Identification and Characterization of Long Non-Coding RNAs Involved in Sex-Related Gene Regulation in Kelp Saccharina japonica

Long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)regulate a variety of biological processes,including sexual reproduction and differentiation.Saccharina japonica,a commercially important brown alga in China,shows remarkable sexual dimorphism in haploid gametophytes.The sex of Saccharina japonica gametophytes is determined by UV sexual system.However,no results have been reported on the lncRNAs involved in the sex-related gene regulation of S.japonica.This study identified a number of lncRNAs and assessed their expression levels in male and female gametophytes.Among them,a total of 405 lncRNAs and 211 mRNAs showed differential expressions.Furthermore,the functions of target genes of differentially expressed lncRNAs(DELs)differed from those of differentially expressed genes(DEGs),suggesting that lncRNA may interact with other functional proteins,in addition to DEGs,to involve sex regulation in S.japonica.There were 32 and 90 potential cis-regulatory and trans-regulatory interactions between DELsDEGs,respectively.Five of these lncRNAs(LNC_002974,LNC_021059,LNC_038466,LNC_051584,and LNC_027400)interacted with putative male sex determination region(SDR)genes,suggesting that they act as regulators in gametophytes'sex regulation potentially.Findings from this study contribute to our understanding of the roles of lncRNAs in sex differentiation and lay the foundation for functional studies of candidate lncRNAs in the future.

Cryopreservation of Gametophytes of Laminaria japonica (Phaeophyta) Using Encapsulation-Dehydration with Two-Step Cooling Method

Gametophytes of Laminaria japonica were cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen using encapsulation-dehydration with two-step cooling method. Gametophytes cultured at 10℃ and under continuous irradiance of 30 μmol m^-2 s^-1 for 3 weeks were encapsulated in calcium alginate beads. The beads were dehydrated in 0.4 molLl sucrose prepared with seawater for 6 h, desiccated in an incubator set at 10℃ and 70% relative humidity for 4 h, pre-frozen at either -40℃ or -60℃ for 30 min, and stored in liquid nitrogen for 〉24 h. As high as 43% of survival rate was observed when gametophytes were thawed by placing the beads in 40℃ seawater and re-hydrated in 0.05 molL^-1 citrate sodium prepared using 30‰ NaCl 7 d later. More cells of male gametophytes survived the whole procedure in comparison with female gametophytes. The cells of gametophytes surviving the preservation were able to grow asexually and produce morphologically normal sporophytes.

Influence of Temperature and Salinity on Germination of Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) Seeds

Seagrass restoration as part of ocean ecosystem protection has been launched for many years all over the world, but intensive research on this subject in China has just begun in recent years. Seed broadcasting has been widely accepted as the most potentially useful method for seagrass restoration over large areas. We examined the influence of key environmental factors on seed germination to help promote eelgrass bed restoration. Under anoxic conditions, the influence of temperature and salinity on the germination rate of eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) seeds was examined at different combinations of four temperatures (4, 9, 14, and 24℃) and nine salinities (5 to 45, increment of 5). The effect of significant interaction of temperature and salinity on germination rate was observed (ANOVA) (P<0.001). The highest germination rate (83.3 ± 3.5)% was reached in 8 weeks at 14℃ and salinity 5. Higher temperature significantly increased the germination rate at salinity 5 (P<0.001) during the whole observation period except for 24℃, while lower salinity significantly increased the germination rate at 14℃ (P<0.001). Although significant interaction was found between temperature and salinity (P<0.001), the influence of salinity was stronger than that of temperature for the germination of eelgrass seeds. These results provide useful information for the propagation of artificial seedlings for seagrass restoration in China.

