New alleles in the mating type determination region of West Atlantic strains of Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata

Russo, Monia Teresa; Ruggiero, Maria Valeria; Manfellotto, Francesco; Scriven, Victoria; Campbell, Lisa; Montresor, Marina; Ferrante, Maria Immacolata

doi:10.1016/j.hal.2021.101995

Cited by 4 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…The second MT+ allele is not transcribed therefore the gene has a monoallelic expression. Structural genomic differences between MT+ and MT-strains in the promoter region of MRP3 ( Russo et al, 2018, Russo et al, 2021) , were thought to contribute to its expression regulation, although the present data suggest that the monoallelic expression may also be controlled by differential methylation.…”

Section: Resultscontrasting

confidence: 61%

“…In MT+ strains isolated from the Gulf of Naples or from the Gulf of Mexico ( Russo et al, 2021), the MT+ transcribed allele always bore some structural differences when compared to all other non-transcribed alleles ( Fig S4A and B) (Russo et al,2018, 2021) . The MT+ NZ5 strain deviates from this pattern as it has two structurally identical alleles ( Figs S4C , S5A and B ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Different allelic variants of the region upstream of MRP3 have been described (Russo et al, 2018, Russo et al, 2021, characterized by polymorphic elements containing triplet repeats of different length or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and a putative transposon, but their role in the regulation of the gene transcription remains to be clarified.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Its overexpression in an MT-strain causes sex reversal: cells behave like MT+ and display an inverted trend of expression of the mating type related genes (Russo et al, 2018) . Different allelic variants of the region upstream of MRP3 have been described ( Russo et al, 2018, Russo et al, 2021) , characterized by polymorphic elements containing triplet repeats of different length or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and a putative transposon, but their role in the regulation of the gene transcription remains to be clarified.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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DNA methylation is linked to the monoallelic expression ofMRP3, a diatom mating type determining gene

Ruggiero,

Mager,

Manfellotto

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Diatoms are unicellular microalgae widely distributed in aquatic ecosystems. In diatoms, sexual reproduction is needed to counteract cell miniaturization imposed by the rigid silica shell, and only small cells, below a species-specific size threshold, are competent for sex. We performed a genome-wide Enzymatic Methyl-seq analysis in the heterothallic diatom Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata comparing cells of different size and opposite mating type (MT) to investigate potential epigenetic controls in life cycle transitions. We found an imprinting-like pattern of methylation at the sex locus: alleles of the gene responsible for the specification of the MT+, MRP3, are hypermethylated in MT- and differentially methylated in MT+, with transcription occurring only on the MT+ hypomethylated variant. The methylation pattern is overall stable over the P. multistriata life cycle. Absence of methylation in MRP3 is necessary for its expression but not sufficient, since large non-sexual cells have the same methylation profile of small sexual cells but do not express MRP3, suggesting that additional controls are involved in the mechanism of sex determination.

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Section: Resultscontrasting

confidence: 61%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

DNA methylation is linked to the monoallelic expression ofMRP3, a diatom mating type determining gene

Ruggiero,

Mager,

Manfellotto

et al. 2023

Preprint

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“…Continued long‐term observations have now led to a dataset of over 1000 strains genotyped with microsatellites and with the innovative Microsatellite PoolSeq barcoding approach (Wolf et al, 2021). This, combined with the capability to assign the MT based on allele variation in the MT determination locus (Russo et al, 2018, 2021), has allowed us to follow populations over nine years and to detect two occurrences of unbalanced sex ratios at sea (Ferrante, Broccoli, & Montresor, unpublished). The genomic features of some of these strains and of additional strains collected in three more geographical locations around the world (Nishimura et al, 2021; Turk Dermastia et al, 2022) have been explored via genome resequencing and indicate that spatial distribution has a stronger impact than temporal distribution on the population structure (M. I. Ferrante & M. Montresor, unpublished).…”

Section: From the Laboratory To The Seamentioning

confidence: 99%

The pennate diatom Pseudo‐nitzschia multistriata as a model for diatom life cycles, from the laboratory to the sea

Ferrante

Broccoli

Montresor

2023

Journal of Phycology

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Phytoplankton dynamics are regulated by external cues, such as light and nutrients, as well as by biotic interactions and endogenous controls linked to life cycle characteristics. The planktonic pennate diatom Pseudo‐nitzschia multistriata, with a heterothallic mating system with two opposite mating types (MTs), represents a model for the study of diatom life cycles. P. multistriata is a toxic species, able to produce the neurotoxin domoic acid. First described in Japan in 1993, it was detected at the long‐term monitoring station MareChiara (Gulf of Naples, Italy) in 1995. Since then, P. multistriata has been reported from several worldwide coastal sites. A large body of knowledge has been produced on its ecology, genetic diversity, and life cycle characteristics. The availability of these data, the ecological relevance of the Pseudo‐nitzschia genus, and its controllable life cycle with a short generation time made it an ideal species to develop a genetic model system for diatoms. To enable functional studies, a 59 Mb genome sequence and several transcriptomic data were produced, and genetic transformation was optimized. These tools allowed the discovery of the first mating‐type determining gene for diatoms. Gene expression studies and metabolomics analyses defined genes and molecules underpinning different phases of the process of sexual reproduction. This model system, developed to explore the genetics of diatom life cycles, offers the opportunity to parallel experimental observations in the laboratory using in situ meta‐omics analyses along space and time, empowering knowledge on the biology and ecology of the genus.

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Multiannual patterns of genetic structure and mating type ratios highlight the complex bloom dynamics of a marine planktonic diatom

Ruggiero,

Buffoli,

Wolf

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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Understanding the genetic structure of populations and the processes responsible for its spatial and temporal dynamics is vital for assessing species’ adaptability and survival in changing environments. We investigate the genetic fingerprinting of blooming populations of the marine diatom Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata in the Gulf of Naples (Mediterranean Sea) from 2008 to 2020. Strains were genotyped using microsatellite fingerprinting and natural samples were also analysed with Microsatellite Pool-seq Barcoding based on Illumina sequencing of microsatellite loci. Both approaches revealed a clonal expansion event in 2013 and a more stable genetic structure during 2017–2020 compared to previous years. The identification of a mating type (MT) determination gene allowed to assign MT to strains isolated over the years. MTs were generally at equilibrium with two notable exceptions, including the clonal bloom of 2013. The populations exhibited linkage equilibrium in most blooms, indicating that sexual reproduction leads to genetic homogenization. Our findings show that P. multistriata blooms exhibit a dynamic genetic and demographic composition over time, most probably determined by deeper-layer cell inocula. Occasional clonal expansions and MT imbalances can potentially affect the persistence and ecological success of planktonic diatoms.

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New alleles in the mating type determination region of West Atlantic strains of Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata

Cited by 4 publications

References 29 publications

DNA methylation is linked to the monoallelic expression ofMRP3, a diatom mating type determining gene

DNA methylation is linked to the monoallelic expression ofMRP3, a diatom mating type determining gene

The pennate diatom Pseudo‐nitzschia multistriata as a model for diatom life cycles, from the laboratory to the sea

Multiannual patterns of genetic structure and mating type ratios highlight the complex bloom dynamics of a marine planktonic diatom

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