Floridean Starch and Floridoside Metabolic Pathways of Neoporphyra haitanensis and Their Regulatory Mechanism under Continuous Darkness

Floridean starch and floridoside are the main storage carbohydrates of red algae. However, their complete metabolic pathways and the origin, function, and regulatory mechanism of their pathway genes have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we identified their metabolic pathway genes and analyzed the changes in related gene expression and metabolite content in Neoporphyra haitanensis under continuous dark conditions. Our results showed that genes from different sources, including eukaryotic hosts, cyanobacteria, and bacteria, were combined to construct floridean starch and floridoside metabolic pathways in N. haitanensis. Moreover, compared with those in the control, under continuous dark conditions, floridean starch biosynthesis genes and some degradation genes were significantly upregulated with no significant change in floridean starch content, whereas floridoside degradation genes were significantly upregulated with a significant decrease in floridoside content. This implies that floridean starch content is maintained but floridoside is consumed in N. haitanensis under dark conditions. This study elucidates the “floridean starch–floridoside” metabolic network and its gene origins in N. haitanensis for the first time.

More than meets the eye: regional specialisation and microbial cover of the blade of Porphyra umbilicalis (Bangiophyceae, Rhodophyta)

Completion of the Porphyra umbilicalis genome and ongoing research on this species by many investigators suggest the need for wider appreciation of regional specialisation of the P. umbilicalis blade. Here we use light and electron microscopy to describe four distinct regions of the blade: rhizoid cells with abundant floridean starch, vegetative cells, differentiating neutral sporangia, and mature neutral spores. The holdfast, densely covered by microorganisms, presents an intriguing biomechanical structure: thousands of very thin, long rhizoid tips course through the thick, secreted polysaccharide to the substratum. Wild blades in culture have more microorganisms than when collected, including filamentous cyanobacteria.

How the unattached form of Acanthophora nayadiformis (Rhodophyta: Ceramiales) produces storage and perennating organs

In the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (southern Italy, Mediterranean Sea), an enclosed basin with lagoonal features, Acanthophora nayadiformis is one of the major components of the free-living seaweed community to which the related attached population does not contribute consistently. Loose thalli of A. nayadiformis exhibit morphological features very different from those of the attached specimens and possess a peculiar vegetative cycle including an overwintering phase. Free-living morphs are characterized by monopodial stoloniferous growth; in contrast, both determinate and indeterminate branching as well as the typical ramisympodial growth pattern of the species are lacking. In autumn, free-living thalli fragment giving rise to stolon pieces which undergo deep structural changes in their sub-apical parts including both storage of floridean starch and extensive cortical thickening. Soon afterwards the uncorticated parts decay, whilst the modified fragments are able to overwinter and give rise to new fronds during next spring.

Ultrastructure of carposporogenesis in the red alga Cryptopleura ruprechtiana (Delesseriaceae: Ceramiales: Rhodophyta)

The ultrastructure of carpospore differentiation for the red alga Cryptopleura ruprechtiana is described. Carposporogenesis proceeds through three developmental stages. After cleaving from multinucleate gonimoblast initials the terminal gonimoblast cells differentiate to produce carpospores. These young carpospores possess a large nucleus and numerous proplastids with a peripheral thylakoid. During the later stages of young carpospores starch begins to polymerize. Mucilage is formed within dilating concentric membrane bodies, thus forming mucilage sacs. The latter, subsequently, release their contents initiating carpospore wall formation. Intermediate-aged carpospores have more plastids which develop their internal thylakoid system. The endoplasmic reticulum produces granular cored vesicles. Mature carpospores have numerous fully developed plastids, large floridean starch granules and fibrous vacuoles. Curved dictyosomes produce cored vesicles and adhesive vesicles. The nuclear envelope is crenulated and a two-layered wall surrounds the mature carpospore.