Genome of <i>Halimeda opuntia</i> reveals differentiation of subgenomes and molecular bases of multinucleation and calcification in algae.

ABSTRACT: Algae mostly occur either as unicellular (microalgae) or multicellular (macroalgae) species, both being uninucleate. There are important exceptions, however, as some unicellular algae are multinucleate and macroscopic, some of which inhabit tropical seas and contribute to biocalcification and coral reef robustness. The evolutionary mechanisms and ecological significance of multinucleation and associated traits (e.g., rapid wound healing) are poorly understood. Here, we report the genome of Halimeda opuntia, a giant multinucleate unicellular chlorophyte characterized by interutricular calcification. We achieve a high-quality genome assembly that shows segregation into four subgenomes, with evidence for polyploidization concomitant with historical sea level and climate changes. We fur

SUBMITTER: Zhang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11441479 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature