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Soonthornkalump S, Ow YX, Saewong C, Buapet P. Comparative study on anatomical traits and gas exchange responses due to belowground hypoxic stress and thermal stress in three tropical seagrasses. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12899. [PMID: 35186485 PMCID: PMC8840093 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ability to maintain sufficient oxygen levels in the belowground tissues and the rhizosphere is crucial for the growth and survival of seagrasses in habitats with highly reduced sediment. Such ability varies depending on plant anatomical features and environmental conditions. METHODS In the present study, we compared anatomical structures of roots, rhizomes and leaves of the tropical intertidal seagrasses, Cymodocea rotundata, Thalassia hemprichii and Halophila ovalis, followed by an investigation of their gas exchange both in the belowground and aboveground tissues and photosynthetic electron transport rates (ETR) in response to experimental manipulations of O2 level (normoxia and root hypoxia) and temperature (30 °C and 40 °C). RESULTS We found that C. rotundata and T. hemprichii displayed mostly comparable anatomical structures, whereas H. ovalis displayed various distinctive features, including leaf porosity, number and size of lacunae in roots and rhizomes and structure of radial O2 loss (ROL) barrier. H. ovalis also showed unique responses to root hypoxia and heat stress. Root hypoxia increased O2 release from belowground tissues and overall photosynthetic activity of H. ovalis but did not affect the other two seagrasses. More pronounced warming effects were detected in H. ovalis, measured as lower O2 release in the belowground tissues and overall photosynthetic capacity (O2 release and dissolved inorganic carbon uptake in the light and ETR). High temperature inhibited photosynthesis of C. rotundata and T. hemprichii but did not affect their O2 release in belowground tissues. Our data show that seagrasses inhabiting the same area respond differently to root hypoxia and temperature, possibly due to their differences in anatomical and physiological attributes. Halophila ovalis is highly dependent on photosynthesis and appears to be the most sensitive species with the highest tendency of O2 loss in hypoxic sediment. At the same time, its root oxidation capacity may be compromised under warming scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sutthinut Soonthornkalump
- Division of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand,Coastal Oceanography and Climate Change Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Yan Xiang Ow
- St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory, Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chanida Saewong
- Division of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand,Coastal Oceanography and Climate Change Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Pimchanok Buapet
- Division of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand,Coastal Oceanography and Climate Change Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
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Ruocco M, Barrote I, Hofman JD, Pes K, Costa MM, Procaccini G, Silva J, Dattolo E. Daily Regulation of Key Metabolic Pathways in Two Seagrasses Under Natural Light Conditions. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.757187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The circadian clock is an endogenous time-keeping mechanism that enables organisms to adapt to external environmental cycles. It produces rhythms of plant metabolism and physiology, and interacts with signaling pathways controlling daily and seasonal environmental responses through gene expression regulation. Downstream metabolic outputs, such as photosynthesis and sugar metabolism, besides being affected by the clock, can also contribute to the circadian timing itself. In marine plants, studies of circadian rhythms are still way behind in respect to terrestrial species, which strongly limits the understanding of how they coordinate their physiology and energetic metabolism with environmental signals at sea. Here, we provided a first description of daily timing of key core clock components and clock output pathways in two seagrass species, Cymodocea nodosa and Zostera marina (order Alismatales), co-occurring at the same geographic location, thus exposed to identical natural variations in photoperiod. Large differences were observed between species in the daily timing of accumulation of transcripts related to key metabolic pathways, such as photosynthesis and sucrose synthesis/transport, highlighting the importance of intrinsic biological, and likely ecological attributes of the species in determining the periodicity of functions. The two species exhibited a differential sensitivity to light-to-dark and dark-to-light transition times and could adopt different growth timing based on a differential strategy of resource allocation and mobilization throughout the day, possibly coordinated by the circadian clock. This behavior could potentially derive from divergent evolutionary adaptations of the species to their bio-geographical range of distributions.
