Metal stresses modify soluble proteomes and toxin profiles in two Mediterranean strains of the distributed dinoflagellate Alexandrium pacificum

HABs involving Alexandrium pacificum have been reported in metal-contaminated ecosystems, suggesting that this distributed species adapts to and/or can tolerate the effects of metals. Modifications in soluble proteomes and PST contents were characterized in two Mediterranean A. pacificum strains exposed to mono- or polymetallic stresses (zinc, lead, copper, cadmium). These strains were isolated from two anthropized locations: Santa Giusta Lagoon (Italy, SG C10–3) and the Tarragona seaport (Spain, TAR C54F). In both strains, metals primarily downregulated key photosynthesis proteins. Metals also upregulated other proteins involved in photosynthesis (PCP in both strains), the oxidative stress response (HSP 60, proteasome and SOD in SG C10–3; HSP 70 in TAR C54F), energy metabolism (AdK in TAR C54F), neoglucogenesis/glycolysis (GAPDH and PEP synthase in SG C10–3) and protein modification (PP in TAR C54F). These proteins, possibly involved in adaptive proteomic responses, may explain the development of these A. pacificum strains in metal-contaminated ecosystems. The two strains showed different proteomic responses to metals, with SG C10–3 upregulating more proteins, particularly PCP. Among the PSTs, regardless of the metal and the strain studied, C2 and GTX4 predominated, followed by GTX5. Under the polymetallic cocktail, (i) total PSTs, C2 and GTX4 reached the highest levels in SG C10–3 only, and (ii) total PSTs, C2, GTX5 and neoSTX were higher in SG C10–3 than in TAR C54F, whereas in SG C10–3 under copper stress, total PSTs, GTX5, GTX1 and C1 were higher than in the controls, revealing variability in PST biosynthesis between the two strains. Total PSTs, C2, GTX4 and GTX1 showed significant positive correlations with PCP, indicating that PST production may be positively related to photosynthesis. Our results showed that the A. pacificum strains adapt their proteomic and physiological responses to metals, which may contribute to their ecological success in highly anthropized areas.

Keyword(s)

Harmful algal bloom, Paralytic shellfish toxins, Proteomics, Metals

Full Text

FilePagesSizeAccess
Author's final draft
612 Mo
Publisher's official version
244 Mo
How to cite
Jean Natacha, Perié Luce, Dumont Estelle, Bertheau Lucie, Balliau Thierry, Caruana Amandine, Amzil Zouher, Laabir Mohamed, Masseret Estelle (2022). Metal stresses modify soluble proteomes and toxin profiles in two Mediterranean strains of the distributed dinoflagellate Alexandrium pacificum. Science Of The Total Environment. 818. 151680 (24p.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151680, https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00735/84659/

Copy this text