Verification of Mutagen Function of Zeocin in Nannochloropsis oceanica Through Transcriptome Analysis

Zeocin can cause double strand breaks of DNA and thus is frequently used as a selective antibiotic of eukaryotic Sh ble transformants. In non-transformation system, Zeocin may function as a mutagen if not totally lethal. To verify such function of Zeocin, we mutated Nannochloropsis oceanica by increasing the concentration of Zeocin in medium gradually, and isolated a N. oceanica strain(single cell culture) which survived Zeocin up to 10.0μg mL^(-1). The Zeocin-tolerant strain entered the exponential growth phase later and grew slower than the wild strain. Transcriptome profiling showed that the Zeocin-tolerant N. oceanica strain survived Zeocin mainly by adapting(heritable), rather than acclimating(plastic) to Zeocin. Hence mutating N. oceanica with Zeocin was approved effective. Meanwhile, the physiological characteristics of this Zeocin-tolerant strain were demonstrated. As we proposed, N. oceanica tolerated Zeocin by strengthening its protein degradation and antioxidation. The genes controlling cell division and cellular response to stimuli may also have played important roles in the reduction of growth and the tolerance to Zeocin. Our findings evidenced that Zeocin can serve as an appropriate mutagen of microalgae. Creating variations through mutation with Zeocin may help to study the genetic basis of the traits of this monoploidy and asexual microalga, as well as improve its production.

Design of Vibrio 16S rRNA Gene Specific Primers and Their Application in the Analysis of Seawater Vibrio Community

The pathogenic species of genus Vibrio cause vibriosis, one of the most prevalent diseases of maricultured animals and seafood consumers. Monitoring their kinetics in the chain of seafood production, processing and consumption is of great importance for food and mariculture safety. In order to enrich Vibrio-representing 16S ribosomal RNA gene （rDNA） fragments and identify these bacteria further real-timely and synchronously among bacterial flora in the chain, a pair of primers that selectively amplify Vibrio 16S rDNA fragments were designed with their specificities and coverage testified in the analysis of seawater Vibrio community. The specificities and coverage of two primers, VF169 and VR744, were determined theoretically among bacterial 16S rDNAs available in GenBank by using BLAST program and practically by amplifying Vibrio 16S rDNA fragments from seawater DNA. More than 88.3% of sequences in GenBank, which showed identical matches with VR744, belong to Vibrio genus. A total of 33 clones were randomly selected and sequenced. All of the sequences showed their highest similarities to and clustered around those of diverse known Vibrio species. The primers designed are capable of retrieving a wide range of Vibrio 16S rDNA fragments specifically among bacterial flora in seawater, the most important natural environment of seafood cultivation.

Parentage Analysis of Dongfang No.2, a Hybrid of a Female Gametophyte Clone of Laminaria japonica (Laminariales, Phaeophyta) and a Male Clone of L. longissima

The cultivation of the first filial generation of monoploid gametophyte clones of different Laminaria species (hybrid Laminaria) is an effective way of utilizing heterozygous vigor (heterosis). A female gametophyte clone of L. japonica and a male gametophyte clone of L. longissima were hybridized, generating Dongfang No.2 hybrid Laminaria. The parentage of this hybrid Laminaria was determined using AFLP of total DNA, SNP of the ITS region of ribosomal RNA transcription unit and microsatellite DNA variation at two loci. In addition to 167 AFLP bands shared by Dongfang No.2, L. japonica and L. longissima, Dongfang No.2 hybrid Laminaria shared another 70 and 55 bands with L. japonica and L. longissima, respectively, which were obviously more than 11 bands shared by L. japonica and L. longissima. Dongfang No.2 held both ‘T’ and ‘C’ at position 847 of the ITS region, while ‘T’ at this position was specific for L. japonica and ‘C’ for L. longissima, respectively. Dongfang No.2 also held the microsatellite DNA alleles of two parents together at two microsatellite DNA marker loci. These observations clearly proved that Dongfang No.2 is a true hybrid of L. japonica and L. longissiuma. Unfortunately, the origin of the chloroplast of Dongfang No.2 was not determined based on the variation of RuBisCo spacer. More sequence variants of both ITS region and RuBisCo spacer were identified in Dongfang No.2 and most of them did not exist in either L. japonica or L. longissima. The unexpected variants may be due to the mutation of ga- metophyte clones occurring during their vegetative amplification.

Cloning and Phylogenetic Analysis of a Fatty Acid Elongase Gene from Nannochloropsis oculata CS179

Nannochloropsis oculata CS179, a unicellular marine microalga, is rich in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids （LCPUFAs）. Elongase and desaturase play a key role in the biosynthesis of PUFAs. A new elongase gene, which encodes 322 amino acids, was identified via RT-PCR and 5＇ and 3＇ RACE. The sequence of the elongase gene was blast-searched in the NCBI GenBank and showed a similarity to those of the coptosporidium. But the NJ-tree revealed that the N. oculata CS 179 elongase clustered with those of the microalgae Phaeodac^lum tricornutum, Ostreocoecus tauri and Thalassiosira pseudonana.

The Mechanism of the Acclimation of Nannochloropsis oceanica to Freshwater Deduced from Its Transcriptome Profiles

In this study, we compared the transcriptomes of Nannochloropsis oceanica cultured in f/2 medium prepared with seawater and freshwater, respectively, aiming to understand the acclimation mechanism of this alga to freshwater. Differentially expressed genes were mainly assigned to the degradation of cell components, ion transportation, and ribosomal biogenesis. These find- ings indicate that the algal cells degrade its components （mainly amino acids and fatty acids） to yield excessive energy （ATP） to maintain cellular ion （mainly K＋ and Ca〉） homeostasis, while the depletion of amino acids and ATP, and the reduction of ribosomes attenuate the protein translation and finally slow down the cell growth.

Structural Variation Analysis of Mutated Nannochloropsis oceanica Caused by Zeocin Through Genome Re-Sequencing

Zeocin can cause double strand breaks of DNA and thus may be employed as a mutagen. In this study, two strains of Nannochloropsis oceanica, the wild and the Zeocin-tolerant strains, were re-sequenced to verify such function of Zeocin, The results showed that Zeocin can mutate the N. oceanica genome and cause the structural variation. Zeocin either swept away or selected the alleles of genes functioning in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, ribosome biogenesis, and circadian rhythm, indicating that N. oceanica may have adjusted its metabolic performances for protein, carbohydrate, and lipid, and changed its ribosome biosynthesis and living rhythm to survive in Zeocin containing medium. In addition, Zeocin caused mutation may have influenced the expression of a set of tanscription factors. It was concluded that Zeocin effectively caused the structural variation of the genome of N. oceanica, and forced the microalgae to select out the alleles of a set of genes around these variations in order to adapt to Zeocin containing medium. Further studies on the genetic basis of the phenotypic adaptation of this haploid and asexual microalga and the application of Zeocin to its genetic improvement are very important.

Nematode Diversity of Qingdao Coast Inferred from the 18S Ribosomal RNA Gene Sequence Analysis

The 18S ribosomal DNA gene （18S rDNA） sequences （approxtmately 1300 bp in length） were amplified from the DNA extracted from the free-living marine nematodes collected from the inter-tidal sediment of Qingdao coast in bulk with nematode specific primers. The PCR products were cloned, re-amplified, digested with Rsa I and Hin61 restriction endonucleases and separated in agarose gel. Among 17 restriction fragment length types, types 1, 2 and 6 covered 61.2%, 14.4% and 9.3% of the clones analyzed, respectively, while the remaining 14 only covered 21 clones, which accounted for 15.1% of the total. Twenty-four representative clones were sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed by referring to those currently available in RDP and GenBank databases. Although it was hard to assign these sequences to known species or genera due to the lack of the 18S rDNA sequence data of known marine free-living nematodes, the obtained sequences were assigned to the nematodes of Adenophorea. Among them, twelve sequences were close to Pontonema vulgate and Adoncholaimus sp., four to Daptonema procerus and two （identical） to Enoplus brews. Our results showed that free-living marine nematode diversities could be determined by PCR retrieving and analysis of the 18S rDNA sequences and an 18S rDNA sequence could be assigned to a species or a genus only if the 18S rDNA sequences of the free-living marine nematodes were accumulated to some extent.

