Identification of reproductive sex-biased gene expression in Asparagopsis taxiformis (lineage 6) gametophytes.

Publisher: Wiley Periodicals Inc Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9882935 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1529-8817 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00223646 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Phycol Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: <2015-> : Malden, MA : Wiley Periodicals Inc.
Original Publication: [New York] Phycological Society of America.

Germ Cells, Plant* ; Seaweed*/genetics ; Rhodophyta*; Animals ; Gene Expression ; RNA ; Trihalomethanes

The sub-tropical red seaweed Asparagopsis taxiformis is of significant interest due to its ability to store halogenated compounds, including bromoform, which can mitigate methane production in ruminants. Significant scale-up of aquaculture production of this seaweed is required; however, relatively little is known about the molecular mechanisms that control fundamental physiological processes, including the regulatory factors that determine sexual dimorphism in gametophytes. In this study, we used comparative RNA-sequencing analysis between different morphological parts of mature male and female A. taxiformis (lineage 6) gametophytes that resulted in greater number of sex-biased gene expression in tips (containing the reproductive structures for both sexes), compared with the somatic main axis and rhizomes. Further comparative RNA-seq against immature tips was used to identify 62 reproductive sex-biased genes (59 male-biased, 3 female-biased). Of the reproductive male-biased genes, 46% had an unknown function, while others were predicted to be regulatory factors and enzymes involved in signaling. We found that bromoform content obtained from female samples (8.5 ± 1.0 mg·g ^-1 dry weight) was ~10% higher on average than that of male samples (6.5 ± 1.0 mg·g ^-1 dry weight), although no significant difference was observed (p > 0.05). There was also no significant difference in the marine bromoform biosynthesis locus gene expression. In summary, our comparative RNA-sequencing analysis provides a first insight into the potential molecular factors relevant to gametogenesis and sexual differentiation in A. taxiformis, with potential benefits for identification of sex-specific markers.
(© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Phycology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Phycological Society of America.)

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DP200103013 Australian Research Council

Keywords: Asparagopsis taxiformis; gametophyte; gene expression; reproduction; sex‐associated genes

TUT9J99IMU (bromoform)
63231-63-0 (RNA)
0 (Trihalomethanes)

Asparagopsis taxiformis

Date Created: 20231229 Date Completed: 20240411 Latest Revision: 20240415

20250114

10.1111/jpy.13419

38156746