Spermine Promotes the Formation of Conchosporangia in Pyropia haitanensis Through Superoxide Anions

The transition from conchocelis to conchosporangia in Pyropia haitanensis represents a pivotal stage in its life cycle. As a commercially vital red alga, P. haitanensis plays a dominant role in global nori production. The transition governing its sporulation efficiency is pivotal for aquaculture success, yet the underlying regulatory mechanisms, especially their integration with metabolic cues such as polyamines, remain poorly understood. This study uncovered a critical role for the polyamine spermine (SPM) in promoting conchosporangial formation, mediated through the signaling activity of superoxide anions (O₂·^-). Treatment with SPM markedly elevated O₂·^- levels, an effect that was effectively inhibited by the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyliodonium chloride (DPI), underscoring the role of O₂·^- as a key signaling molecule. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that SPM enhanced photosynthesis, carbon assimilation, and respiratory metabolism, while simultaneously activating antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and catalase (CAT), to regulate hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) levels and maintain redox homeostasis. Furthermore, SPM upregulated genes associated with photosynthetic carbon fixation and the C₂ oxidative photorespiration pathway, supplying the energy and metabolic resources necessary for this developmental transition. These findings suggested that SPM orchestrated O₂·^- signaling, photosynthetic activity, and antioxidant defenses to facilitate the transition from conchocelis to conchosporangia in P. haitanensis.