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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1956

Delayed light production by blue-green algae, red algae, and purple bacteria.

1. Blue-green algae, red algae, and purple bacteria all show the emission of delayed light. 2. The action spectra for the production of delayed light by three species of blue-green algae have one broad band with a peak at 620 mmicro. 3. The action spectrum for production of delayed light by the red algae has one peak at 550 mmicro with a shoulder from 600 to 660 mmicro. 4. The emission spectra of the delayed light from both the blue-green and red algae were the same as from the green algae, Chlorella. 5. The action spectra for the production of delayed light by the different species of purple bacteria tested consisted of one or more bands not resolved between 800 and 900 mmicro. 6. The emission spectrum of the delayed light from the purple bacteria was largely at wave lengths longer than 900 mmicro.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2001

The unique features of starch metabolism in red algae.

Red algae (Rhodophyceae) are photosynthetic eukaryotes that accumulate starch granules outside of their plastids. The starch granules from red algae (floridean starch) show structural similarities with higher plant starch granules but lack amylose. Recent studies have indicated that the extra-plastidic starch synthesis in red algae proceeds via a UDP glucose-selective alpha-glucan synthase, in analogy with the cytosolic pathway of glycogen synthesis in other eukaryotes. On the other hand, plastidic starch synthesis in green cells occurs selectively via ADP glucose in analogy with the pathway of glycogen synthesis in prokaryotes from which plastids have evolved. Given the emerging consensus of a monophyletic origin of plastids, it would appear that the capacity for starch synthesis selectively evolved from the alpha-glucan synthesizing machinery of the host ancestor and its endosymbiont in red algae and green algae, respectively. This implies the evolution of fundamentally different functional relationships between the different subcellular compartments with regard to photosynthetic carbon metabolism in these organisms. It is suggested that the biochemical and molecular elucidation of floridean starch synthesis may offer new insights into the metabolic strategies of photosynthetic eukaryotes.

Photosynthesis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Bacterial communities of brown and red algae from Peter the Great Bay, the Sea of Japan].

The structure of microbial communities of brown algae, red algae, and of the red alga Gracilaria verrucosa, healthy and affected with rotten thallus, were comparatively investigated; 61 strains of heterotrophic bacteria were isolated and characterized. Most of them were identified to the genus level, some Vibrio spp., to the species level according to their phenotypic properties and the fatty acid composition of cellular lipids. The composition of the microflora of two species of brown algae was different. In Chordaria flagelliformis, Pseudomonas spp. prevailed, and in Desmarestia viridis, Bacillus spp. The composition of the microflora of two red algae, G. verrucosa and Camphylaephora hyphaeoides, differed mainly in the ratio of prevailing groups of bacteria. The most abundant were bacteria of the CFB cluster and pseudoalteromonads. In addition, the following bacteria were found on the surface of the algae: Sulfitobacter spp., Halomonas spp., Acinetobacter sp., Planococcus sp., Arthrobacter sp., and Agromyces sp. From tissues of the affected G. verrucosa, only vibrios were isolated, both agarolytic and nonagarolytic. The existence of specific bacterial communities characteristic of different species of algae is suggested and the relation of Vibrio sp. to the pathological process in the tissues of G. verrucosa is supposed.

Agar↗
PubMed1983

Amino acid sequence of a ferredoxin from Bumilleriopsis filiformis, a yellow-green alga: relationship with red algae, protoflorideophyceae, and filamentous blue-green algae.

The amino acid sequence of a [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin isolated from Bumilleriopsis filiformis, a yellow-green alga, was determined by using conventional techniques. It consisted of 98 amino acid residues with a microheterogeneity at the amino-terminus: Ala/Glu-Thr-Tyr-Ser-Val-Thr-Leu-Val-Asn-Glu-Glu-Lys-Asn-Ile-Asn-Ala-Val- Ile- Lys-Cys-Pro-Asp-Asp-Gln-Phe-Ile-Leu-Asp-Ala-Ala-Glu-Glu-Gln-Gly-Ile-Glu- Leu- Pro-Tyr-Ser-Cys-Arg-Ala-Gly-Ala-Cys-Ser-Thr-Cys-Ala-Gly-Lys-Val-Leu-Ser- Gly- Thr-Ile-Asp-Gln-Ser-Glu-Gln-Ser-Phe-Leu-Asp-Asp-Asp-Gln-Met-Gly-Ala-Gly- Phe- Leu-Leu-Thr-Cys-Val-Ala-Tyr-Pro-Thr-Ser-Asp-Cys-Lys-Val-Gln-Thr-His-Ala- Glu- Asp-Asp-Leu-Tyr. No prominent structural feature was noted in this ferredoxin in comparison with other homologous ferredoxins. From the structural comparison, B. filiformis was placed taxonomically close to filamentous blue-green algae and red algae.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Purification and characterisation of a novel starch synthase selective for uridine 5'-diphosphate glucose from the red alga Gracilaria tenuistipitata.

Red algae (Rhodophyceae) are photosynthetic eukaryotes that accumulate starch granules in the cytosol. Starch synthase activity in crude extracts of Gracilaria tenuistipitata Chang et Xia was almost 9-fold higher with UDP[U-14C]glucose than with ADP[U-14C]glucose. The activity with UDP[U-14C]glucose was sensitive to proteolytic and oxidative inhibition during extraction whilst the activity with ADP[U-14C]glucose appeared unaffected. This indicates the presence of separate starch synthases with different substrate specificities in G. tenuistipitata. The UDPglucose: starch synthase was purified and characterised. The enzyme appears to be a homotetramer with a native M(r) of 580 kDa and displays kinetic properties similar to other alpha-glucan synthases such as stimulation by citrate, product (UDP) inhibition and broad primer specificity. We propose that this enzyme is involved in cytosolic starch synthesis in red algae and thus is the first starch synthase described that utilises UDPglucose in vivo. The biochemical implications of the different compartmentalisation of starch synthesis in red algae and green algae/plants are also discussed.

Kinetics↗
PubMed2000

The origin of red algae and the evolution of chloroplasts.

Chloroplast structure and genome analyses support the hypothesis that three groups of organisms originated from the primary photosynthetic endosymbiosis between a cyanobacterium and a eukaryotic host: green plants (green algae + land plants), red algae and glaucophytes (for example, Cyanophora). Although phylogenies based on several mitochondrial genes support a specific green plants/red algae relationship, the phylogenetic analysis of nucleus-encoded genes yields inconclusive, sometimes contradictory results. To address this problem, we have analysed an alternative nuclear marker, elongation factor 2, and included new red algae and protist sequences. Here we provide significant support for a sisterhood of green plants and red algae. This sisterhood is also significantly supported by a multi-gene analysis of a fusion of 13 nuclear markers (5,171 amino acids). In addition, the analysis of an alternative fusion of 6 nuclear markers (1,938 amino acids) indicates that glaucophytes may be the closest relatives to the green plants/red algae group. Thus, our study provides evidence from nuclear markers for a single primary endosymbiosis at the origin of these groups, and supports a kingdom Plantae comprising green plants, red algae and glaucophytes.

Chloroplasts↗
PubMed2002

Stable chloroplast transformation of the unicellular red alga Porphyridium species.

Red algae are extremely attractive for biotechnology because they synthesize accessory photosynthetic pigments (phycobilins and carotenoids), unsaturated fatty acids, and unique cell wall sulfated polysaccharides. We report a high-efficiency chloroplast transformation system for the unicellular red microalga Porphyridium sp. This is the first genetic transformation system for Rhodophytes and is based on use of a mutant form of the gene encoding acetohydroxyacid synthase [AHAS(W492S)] as a dominant selectable marker. AHAS is the target enzyme of the herbicide sulfometuron methyl, which effectively inhibits growth of bacteria, fungi, plants, and algae. Biolistic transformation of synchronized Porphyridium sp. cells with the mutant AHAS(W492S) gene that confers herbicide resistance gave a high frequency of sulfomethuron methyl-resistant colonies. The mutant AHAS gene integrated into the chloroplast genome by homologous recombination. This system paves the way for expression of foreign genes in red algae and has important biotechnological implications.

Acetolactate Synthase↗
PubMed2006

Cell wall composition affects Cd2+ accumulation and intracellular thiol peptides in marine red algae.

Two red macroalgae species, Gracilaria cornea and Chondrophycus poiteaui, were evaluated for their intra and extracellular Cd2+ accumulation capacity, photosynthetic response and thiol peptide production. Algae were exposed for 3 and 7 days to 0.1 and 1 microg CdCl2 ml(-1) (0.89 and 8.9 microM). Intracellular accumulation of Cd2+ by G. cornea was relatively low, only comprising 20% of total metal (intracellular+extracellular). In contrast, C. poiteaui accumulated intracellularly close to 100% of total Cd2+. In both species, metal uptake was dependent on the external Cd2+ concentration, metal exposure time and cell wall composition. In response to Cd2+ exposure, low amounts of thiol peptides were synthesized and the major difference between G. cornea and C. poiteaui was in the cell wall composition. The absence of insoluble polysaccharides in the cell wall of C. poiteaui suggested that this insoluble fraction might be involved in establishing an efficient barrier for the intracellular accumulation of Cd2+. This is the first study in which the cell wall composition, its influence on Cd2+ accumulation and intracellular responses in red macroalgae are evaluated.

Algal Proteins↗
PubMed2003

Changes in the LHCI aggregation state during iron repletion in the unicellular red alga Rhodella violacea.

Red algae are well suited to study the effects of iron deficiency on light-harvesting complex for photosystem I (LHCI), since they are totally devoid of light-harvesting complex for photosystem II (LHCII). Iron starvation results in a reduction of the pigment content, an increase of the fluorescence yield and a new emission band at 705 nm in the 77 K fluorescence emission spectra. These changes reflect the accumulation of uncoupled, aggregated LHCI in iron-depleted cells. Reconnection of LHCI to de novo synthesized reaction center I (RCI) is the first event, which takes place after iron addition. The changes in the aggregation state of LHCI are likely to occur also in brown and green algae.

Iron↗
PubMed2005

Ochtodene derivatives from the red alga Carpopeltis crispata.

Red algae are well known as a source of halogenated monoterpenes such as derivatives of ochtodene. From Carpopeltis crispata, we have isolated four new ochtodene derivatives: dibromodichloro-, dibromochloro-, and bromodichlorocyclomonoterpenes. The structures of these monoterpenes were confirmed by NMR and mass spectroscopy and compared with spectral data in the literature.

Benzene Derivatives↗
PubMed1990

Structure of the rubisco operon from the multicellular red alga Antithamnion spec.

In the multicellular red alga Antithamnion spec. both rubisco genes (rbcL and rbcS) are encoded on the plastid DNA (ptDNA). Both genes are separated by a short A/T-rich spacer of 100 bp and are cotranscribed into an mRNA of approximately 2.7 kb. These findings are in extensive agreement with those obtained from two unicellular red algae (Porphyridium aerugineum and Cyanidium caldarium). The large subunit (LSU) of rubisco shows an amino acid homology of 82-87% with the LSUs from the two unicellular red algae and only about 55% to LSUs from green algae, higher plants and two cyanobacteria. The small subunit (SSU) of rubisco is more similar to those from the unicellular red algae and two algae which are members of the Chromophyta (about 60% homology) than to cyanobacterial and higher plant proteins (27-36% homology). These data indicate that rhodoplasts originated independently from the chloroplast line. The plastids of chromophytes and rhodophytes appear to be closely related.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2004

Cyanobacterial genes transmitted to the nucleus before divergence of red algae in the Chromista.

The plastids of red algae, green plants, and glaucophytes may have originated directly from a cyanobacterium-like prokaryote via primary endosymbiosis. In contrast, the plastids of other lineages of eukaryotic phototrophs appear to be the result of secondary or tertiary endosymbiotic events involving a phototrophic eukaryote and a eukaryotic host cell. Although phylogenetic analyses of multiple plastid genes from a wide range of eukaryotic lineages have been carried out, the phylogenetic positions of the secondary plastids of the Chromista (Heterokontophyta, Haptophyta and Cryptophyta) are ambiguous in a range of different analyses. This ambiguity may be the result of unusual substitutions or bias in the plastid genes established by the secondary endosymbiosis. In this study, we carried out phylogenetic analyses of five nuclear genes of cyanobacterial origin (6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase [gnd], oxygen-evolving-enhancer [psbO], phosphoglycerate kinase [pgk], delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase [aladh], and ATP synthase gamma [atpC] genes), using the genome sequence data from the primitive red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae 10D. The sequence data robustly resolved the origin of the cyanobacterial genes in the nuclei of the Chromista (Heterokontophyta and Haptophyta) and Dinophyta, before the divergence of the extant red algae (including Porphyra [Rhodophyceae] and Cyanidioschyzon [Cyadidiophyceae]). Although it is likely that gnd genes in the Chromista were transmitted from the cyanobacterium-like ancestor of plastids in the primary endosymbiosis, other genes might have been transferred from nuclei of a red algal ancestor in the secondary endosymbiosis. Therefore, the results indicate that the Chromista might have originated from the ancient secondary endosymbiosis before the divergence of extant red algae.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Molecular characterization of two large DNA plasmids in the red alga Porphyra pulchra.

