Characterization of Peroxisomes in Red Seaweed Asparagopsis taxiformis
Author: Roman Marquez
Faculty Supervisor: Zheng-Hui He
Department: Biology
Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) trap the sun’s heat rays and cause climate change. Asparagopsis taxiformis, a species of red seaweed, can significantly reduce methane emissions in ruminant animals such as cattle and sheep. Studies have demonstrated that bromoform (CHBr3) synthesized in Asparagopsis taxiformis inhibits CH4 production in ruminants. A cattle diet containing less than 4% Asparagopsis taxiformis can cut CH4 production by more than 80%. How CHBr3 is synthesized and stored in Asparagopsis taxiformis is currently not well understood. Biosynthesis of CHBr3 usually involves peroxisomes, but Asparagopsis taxiformis has a special structure called the gland cell where CHBr3 is reported to be made. We hypothesize that gland cells in Asparagopsis taxiformis are peroxisomes. Multiple approaches will be used to characterize gland cells to test this hypothesis. Histochemical staining will be used to detect the presence of hydrogen peroxide, a peroxidase substrate found in peroxisomes. Phase contrast high-resolution microscopy (Tomocube) will be used to analyze the behavior and subcellular structures of gland cells. DNA DAPI staining and high-resolution Confocal imaging will be used to determine whether gland cells contain nuclei. Our study will provide important insight into how Asparagopsis taxiformis synthesize and sequester bromoform.