Desert algae shed light on desiccation tolerance in green plants

Deserts of the U.S. Southwest are hot and dry -- extreme habitats for most plants -- but, remarkably, microscopic green algae that live there are extraordinarily tolerant of dehydration.

Desert derived green algae (Acutodesmus deserticola) in culture at the Marine Biological Laboratory. Photo: Elena Lopez Peredo

These tiny green algae are embedded in microbiotic soil crusts characteristic of arid areas. After completely drying out, the algae can start photosynthesizing again within seconds of receiving a drop of water.

How are they so resilient? That question is the subject of research by Elena Lopez Peredo and Zoe Cardon of the Marine Biological Laboratory.

Working with two species of these microalgae, Peredo and Cardon studied increased and decreased gene activity during desiccation. And they added a twist. They also analyzed genes in a close aquatic relative as it dried out and ultimately died.

Surprisingly, all three algae -- desiccation-tolerant or not – increased the activity of genes known to protect plants during drought. But the desiccation-tolerant algae also turned down genes usually needed for basic cellular processes. The aquatic relative did not.

The research suggests that this new perspective on desiccation tolerance warrants more investigation in green plants.

"Comparative studies like this advance our understanding of how plants and animals deal with the challenges of changing and variable environments," says Irwin Forseth, a program director in NSF's Division of Integrative Organismal Systems. (National Science Foundation)

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

New way to locate metals deposits in the earth’s crust

Scientists have discovered a new tool to predict the location of base metal deposits buried too deep beneath the Earth’s surface to be found using current exploration methods.

Apathy not depression helps to predict dementia

Apathy offers an important early warning sign of dementia in individuals with cerebrovascular disease, but depression does not.

Warming reduces trees' ability to slow climate change

Douglas firs, most abundant trees in North America, will absorb less carbon dioxide.

Is teleportation possible? Yes, in the quantum world

Teleportation an important step in improving quantum computing.

Spanish scientists develop new graphene-modified tissues effective against coronavirus

Researchers from the University of Granada are participating in a project that will make it possible (...)

Researchers reframe dog-to-human aging comparisons

Comparing epigenetic differences between humans and domestic dogs provides an emerging model of aging.