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Transcriptomic analysis reveals the mechanism underlying salinity-induced morphological changes in Skeletonema
Jingwen Hu1, Ya Zheng1, Shuang Yang1
1Laboratory of Algae and Environment, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|November 13, 2024
Summary
Diatom cell wall morphology changes with salinity. Elevated salt levels alter cell size and nanopore size by affecting genes involved in silicon transport and structural components, revealing key salt tolerance mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Algal research
- Cellular morphogenesis
Background:
- Diatom cell walls are crucial for species identification and ecological roles.
- Salinity fluctuations can induce morphological plasticity in diatom cell walls.
- Molecular mechanisms of salinity-induced diatom cell wall changes remain underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying salinity-induced morphological changes in the diatom Skeletonema subsalsum.
- To identify genes associated with diatom cell wall adaptation to varying salt concentrations.
Main Methods:
- Culturing Skeletonema subsalsum under four salinity conditions (0, 3, 6, 12 PSU).
- Employing morphological, physiological, and transcriptome analyses.
- Identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs) linked to morphological alterations.
Main Results:
- Salinity increased cell diameter, protrusion lengths, inter-cell distance, and nanopore size, while decreasing cell height and silicification.
- Transcriptome analysis revealed 231 DEGs associated with morphological changes.
- Downregulated DEGs impacted silicon transport (chitin, putrescine metabolism, vesicle transport), while upregulated DEGs related to microtubules, actin, and ubiquitin.
Conclusions:
- Elevated salinity inhibits silicon transport and deposition, leading to reduced cell height.
- Increased salinity promotes gene expression related to cytoskeletal and regulatory proteins, driving morphological changes.
- This study provides insights into diatom salt tolerance and cell wall morphogenesis.
