Red algal plasmids

Five of 21 red algal genera were found to contain circular dsDNA plasmids, typically of two or more sizes per species. Clones of the two plasmids (GL4.4 and GL3.5 kbp), characterizing all isolates of Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis, do not cross-hybridize with each other, with the nuclear, plastid or mitochondrial genomes of G. lemaneiformis, or with any DNA genomes of the other red algae examined. Clones of both plasmids hybridized with discrete bands on Northern blots of total RNA and poly(A)+ RNA. Sequencing of the G. lemaneiformis 3.5 kbp plasmid revealed two potential open reading frames which, when used to probe Northern blots, confirmed the presence of specific transcripts. These autonomously replicating plasmids are present in high copy number per cell and in constant proportion to each other. Their constancy suggests a function of significance to the species. Red algal plasmids may provide useful vectors for transforming economically important red algal species.