Pheromone Mediated Sexual Reproduction of Pennate Diatom Cylindrotheca closterium.

ABSTRACT: Benthic diatoms dominate primary production in marine subtidal and intertidal environments. Their extraordinary species diversity and ecological success is thought to be linked with their predominantly heterothallic sexual reproduction. Little is known about pheromone involvement during mating of pennate diatoms. Here we describe pheromone guided mating in the coastal raphid diatom Cylindrotheca closterium. We show that the two mating types (mt⁺ and mt^-) have distinct functions. Similar to other benthic diatoms, mt⁺ cells are searching for the mt^- cells to pair. To enhance mating efficiency mt^- exudes an attraction pheromone which we proved by establishing a novel capillary assay. Further, two more pheromones produced by mt^-

SUBMITTER: Klapper F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8217010 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature