Transcriptome Profiling in the Marine Red Alga Neopyropia yezoensis Under Light/Dark Cycle

Area of Science:

• Marine Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Organisms exhibit daily metabolic and physiological changes influenced by light-dark cycles.
• Neopyropia yezoensis, a key seaweed for nori production, is crucial for aquaculture and food industries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate diurnal gene expression changes in Neopyropia yezoensis under controlled light/dark conditions.
• To identify key genes and pathways involved in regulating daily rhythms in this important seaweed species.

Main Methods:

• RNA sequencing was employed to analyze gene expression profiles.
• Seaweed samples were harvested at morning and evening time points during light/dark treatments.

Main Results:

• Morning transcript abundance indicated active carbon-nitrogen assimilation, polyunsaturated fatty acid, and starch synthesis.
• Evening gene expression showed upregulation in the pentose phosphate pathway, cell cycle, and DNA replication, crucial for light-sensitive processes.
• Upregulated genes at dusk, including asparaginase and glutamate dehydrogenase, suggest roles in nitrogen and carbon supply for dark growth.
• Cryptochrome/photolyase and histone modification genes were identified as potential regulators of diurnal rhythms.

Conclusions:

• Neopyropia yezoensis exhibits distinct diurnal gene expression patterns, optimizing metabolic processes for light and dark periods.
• Understanding these rhythms is vital for enhancing seaweed cultivation and managing physiological responses to environmental cues.