Growth dependent silencing and resetting of DGA1 transgene in Nannochloropsis salina

Here we report recombinant expression and activity of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae type 2 diacylglycerol acyltransferase DGA1 functioning in parallel with the native Nannochloropsis salina genes. Expression of DGA1 shifted the chain length distribution of fatty acids produced and reflected an oleoyl-CoA substrate preference. Effect on the total FAME content was moderate and elevated by a maximum of 38%. Expression of the DGA1 transgene varied throughout the culture life cycle and evidence of growth dependent environmental silencing of the transgene was observed. This is to our knowledge the first example of silencing and subsequent resetting in a transgenic microalga. Results from this study add valuable insights into the efficacy of algal genetic engineering and use of these microorganisms as bio-platforms for chemical manufacture.

Growth dependent silencing and resetting of DGA1 transgene in Nannochloropsis salina

Here we report recombinant expression and activity of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae type 2 diacylglycerol acyltransferase DGA1 functioning in parallel with the native Nannochloropsis salina genes. Expression of DGA1 shifted the chain length distribution of fatty acids produced and reflected an oleoyl-CoA substrate preference. Effect on the total FAME content was moderate and elevated by a maximum of 38%. Expression of the DGA1 transgene varied throughout the culture life cycle and evidence of growth dependent environmental silencing of the transgene was observed. This is to our knowledge the first example of silencing and subsequent resetting in a transgenic microalga. Results from this study add valuable insights into the efficacy of algal genetic engineering and use of these microorganisms as bio-platforms for chemical manufacture.

Growth and shrinkage in Antarctic krill Euphausia superba is sex-dependent

ABSTRACT: The ability of Antarctic krill Euphausia superba Dana to withstand the overwintering period is critical to their success. Laboratory evidence suggests that krill may shrink in body length during this time in response to the low availability of food. Nevertheless, verification that krill can shrink in the natural environment is lacking because winter data are difficult to obtain. One of the few sources of winter krill population data is from commercial vessels. We examined length-frequency data of adult krill (>35 mm total body length) obtained from commercial vessels in the Scotia-Weddell region and compared our results with those obtained from a combination of science and commercial sampling operations carried out in this region at other times of the year. Our analyses revealed body-length shrinkage in adult females but not males during overwinter, based on both the tracking of modal size classes over seasons and sex-ratio patterns. Other explanatory factors, such as differential mortality, immigration and emigration, could not explain the observed differences. The same pattern was also observed at South Georgia and in the Western Antarctic Peninsula. Fitted seasonally modulated von Bertalanffy growth functions predicted a pattern of overwintering shrinkage in all body-length classes of females, but only stagnation in growth in males. This shrinkage most likely reflects morphometric changes resulting from the contraction of the ovaries and is not necessarily an outcome of winter hardship. The sex-dependent changes that we observed need to be incorporated into life cycle and population dynamic models of this species, particularly those used in managing the fishery. KEY WORDS: Southern Ocean · Population dynamics · Production · Life cycle · Fishery

Growth and shrinkage in Antarctic krill Euphausia superba is sex-dependent

ABSTRACT: The ability of Antarctic krill Euphausia superba Dana to withstand the overwintering period is critical to their success. Laboratory evidence suggests that krill may shrink in body length during this time in response to the low availability of food. Nevertheless, verification that krill can shrink in the natural environment is lacking because winter data are difficult to obtain. One of the few sources of winter krill population data is from commercial vessels. We examined length-frequency data of adult krill (>35 mm total body length) obtained from commercial vessels in the Scotia-Weddell region and compared our results with those obtained from a combination of science and commercial sampling operations carried out in this region at other times of the year. Our analyses revealed body-length shrinkage in adult females but not males during overwinter, based on both the tracking of modal size classes over seasons and sex-ratio patterns. Other explanatory factors, such as differential mortality, immigration and emigration, could not explain the observed differences. The same pattern was also observed at South Georgia and in the Western Antarctic Peninsula. Fitted seasonally modulated von Bertalanffy growth functions predicted a pattern of overwintering shrinkage in all body-length classes of females, but only stagnation in growth in males. This shrinkage most likely reflects morphometric changes resulting from the contraction of the ovaries and is not necessarily an outcome of winter hardship. The sex-dependent changes that we observed need to be incorporated into life cycle and population dynamic models of this species, particularly those used in managing the fishery. KEY WORDS: Southern Ocean · Population dynamics · Production · Life cycle · Fishery