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

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 env...

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Published inbioRxiv
Main Authors Osuna-Cruz, Cristina Maria, Gust Bilcke, Vancaester, Emmelien, De Decker, Sam, Poulsen, Nicole, Bulankova, Petra, Verhelst, Bram, Audoor, Sien, Stojanovova, Darja, Pargana, Aikaterini, Russo, Monia, Stock, Frederike, Cirri, Emilio, Brembu, Tore, Pohnert, Georg, Winge, Per, Bones, Atle M, Piganeu, Gwenael, Ferrante, Maria Immacolata, Mock, Thomas, Sterck, Lieven, Sabbe, Koen, Lieven De Veylder, Vyverman, Wim, Vandepoele, Klaas
Format Paper
LanguageEnglish
Published Cold Spring Harbor Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press 12.02.2020
Subjects
Adaptation
Bacillariophyceae
Biofilms
Coastal environments
Evolution
Genes
Genetic diversity
Genomes
Marine microorganisms
Plankton
Seminavis robusta
Sexual reproduction
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Summary: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 new insights on the genetic diversity and gene functions in benthic diatoms.
DOI:10.1101/2020.02.11.942037