Systematic exploration of transcriptional responses of interspecies interaction between Karenia mikimotoi and Prorocentrum shikokuense

Karenia mikimotoi and Prorocentrum shikokuense (also identified as P. donghaiense Lu and P. obtusidens Schiller) are two important harmful algal species which often form blooms in the coasts of China. Studies have shown that the allelopathy of K. mikimotoi and P. shikokuense plays an important role in inter-algal competition, though the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. Here, we observed reciprocal inhibitory effects between K. mikimotoi and P. shikokuense under co-cultures. Based on the reference sequences, we isolated RNA sequencing reads of K. mikimotoi and P. shikokuense from co-culture metatranscriptome, respectively. We found the genes involved in photosynthesis, carbon fixation, energy metabolism, nutrients absorption and assimilation were significantly up-regulated in K. mikimotoi after co-cultured with P. shikokuense. However, genes involved in DNA replication and cell cycle were significantly down-regulated. These results suggested that co-culture with P. shikokuense stimulated cell metabolism and nutrients competition activity of K. mikimotoi, and inhibited cell cycle. In contrast, genes involved in energy metabolism, cell cycle and nutrients uptake and assimilation were dramatically down-regulated in P. shikokuense under co-culture with K. mikimotoi, indicating that K. mikimotoi could highly affect the cellular activity of P. shikokuense. In addition, the expression of PLA2G12 (Group XII secretory phospholipase A2) that can catalyze the accumulation of linoleic acid or linolenic acid, and nitrate reductase that may be involved in nitric oxide production were significantly increased in K. mikimotoi, suggesting that PLA2G12 and nitrate reductase may play important roles in the allelopathy of K. mikimotoi. Our findings shed new light on the interspecies competition between K. mikimotoi and P. shikokuense, and provide a novel strategy for studying interspecific competition in complex systems.

Automated summary

Studies have found that there are reciprocal inhibitory effects between Karenia mikimotoi and Prorocentrum shikokuense under co-cultures. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that genes involved in photosynthesis, carbon fixation, energy metabolism, nutrients absorption and assimilation were up-regulated in K. mikimotoi after co-cultured with P. shikokuense, while genes involved in DNA replication and cell cycle were down-regulated. In contrast, genes involved in energy metabolism, cell cycle, and nutrients uptake and assimilation were down-regulated in P. shikokuense under co-culture with K. mikimotoi. Additionally, the expression of PLA2G12 and nitrate reductase, which may play important roles in the allelopathy of K. mikimotoi, was significantly increased. These findings provide new insights into the interspecies competition between K. mikimotoi and P. shikokuense and offer a novel strategy for studying interspecific competition in complex systems.