Chromosome-scale genome assembly reveals insights into the evolution and ecology of the harmful algal bloom species Phaeocystis globosa Scherffel

• Published in: iScience Vol. 27; no. 8; p. 110575
• Main Authors: Chen, Nansheng, Xu, Qing, Zhu, Jianan, Song, Huiyin, He, Liyan, Liu, Shuya, Song, Xiuxian, Yuan, Yongquan, Chen, Yang, Cao, Xihua, Yu, Zhiming
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 16.08.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aquatic biology; Ecology; Environmental science; Evolutionary ecology; Genomics; Microbial genomics; Microbiology; Evolutionary ecology; Environmental science; Microbiology; Aquatic biology; Genomics; Ecology; Microbial genomics
• ISSN: 2589-0042; 2589-0042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110575

The phytoplankton Phaeocystis globosa plays an important role in sulfur cycling and climate control, and can develop harmful algal blooms (HABs). Here we report a chromosome-scale reference genome assembly of P. globosa, which enable in-depth analysis of molecular underpinnings of important ecological characteristics. Comparative genomic analyses detected two-rounds of genome duplications that may have fueled evolutionary innovations. The genome duplication may have resulted in the formation of dual HiDP and LoDP dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) biosynthesis pathways in P. globosa. Selective gene family expansions may have strengthened biological pathways critical for colonial formation that is often associated with the development of algal blooms. The copy numbers of rhodopsin genes are variable in different strains, suggesting that rhodopsin genes may play a role in strain-specific adaptation to ecological factors. The successful reconstruction of the P. globosa genome sets up an excellent platform that facilitates in-depth research on bloom development and DMSP metabolism. [Display omitted] •The first chromosome-level assembly of Phaeocystis globosa genome was constructed•Two rounds of genome duplications were detected in the evolution of P. globosa•Annotation of nine copies of full-length ribosomal operons in two chromosomes•Variations of rhodopsin genes may help ecological adaptation Environmental science; Ecology; Microbiology; Microbial genomics; Evolutionary ecology; Aquatic biology; Genomics