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Björk M, Asplund ME, Deyanova D, Gullström M. The amount of light reaching the leaves in seagrass (Zostera marina) meadows. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257586. [PMID: 34547042 PMCID: PMC8454950 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Seagrass meadows, and other submerged vegetated habitats, support a wide range of essential ecological services, but the true extents of these services are in many ways still not quantified. One important tool needed to assess and model many of these services is accurate estimations of the systems´ primary productivity. Such productivity estimations require an understanding of the underwater light field, especially regarding the amount of light that actually reaches the plants' photosynthetic tissue. In this study, we tested a simple practical approach to estimate leaf light exposure, relative to incoming light at the canopy, by attaching light sensitive film at different positions on leaves of Zostera marina, eelgrass, in four seagrass meadows composed of different shoot density and at two different depths. We found that the light reaching the leaves decreased linearly down through the canopy. While the upper parts of the leaves received approximately the same level of light (photosynthetic photon flux density, PPFD) as recorded with a PAR meter at the canopy top, the average light that the seagrass leaves were exposed to varied between 40 and 60% of the light on top of the canopy, with an overall average of 48%. We recommend that actual light interception is measured when assessing or modelling light depending processes in submerged vegetation, but if this is not achievable a rough estimation for vegetation similar to Z. marina would be to use a correction factor of 0.5 to compensate for the reduced light due to leaf orientation and internal shading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mats Björk
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria E. Asplund
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Kristineberg, Fiskebäckskil, Sweden
| | - Diana Deyanova
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Kristineberg, Fiskebäckskil, Sweden
| | - Martin Gullström
- School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, Huddinge, Sweden
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m 6A RNA Methylation in Marine Plants: First Insights and Relevance for Biological Rhythms. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207508. [PMID: 33053767 PMCID: PMC7589960 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Circadian regulations are essential for enabling organisms to synchronize physiology with environmental light-dark cycles. Post-transcriptional RNA modifications still represent an understudied level of gene expression regulation in plants, although they could play crucial roles in environmental adaptation. N6-methyl-adenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent mRNA modification, established by "writer" and "eraser" proteins. It influences the clockwork in several taxa, but only few studies have been conducted in plants and none in marine plants. Here, we provided a first inventory of m6A-related genes in seagrasses and investigated daily changes in the global RNA methylation and transcript levels of writers and erasers in Cymodocea nodosa and Zostera marina. Both species showed methylation peaks during the dark period under the same photoperiod, despite exhibiting asynchronous changes in the m6A profile and related gene expression during a 24-h cycle. At contrasting latitudes, Z. marina populations displayed overlapping daily patterns of the m6A level and related gene expression. The observed rhythms are characteristic for each species and similar in populations of the same species with different photoperiods, suggesting the existence of an endogenous circadian control. Globally, our results indicate that m6A RNA methylation could widely contribute to circadian regulation in seagrasses, potentially affecting the photo-biological behaviour of these plants.
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Riccio G, Ruocco N, Mutalipassi M, Costantini M, Zupo V, Coppola D, de Pascale D, Lauritano C. Ten-Year Research Update Review: Antiviral Activities from Marine Organisms. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10071007. [PMID: 32645994 PMCID: PMC7407529 DOI: 10.3390/biom10071007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Oceans cover more than 70 percent of the surface of our planet and are characterized by huge taxonomic and chemical diversity of marine organisms. Several studies have shown that marine organisms produce a variety of compounds, derived from primary or secondary metabolism, which may have antiviral activities. In particular, certain marine metabolites are active towards a plethora of viruses. Multiple mechanisms of action have been found, as well as different targets. This review gives an overview of the marine-derived compounds discovered in the last 10 years. Even if marine organisms produce a wide variety of different compounds, there is only one compound available on the market, Ara-A, and only another one is in phase I clinical trials, named Griffithsin. The recent pandemic emergency caused by SARS-CoV-2, also known as COVID-19, highlights the need to further invest in this field, in order to shed light on marine compound potentiality and discover new drugs from the sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennaro Riccio
- Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, CAP, 80121 Naples, Italy; (G.R.); (N.R.); (M.M.); (M.C.); (V.Z.); (D.C.); (D.d.P.)
| | - Nadia Ruocco
- Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, CAP, 80121 Naples, Italy; (G.R.); (N.R.); (M.M.); (M.C.); (V.Z.); (D.C.); (D.d.P.)
| | - Mirko Mutalipassi
- Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, CAP, 80121 Naples, Italy; (G.R.); (N.R.); (M.M.); (M.C.); (V.Z.); (D.C.); (D.d.P.)
| | - Maria Costantini
- Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, CAP, 80121 Naples, Italy; (G.R.); (N.R.); (M.M.); (M.C.); (V.Z.); (D.C.); (D.d.P.)
| | - Valerio Zupo
- Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, CAP, 80121 Naples, Italy; (G.R.); (N.R.); (M.M.); (M.C.); (V.Z.); (D.C.); (D.d.P.)
| | - Daniela Coppola
- Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, CAP, 80121 Naples, Italy; (G.R.); (N.R.); (M.M.); (M.C.); (V.Z.); (D.C.); (D.d.P.)
