Evolution of a Tertiary Dinoflagellate Plastid Genome
Author Information
Author(s): Gabrielsen Tove M., Minge Marianne A., Espelund Mari, Tooming-Klunderud Ave, Patil Vishwanath, Nederbragt Alexander J., Otis Christian, Turmel Monique, Shalchian-Tabrizi Kamran, Lemieux Claude, Jakobsen Kjetill S.
Primary Institution: University of Oslo
Hypothesis
How is a haptophyte plastid genome altered when transferred to a dinoflagellate host environment?
Conclusion
The K. veneficum plastid genome has undergone significant gene loss and rearrangements compared to its haptophyte ancestor.
Supporting Evidence
- The K. veneficum plastid genome encodes 70 proteins, 3 rRNAs, and a nearly full set of tRNAs.
- Comparative genomics revealed massive rearrangements and gene losses compared to the haptophyte plastid.
- The K. veneficum plastid genome has retained a large size due to expanded intergenic regions.
Takeaway
This study looks at how a tiny part of a cell, called a plastid, changes when it moves from one type of organism to another, showing that it loses many of its original genes.
Methodology
The genome of the haptophyte-derived plastid in Karlodinium veneficum was analyzed using Sanger sequencing and 454 pyrosequencing.
Limitations
The assembly of the K. veneficum plastid genome is not conclusive regarding its circular organization.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website