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Nuclear genome characterization and carrageenan analysis ofGymnogongrus griffithsiae (Rhodophyta) from North Carolina

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Abstract

DNA reassociation kinetics were used to determine nuclear genome organization and complexity inGymnogongrus griffithsiae (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta). Results indicate the presence of three second order components corresponding to fast (3%), intermediate (8%) and slow (89%) fractions. Thus the genome consists mainly of unique sequences. Thermal denaturation (T m) indicated a nuclear DNA base pair composition of 40 mol% G + C. Microspectrophotometry with the DNA-localizing fluorochrome DAPI was used to confirm ploidy level differences in the gametophytic and tetrasporoblastic phases. Comparisons of mean nuclear DNA (I f) values to chicken erythrocytes (RBC) resulted in an estimate of 0.32 pg/2 C genome forGymnogongrus griffithsiae. Karyological studies using aceto-orcein revealed the presence of ca. 23 bivalents during diakinesis of tetrasporangial mother cells. Total carrageenan content in water extraction was 30% dry weight. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the isolated carrageenan to be the iota-fraction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Marine Science Research, University of North Carolina-Wilmington, 7205 Wrightsville Avenue, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28403, USA

    Donald F. Kapraun, Julie A. Dutcher, Kimon T. Bird & Maria F. Capecchi

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  1. Donald F. Kapraun
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  2. Julie A. Dutcher
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  3. Kimon T. Bird
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  4. Maria F. Capecchi
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Kapraun, D.F., Dutcher, J.A., Bird, K.T. et al. Nuclear genome characterization and carrageenan analysis ofGymnogongrus griffithsiae (Rhodophyta) from North Carolina. J Appl Phycol 5, 99–107 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02182427

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02182427

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