Biology Faculty Articles
Title
Localization of Polyketide Synthase Encoding Genes to the Toxic Dinoflagellate Karenia brevis
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-2005
Publication Title
Phytochemistry
ISSN
0031-9422
Volume
66
Issue/No.
15
First Page
1767
Last Page
1780
Abstract
Karenia brevis is a toxic marine dinoflagellate endemic to the Gulf of Mexico. Blooms of this harmful alga cause fish kills, marine mammal mortalities and neurotoxic shellfish poisonings. These harmful effects are attributed to a suite of polyketide secondary metabolites known as the brevetoxins. The carbon framework of all polyketides is assembled by a polyketide synthase (PKS). Previously, PKS encoding genes were amplified from K. brevis culture and their similarity to a PKS gene from the closely related protist,Cryptosporidium parvum, suggested that these genes originate from the dinoflagellate. However, K. brevishas not been grown axenically. The associated bacteria might be the source of the toxins or the PKS genes. Herein we report the localization of PKS encoding genes by a combination of flow cytometry/PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Two genes localized exclusively to K. breviscells while a third localized to both K. brevis and associated bacteria. While these genes have not yet been linked to toxin production, the work describes the first definitive evidence of resident PKS genes in any dinoflagellate.
Additional Comments
NIH/NIEHS grant #s: S11 ES111181, P30 ES 05705; NIH/NIGMS grant #s: S06 GM008205, R25 GM061347; NSF grant #: 9974984
NSUWorks Citation
Snyder, Richard V.; Maria A. Guerrero; Christopher D. Sinigalliano; Jamie Winshell; Roberto Perez; Jose V. Lopez; and Kathleen S. Rein. 2005. "Localization of Polyketide Synthase Encoding Genes to the Toxic Dinoflagellate Karenia brevis." Phytochemistry 66, (15): 1767-1780. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2005.06.010.
ORCID ID
0000-0002-1637-4125
ResearcherID
F-8809-2011
DOI
10.1016/j.phytochem.2005.06.010
Comments
©2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.