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1. Heat Stress of Algal Partner Hinders Colonization Success and Alters the Algal Cell Surface Glycome in a Cnidarian-Algal Symbiosis

   https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.01567-22  

   Maruyama, Shumpei; Mandelare-Ruiz, Paige E.; McCauley, Mark; Peng, Wenjing; Cho, Byeong Gwan; Wang, Junyao; Mechref, Yehia; Loesgen, Sandra; Weis, Virginia M. (May 2022, Microbiology Spectrum)

   Kormas, Konstantinos Aristomenis (Ed.)

   ABSTRACT Corals owe their ecological success to their symbiotic relationship with dinoflagellate algae (family Symbiodiniaceae). While the negative effects of heat stress on this symbiosis are well studied, how heat stress affects the onset of symbiosis and symbiont specificity is less explored. In this work, we used the model sea anemone, Exaiptasia diaphana (commonly referred to as Aiptasia), and its native symbiont, Breviolum minutum , to study the effects of heat stress on the colonization of Aiptasia by algae and the algal cell-surface glycome. Heat stress caused a decrease in the colonization of Aiptasia by algae that were not due to confounding variables such as algal motility or oxidative stress. With mass spectrometric analysis and lectin staining, a thermally induced enrichment of glycans previously found to be associated with free-living strains of algae (high-mannoside glycans) and a concomitant reduction in glycans putatively associated with symbiotic strains of algae (galactosylated glycans) were identified. Differential enrichment of specific sialic acid glycans was also identified, although their role in this symbiosis remains unclear. We also discuss the methods used to analyze the cell-surface glycome of algae, evaluate current limitations, and provide suggestions for future work in algal-coral glycobiology. Overall, this study provided insight into how stress may affect the symbiosis between cnidarians and their algal symbionts by altering the glycome of the symbiodinian partner. IMPORTANCE Coral reefs are under threat from global climate change. Their decline is mainly caused by the fragility of their symbiotic relationship with dinoflagellate algae which they rely upon for their ecological success. To better understand coral biology, researchers used the sea anemone, Aiptasia, a model system for the study of coral-algal symbiosis, and characterized how heat stress can alter the algae's ability to communicate to the coral host. This study found that heat stress caused a decline in algal colonization success and impacted the cell surface molecules of the algae such that it became more like that of nonsymbiotic species of algae. This work adds to our understanding of the molecular signals involved in coral-algal symbiosis and how it breaks down during heat stress. 

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2. Harmful algal blooms in inland waters

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-024-00578-2  

   Feng, Lian; Wang, Ying; Hou, Xuejiao; Qin, Boqiang; Kutser, Tiit; Qu, Fan; Chen, Nengwang; Paerl, Hans W; Zheng, Chunmiao (September 2024, Nature Reviews Earth & Environment)

   Harmful algal blooms can produce toxins that pose threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health. In this Review, we outline the global trends in harmful algal bloom occurrence and explore the drivers, future trajectories and potential mitigation strategies. Globally, harmful algal bloom occurrence has risen since the 1980s, including a 44% increase from the 2000s to 2010s, especially in Asia and Africa. Enhanced nutrient pollution owing to urbanization, wastewater discharge and agricultural expansion are key drivers of these increases. In contrast, changes have been less substantial in high-income regions such as North America, Europe and Oceania, where policies to mitigate nutrient pollution have stabilized bloom occurrences since the 1970s. However, since the 1990s, climate warming and legacy nutrient pollution have driven a resurgence in toxic algal blooms in some US and European lakes, highlighting the inherent challenges in mitigating harmful blooms in a warming climate. Indeed, advancing research on harmful algal bloom dynamics and projections largely depends on effectively using data from multiple sources to understand environmental interactions and enhance modelling techniques. Integrated monitoring networks across various spatiotemporal scales and data-sharing frameworks are essential for improving harmful algal bloom forecasting and mitigation. 

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3. Molecular diagnostics for monitoring contaminants in algal cultivation

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2013.11.008  

   Fulbright, Scott P.; Dean, M. Kristen; Wardle, Greg; Lammers, Peter J.; Chisholm, Stephen (April 2014, Algal Research)
4. Modeling harmful algal blooms in a changing climate

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2019.101729  

   Ralston, David K.; Moore, Stephanie K. (January 2020, Harmful Algae)
5. Green Algal Models for Multicellularity

   https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-genet-032321-091533  

   Umen, James; Herron, Matthew D. (November 2021, Annual Review of Genetics)

   The repeated evolution of multicellularity across the tree of life has profoundly affected the ecology and evolution of nearly all life on Earth. Many of these origins were in different groups of photosynthetic eukaryotes, or algae. Here, we review the evolution and genetics of multicellularity in several groups of green algae, which include the closest relatives of land plants. These include millimeter-scale, motile spheroids of up to 50,000 cells in the volvocine algae; decimeter-scale seaweeds in the genus Ulva (sea lettuce); and very plantlike, meter-scale freshwater algae in the genus Chara (stoneworts). We also describe algae in the genus Caulerpa, which are giant, multinucleate, morphologically complex single cells. In each case, we review the life cycle, phylogeny, and genetics of traits relevant to the evolution of multicellularity, and genetic and genomic resources available for the group in question. Finally, we suggest routes toward developing these groups as model organisms for the evolution of multicellularity. 

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