The genome of Prasinoderma coloniale unveils the existence of a third phylum within green plants
Abstract
Genome analysis of the pico-eukaryotic marine green algaPrasinoderma colonialeCCMP 1413 unveils the existence of a novel phylum within green plants (Viridiplantae), the Prasinodermophyta, which diverged before the split of Chlorophyta and Streptophyta. Structural features of the genome and gene family comparisons revealed an intermediate position of theP. colonialegenome (25.3 Mb) between the extremely compact, small genomes of picoplanktonic Mamiellophyceae (Chlorophyta) and the larger, more complex genomes of early-diverging streptophyte algae. Reconstruction of the minimal core genome of Viridiplantae allowed identification of an ancestral toolkit of transcription factors and flagellar proteins. Adaptations ofP. colonialeto its deep-water, oligotrophic environment involved expansion of light-harvesting proteins, reduction of early light-induced proteins, evolution of a distinct type of C4photosynthesis and carbon-concentrating mechanism, synthesis of the metal-complexing metabolite picolinic acid, and vitamin B1, B7and B12auxotrophy. TheP. colonialegenome provides first insights into the dawn of green plant evolution.
- Publication:
-
Nature Ecology & Evolution
- Pub Date:
- June 2020
- DOI:
- 10.1038/s41559-020-1221-7
- Bibcode:
- 2020NatEE...4.1220L