Mihaila, Alisa, Glasson, Christopher R.K., Lawton, Rebecca J., Huerlimann, Roger, and Magnusson, Marie (2025) Transcriptomic changes during induction of tetrasporogenesis in the red seaweed Asparagopsis armata. Algal Research. (In Press)

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Abstract

The red seaweed Asparagopsis armata, recognised for its ability to reduce methane emissions from enteric fermentation when incorporated as a ruminant feed additive, is a key target for aquaculture development. However, despite advancements in this field, there remains a critical gap in understanding the internal mechanisms governing reproduction in A. armata. In this study, we examined transcriptomic changes throughout the induction of tetrasporogenesis, with a primary focus on metabolism, and specifically on genes and pathways related to plant growth regulators and environmental signal processing. Considerable variability in gene expression was observed leading up to and during the initiation of tetrasporogenesis. Notably, genes associated with polyamine metabolism, particularly the candidate ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) gene previously linked to seaweed reproduction, were highly upregulated leading up to tetrasporogenesis. Enriched pathways related to environmental signalling were identified, including the phosphatidylinositol signalling system and associated phospholipase C enzymes, along with marked upregulation of genes encoding membrane-associated photoreceptors. Pathways associated with carbon metabolism and steroid hormone production also showed significant enrichment throughout the induction of tetrasporogenesis, although a significant portion of the genes involved in these pathways have unknown function. These findings collectively offer a detailed overview of the processes underlying tetrasporogenesis in A. armata, facilitating further targeted investigations into the internal regulation of seaweed reproductive biology.

Item ID:	83339
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	2211-9264
Copyright Information:	© 2025 Published by Elsevier B.V.
Date Deposited:	05 Feb 2025 22:25
FoR Codes:	31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3102 Bioinformatics and computational biology > 310204 Genomics and transcriptomics @ 50% 34 CHEMICAL SCIENCES > 3401 Analytical chemistry > 340106 Metabolomic chemistry @ 50%
SEO Codes:	28 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 2801 Expanding knowledge > 280102 Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences @ 100%
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