Phaeodactylum
{{Short description|Species of single-celled organism}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Phaeodactylum tricornutum.png
| genus = Phaeodactylum
| species = tricornutum
| parent_authority = Bohlin
| authority = Bohlin, 1897
}}
Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a diatom, the only species in the genus Phaeodactylum. Unlike other diatoms, P. tricornutum can exist in different morphotypes (fusiform, triradiate, and oval) and changes in cell shape can be stimulated by environmental conditions.{{cite journal | last1 = De Martino | first1 = A | last2 = Meichenin | first2 = A | last3 = Shi | first3 = J | last4 = Pan | first4 = KH | last5 = Bowler | first5 = C | year = 2007 | title = Genetic and phenotypic characterization of Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Bacillariophyceae) accessions | journal = Journal of Phycology | volume = 43 | issue = 5| pages = 992–1009 | doi=10.1111/j.1529-8817.2007.00384.x| s2cid = 85769550 }} This feature can be used to explore the molecular basis of cell shape control and morphogenesis. Unlike most diatoms, P. tricornutum can grow in the absence of silicon and can survive without making silicified frustules.{{Cite journal|last1=Chuang|first1=Chia-Ying|last2=Santschi|first2=Peter H.|last3=Jiang|first3=Yuelu|last4=Ho|first4=Yi-Fang|last5=Quigg|first5=Antonietta|last6=Guo|first6=Laodong|last7=Ayranov|first7=Marin|last8=Schumann|first8=Dorothea|date=2014-06-20|title=Important role of biomolecules from diatoms in the scavenging of particle-reactive radionuclides of thorium, protactinium, lead, polonium, and beryllium in the ocean: A case study with Phaeodactylum tricornutum|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4319/lo.2014.59.4.1256|journal=Limnology and Oceanography|volume=59|issue=4|pages=1256–1266|doi=10.4319/lo.2014.59.4.1256|bibcode=2014LimOc..59.1256C |s2cid=98646215 |issn=0024-3590}} This provides opportunities for experimental exploration of silicon-based nanofabrication in diatoms.
Another peculiarity is that during asexual reproduction the frustules do not appear to become smaller. This allows continuous culture without need for sexual reproduction. It is not known if P. tricornutum can reproduce sexually. To date no substantial evidence has been found to support sexual reproduction in a laboratory or other setting. Although P. tricornutum can be considered to be an atypical pennate diatom, it is one of the main diatom model species. A transformation protocol has been established and RNAi vectors are available.{{cite journal | last1 = Apt | first1 = K. E. | display-authors = etal | year = 1996 | title = Molecular and General Genetics Stable nuclear transformation of the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum | journal = Molecular and General Genetics | volume = 252 | issue = 5| pages = 572–579 | doi = 10.1007/BF02172403 | pmid = 8914518 | s2cid = 29664801 }}{{cite journal | last1 = De Riso | first1 = V | last2 = Raniello | first2 = R. | last3 = Maumus | first3 = F. | last4 = Rogato | first4 = A. | last5 = Bowler | first5 = C. | last6 = Falciatore | first6 = A. | year = 2009 | title = Gene silencing in the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum | journal = Nucleic Acids Research| volume = 37 | issue = 14| page = e96 | doi = 10.1093/nar/gkp448 | pmc = 2724275 | pmid=19487243}} This makes molecular genetic studies much easier.
