Category: Dinoflagellate genomics

Possible functions of CobW domain-containing (CBWD) genes in dinoflagellates using Karlodinium veneficum as a representative

Since > 91% of dinoflagellates are proven auxotrophs of vitamin B(12) and the cobalamin synthetase W (CobW) is a key gene involved in vitamin B(12) synthesis pathway, a number of CobW domain-containing (CBWD) genes in dinoflagellates (DinoCBWDs) were surprisedly found from our transcriptomic and meta-transcriptomic studies. A total of 88 DinoCBWD genes were identified from the genomes and transcriptomes of four dinoflagellates, with five being cloned for full-lengths and characterized using the…

Comparative Plastid Genomics of Green-Colored Dinoflagellates Unveils Parallel Genome Compaction and RNA Editing

Dinoflagellates possess plastids that are diverse in both pigmentation and evolutionary background. One of the plastid types found in dinoflagellates is pigmented with chlorophylls a and b (Chl a + b) and originated from the endosymbionts belonging to a small group of green algae, Pedinophyceae. The Chl a + b-containing plastids have been found in three distantly related dinoflagellates Lepidodinium spp., strain MGD, and strain TGD, and were proposed to be derived from separate partnerships…

Comparative Plastid Genomics of Green-Colored Dinoflagellates Unveils Parallel Genome Compaction and RNA Editing

Dinoflagellates possess plastids that are diverse in both pigmentation and evolutionary background. One of the plastid types found in dinoflagellates is pigmented with chlorophylls a and b (Chl a + b) and originated from the endosymbionts belonging to a small group of green algae, Pedinophyceae. The Chl a + b-containing plastids have been found in three distantly related dinoflagellates Lepidodinium spp., strain MGD, and strain TGD, and were proposed to be derived from separate partnerships…

Responses of Dinoflagellate Cells to Ultraviolet-C Irradiation

Dinoflagellates are important aquatic microbes and major harmful algal bloom (HAB) agents that form invasive species through ship ballast transfer. UV-C installations are recommended for ballast treatments and HAB controls, but there is a lack of knowledge in dinoflagellate responses to UV-C. We report here dose-dependent cell cycle delay and viability loss of dinoflagellate cells irradiated with UV-C, with significant proliferative reduction at 800 Jm^(-2) doses or higher, but immediate LD50…

Temperature variability interacts with mean temperature to influence the predictability of microbial phenotypes

Despite their relatively high thermal optima (T(opt) ), tropical taxa may be particularly vulnerable to a rising baseline and increased temperature variation because they live in relatively stable temperatures closer to their T(opt) . We examined how microbial eukaryotes with differing thermal histories responded to temperature fluctuations of different amplitudes (0 control, ±2, ±4 °C) around mean temperatures below or above their T(opt) . Cosmopolitan dinoflagellates were selected based on…

Temperature variability interacts with mean temperature to influence the predictability of microbial phenotypes

Despite their relatively high thermal optima (T(opt) ), tropical taxa may be particularly vulnerable to a rising baseline and increased temperature variation because they live in relatively stable temperatures closer to their T(opt) . We examined how microbial eukaryotes with differing thermal histories responded to temperature fluctuations of different amplitudes (0 control, ±2, ±4 °C) around mean temperatures below or above their T(opt) . Cosmopolitan dinoflagellates were selected based on…

A Strategy for Gene Knockdown in Dinoflagellates

Dinoflagellates are unicellular protists that display unusual nuclear features such as large genomes, condensed chromosomes and multiple gene copies organized as tandem gene arrays. Genetic regulation is believed to be controlled at the translational rather than transcriptional level. An important player in this process is initiation factor eIF4E which binds the 7-methylguanosine cap structure (m7G) at the 5′-end of mRNA. Transcriptome analysis of eleven dinoflagellate species has established…

A Strategy for Gene Knockdown in Dinoflagellates

Dinoflagellates are unicellular protists that display unusual nuclear features such as large genomes, condensed chromosomes and multiple gene copies organized as tandem gene arrays. Genetic regulation is believed to be controlled at the translational rather than transcriptional level. An important player in this process is initiation factor eIF4E which binds the 7-methylguanosine cap structure (m7G) at the 5′-end of mRNA. Transcriptome analysis of eleven dinoflagellate species has established…

Taxonomic and Bioactivity Characterizations of <em>Mameliella alba</em> Strain LZ-28 Isolated from Highly Toxic Marine Dinoflagellate <em>Alexandrium catenella</em> LZT09

Microalgae host varied microbial consortium harboring cross-kingdom interactions with fundamental ecological significance in aquatic ecosystems. Revealing the complex biofunctions of the cultivable bacteria of phycosphere microbiota is one vital basis for deeply understanding the mechanisms governing these dynamic associations. In this study, a new light-yellow pigmented bacterial strain LZ-28 was isolated from the highly-toxic and harmful algal bloom-forming dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella…

Taxonomic and Bioactivity Characterizations of <em>Mameliella alba</em> Strain LZ-28 Isolated from Highly Toxic Marine Dinoflagellate <em>Alexandrium catenella</em> LZT09

Microalgae host varied microbial consortium harboring cross-kingdom interactions with fundamental ecological significance in aquatic ecosystems. Revealing the complex biofunctions of the cultivable bacteria of phycosphere microbiota is one vital basis for deeply understanding the mechanisms governing these dynamic associations. In this study, a new light-yellow pigmented bacterial strain LZ-28 was isolated from the highly-toxic and harmful algal bloom-forming dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella…