Gene editing technology elucidates the molecular mechanism governing diatom population density signals

The complex dynamics of diatom blooms, influenced by a myriad of external factors and internal signals, continue to fascinate scientists. After recognizing the potential role of density perception and intracellular signaling in determining these phenomena, researchers began to elucidate the molecular basis of diatom population density control.

Recently, a research team led by Professor Wang Guangce from the Institute of Oceanography, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS) reported that the marine diatom SLC24A plays an important role in recognizing and regulating population density signals.

This research ISME Journal.

The researchers meticulously identified and targeted genes potentially involved in density signaling, leading to the discovery of the central hub gene PtSLC24A. Two his-her PtSLC24A knockout mutants of Phaeodactylum tricornutum were obtained using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology.

Intracellular Ca²⁺ Concentration measurements showed that cell density could induce Ca.²⁺ response, and knockout of PtSLC24A increases intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration. Three-dimensional structural modeling and simulation calculations of PtSLC24A protein supported its Ca.²⁺ Transport function.

The results showed that high density could induce cell apoptosis, and knockout of PtSLC24A exacerbated this phenomenon. PtSLC24A also affected the expression of density-dependent genes at different cell densities.

Beyond the laboratory, the ecological relevance of SLC24A is that its expression pattern is positively correlated with chlorophyll content in various marine phytoplankton taxa and is ubiquitous across sites in the Tara Ocean. emphasized by its distribution.

“These findings highlight the pivotal role of Ca through SLC24A.”²⁺ “Signal transduction in mediating density-dependent responses in natural marine ecosystems provides important insights into the ecological implications of diatom population dynamics,” said Dr. Gu Wenhui, corresponding author of the study. Stated.

Based on data from molecular genetics, cell physiology, computational structural biology, and in situ marine data, Ca²⁺An intracellular signaling mechanism for marine diatom cell density signals was proposed.

According to this model, when a cell receives a chemical signal that conveys a population density signal, PtSLC24A on the plasma membrane facilitates the efflux of intracellular Ca.²⁺ Maintain specific intracellular Ca²⁺ regulate levels, transmit density signals within cells, modulate physiological processes including cell apoptosis, and ultimately influence population fate.

By drawing Ca²⁺This study through the intracellular signaling mechanism facilitated by PtSLC24A not only advances our understanding of the dynamics of diatom blooms but also has profound implications for high-density culture of microalgae for industrial applications.