MACROALGAL CANDIDATES FOR GENOMICS¹

Abstract

Genomes from over 130 organisms have been either sequenced completely or are currently under investigation. These studies include a wide array of Bacteria, a smaller number of Archaea, modelsystem eukaryotes, parasitic protists, and even several microalgae. However, no major effort is underway to acquire a complete nuclear genome sequence from a single macroalga or seaweed despite their crucial contribution to the biodiversity and energy economy of oceans and estuaries. Here we examine various macroalgae as potential candidates for a genome project. A set of criteria is presented, followed by a brief discussion of how well different candidates from the principal macroalgae groups, green, brown, and red algae, meet these criteria. Based on our analyses, we conclude that the red seaweed, Porphyra yezoensis Ueda, should be the leading candidate for a macroalgal genomics initiative. We realize, of course, that others in the phycological community might have a different opinion and that a broad consensus among algal researchers is required to make seaweed genomics a reality; thus the primary intention of this review is to initiate and encourage further discussion as to where the phycological community should focus its genomic efforts.

Isolation and regeneration of transiently transformed protoplasts from gametophytic blades of the marine red alga Porphyra yezoensis

“…In contrast, protoplasts prepared from gametophytes treated with allantoin were normally developed, in which the overexpression of a β-*Corresponding author glucuronidase reporter gene had no effect on the regeneration of protoplasts. Therefore, the use of allantoin in protoplast preparation sheds a new light on the realization of an efficient isolation and selection of study transformed cells from gametophytic blades.Porphyra yezoensis is recently received a great attention as a most promising model macrophyte for physiological and molecular biological studies in marine red algae (Saga and Kitade, 2002;Waaland, 2004). Physiological study of P. yezoensis has been enhanced by our establishment of the laboratory culture system of the P. yezoensis strain TU-1 (Kuwano et al 1996).…”

“…Porphyra yezoensis is recently received a great attention as a most promising model macrophyte for physiological and molecular biological studies in marine red algae (Saga and Kitade, 2002;Waaland, 2004). Physiological study of P. yezoensis has been enhanced by our establishment of the laboratory culture system of the P. yezoensis strain TU-1 (Kuwano et al 1996).…”

Identification and Efficient Utilization of Antibiotics for the Development of a Stable Transformation System in Porphyra yezoensis (Bangiales,Rhodophyta)

“…The red macroalga Porphyra yezoensis is the most popular sea crop in Asia [6] and has recently received a great deal of attention as a model macrophyte for physiological and molecular biological studies in marine red algae [7,8]. To date, several studies have described the establishment of a transient gene expression system in P. yezoensis [9]; for example, we have succeeded in eliciting the efficient expression of the codon-modified β-glucuronidase (PyGUS) and humanized cyan and green fluorescent protein (AmCFP and ZsGFP) genes by transient transformation of P. yezoensis gametophytes using particle bombardment [10][11][12][13], which was then adapted to other Bangiophycean algae [14,15].…”

“…Recently, such transformation has been performed successfully in microalgae, and stably transformed microalgae have been employed to produce useful materials and to analyze the gene functions required for engineering these materials [3][4][5]. However, it is still hard to establish transgenic macroalgae, which is hindering our understanding of gene functions in various physiological regulations and also slowing our utilization of macroalgae in biotechnological applications.The red macroalga Porphyra yezoensis is the most popular sea crop in Asia [6] and has recently received a great deal of attention as a model macrophyte for physiological and molecular biological studies in marine red algae [7,8]. To date, several studies have described the establishment of a transient gene expression system in P. yezoensis [9]; for example, we have succeeded in eliciting the efficient expression of the codon-modified β-glucuronidase (PyGUS) and humanized cyan and green fluorescent protein (AmCFP and ZsGFP) genes by transient transformation of P. yezoensis gametophytes using particle bombardment [10][11][12][13], which was then adapted to other Bangiophycean algae [14,15].…”

A comprehensive cDNA library of light- and temperature-stressedSaccharina latissima(Phaeophyceae)

“…In temperate regions extensive kelp forests represent some of the most productive marine ecosystems (Phillips et al, 2011). In addition to their prime importance for ecosystem function, several species of the Laminariales are economically important and used as a food source in Asia and Europe (Lane et al, 2006), for the alginic acid food additive industry (Cre´pineau et al, 2000), and as valuable sources of biochemical compounds and pharmaceuticals (Waaland et al, 2004;Roeder et al, 2005). The vertical and latitudinal distribution of kelps is limited by their light and temperature demands (Wiencke et al, 2006;Bartsch et al, 2008).…”