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Mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in Ectocarpus siliculosus, a key role for mannitol synthesis in brown algae

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Abstract

Mannitol represents a major end product of photosynthesis in brown algae (Phaeophyceae), and is, with the β-1,3-glucan laminarin, the main form of carbon storage for these organisms. Despite its importance, little is known about the genes and enzymes responsible for the metabolism of mannitol in these seaweeds. Taking benefit of the sequencing of the Ectocarpus siliculosus genome, we focussed our attention on the first step of the synthesis of mannitol (reduction of the photo-assimilate fructose-6-phosphate), catalysed by the mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase (M1PDH). This activity was measured in algal extracts, and was shown to be regulated by NaCl concentration in the reaction medium. Genomic analysis revealed the presence of three putative M1PDH genes (named EsM1PHD1, EsM1PDH2 and EsM1PDH3). Sequence comparison with orthologs demonstrates the modular architecture of EsM1PHD1 and EsM1PDH2, with an additional N-terminal domain of unknown function. In addition, gene expression experiments carried out on samples harvested through the diurnal cycle, and after several short-term saline and oxidative stress treatments, showed that EsM1PDH1 is the most highly expressed of these genes, whatever the conditions tested. In order to assess the activity of the corresponding protein, this gene was expressed in Escherichia coli. Cell-free extracts prepared from bacteria containing EsM1PDH1 displayed higher M1PDH activity than bacteria transformed with an empty plasmid. Further characterisation of recombinant EsM1PDH1 activity revealed its very narrow substrate specificity, salt regulation, and sensitivity towards an inhibitor of SH-enzymes.

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Abbreviations

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

ASW:

Artificial seawater

CCAP:

Culture collection of algae and protozoa

dbEST:

Database of expressed sequence tags

DTT:

Dithiothreitol

EDTA:

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

EGTA:

Ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid

F6P:

Fructose-6-phosphate

HCA:

Hydrophobic cluster analysis

Hepes:

4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid

HK:

Hexokinase

H2O2 :

Hydrogen peroxide

LB:

Luria–Bertani medium

M1P:

Mannitol-1-phosphate

M1Pase:

Mannitol-1-phosphatase

M1PDH:

Mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase

M2DH:

Mannitol-2-dehydrogenase

MOPS:

3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid

NCBI:

National Center for Biotechnology Information

pHMB:

p-Hydroxymercuribenzoate

PSU:

Practical salinity unit

PVP:

Polyvinylpyrrolidone

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Acknowledgments

SD received funding from the European community’s Sixth Framework Program (contract n° MESTCT 2005-020737). Part of this work was performed within the framework of the ‘Marine Genomics Europe’ NoE (Network of Excellence) (European Commission contract No. GOCE-CT-2004-505403).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UPMC Univ Paris 6, UMR 7139 Marine Plants and Biomolecules, Station Biologique, 29682, Roscoff, France

    Sylvie Rousvoal, Agnès Groisillier, Simon M. Dittami, Gurvan Michel, Catherine Boyen & Thierry Tonon

  2. CNRS, UMR 7139 Marine Plants and Biomolecules, Station Biologique, 29682, Roscoff, France

    Sylvie Rousvoal, Agnès Groisillier, Simon M. Dittami, Gurvan Michel, Catherine Boyen & Thierry Tonon

  3. UMR 7139 CNRS-UPMC, Station Biologique, Place Georges Teissier, 29682, Roscoff, France

    Thierry Tonon

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  1. Sylvie Rousvoal
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  2. Agnès Groisillier
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  3. Simon M. Dittami
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  4. Gurvan Michel
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  5. Catherine Boyen
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  6. Thierry Tonon
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Correspondence to Thierry Tonon.

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S. Rousvoal and A. Groisillier contributed equally to this work.

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Rousvoal, S., Groisillier, A., Dittami, S.M. et al. Mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in Ectocarpus siliculosus, a key role for mannitol synthesis in brown algae. Planta 233, 261–273 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-010-1295-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-010-1295-6

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