Characterization of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome of the Hybrid Epinephelus moara♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus♂,and Phylogenetic Analysis in Subfamily Epinephelinae

This study presents the complete mitochondrial genome of the hybrid Epinephelus moara♀× Epinephelus lanceolatus♂. The genome is 16886 bp in length, and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 r RNA genes, 22 t RNA genes, a light-strand replication origin and a control region. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis based on the nucleotide sequences of 13 conserved protein-coding genes using the maximum likelihood method indicated that the mitochondrial genome is maternally inherited. This study presents genomic data for studying phylogenetic relationships and breeding of hybrid Epinephelinae.

Characterization of Genome-Wide Microsatellites of Saccharina japonica Based on a Preliminary Assembly of Illumina Sequencing Reads

Microsatellites or simple sequence repeats(SSR) function widely and locate dependently in genome. However, their characteristics are often ignored due to the lack of genomic sequences of most species. Kelp(Saccharina japonica), a brown macroalga, is extensively cultured in China. In this study, the genome of S. japonica was surveyed using an Illumina sequencing platform, and its microsatellites were characterized. The preliminarily assembled genome was 469.4 Mb in size, with a scaffold N_(50) of 20529 bp. Among the 128370 identified microsatellites, 90671, 25726 and 11973 were found in intergenic regions, introns and exons, averaging 339.3, 178.8 and 205.4 microsatellites per Mb, respectively. These microsatellites distributed unevenly in S. japonica genome. Mononucleotide motifs were the most abundant in the genome, while trinucleotide ones were the most prevalent in exons. The microsatellite abundance decreased significantly with the increase of motif repeat numbers, and the microsatellites with a small number of repeats accounted for a higher proportion of the exons than those of the intergenic regions and introns. C/G-rich motifs were more common in exons than in intergenic regions and introns. These characteristics of microsatellites in S. japonica genome may associate with their functions, and ultimately their adaptation and evolution. Among the 120140 pairs of designed microsatellite primers, approximately 75% were predicted to be able to amplify S. japonica DNA. These microsatellite markers will be extremely useful for the genetic breeding and population evolution studies of kelp.

Characterization of EmpA protease in Vibrio anguillarum M3

EmpA is an extracellular metalloprotease secreted by Vibrio anguillarum.For better understanding its role in the patho-genicity of V.anguillarum strain M3,empA insertion mutant was constructed.In the mutant it decreased in extracellular proteolytic activity,swarming motility,hemolytic activity and virulence on turbot(Scophthalmus maximus).Significant decline(by 5-fold)of extracellular proteolytic activity and similar growth curve between mutant and wild type strains indicated that EmpA was the major extracellular protease of M3.LD50 of mutant increased by 38-fold compared with wild type.No pro-EmpA was detected in the su-pernatant of culture,indicating that EmpA autolyzed to mature protein after 24 h.Secretion of EmpA in M3 was similar to that in NB10 strain.Attenuated virulence of mutant was similar to that of M93Sm strain.It was demonstrated that specific operation of EmpA was different from that in previous studies and EmpA contributed to the swarming motility and hemolytic activity in V.an-guillarum strain M3.The results provides insight into understanding the function of EmpA and its potential application in vaccine development.

Low-Temperature Affected LC-PUFA Conversion and Associated Gene Transcript Level in Nannochloropsis oculata CS-179