History
File:Bohlin figure9 phaeodactylum.png
Phaeodactylum tricornutum was first described in the triradiate morphotype by Bohlin in 1897.{{cite book |last1=Bohlin |first1=von K. |title=Zur Morphologie und Biologie einzelliger Algen |date=1897 |page=520}} Recordings of the first cultures of P. tricornutum were published by Allen and Nelson in 1910, although it was misidentified as Nitzschia colsterium,W. Sm., forma miuntissima.{{cite book |last1=Allen |first1=E. J. |last2=Nelson |first2=E.W. |title=On the Artificial Culture of Marine Plankton Organisms |date=1910 |pages=421–74}} The isolate was later correctly revised as P. tricorntum by J.C. Lewin in 1958.{{cite journal |last1=Lewin |first1=J.C. |title=The taxonomic position of Phaeodactylum tricornutum |journal= Journal of General Microbiology|date=1958 |volume=18 |issue=2 |pages=427–32|doi=10.1099/00221287-18-2-427 |pmid=13525659 |doi-access=free }} This strain among other later isolates are still maintained in culture collections around the world.{{cite journal |last1=De Martino |first1=Alessandra |last2=Meichenin |first2=Agnes |last3=Shi |first3=Juan |last4=Pan |first4=Kehou |last5=Bowler |first5=Chris |title=Genetic and phenotypic characterization of Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Bacillariophyceae) accessions |journal=Journal of Phycology |issue=43 |pages=992–1009}}
Genome sequencing
Phaeodactylum tricornutum is one of a handful of diatoms whose genome has been sequenced. As of 2023, P. tricornutum is the only diatom for which a telomere-to-telomere genome assembly exists.{{cite journal |last1=Giguere |first1=Daniel J. |last2=Bahcheli |first2=Alexander T. |last3=Slattery |first3=Samuel S. |last4=Patel |first4=Rushali R. |last5=Browne |first5=Tyler S. |last6=Flatley |first6=Martin |last7=Bogumil |first7=Karas J. |last8=Edgell |first8=David R. |last9=Gregory |first9=Gloor B. |title=Telomere-to-telomere genome assembly of Phaeodactylum tricornutum |journal=PeerJ |date=2022 |volume=10 |issue=e13607|pages=e13607 |pmid=35811822|doi=10.7717/peerj.13607 |pmc=9266582 |doi-access=free }} P. tricornutum is a diploid with 25 pairs of nuclear chromosomes.
P. tricornutum has emerged as a potential microalgal energy source. It grows rapidly and storage lipids constitute about 20-30% of its dry cell weight under standard culture conditions.{{cite journal|last=Chisti|first=Y|title=Biodiesel from microalgae.|journal=Biotechnology Advances|date=May–Jun 2007|volume=25|issue=3|pages=294–306|pmid=17350212|doi=10.1016/j.biotechadv.2007.02.001|s2cid=18234512}}{{cite journal|last=Yang|first=ZK|author2=Niu, YF |author3=Ma, YH |author4=Xue, J |author5=Zhang, MH |author6=Yang, WD |author7=Liu, JS |author8=Lu, SH |author9=Guan, Y |author10= Li, HY |title=Molecular and cellular mechanisms of neutral lipid accumulation in diatom following nitrogen deprivation.|journal=Biotechnology for Biofuels|date=May 4, 2013|volume=6|issue=1|pages=67|pmid=23642220 |doi=10.1186/1754-6834-6-67 |pmc=3662598 |doi-access=free }} Nitrogen limitation can induce neutral lipid accumulation in P. tricornutum, indicating possible strategies for improving microalgal biodiesel production.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{cite journal | pmc = 182726 |title=Growth of and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Production by Phaeodactylum tricornutum under Different Culture Conditions |journal=Applied and Environmental Microbiology |volume=57 |issue=2 |pages=419–425 |year=1991 |last1=Yongmanitchai |first1=W |last2=Ward |first2=O. P. |doi=10.1128/aem.57.2.419-425.1991 |pmid=2014989 |bibcode=1991ApEnM..57..419Y }}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20170813211538/http://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/engineering/issues/muh-03-27-3/muh-27-3-1-0112-2.pdf journals.tubitak.gov.tr] The Growth of Continuous Cultures of the Phytoplankton Phaeodactylum Tricornutum (pdf)
- [http://www.bio.utexas.edu/research/utex/photogallery/o-r/Phaeodactylum_tricornutum_646.htm] picture of phaeodactylum tricornutum
{{Taxonbar|from1=Q20675466|from2=Q4911639}}