR. Analysis of ethylene-induced gene regulation during carposporogenesis in the red seaweed Grateloupia imbricata (Rhodophyta). J Phycol 2018; 54:681-689. [PMID: 29981263 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.12762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Ethylene favors carposporogenesis in the red seaweed Grateloupia imbricata. Analyses of cystocarp development in vitro in thalli treated with ethylene suggest an interconnection between polyamine and ethylene biosynthesis pathways. Yet, little is known about molecular mechanisms underlying carposporogenesis. Here, we used droplet digital PCR to analyze genes encoding enzymes related to polyamine (Spermidine [Spd] synthase) and ethylene (ACC synthase) synthesis; a pivotal compound of both pathways (S-adenosyl methionine synthase, SAMS); the gene that encodes amine oxidase, which is involved in polyamine degradation, and a candidate gene involved in seaweed reproduction (ornithine decarboxylase, ODC). In addition, we analyzed genes encoding proteins related to stress and reactive oxygen species, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), cytochrome P450 and WD 40. We characterized gene expression in fertilized and fertile thalli from G. imbricata that were exposed to ethylene for 15 min at two time points after treatment (1 and 7 d). The differential gene expression of SAMS, Spd synthase, ACC synthase, and cytochrome P450 was related to disclosure and development of cystocarps in fertilized thalli that transitioned from having no visible cystocarps at 1 d to developing cystocarps at 7 d. Likewise, cytochrome P450 was associated with cystocarp disclosure and maturation. In addition, amine oxidase and APX were involved in fine-tuning polyamine and reactive oxygen species during carposporogenesis, respectively, whereas WD 40 did so in relation to ethylene signaling. Expression of the candidate gene ODC was increased when cystocarps were not visible (fertilized thalli, 1d), as previously described. This analysis suggests developmental stage-specific roles for these genes during carposporogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Garcia-Jimenez
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, E-35017, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Montserrat Montero-Fernández
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, E-35017, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Rafael R Robaina
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, E-35017, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
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Garcia-Jimenez P, Montero-Fernández M, Robaina RR. Molecular mechanisms underlying Grateloupia imbricata (Rhodophyta) carposporogenesis induced by methyl jasmonate. J Phycol 2017; 53:1340-1344. [PMID: 28990186 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.12594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [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: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
When applied in vitro, methyl jasmonate is sensed by the red seaweed Grateloupia imbricate, substantially and visually affecting its carposporogenesis. However, although there is some understanding of the morphological changes induced by methyl jasmonate in vitro, little is known about the genes that are involved in red seaweed carposporogenesis and how their protein products act. For the work reported herein, the expression of genes in red seaweed that encode enzymes involved in the synthesis of methyl jasmonate (jasmonic acid carboxyl methyl transferase and a putative methyl transferase) was monitored. Additionally the genes involved in oxidation (cytochrome P450 and WD40), jasmonate synthesis, signal transduction, and regulation of reactive oxygen species (MYB), and reproduction (ornithine decarboxylase) were monitored. To determine when or if the aforementioned genes were expressed during cystocarp development, fertilized and fertile thalli were exposed to methyl jasmonate and gene expression was measured after 24 and 48 h. The results showed that methyl jasmonate promoted differential gene expression in fertilized thalli by 24 h and upregulated expression of the ornithine decarboxylase gene only by 48 h in fertile thalli (0.75 ± 003 copies · μL-1 at 24 h vs. 1.11 ± 0.04 copies · μL-1 at 48 h). We conclude that Ornithine decarboxylase expression involves methyl jasmonate signaling as well as development and maturation of cystocarps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Garcia-Jimenez
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, 35017, Spain
| | - Montserrat Montero-Fernández
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, 35017, Spain
| | - Rafael R Robaina
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, 35017, Spain
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Charrier B, Abreu MH, Araujo R, Bruhn A, Coates JC, De Clerck O, Katsaros C, Robaina RR, Wichard T. Furthering knowledge of seaweed growth and development to facilitate sustainable aquaculture. New Phytol 2017; 216:967-975. [PMID: 28800196 DOI: 10.1111/nph.14728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Macroalgae (seaweeds) are the subject of increasing interest for their potential as a source of valuable, sustainable biomass in the food, feed, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Compared with microalgae, the pace of knowledge acquisition in seaweeds is slower despite the availability of whole-genome sequences and model organisms for the major seaweed groups. This is partly a consequence of specific hurdles related to the large size of these organisms and their slow growth. As a result, this basic scientific field is falling behind, despite the societal and economic importance of these organisms. Here, we argue that sustainable management of seaweed aquaculture requires fundamental understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms controlling macroalgal life cycles - from the production of germ cells to the growth and fertility of the adult organisms - using diverse approaches requiring a broad range of technological tools. This Viewpoint highlights several examples of basic research on macroalgal developmental biology that could enable the step-changes which are required to adequately meet the demands of the aquaculture sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bénédicte Charrier
- Morphogenesis of Macroalgae, UMR8227, CNRS-UPMC, Station Biologique, Roscoff, 29680, France
| | - Maria Helena Abreu
- Travessa Alexandre da Conceição, ALGAplus Lda, Ílhavo, 3830-196, Portugal
| | - Rita Araujo