Nannochloropsis oculata CS-179, a marine eukaryotic unicellular microalga, is rich in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs). Culture temperature affected cell growth and the composition of LC-PUFAs. At an initial cell density of 1.5 × 106 cell mL-1, the highest growth was observed at 25℃ and the cell density reached 3 × 107 cell mL-1 at the beginning of loga-rithmic phase. The content of LC-PUFAs varied with culture temperature.The highest content of LC-PUFAs (43.96%) and EPA (36.6%) was gained at 20℃. Real-time PCR showed that the abundance of Δ6-desaturase gene transcripts was significantly different among 5 culture temperatures and the highest transcript level (15℃) of Nanoc-D6D took off at cycle 21.45. The gene transcript of C20-elongase gene was higher at lower temperatures (10, 15, and 20℃), and the highest transcript level (20℃) of Nanoc-E took off at cycle 21.18. The highest conversion rate (39.3%) of Δ6-desaturase was also gained at 20℃.But the conversion rate of Nanoc-E was not detected. The higher content of LC-PUFAs was a result of higher gene transcript level and higher enzyme activity. Compared with C20-elongase gene, Δ6-desaturase gene transcript and enzyme activity varied significantly with temperature. It will be useful to study the mechanism of how the content of LC-PUFAs is affected by temperature.

Transcriptome analysis of kelp Saccharina japonica unveils its weird transcripts and metabolite shift of main components at different sporophyte developmental stages

Saccharina japonica is an economically important cold water brown alga extensively cultivated in China. It is cultivated upside down under a floating rope net with its holdfast and meristematic area facing sunlight and UV irradiation and its blade tip toward dark, and other worse cultivation environmental factors also make S . japonic a face more stresses. In this study, S . japonica transcriptomes corresponding to its four developmental stages were analyzed. In total, 7 800 genes predicted in the genome were transcribed. We found that 1 208 of the 7 800 expressed and 2 697 annotated were virus associating genes. Of 778 diff erentially expressed genes (DEGs), 372 were annotatable and 209 were virus associating. Such portion of virus associating genes indicated that the S . japonica genome contained a large portion of active virus originating genes. It was found that the transcripts abundance associated with sugar biosynthesis was about 2.13 folds of all the expressed, indicating that the biosyntheses of structural and storage sugars were very important cellular processes. The total abundance of genes involved in the biosynthesis of alginate and laminarin were similar among all developmental stages, however, that of genes involved in the biosynthesis of mannitol increased about 2-folds from mushroom and adult stages to mature and aging stages. This trend explained our observation that the content of alginate was almost constant at diff erent development stages, while that of mannitol increased sharply. In addition, we found that a set of defense and cell recurring genes highly expressed and many of them expressed diff erentially among stages. On average, the sum abundance of the transcripts of these genes at four stages were 3.40-and 4.96-folds of all the annotated and all the expressed, respectively. This indicated that S . japonica sporophytes persistently respond possible pathogen and environment stresses. The findings are important for timing S . japonica harvest and amending the current cultivation mode.

Predicting the Reproduction Strategies of Several Microalgae Through Their Genome Sequences

Documenting the sex and sexual reproduction of the microalgae is very difficult, as most of the results are based on the microscopic observation that can be heavily influenced by genetic, physiological and environmental conditions. Understanding the reproduction strategy of some microalgae is required to breed them in large scale culture industry. Instead of direct observation of sex and sexual reproduction under microscope, the whole set or the majority of core meiosis genes may evidence the sex and sexual reproduction in the unicellular algae, as the meiosis is necessary for maintaining the genomic stability and the advantages of genetic recombination. So far, the available genome sequences and bioinformatic tools （in this study, homolog searching and phylogenetic analysis） allow us to propose that at least 20 core meiosis genes （among them 〉6 must be meiosis specific） are enough for an alga to maintain its sexual reproduction. According to this assumption and the genome sequences, it is possible that sexual reproduction was carried out by Micromonas pusilla and Cyanidiosehyzon merolae, while asexual reproduction was adopted by Bigelowiella natans, Guillardia theta, Nannochloropsis gaditana, N. oeeanica, Chlorella variablis, Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Thalassiosira pseu- donana. This understanding will facilitate the breeding trials of some economic microalgae （e.g., N. gaditana, N. oceanica, C. vari- ablis and P. tricornutum）. However, the reproduction strategies of these microalgae need to be proved by further biological experiments.