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources (IBBR), National Research Council, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Donatella de Pascale
- Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, CAP, 80121 Naples, Italy; (G.R.); (N.R.); (M.M.); (M.C.); (V.Z.); (D.C.); (D.d.P.)
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Lauritano
- Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, CAP, 80121 Naples, Italy; (G.R.); (N.R.); (M.M.); (M.C.); (V.Z.); (D.C.); (D.d.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-5833-221
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Rasmusson LM, Gullström M, Gunnarsson PCB, George R, Björk M. Estimation of a whole plant Q10 to assess seagrass productivity during temperature shifts. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12667. [PMID: 31477782 PMCID: PMC6718688 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49184-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Through respiration and photosynthesis, seagrass meadows contribute greatly to carbon and oxygen fluxes in shallow coastal waters. There is increasing concern about how shallow-water primary producers will react to a near-future climate scenario with increased temperature variation. When modelling primary productivity under high temperature variability, Q10 values are commonly used to predict rate changes depending on biophysical factors. Q10 values are often assumed to be constant and around 2.0 (i.e. a doubling of the rate with a temperature increase of 10 °C). We aimed to establish how the gas exchange of seagrass (Zostera marina) tissues at various maturity stages would respond over a broad range of temperatures. Seagrass shoot maturity stage clearly affected respiration and apparent photosynthesis, and the Q10 results indicated a skewed balance between the two processes, with a higher photosynthetic Q10 during periods of elevated temperatures. When estimating whole-plant Q10 in a realistic maximal temperature range, we found that the overall response of a seagrass plant's net O2 exchange balance can be as much as three to four times higher than under ambient temperatures. Our findings indicate that plant tissue age and temperature should be considered when assessing and modelling carbon and oxygen fluctuations in vegetated coastal areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina M Rasmusson
- Seagrass Ecology & Physiology Research Group, Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Regional Climate Group, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Martin Gullström
- Seagrass Ecology & Physiology Research Group, Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Kristineberg, Fiskebäckskil, Sweden
| | - Pontus C B Gunnarsson
- Seagrass Ecology & Physiology Research Group, Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rushingisha George
- Seagrass Ecology & Physiology Research Group, Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Mats Björk
- Seagrass Ecology & Physiology Research Group, Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Lauritano C, De Luca D, Ferrarini A, Avanzato C, Minio A, Esposito F, Ianora A. De novo transcriptome of the cosmopolitan dinoflagellate Amphidinium carterae to identify enzymes with biotechnological potential. Sci Rep 2017; 7:11701. [PMID: 28916825 PMCID: PMC5601461 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12092-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Dinoflagellates are phytoplanktonic organisms found in both freshwater and marine habitats. They are often studied because related to harmful algal blooms but they are also known to produce bioactive compounds for the treatment of human pathologies. The aim of this study was to sequence the full transcriptome of the dinoflagellate Amphidinium carterae in both nitrogen-starved and -replete culturing conditions (1) to evaluate the response to nitrogen starvation at the transcriptional level, (2) to look for possible polyketide synthases (PKSs) in the studied clone (genes that may be involved in the synthesis of bioactive compounds), (3) if present, to evaluate if nutrient starvation can influence PKS expression, (4) to look for other possible enzymes of biotechnological interest and (5) to test strain cytotoxicity on human cell lines. Results showed an increase in nitrogen metabolism and stress response in nitrogen-starved cells and confirmed the presence of a type I β-ketosynthase. In addition, L-asparaginase (used for the treatment of Leukemia and for acrylamide reduction in food industries) and cellulase (useful for biofuel production and other industrial applications) have been identified for the first time in this species, giving new insights into possible biotechnological applications of dinoflagellates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Lauritano
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy.
| | - Daniele De Luca
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy
| | - Alberto Ferrarini
- Università degli Studi di Verona, Ca' Vignal 1, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Carla Avanzato
- Università degli Studi di Verona, Ca' Vignal 1, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Andrea Minio
- Università degli Studi di Verona, Ca' Vignal 1, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesco Esposito
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy
| | - Adrianna Ianora
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy
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