Support is requested for a molecular systematic investigation of the genus Caulerpa, a pantropical genus with ecological and biomedical importance. The specific objectives of the proposed study are to: 1) establish a robust molecular phylogeny of the Caulerpa based on four independent molecular data sets: nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences, 26S ribosomal DNA, and chloroplast encoded rbcL and psbA genes; 2) identify monophyletic groups for comparison with the current taxonomy of the genus, and characterization of morphological and biochemical evolution, 3) compare the pattern and rate of molecular evolution for different species, and 4) determine whether the inferred phylogenetic hypotheses are consistent with a presumed Indo-West Pacific origin of these algae, and if phylogenetic patterns of Caulerpa are correlated with the patterns of togther tropical marine organisms that may have shared a common marine biogeographic history. The large unicellular plants of Caulerpa are examples of single cells with a complex internal and external morphology with differentiated functions. Representatives of this genus have been recently implicated as a threat to biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea and as the subject of toxicological studies on the secondary metabolite, caulerpenyne. A phylogenetic perspective of these algae will provide insights into the evolution and characterization of these features. Although phylogenetic and marine biogeographic hypothesis have been proposed for these algae, they have not been tested in the context of broad sampling of taxa with DNA sequence data. The focus of the project will include an evaluation of the evolution of morphological, ultrastructural and biochemical features, and elucidation of the rates and patterns of molecular variation at the with marine biogeographic hypotheses, (e.g., Tethyan vicariance models) to assess the historical causes of present day distribution. The PI has over fifteen years experience working with temperate and tropical marine algal taxonomy and ecology and another ten years working on the molecular systematics of tropical marine green algae. Successful completion of this project will increase our understanding of marine algal phylogeny, historical biogeography, and the rates of patterns of molecular evolution in marine organisms.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Minority Biomedical Research Support - MBRS (S06)
Project #
1S06GM061223-01
Application #
6332141
Study Section
Minority Programs Review Committee (MPRC)
Project Start
2000-06-01
Project End
2004-05-31
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$32,217
Indirect Cost
Name
California State University Fresno
Department
Type
DUNS #
793751087
City
Fresno
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
93726
Van Laer, Koen; Buts, Lieven; Foloppe, Nicolas et al. (2012) Mycoredoxin-1 is one of the missing links in the oxidative stress defence mechanism of Mycobacteria. Mol Microbiol 86:787-804
Upton, Heather; Newton, Gerald L; Gushiken, Melissa et al. (2012) Characterization of BshA, bacillithiol glycosyltransferase from Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. FEBS Lett 586:1004-8
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Miller, Christopher C; Rawat, Mamta; Johnson, Todd et al. (2007) Innate protection of Mycobacterium smegmatis against the antimicrobial activity of nitric oxide is provided by mycothiol. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 51:3364-6
Rawat, Mamta; Johnson, Chantale; Cadiz, Vanessa et al. (2007) Comparative analysis of mutants in the mycothiol biosynthesis pathway in Mycobacterium smegmatis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 363:71-6
Rawat, Mamta; Av-Gay, Yossef (2007) Mycothiol-dependent proteins in actinomycetes. FEMS Microbiol Rev 31:278-92

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