Transcriptional Analysis of Microcystis aeruginosa Growth Inhibition by Dichlorogramine
Author: Felix Rosell
Faculty Supervisor: Zheng-Hui He
Department: Biology
Harmful algae blooms (HABs) cause serious damage to aquatic ecosystems and resources around the world. Mitigating HABs through plant-derived compounds, such as gramine, is a promising approach towards an environmentally safe method of control with minimal side-effects. Dichlorogramine (DCG) is a gramine-derivative that has demonstrated highly selective and potent growth inhibition of Microcystis aeruginosa, a common HAB forming algae. However, the cellular mechanisms causing growth inhibition are unknown. This project will elucidate the effects of DCG on M. aeruginosa on a cellular level through differential gene expression and pathway enrichment analyses. M. aeruginosa will be cultured with 0.8mg/L concentration of DCG and RNA-seq based analysis will be performed compared to the control culture grown without DCG. Through this approach, we will identify all differentially expressed genes and identify the cellular pathways these genes are involved in. We will gain insight on and speculate how DCG inhibits cell proliferation. This new knowledge will help determine the applicability of DCG as a means of HAB control and provide direction for future research.