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Pheromone mediated sexual reproduction of pennate diatom Cylindrotheca closterium
Klapper, F.; Audoor, S.; Vyverman, W.; Pohnert, G. (2021). Pheromone mediated sexual reproduction of pennate diatom Cylindrotheca closterium. J. Chem. Ecol. 47(6): 504-512. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10886-021-01277-8
In: Journal of Chemical Ecology. Springer: New York. ISSN 0098-0331; e-ISSN 1573-1561, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Bacillariophyceae [WoRMS]; Cylindrotheca closterium (Ehrenberg) Reimann & J.C.Lewin, 1964 [WoRMS]
Author keywords
    Mating Types; Cylindrotheca closterium; Pennate diatoms; Pheromones; Attraction assay; Cell cycle regulation

Authors  Top 
  • Klapper, F.
  • Audoor, S., more
  • Vyverman, W., more
  • Pohnert, G.

Abstract
    Benthic diatoms dominate primary production in marine subtidal and intertidal environments. Their extraordinary species diversity and ecological success is thought to be linked with their predominantly heterothallic sexual reproduction. Little is known about pheromone involvement during mating of pennate diatoms. Here we describe pheromone guided mating in the coastal raphid diatom Cylindrotheca closterium. We show that the two mating types (mt+ and mt) have distinct functions. Similar to other benthic diatoms, mt+ cells are searching for the mt cells to pair. To enhance mating efficiency mt exudes an attraction pheromone which we proved by establishing a novel capillary assay. Further, two more pheromones produced by mt promote the sexual events. One arrests the cell cycle progression of mt+ while the other induces gametogenesis of mt+. We suggest that C. closterium shares a functionally similar pheromone system with other pennate diatoms like Seminavis robusta and Pseudostaurosira trainorii which synchronize sexual events and mate attraction. Remarkably, we found no evidence of mt+ producing pheromones, which differentiates C. closterium from other pennates and suggests a less complex pheromone system in C. closterium.

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