Five plasmids occur in the red alga Porphyra pulchra. The two larger ones (6859 and 6427 bp) differ in their sequences. The three smaller (1896, 2100, and 2102 bp) have sequences that are similar to one another. These plasmids are circular, double-stranded DNA, present in high copy number, and maintained in this organism through successive generations of laboratory culture. Sequence analysis of the two larger plasmids reveals few prominent structural features, but several potential open reading frames (ORFs) occur, some of which are transcriptionally active. Sequence database comparisons find significant sequence similarity between ORF3 or PP6427 and a 411 amino-acid polypeptide previously characterized in plasmid GC2 from the red alga Gracilaria chilensis. These data support the presence of at least one conserved plasmid coding region in distant orders of red algae. Southern blots of total genomic DNA from other red algae probed with plasmids from P. pulchra demonstrate no hybridization to previously studied Gracilariales species but notable hybridization to several species within the genus Porphyra, although the sizes of detected bands vary.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

The phylogenetic position of red algae revealed by multiple nuclear genes from mitochondria-containing eukaryotes and an alternative hypothesis on the origin of plastids.

Red algae are one of the main photosynthetic eukaryotic lineages and are characterized by primitive features, such as a lack of flagella and the presence of phycobiliproteins in the chloroplast. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies using nuclear gene sequences suggest two conflicting hypotheses (monophyly versus non-monophyly) regarding the relationships between red algae and green plants. Although kingdom-level phylogenetic analyses using multiple nuclear genes from a wide-range of eukaryotic lineages were very recently carried out, they used highly divergent gene sequences of the cryptomonad nucleomorph (as the red algal taxon) or incomplete red algal gene sequences. In addition, previous eukaryotic phylogenies based on nuclear genes generally included very distant archaebacterial sequences (designated as the outgroup) and/or amitochondrial organisms, which may carry unusual gene substitutions due to parasitism or the absence of mitochondria. Here, we carried out phylogenetic analyses of various lineages of mitochondria-containing eukaryotic organisms using nuclear multigene sequences, including the complete sequences from the primitive red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae. Amino acid sequence data for two concatenated paralogous genes (alpha- and beta-tubulin) from mitochondria-containing organisms robustly resolved the basal position of the cellular slime molds, which were designated as the outgroup in our phylogenetic analyses. Phylogenetic analyses of 53 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) based on a 1525-amino-acid sequence of four concatenated nuclear genes (actin, elongation factor-1alpha, alpha-tubulin, and beta-tubulin) reliably resolved the phylogeny only in the maximum parsimonious (MP) analysis, which indicated the presence of two large robust monophyletic groups (Groups A and B) and the basal eukaryotic lineages (red algae, true slime molds, and amoebae). Group A corresponded to the Opisthokonta (Metazoa and Fungi), whereas Group B included various primary and secondary plastid-containing lineages (green plants, glaucophytes, euglenoids, heterokonts, and apicomplexans), Ciliophora, Kinetoplastida, and Heterolobosea. The red algae represented the sister lineage to Group B. Using 34 OTUs for which essentially the entire amino acid sequences of the four genes are known, MP, distance, quartet puzzling, and two types of maximum likelihood (ML) calculations all robustly resolved the monophyly of Group B, as well as the basal position of red algae within eukaryotic organisms. In addition, phylogenetic analyses of a concatenated 4639-amino-acid sequence for 12 nuclear genes (excluding the EF-2 gene) of 12 mitochondria-containing OTUs (including C. merolae) resolved a robust non-sister relationship between green plants and red algae within a robust monophyletic group composed of red algae and the eukaryotic organisms belonging to Group B. A new scenario for the origin and evolution of plastids is suggested, based on the basal phylogenetic position of the red algae within the large clade (Group B plus red algae). The primary plastid endosymbiosis likely occurred once in the common ancestor of this large clade, and the primary plastids were subsequently lost in the ancestor(s) of the Discicristata (euglenoids, Kinetoplastida, and Heterolobosea), Heterokontophyta, and Alveolata (apicomplexans and Ciliophora). In addition, a new concept of "Plantae" is proposed for phototrophic and nonphototrophic organisms belonging to Group B and red algae, on the basis of the common history of the primary plastid endosymbiosis. The Plantae include primary plastid-containing phototrophs and nonphototrophic eukaryotes that possibly contain genes of cyanobacterial origin acquired in the primary endosymbiosis.

