Molecular and genome biology of dinoflagellate protists

甲藻原生生物的分子和基因组生物学

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-06077
• 负责人: Slamovits, Claudio
• 金额: $ 2.33万
• 依托单位: Dalhousie University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=740590
• 关键词: Molecular; genome; biology; dinoflagellate; protists

Dinoflagellates are single-celled microbes notorious for their important ecological roles in aquatic habitats. In addition to their roles as primary producers and nutrient recyclers, they are involved in phenomena of global scale such as toxic algal blooms (e.g. red tides), reef-forming coral symbioses and crustacean and fish diseases. The biology of dinoflagellates is extraordinary in many ways. Perhaps the most conspicuous aspects found in the literature is their extremely large genome size, which in certain species can reach a hundred times the human genome, and the enigmatic nature of their cell nucleus which is in some ways very different from the standard eukaryotic nucleus. It is still unclear how these particularities originated and evolved. This research program is addressing aspects of the enigmatic biology of dinoflagellates. For this, we are conducting genome sequencing of the cosmopolitan dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina. With this information we will conduct an encompassing analysis of mobile genetic elements (a.k.a transposable elements) across several species of dinoflagellates. These elements are pieces of DNA with the ability to replicate and `jump' to other parts of the genome. Such elements exist in many organisms including animals and plants and can, through their activity, affect gene function and cause evolutionary change. We found that dinoflagellate genomes are rich in certain types of mobile elements and we hypothesize that they could help explain the large genomes size in dinoflagellates. Our analysis will reveal in what ways and how much do mobile elements affect genome function and evolution. In addition to mobile elements we will be exploring other aspects of the genome and nucleus. One of the most conserved features among eukaryotes is the way in which DNA organizes in 3D structures by associating with a type of proteins known as histones. This highly structured mix of DNA and proteins, known as chromatin, is remarkably different in dinoflagellates but the details are poorly known. We will investigate in detail the molecular organization of chromatin and chromosomes in dinoflagellates looking to understand how proteins and DNA interact during the different phases of the cell cycle, and how this determines anc controls essential processes such as cell division and gene expression. Completion of this project will generate positive impact for Canada in various levels. It will help strengthen Canada's reputation of a leader in genomics and molecular biology of microbial eukaryotes. Advancement of research on marine microorganisms aligns with Ocean Research, one of the top priorities for my institution, Nova Scotia and the Federal Government. Finally, the work involved in this proposal contains ample opportunities for basic and advanced training in cutting edge research in bioinformatics, genomics and molecular biology, contributing to a stronger and highly skilled workforce that feed both industry and academia.

甲藻是一类单细胞微生物，在水生环境中具有重要的生态作用。除了作为初级生产者和养分再循环者的作用外，它们还参与全球范围的现象，如有毒藻华（如赤潮）、珊瑚礁形成共生体以及甲壳类动物和鱼类疾病。腰鞭毛虫的生物学在很多方面都是非凡的。也许在文献中发现的最引人注目的方面是它们的基因组尺寸非常大，在某些物种中可以达到人类基因组的一百倍，以及它们的细胞核的神秘性质，在某些方面与标准的真核细胞核非常不同。目前还不清楚这些特征是如何起源和演变的。这项研究计划正在解决甲藻的神秘生物学方面。为此，我们正在进行世界性甲藻Oxyrrhis marina的基因组测序。有了这些信息，我们将进行一个全面的分析移动的遗传因子（又名转座因子）在几个物种的甲藻。这些元件是具有复制和“跳跃”到基因组其他部分的能力的DNA片段。这些元素存在于包括动物和植物在内的许多生物体中，并且可以通过其活性影响基因功能并引起进化变化。我们发现，甲藻基因组中富含某些类型的移动的元素，我们假设它们可以帮助解释甲藻中的大基因组大小。我们的分析将揭示移动的元素以何种方式和在多大程度上影响基因组功能和进化。除了移动的元素，我们还将探索基因组和细胞核的其他方面。真核生物中最保守的特征之一是DNA通过与一种称为组蛋白的蛋白质相关联而以3D结构组织的方式。这种高度结构化的DNA和蛋白质的混合物，称为染色质，在甲藻中有显着不同，但细节知之甚少。我们将详细研究甲藻中染色质和染色体的分子组织，以了解蛋白质和DNA在细胞周期的不同阶段如何相互作用，以及这如何决定anc控制细胞分裂和基因表达等重要过程。 该项目的完成将在各个层面对加拿大产生积极影响。这将有助于加强加拿大在微生物真核生物基因组学和分子生物学方面的领导地位。海洋微生物研究的进展与海洋研究相一致，海洋研究是我所在的机构、新斯科舍省和联邦政府的首要任务之一。最后，本提案所涉及的工作包括在生物信息学、基因组学和分子生物学前沿研究方面进行基础和高级培训的充足机会，有助于培养一支更强大、技能更高的劳动力队伍，为工业界和学术界提供支持。