The Absence of Hydrodynamic Stress Promotes Acquisition of Freezing Tolerance and Freeze-Dependent Asexual Reproduction in the Red Alga 'Bangia' sp. ESS1

The ebb tide causes calm stress to intertidal seaweeds in tide pools; however, little is known about their physiological responses to loss of water movement. This study investigated the effects of static culture of 'Bangia' sp. ESS1 at 15 degrees C on tolerance to temperature fluctuation. The freezing of aer-obically cultured thalli at -80 degrees C for 10 min resulted in the death of most cells. By contrast, statically cultured thalli acquired freezing tolerance that increased cell viability after freeze-thaw cycles, although they did not achieve thermotolerance that would enable survival at the lethal temperature of 32 degrees C. Consistently, the unsaturation of membrane fatty acids occurred in static culture. Notably, static culture of thalli enhanced the release of asexual spores after freeze-and-thaw treatment. We conclude that calm stress triggers both the acquisition of freezing tolerance and the promotion of freezing-dependent asexual reproduction. These findings provide novel insights into stress toler-ance and the regulation of asexual reproduction in Bangiales.

Automated summary

This study found that 'Bangia' sp. ESS1 seaweeds cultured statically at 15 degrees C acquired freezing tolerance, but did not achieve thermotolerance at 32 degrees C. The static culture enhanced the release of asexual spores after freeze-and-thaw treatment.