{"id":652743,"date":"2025-02-08T11:40:20","date_gmt":"2025-02-08T08:40:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/scientists-elucidate-molecular-mechanisms-behind-dinoflagellate-cyst-dormancy\/"},"modified":"2025-02-08T11:40:20","modified_gmt":"2025-02-08T08:40:20","slug":"scientists-elucidate-molecular-mechanisms-behind-dinoflagellate-cyst-dormancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/scientists-elucidate-molecular-mechanisms-behind-dinoflagellate-cyst-dormancy\/","title":{"rendered":"#Scientists elucidate molecular mechanisms behind dinoflagellate cyst dormancy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \"Scientists
\n Transcript<\/a>ion profiles of autophagy-related genes (ATGs) and autophagy activity in vegetative cells and resting cysts of the representative cyst-producing dinoflagellate species Scrippsiella acuminata. Credit: Science<\/a> Advances<\/i> (2025). DOI: 10.1126\/sciadv.ads7789
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Dinoflagellates play crucial roles in aquatic ecosystems, particularly as major contributors to harmful algal blooms. They can enter a dormant stage, known as the resting cyst stage, that allows them to survive for extended periods\u2014up to 150 years\u2014in marine sediments. This dormancy is essential for their annual population dynamics, blooming cycles, and geographic expansion.<\/p>\n

Despite the ecological importance of resting cysts, the molecular mechanisms governing their dormancy, viability maintenance, and germination in natural sediments remain largely unexplored.<\/p>\n

To better understand this process, researchers from the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS), in collaboration with scientists from the University of Connecticut, investigated these mechanisms. They utilized a dinoflagellate mRNA-specific spliced leader as a “hook,” along with single-molecule real-time sequencing and other physiological measurements.<\/p>\n

This study was published<\/a> in Science Advances<\/i> on February 7.<\/p>\n

The researchers constructed three cDNA libraries based on DinoSL from field cyst assemblages and uncovered the genetic and metabolic mechanisms involved in cyst dormancy. They found that the vast majority of genes related to major metabolic and regulatory pathways, except for those related to photosynthetic pathways, remained transcriptionally active in cyst assemblages.<\/p>\n

Moreover, the researchers identified “active” genes and pathways crucial for maintaining the viability and germination potential of dinoflagellate resting cysts buried in marine sediments.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Scientists
\n (A) Metabolic circuit map constructed from the metatranscriptome of dinoflagellate resting cyst persistence in marine sediments. (B) Schematic summary of transcriptionally active pathways revealed by metatranscriptomic analyses in this study. Credit: Science Advances<\/i> (2025). DOI: 10.1126\/sciadv.ads7789
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“The broad active metabolic landscape observed in sediment-buried cyst assemblages highlights a vital aspect of the molecular machinery required for maintaining dormancy in cysts,” explained Prof. Tang Yingzhong, the study’s corresponding author.<\/p>\n

Through metatranscriptomic analyses and subsequent hypotheses, the researchers gained deeper insights by examining laboratory-induced cysts in a representative cyst-producing dinoflagellate species. They discovered that autophagy is heightened during cyst dormancy, suggesting that alternative energy generation and cellular resource recycling are essential strategies for sustaining dormancy and viability.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the researchers found that two classical phytohormones\u2014abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA)\u2014have antagonistic roles in regulating cyst dormancy maintenance and release. The study demonstrated that low temperature and darkness, two environmental cues typically present in marine sediments, induce opposing effects on the biosynthesis and catabolism of ABA and GA. This results in elevated levels of ABA and reduced accumulation of GA, corresponding to deep dormancy in dinoflagellate cysts in natural environments.<\/p>\n

This research enhances the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the life cycle transitions and dormancy of dinoflagellates.<\/p>\n

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More information:<\/strong>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYunyan Deng et al, Broad active metabolic pathways, autophagy, and antagonistic hormones regulate dinoflagellate cyst dormancy in marine sediments, Science Advances<\/i> (2025). DOI: 10.1126\/sciadv.ads7789<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChinese Academy of Sciences
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCitation<\/strong>:
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tScientists elucidate molecular mechanisms behind dinoflagellate cyst dormancy (2025, February 7)
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tretrieved 8 February 2025
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfrom https:\/\/phys.org\/news<\/a>\/2025-02-scientists-elucidate-molecular-mechanisms-dinoflagellate.html\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/p>\n

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