Effect of light and prey availability on gene expression of the mixotrophic chrysophyte, Ochromonas sp.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ochromonas is a genus of mixotrophic chrysophytes that is found ubiquitously in many aquatic environments. Species in this genus can be important consumers of bacteria but vary in their ability to perform photosynthesis. We studied the effect of light and bacteria on growth and gene expression of a predominantly phagotrophic Ochromonas species. Axenic cultures of Ochromonas sp. were fed with heat-killed bacteria (HKB) and grown in constant light or darkness. RNA was extracted from cultures in the light or in the dark with HKB present (Light + HKB; Dark + HKB), and in the light after HKB were depleted (Light + depleted HKB).

Results

There were no significant differences in the growth or bacterial ingestion rates between algae grown in light or dark conditions. The

SUBMITTER: Lie AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5310065 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature