Open AccessDomoic acid biosynthesis in the red alga Chondria armata suggests a complex evolutionary history for toxin production
Author(s) -
Taylor S. Steele,
John K. Brunson,
Yukari Maeno,
Ryuta Terada,
Andrew E. Allen,
Mari YotsuYamashita,
Jonathan R. Chekan,
Bradley S. Moore
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2117407119
Subject(s) - biology , domoic acid , gene cluster , prenyltransferase , biochemistry , diatom , algae , red tide , gene , biosynthesis , botany , toxin , ecology
Significance Originally isolated from the red algaChondria armata , domoic acid (DA) is best known as a potent marine neurotoxin produced by oceanic harmful algal blooms of planktonic diatoms. Sequencing efforts to date of kainoid-producing red algae have focused exclusively on a closely related molecule, kainic acid, leaving a gap in the understanding of DA biosynthesis in red algae and its evolutionary linkage to diatoms. Here, we present the phylogenetic and biochemical investigation of DA biosynthesis inC. armata . This work demonstrates the high synteny of DA biosynthetic genes between relatively distant taxonomic groups of algae and suggests a complex evolutionary history for DA biosynthesis involving gene transfer and neofunctionalization.