New Insights into How Tiny Algae Make Their Silica Shells

Greg Howard
6th June, 2024

New Insights into How Tiny Algae Make Their Silica Shells

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study focused on the marine microalga Nitzschia closterium f. minutissima, now reclassified as Phaeodactylum tricornutum
  • Researchers sequenced the draft genome of this diatom to understand its genetic makeup and evolutionary traits
  • The study identified numerous genes involved in the formation of diatom silica cell walls, which have applications in nanotechnology and biomedicine
The marine microalga Nitzschia closterium f. minutissima, a diatom, plays critical roles in marine aquaculture. This organism was initially classified under the genus Nitzschia but has since been reclassified as a heterotypic synonym of Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) aimed to obtain the draft genome of N. closterium f. minutissima to better understand its phylogenetic placement and evolutionary specialization[1]. Diatoms are a diverse group of algae, with at least 100,000 species, contributing significantly to global carbon fixation and underpinning major aquatic food webs[2]. The study of diatoms like Thalassiosira pseudonana and Phaeodactylum tricornutum has been extensive due to their rapid growth rates and small genomes, making them important model systems for molecular research[2]. Nitzschia closterium f. minutissima adds to this body of research by providing insights into its unique genetic makeup and evolutionary traits. The researchers generated transcriptomic data through reference genome-based read mapping to identify significantly differentially expressed genes. This approach helps elucidate the molecular processes involved in diatom biosilicification—the formation of their intricate silica cell walls known as frustules. These frustules have immense applications in nanotechnology, such as in biomedical fields, biosensors, and optoelectric devices. The study's findings contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying diatom biosilicification, a process crucial for their survival and ecological success. Previous research has shown that diatoms can rapidly respond to changing environmental conditions, a trait attributed to their ability to manage environmental stress through specific gene expression patterns[3]. For instance, the diatom environmental stress response (d-ESR) involves a subset of genes that maintain proteome homeostasis and primary metabolism, highlighting the unique role of the chloroplast in managing environmental stress[3]. In addition to their ecological importance, diatoms like Nitzschia closterium f. minutissima are also valuable for their potential biomedical applications. The unique properties of diatom frustules, including their high specific surface area, thermal stability, and biocompatibility, make them promising candidates for drug delivery systems[4]. The current study's focus on the molecular processes involved in frustule formation could pave the way for more efficient utilization of diatom-derived silica in various technological applications. Furthermore, the study of sexual reproduction in diatoms reveals the importance of genetic diversity and cell size regulation. Sexual reproduction in diatoms contributes to increasing genetic diversity through meiotic recombination and the production of large-sized cells, counteracting the cell size reduction process[5]. By identifying genes linked to the sexual phase, researchers can better understand the genetic markers for sexual reproduction, which is crucial for interpreting metatranscriptomic datasets[5]. In summary, the draft genome of Nitzschia closterium f. minutissima provides valuable insights into its phylogenetic placement and evolutionary specialization. By identifying differentially expressed genes involved in diatom biosilicification, the study enhances our understanding of the molecular processes that make diatoms ecologically successful and technologically valuable. This research not only expands the knowledge of diatom biology but also opens up new possibilities for their application in nanotechnology and biomedical fields.

GeneticsBiochemMarine Biology

References

Main Study

1) The draft genome of Nitzschia closterium f. minutissima and transcriptome analysis reveals novel insights into diatom biosilicification

Published 5th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-024-10479-9

Related Studies

2) Diatom Molecular Research Comes of Age: Model Species for Studying Phytoplankton Biology and Diversity.

https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.19.00158

3) Common environmental stress responses in a model marine diatom.

https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.19147

4) Diatoms Green Nanotechnology for Biosilica-Based Drug Delivery Systems.

https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics10040242

5) Exploring Molecular Signs of Sex in the Marine Diatom Skeletonema marinoi.

https://doi.org/10.3390/genes10070494


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