- Water and Marine Resources Unit, Joint Research Centre - Directorate for Sustainable Resources, European Commission, via E. Fermi, Ispra (VA), 2749-21027, Italy
| | - Annette Bruhn
- Department of BioScience, Aarhus University, Vejlsøvej 25, Silkeborg, 8600, Denmark
| | - Juliet C Coates
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Olivier De Clerck
- Department of Biology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S8, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Christos Katsaros
- Department of Biology, Morphogenesis of Macroalgae, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 157 84, Greece
| | - Rafael R Robaina
- Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017, Spain
| | - Thomas Wichard
- Institute for Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Lessingstr. 8, Jena, 07743, Germany
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Montero-Fernández M, Robaina RR, Garcia-Jimenez P. In silico characterization of DNA motifs associated with the differential expression of the ornithine decarboxylase gene during in vitro cystocarp development in the red seaweed Grateloupia imbricata. J Plant Physiol 2016; 195:31-38. [PMID: 26991607 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2016.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [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: 11/26/2015] [Revised: 03/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
To gain a better understanding of the regulatory mechanism(s) modulating expression of the ornithine decarboxylase gene ODC during cystocarp development in the red seaweed Grateloupia imbricata, DNA motifs found in the 5'-upstream region of the gene were identified by in silico analysis. In addition, when infertile G. imbricata thalli were treated with ethylene, methyl jasmonate, or light as an elicitor of cystocarp development, different ODC expression patterns were observed. ODC expression correlated with (i) the elicitation (treatment) period and the period post-treatment just prior to observation of the first visible developing cystocarps (disclosure period), and (ii) the type of elicitor. Ethylene and light activated ODC expression during the elicitation period, and methyl jasmonate activated its expression during the disclosure period, suggesting that initiation and cystocarp development may involve more than one signaling pathway. In addition, expression of ODC was 450-fold greater when thalli were stimulated by ethylene compared with untreated control thalli, suggesting that G. imbricata mounts an efficient response to sense and activate ethylene-responsive signaling pathways. The patterns of differential ODC expression induced by the different elicitors during cystocarp development might provide an useful tool for characterizing the precise transcriptional regulation of ODC in G. imbricata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montserrat Montero-Fernández
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, E-35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Rafael R Robaina
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, E-35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Pilar Garcia-Jimenez
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, E-35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
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García-Jiménez P, Robaina RR. On reproduction in red algae: further research needed at the molecular level. Front Plant Sci 2015; 6:93. [PMID: 25755663 PMCID: PMC4337235 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2015.00093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Multicellular red algae (Rhodophyta) have some of the most complex life cycles known in living organisms. Economically valuable seaweeds, such as phycocolloid producers, have a triphasic (gametophyte, carposporophyte, and tetrasporophyte) life cycle, not to mention the intricate alternation of generations in the edible "sushi-alga" nori. It is a well-known fact that reproductive processes are controlled by one or more abiotic factor(s), including day length, light quality, temperature, and nutrients. Likewise, endogenous chemical factors such as plant growth regulators have been reported to affect reproductive events in some red seaweeds. Still, in the genomic era and given the high throughput techniques at our disposal, our knowledge about the endogenous molecular machinery lags far behind that of higher plants. Any potential effective control of the reproductive process will entail revisiting most of these results and facts to answer basic biological questions as yet unresolved. Recent results have shed light on the involvement of several genes in red alga reproductive events. In addition, a working species characterized by a simple filamentous architecture, easy cultivation, and accessible genomes may also facilitate our task.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rafael R. Robaina
- *Correspondence: Rafael R. Robaina, Departamento de Biología, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain e-mail:
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Garcia-Jimenez P, Brito-Romano O, Robaina RR. Production of volatiles by the red seaweed Gelidium arbuscula (Rhodophyta): emission of ethylene and dimethyl sulfide. J Phycol 2013; 49:661-669. [PMID: 27007198 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.12083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2013] [Accepted: 05/01/2013] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The effects of different light conditions and exogenous ethylene on the emission of volatile compounds from the alga Gelidium arbuscula Bory de Saint-Vincent were studied. Special emphasis was placed on the possibility that the emission of ethylene and dimethyl sulfide (DMS) are related through the action of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) lyase. The conversion of DMSP to DMS and acrylate, which is catalyzed by DMSP lyase, can indirectly support the synthesis of ethylene through the transformation of acrylate to ethylene. After mimicking the desiccation of G. arbuscula thalli experienced during low tides, the volatile compounds emitted were trapped in the headspace of 2 mL glass vials for 1 h. Two methods based on gas chromatography/mass spectrometry revealed that the range of organic volatile compounds released was affected by abiotic factors, such as the availability and spectral quality of light, salinity, and exogenous ethylene. Amines and methyl alkyl compounds were produced after exposure to white light and darkness but not after exposure to exogenous ethylene or red light. Volatiles potentially associated with the oxidation of fatty acids, such as alkenes and low-molecular-weight oxygenated compounds, accumu-lated after exposure to exogenous ethylene and red light. Ethylene was produced in all treatments, especially after exposure to exogenous ethylene. Levels of DMS, the most abundant sulfur-compound that was emitted in all of the conditions tested, did not increase after incubation with ethylene. Thus, although DMSP lyase is active in G. arbuscula, it is unlikely to contribute to ethylene synthesis. The generation of ethylene and DMS do not appear to be coordinated in G. arbuscula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Garcia-Jimenez
