Publication
Title
Molecular response of **Sargassum vulgare** to acidification at volcanic vents : insights from de novo transcriptomic analysis
Author
Abstract
Ocean acidification is an emerging problem that is expected to impact ocean species to varying degrees. Currently, little is known about its effect on molecular mechanisms induced in fleshy macroalgae. To elucidate genome wide responses to acidification, a transcriptome analysis was carried out on Sargassum vulgare populations growing under acidified conditions at volcanic CO2 vents and compared with populations in a control site. Several transcripts involved in a wide range of cellular and metabolic processes were differentially expressed. No drastic changes were observed in the carbon acquisition processes and RuBisCO level. Moreover, relatively few stress genes, including those for antioxidant enzymes and heat-shock proteins, were affected. Instead, increased expression of transcripts involved in energy metabolism, photosynthetic processes and ion homeostasis suggested that algae increased energy production to maintain ion homeostasis and other cellular processes. Also, an increased allocation of carbon to cell wall and carbon storage was observed. A number of genes encoding proteins involved in cellular signalling, information storage and processing and transposition were differentially expressed between the two conditions. The transcriptional changes of key enzymes were largely confirmed by enzymatic activity measurements. Altogether, the changes induced by acidification indicate an adaptation of growth and development of S. vulgare at the volcanic CO2 vents, suggesting that this fleshy alga exhibits a high plasticity to low pH and can adopt molecular strategies to grow also in future more acidified waters.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Molecular ecology. - Oxford
Publication
Oxford : 2017
ISSN
0962-1083
DOI
10.1111/MEC.14034
Volume/pages
26 :8 (2017) , p. 2276-2290
ISI
000400334600006
Pubmed ID
28133853
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
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Research group
Project info
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Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
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Creation 15.03.2017
Last edited 04.03.2024
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