Journal Article

The Seminavis robusta genome provides insights into the evolutionary adaptations of benthic diatoms

Brembu, Tore, Osuna-Cruz, Cristina Maria, Cirri, Emilio, Bones, Atle M., Winge, Per, Vancaester, Emmelien, Pargana, Aikaterini, Sterck, Lieven, De Veylder, Lieven, Mock, Thomas, Verhelst, Bram, Pohnert, Georg, Vandepoele, Klaas, De Decker, Sam, Bilcke, Gust, Poulsen, Nicole, Stock, Frederike, Sabbe, Koen, Vyverman, Wim, Russo, Monia, Audoor, Sien, Belisova, Darja, Piganeau, Gwenael, Bulankova, Petra, Ferrante, Maria Immacolata

2020

Overview

Benthic diatoms are the main primary producers in shallow freshwater and coastal environments, fulfilling important ecological functions such as nutrient cycling and sediment stabilization. However, little is known about their evolutionary adaptations to these highly structured but heterogeneous environments. Here, we report a reference genome for the marine biofilm-forming diatom Seminavis robusta , showing that gene family expansions are responsible for a quarter of all 36,254 protein-coding genes. Tandem duplications play a key role in extending the repertoire of specific gene functions, including light and oxygen sensing, which are probably central for its adaptation to benthic habitats. Genes differentially expressed during interactions with bacteria are strongly conserved in other benthic diatoms while many species-specific genes are strongly upregulated during sexual reproduction. Combined with re-sequencing data from 48 strains, our results offer insights into the genetic diversity and gene functions in benthic diatoms. Available genomics studies have mostly focused on planktonic centric diatom. Here, the authors report the genome assembly of the marine biofilm-forming diatom Seminavis robusta and the resequencing data of a panel of accessions to reveal their evolutionary adaptations.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group UK,Nature Publishing Group,Nature Portfolio
• Subject: 45 / 45/91 / 631/181/735 / 631/208/726/649 / 631/61/212/748 / Adaptation / Adaptation, Physiological - genetics / Bacillariophyceae / Biofilms / Coastal ecology / Coastal environments / Diatoms - classification / Diatoms - genetics / Diatoms - metabolism / Ecological adaptation / Ecological function / Ecosystem / Evolution / Evolution, Molecular / Fresh Water / Genes / Genetic diversity / Genome - genetics / Genome Size / Genomes / Genomics / Genomics - methods / Humanities and Social Sciences / Marine microorganisms / multidisciplinary / Nutrient cycles / Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Reproduction (biology) / Science / Science (multidisciplinary) / Seawater / Seminavis robusta / Sexual reproduction / Species Specificity / Transcriptome - genetics