Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins play crucial roles in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. We identified homologous genes encoding ECM proteins that are known to associate with integrins in animal cells in red macroalga Neopyropia yezoensis. Four genes encoding spondin domain-containing proteins (NySPLs) and eight genes encoding fasciclin domain-containing proteins (NyFALs) from N. yezoensis were selected for bioinformatics and expression analysis in order to obtain insights into the roles of ECM proteins for the life cycle. NySPLs had eight β-strands with two contiguous α-helices, which were similar to those of the F-spondin domain of animals. NyFALs had conserved H1 and H2 motifs and a YH motif between the H1 and H2 regions. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed that NySPL1–3 and NyFAL8 transcripts were highly accumulated in mature gametophytes that formed the spermatia. Furthermore, expressions of all NySPLs were upregulated in response to the ethylene precursor 1-aminocylopropane-1-carboxylic acid that induces gametogenesis. NyFAL1, 4 were highly expressed in sporophytes, whereas NyFAL2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 were overexpressed in gametophytes, especially at the vegetative stage. These findings facilitate future research on ECM architecture in the unique life cycles of red macroalgae.
Highlights
The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides structural support for organs and tissues in the form of basement membranes and regulates cell–cell communication and signaling [1,2]
Four genes encoding FS domain-containing proteins were identified from the N. yezoensis genome sequence and were named NySPL1–4 (Figure S1)
N. yezoensis is proposed to be absent in the integrin system, but possesses integrinrelated ECM components, such as spondin domain-containing and fasciclin domaincontaining proteins
Summary
The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides structural support for organs and tissues in the form of basement membranes and regulates cell–cell communication and signaling [1,2]. With regard to the research on ECMs, many reports focus on the ECM polysaccharides, because they are main components of cell wall structures in addition to useful materials for gel-forming agents, cosmetics, biofuels, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals [4]. ECM proteins are among the most important ECM components that regulate cell proliferation and differentiation by binding to multiple interacting partners, such as other ECM proteins and signal receptors [2,5]. Bangiophyceae has a heteromorphic life cycle, with alterations between its blade gametophyte and filamentous sporophyte [8,9] (Figure 1). The reproductive regions of Bangiophyceae gametophyte differ phyte and filamentous sporophyte [8,9] (Figure 1). Howevferro,minvceognettartaisvtetroegEiConMs ipnothlyessaucgcahracroimdepso,soituiornkonfoEwClMedsg[1e1o–f13th].eTrhoulse, oEfCEMCrMempordoetleinings duringapthpeaursntioquoeccluifredcuyrcinleg rtehme laifiencsylcimle iotfedBainngsioppitheyocefatehespaevciaeisla. bHioliwtyevoefrB, ianncgoinotprahsytcteoae genoEmCeMdpatoalysseatcsch[1a4r–id1e6s],.our knowledge of the role of ECM proteins during the unique life cycle remains limited in spite of the availability of Bangiophyceae genome data sets [14,15,16]
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