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, E-35017, Spain
| | - Olegario Brito-Romano
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, E-35017, Spain
| | - Rafael R Robaina
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, E-35017, Spain
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Abstract
The effects of ethylene (C2 H4 ) on tetrasporogenesis of the red seaweed Pterocladiella capillacea (S. G. Gmelin) Bornet were investigated. Ethylene is a gaseous hormone that is involved in a variety of physiological processes (e.g., flowering, fruit abscission) in higher plants. To study the effects of ethylene on the reproduction of the red seaweed P. capillacea, immature tetrasporophytic thalli were exposed to a flow of ethylene for different time periods. Maximum maturation of tetrasporangia was observed at 7 d in thalli exposed to ethylene for 15 min. This maturation was accompanied by a significant increase in the free fraction of putrescine (Put) and a 5-fold increase in the level of total RNA. These changes were specifically due to ethylene since they were blocked by the presence of the ethylene perception inhibitor silver thiosulphate (STS). Moreover, P. capillacea was determined to produce ethylene at a rate of 1.12 ± 0.06 nmol ethylene · h(-1) · g(-1) fresh weight (fwt) with specific activities for 1-aminocyclopropane-1-acrylic acid (ACC) synthase of 11.21 ± 1.19 nmol ethylene · h(-1) · mg(-1) protein and for ACC oxidase (ACO) of 7.12 ± 0.11 nmol ethylene · h(-1) · mg(-1) protein. We conclude that ethylene may indeed be a physiological regulator of tetrasporogenesis in this red seaweed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar García-Jiménez
- Departamento de Biología. Facultad de Ciencias del Mar. Universidad of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. E-35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Rafael R Robaina
- Departamento de Biología. Facultad de Ciencias del Mar. Universidad of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. E-35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
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García-Jiménez P, García-Maroto F, Garrido-Cárdenas JA, Ferrandiz C, Robaina RR. Differential expression of the ornithine decarboxylase gene during carposporogenesis in the thallus of the red seaweed Grateloupia imbricata (Halymeniaceae). J Plant Physiol 2009; 166:1745-1754. [PMID: 19524320 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2009.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2009] [Revised: 04/21/2009] [Accepted: 04/22/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
This paper describes the cloning of the ornithine decarboxylase gene from a red seaweed, Grateloupia imbricata (Rhodophyta), the characterization of its expression throughout the reproductive process, and demonstrates how polyamines are involved in seaweed reproduction. In addition, the data indicate that the basal perennial and non-spore-forming thalli behave physiologically and genetically differently from the distal reproductive tissue. The common polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine have been associated with carposporogenesis in red seaweeds. Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC, EC 4.1.1.17) produces the diamine putrescine from the non-protein amino acid, ornithine. ODC is predominant in the synthesis of polyamines in G. imbricata. The gene encoding the ornithine decarboxylase in G. imbricata was cloned by genomic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using degenerate primers against conserved motives, followed by chromosome walking using inverse PCR (iPCR). The encoded protein (GiODC, accession # FJ223132) was very similar to other ODCs, bearing the characteristic conserved domain of pyridoxal-dependent decarboxylases. The expression of the GiODC gene was investigated by real-time PCR and in situ hybridization (ISH), and was observed to vary according to cystocarp differentiation. It was weakly transcribed in apical parts of fertile tissue where the cystocarps are located, while the transcript levels were comparatively high in the basal part. This expression pattern correlated with the levels of free polyamines, which were higher at the basal part.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar García-Jiménez
- Departamento de Biología, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, C.P. 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
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García-Jiménez P, Just PM, Delgado AM, Robaina RR. Transglutaminase activity decrease during acclimation to hyposaline conditions in marine seaweed Grateloupia doryphora (Rhodophyta, Halymeniaceae). J Plant Physiol 2007; 164:367-70. [PMID: 16891033 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2006.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2006] [Accepted: 05/15/2006] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Polyamines (PAs), such as diamine putrescine (PUT), triamine spermidine (SPD) and tetraamine spermine (SPM) have been related to environmental stress, including salt stress. A marine red macrophyte alga Grateloupia doryphora (Montagne) Howe was used to investigate the role of PAs during acclimation to moderate hyposaline conditions (incubation 24h in 18 psu seawater as compared to 36 psu of natural seawater). The results obtained showed that a moderate hyposaline shock caused an increase in the free fraction of PUT, SPD and SPM, mainly due to a decrease in TGase activity, together with an apparent increase in the l-arginine dependent PAs synthesis (ODC and arginase decreased, and ADC slightly increased). The photosynthetic rate increased in thalli when exposed to free SPD at 18 psu, but it did not increase at 36 psu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar García-Jiménez
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, ES-35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
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