Using zooxanthellae as model organisms, Lin Senjie, a professor at Xiamen University, and others systematically analyzed the structural characteristics of the dinoflagellate genome for the first time in the world through genome sequencing, and described the molecules that interact during the symbiosis between coral polyps and zooxanthellae. The mechanism (Molecular Mechanisms) has laid a solid molecular biology foundation for the future in-depth study of dinoflagellate genomics and coral-zooxanthellae symbiotic ecosystem (ecosystem). The results were recently published in Science.
Dinoflagellates are one of the most important primary producers in marine ecosystems with rich morphological diversity. Among them, zooxanthellae are essential symbiotic algae in coral reefs. The rich ecosystems of coral reefs all depend on the primary productivity contributed by the intracellular symbiotic dinoflagellates of reef-building coral polyps via photosynthetic carbon fixation. In the mutually beneficial coral-dinoflagellate symbiotic ecosystem (ecosystem), nutrients circulate within the symbiotic system, and the primary productivity produced by the symbiotic algae becomes the basis for coral growth and reef formation. Therefore, the coral-zooxanthellae symbiotic system is not only the formation of The foundation of coral reefs and an important part of the global carbon cycle.
Experts pointed out that studying how the symbiotic relationship between coral and zooxanthellae is established and how this relationship is unbalanced and possibly repaired under environmental stress is a scientific problem that needs to be solved for a long time in the world. Sex and ecological balance will play a crucial role.
Previously, the lack of understanding of the molecular genetic mechanisms of dinoflagellates was related to their complexity. For example, dinoflagellate chloroplasts originate from an extremely complex endosymbiotic evolutionary history, and have a huge and diverse genome, equivalent to 1 to 80 times the human haploid genome.
Source: "Science"