Exploring cellular changes during the production of an extracellular sunscreen pigment found in terrestrial green algae (Zygnematophyceae, Streptophyta)

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The ‘conjugating green algae’ (Zygnematophyceae) are the closest relatives of land plants and, hence, highly interesting from an evolutionary perspective. Given the immense structural and ecological diversity of these algae, their adaptations to the various habitats are still poorly understood. In a new genus of unicellular, terrestrial zygnematophytes (Serritaenia) we, recently, discovered an extracellular sunscreen pigment that can be experimentally induced by ultraviolet radiation. In the proposed project we will explore the cellular changes during the production of this yet unknown compound with comparative transcriptomics, metabolomics as well as electron microscopy. These techniques will enable us to (1) identify metabolic pathways involved in the production of Serritaenia’s sunscreen, (2) determine the compound itself (or fragments), (3) shed light on the molecular components involved in UV perception, and (4) gain deeper insights into the secretion of pigmented mucilage in Serritaenia. With this, we will uncover the cellular and molecular basis of a unique photoprotective strategy in the zygnematophytes, and enable exciting comparisons with algal and plant model systems.