Symbiotic lifestyle triggers drastic changes in the gene expression of the algal endosymbiont, Breviolum minutum (Symbiodiniaceae)

Symbiodiniaceae algae are known to differ in their morphology, cell cycle, and life history attributes in hospite and in culture. We conducted a comparison of gene expression profiles of cultured Breviolum minutum (ITS2 type B1) (formerly Clade B) with those of algae of the same strain, freshly isolated from the Exaiptasia pallida sea anemone. We looked for differentially expressed genes between the two lifestyles in order to understand the cellular processes that distinguish them. We focused on up- and down-regulated transporters, with a purpose of pinpointing candidates that may assist with the exchange of compounds between the host and the symbiont.

虫黄藻科（Symbiodiniaceae）藻类在宿主体内共生与体外培养状态下，其形态、细胞周期及生活史特征均存在差异。本研究对培养态的短膜虫黄藻（Breviolum minutum，ITS2型B1，原分类分支B）的基因表达谱，与从苍白艾氏海葵（Exaiptasia pallida）中新鲜分离的同一品系藻类的基因表达谱进行了对比分析。本研究旨在筛选两种生活模式下的差异表达基因，以解析区分二者的细胞生物学过程。我们重点关注上调与下调的转运蛋白，以期精准定位可能参与宿主与共生体间物质交换的候选功能因子。