Molecular Grouping of Grateloupia Tissues Collected Along Chinese Coast and Microsatellite Diversity Analysis of G. asiatica

Genus Grateloupia is one of the most speciose genera in family Halymeniales. It is also one of the sources for natural materials, food and medicine. With different environments, Grateloupia change their morphological characteristics, making their morphological identification very difficult. In addition, few of the species diversity in this genus has been described before. In this study, phylogenetic analysis based on rbc L gene sequence was employed to group Grateloupia collected from three locations along Chinese coast. The microsatellites were also used to evaluate their genetic diversity. In total, the tissue parts of 6 putative species were collected from G. asiatica, G. livida, G. lanceolate, G. catenata, G. turuturu and G. filicina. In order to evaluate their genetic diversity and then conserve them better, 40 microsatellites available for Grateloupia were used to evaluate their genetic diversity, and 11 microsatellites were found to be applicable to determine the genetic diversity of G. asiatica. It was found that the genetic diversity of G. asiatica around Qingdao was very rich. We suggested that the species of genus Grateloupia should be identified based on rbc L phylogenetic analysis before the diversity evaluation with microsatellites. The microsatellites should be developed for each species of Grateloupia so that their genetic diversity can be evaluated appropriately.

Purification of a Diatom and Its Identification to Cylindrotheca closterium

A diatom was purified with colony selection and continuous dilution methods. It was identified to Cylindrotheca closterium according to its morphological characteristics and rbc L and 18 s r RNA gene sequences. The alga was not sensitive to ampicillin and neomycin, but sensitive to chloramphenicol which inhibited its growth at concentrations ranging from 50 to 150 μg m L-1. The purified alga was easy to culture and its specific growth rate was 0.207 ± 0.002(d-1). It was resistant to pollution and could be harvested in an easy way. It was relatively high in lipid content(20.08% ± 0.67% of dry weight) and the combined amount of its 16:0 and 16:1(n-7), the most suitable resource of biodiesel, was as high as 64% of the total fatty acids, while the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids reached 19.96%–20% of the total fatty acids. Thus the purified C. closterium can be cultured as a biodiesel producer or a nutrition supplement producer.

Floating Escherichia coli by Expressing Cyanobacterial Gas Vesicle Genes

Gas vesicles are hollow, air-filled polyprotein structures that provide the buoyancy to cells. They are found in a variety of prokaryotes. In this study, we isolated a partial gas vesicle protein gene cluster containing gvpA and gvpC20ψ from Planktothrix rubescens, and inserted it into an expression vector and expressed it in E. coli. The gas vesicle was developed in bacterial cells, which made bacterial cells to float on medium surface. We also amplified gvpA and gvpC20ψ separately and synthesized an artificial operon by fusing these two genes with the standardized gene expression controlling elements of E. coli. The artificial operon was expressed in E. coli, forming gas vesicles and floating bacteria cells. Our findings verified that the whole set of genes and the overall structure of gas vesicle gene cluster are not necessary for developing gas vesicles in bacteria cells. Two genes, gvpA and gvpC20ψ, of the gas vesicle gene cluster are sufficient for synthesizing an artificial operon that can develop gas vesicles in bacteria cells. Our findings provided a wide range of applications including easing the harvest of cultured microalgae and bacteria, as well as enriching and remediating aquatic pollutants by constructing gas vesicles in their ceils.

Effects of vegetation on the structure and diversity of soil bacterial communities in the Arctic tundra

The relatively simple vegetation of the Arctic tundra provides an ideal site in which to study the relationships between plants, bacterial communities and soil chemistry. Here, results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing of secondary Arctic brown soils collected from underneath colonies of Dryasoctopetala, Luzulaconfusa and Bistortavivipara in the Arctic tundra near Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, Norway, reveal significant differences in bacterial communities related to soil environmental properties. Redundancy analysis shows that all measured geochemical factors were significant in structuring microbiomes, with strong correlations related to soil pH and organic matter contents. Vegetation is likely to affect the physical and chemical properties of the soil, which in turn affects the bacterial community and composition of the soil.