Meta-Omics Reveals Genetic Flexibility of Diatom Nitrogen Transporters in Response to Environmental Changes. (1st July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Busseni, Greta; Rocha Jimenez Vieira, Fabio; Amato, Alberto; Pelletier, Eric; Pierella Karlusich, Juan J; Ferrante, Maria I; Wincker, Patrick; Rogato, Alessandra; Bowler, Chris; Sanges, Remo; Maiorano, Luigi; Chiurazzi, Maurizio; Ribera d'Alcalà, Maurizio; Caputi, Luigi; Iudicone, Daniele
• Is Part Of: Molecular biology and evolution. Volume 36:Number 11(2019)
• Page Start: 2522
• Page End: 2535
• Publication Date: 2019-07-01
• Subjects: diatoms -- meta-omics -- nitrogen transporters -- machine learning; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Molecular evolution -- Periodicals; Evolution, Molecular -- Periodicals; Molecular Biology -- Periodicals; 572.8
• DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msz157
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0737-4038

Abstract

Abstract: Diatoms (Bacillariophyta), one of the most abundant and diverse groups of marine phytoplankton, respond rapidly to the supply of new nutrients, often out-competing other phytoplankton. Herein, we integrated analyses of the evolution, distribution, and expression modulation of two gene families involved in diatom nitrogen uptake (Di AMT1 and Di NRT2 ), in order to infer the main drivers of divergence in a key functional trait of phytoplankton. Our results suggest that major steps in the evolution of the two gene families reflected key events triggering diatom radiation and diversification. Their expression is modulated in the contemporary ocean by seawater temperature, nitrate, and iron concentrations. Moreover, the differences in diversity and expression of these gene families throughout the water column hint at a possible link with bacterial activity. This study represents a proof-of-concept of how a holistic approach may shed light on the functional biology of organisms in their natural environment.