Cell Nucleus↗
PubMed1994

Post-coital contraceptive activity of crude extracts of Sri Lankan marine red algae.

This study investigates the potential of marine red algae as a source for post-coital contraceptive agents using three varieties: Gracilaria corticata, Gelidiella acerosa and Jania sp. Methanol: methylene chloride (1:1) extracts of these red algae were made and were orally administered (500 or 1000 mg/kg/day) to female rats from day 1 to day 7 of pregnancy. The higher dose of Gracilaria corticata and both doses of Gelidiella acerosa extracts produced significant post-coital contraceptive activities without any marked side effects. Furthermore, the post-coital contraceptive activity of the latter extract was dose-dependent. On the other hand, extract made from Jania sp. had no significant post-coital contraceptive action. The post-coital contraceptive activity of Gracilaria corticata was due to enhanced pre-implantation loss and of Gelidiella acerosa was due to elevated post-implantation loss. These findings indicate that marine red algae is a useful source to be harvested for potential post-coital contraceptive drugs.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Purification and characterization of an agglutinin in the red alga Agardhiella tenera.

The red alga, Agardhiella tenera was found to contain a glycoprotein which agglutinates mouse leukemia cells, L5178Y but not L1210. It also agglutinates guinea pig and rabbit erythrocytes, and has weak activity against human A, B and O, mouse, horse and sheep erythrocytes and hamster and mouse lymphocytes. The agglutination was not inhibited by simple sugars. The major active component was purified and determined to be a beta-structure protein containing 2.7% glucose as sugar moiety. The molecular weight was estimated to be 12,000 by gel filtration and 13,000 by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, in the presence of sodium dodecylsulfate. Its isoelectric point was 6.1, and it contained high amounts of glycine, serine and threonine, but no half cystine or histidine. It had no subunit structure, and the C- and N-terminal amino acids were threonine and arginine, respectively.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed2004

NMR 13C-isotopic enrichment experiments to study carbon-partitioning into organic solutes in the red alga Grateloupia doryphora.

The red alga Grateloupia doryphora Montagne (Howe) (Cryptonemiales, Halymeniaceae) was used as a model to investigate the effects of changes in seawater salinity on the intracellular low-molecular-weight organic compounds. Carbon-partitioning into major organic solutes was followed by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy on living algae incubated in NaH13CO3-enriched seawater, and by high resolution 1H and 13C NMR experiments performed on 13C-enriched algal extracts. NMR and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses both demonstrated that floridoside level was the most affected by changes in salinity: it rose under the hypersaline treatment and decreased under hyposaline one. Moreover, at low salinity, the high labeling of floridoside (45.3% 13C-enrichment for C1) together with its low concentrations both provided evidence of great increase in the de novo biosynthesis and turnover rate. Our experiments also demonstrated a high incorporation of photosynthetic carbon into amino acids, especially glutamate, under hypoosmotic conditions. On the other hand, isethionic acid and N-methyl-methionine sulfoxide were only partly labeled, which indicates they do not directly derive from carbon photoassimilation. In algae exposed to high salinity, elevated concentrations of floridoside coupled to a low labeling (9.4%) were observed. These results suggest that hyperosmotic conditions stimulated floridoside biosynthesis from endogen storage products rather than from carbon assimilation through photosynthesis.

Amino Acids↗