Molecular and ecological investigations into the infection process of Eurychasma dicksonii on brown algae
Lead Research Organisation:
Scottish Association For Marine Science
Department Name: Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory
Abstract
Many of the most devastating agricultural and aquacultural pathogens belong to the group of oomycetes. In addition, many oomycetes seriously impact upon the ecology of natural populations. In coastal marine ecosystems, the oomycete Eurychasma dicksonii is thought to contribute to shaping populations of brown algae. It not only has the largest reported host range among marine pathogens - infecting virtually every brown algal species tested so far, but it is also the most prevalent eukaryotic pathogen in natural brown macroalgal populations. Remarkably, virtually nothing is known about many fundamental aspects of pathogenicity, biology, epidemiology, and ecology of E. dicksonii. As part of the Oceans 2025 core strategic program, we are currently developing tools to study the impact of E. dicksonii epidemics on algal populations and coastal ecosystems. However, many unresolved biological questions are of critical importance to underpin this undertaking. Understanding why E. dicksonii has such a wide host-range, what makes this pathogen so successful, and what pathogenicity determinants and infection strategies it uses to infect its hosts will shed light on how natural brown algal populations are affected by epidemic outbreaks of E. dicksonii, and how this pathogen might influence their genetic structure. This application aims to address these issues in more detail. Identified determinants of host specificity will further be correlated to the genetic and biogeographical background of the pathogen from sites around the world. At the completion of this study, we expect to demonstrate that E. dicksonii is secreting effector molecules that may be translocated into the host cells, and that are under diversifying selection. We hope to generate precise hypotheses on their role in the biotrophic interaction of E. dicksonii with its hosts, as well as its impact on natural brown algal populations.
People |
ORCID iD |
Frithjof Kuepper (Principal Investigator) | |
Claire Gachon (Researcher) |
Publications
Grenville-Briggs L
(2011)
A molecular insight into algal-oomycete warfare: cDNA analysis of Ectocarpus siliculosus infected with the basal oomycete Eurychasma dicksonii.
in PloS one
Gachon CM
(2010)
Algal diseases: spotlight on a black box.
in Trends in plant science
Heesch Svenja
(2012)
CRYOPRESERVATION OF THE MODEL ALGA
Ectocarpus (PHAEOPHYCEAE)
in CRYOLETTERS
Tsirigoti A
(2014)
Cytoskeleton organisation during the infection of three brown algal species, Ectocarpus siliculosus, Ectocarpus crouaniorum and Pylaiella littoralis, by the intracellular marine oomycete Eurychasma dicksonii.
in Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany)
Küpper FC
(2018)
Emission of volatile halogenated compounds, speciation and localization of bromine and iodine in the brown algal genome model Ectocarpus siliculosus.
in Journal of biological inorganic chemistry : JBIC : a publication of the Society of Biological Inorganic Chemistry
Zambounis A
(2012)
Highly dynamic exon shuffling in candidate pathogen receptors ... what if brown algae were capable of adaptive immunity?
in Molecular biology and evolution
Strittmatter M
(2016)
Infection of the brown alga Ectocarpus siliculosus by the oomycete Eurychasma dicksonii induces oxidative stress and halogen metabolism.
in Plant, cell & environment
Strittmatter M
(2016)
Infection of the brown alga Ectocarpus siliculosus by the oomycete Eurychasma dicksonii induces oxidative stress and halogen metabolism.
in Plant, cell & environment
Strittmatter M
(2013)
Intracellular eukaryotic pathogens in brown macroalgae in the Eastern Mediterranean, including LSU rRNA data for the oomycete Eurychasma dicksonii .
in Diseases of aquatic organisms
Carrano M
(2021)
Laminaria kelps impact iodine speciation chemistry in coastal seawater
in Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
Katsaros C
(2021)
New insights on Laminaria digitata ultrastructure through combined conventional chemical fixation and cryofixation
in Botanica Marina
Tojo M
(2012)
Pythium polare, a new heterothallic oomycete causing brown discolouration of Sanionia uncinata in the Arctic and Antarctic.
in Fungal biology
Mijovilovich A
(2023)
Synchrotron X-rays reveal the modes of Fe binding and trace metal storage in the brown algae Laminaria digitata and Ectocarpus siliculosus.
in Metallomics : integrated biometal science
Description | We have - for the first time ever in seaweeds - explored the transcriptome and proteome of the important brown algal model Ectocarpus during infection by the basal oomycete Eurychasma. This has fundamental significance for a better understanding of infection and disease resistance in marine algae and other eukaryotes - including human pharmacology. |
Exploitation Route | Access to original publications (all Open Access); possibly development of marine natural products as pharmaceutical agents. |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Chemicals Environment Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | Images from this research have been used by PI Gachon in collaboration with CRUBAG (Oban, Argyll) for artistic purposes in textile design. |
First Year Of Impact | 2014 |
Impact Types | Cultural |