title: Key genes as stress indicators in the ubiquitous diatom Skeletonema marinoi.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The dense phytoplankton blooms that characterize productive regions and seasons in the oceans are dominated, from high to low latitudes and from coast line to open ocean, by comparatively few, often cosmopolitan species of diatoms. These key dominant species may undergo dramatic changes due to global climate change.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In order to identify molecular stress-indicators for the ubiquitous diatom species Skeletonema marinoi, we tested stress-related genes in different environmental conditions (i.e. nutrient starvation/depletion, CO2-enrichment and combined effects of these stressors) using RT-qPCR. The data show that these stressors impact algal growth rate, inducing early aging and profound changes in expression levels of the genes of interest.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most analyzed genes (e.g. antioxidant-related and aldehyde dehydrogenases) were strongly down-regulated which may indicate a strategy to avoid unnecessary over-investment in their respective proteins. By contrast, key genes were activated (e.g. HSPs, GOX) which may allow the diatom species to better cope with adverse conditions. We propose the use of this panel of genes as early bio-indicators of environmental stress factors in a changing ocean.
authors.affiliation: Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy. chiara.lauritano@szn.it.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lauritano
authors.affiliation: Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy. ida.orefice@szn.it.
authors.forename: Ida
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Orefice
authors.affiliation: Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy. gabriele.procaccini@szn.it.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Procaccini
authors.affiliation: Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy. giovanna.romano@szn.it.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.affiliation: Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy. adrianna.ianora@szn.it.
authors.forename: Adrianna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ianora
mesh_terms: D020418:Algal Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D017377:Diatoms / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*; D019848:Gene Expression Regulation, Archaeal; D010839:Phytoplankton / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D012824:Silicic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D013312:Stress, Physiological
chemical_list: D020418:Algal Proteins; D012824:Silicic Acid; D002245:Carbon Dioxide