Comparative Transcriptomics Reveals Divergent Gene Expression Patterns Underlying Environmental Adaptation in Two Generations of Neopyropia yezoensis

Main Article Content

Xinhan Chen
Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.70267/shbe.2026165178

Keywords

Neopyropia yezoensis, thallus, conchocelis, transcriptome, environmental adaptation

Abstract

Neopyropia yezoensis and other red algae in the order Bangiales possess a typical heteromorphic alternation of generations life cycle. However, the mechanisms underlying the alternation and evolution between the two distinct generations, the thallus and conc hocelis, remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed transcriptomic data from the thallus and free -living conchocelis by RNA sequencing to identify key metabolic pathways and regulatory mechanisms underlying the alternation of generations, filamentous thallus growth, and maturation. A total of 12,255 genes were identified in N. yezoensis, among which 3,688 genes were screened as significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with the criteria of fold change≥2 and adjusted p-value < 0.05, including 2,373 upregulated genes and 1,315 downregulated genes in the thallus relative to the co nchocelis. The results showed that the differences in environmental stress factors and functional roles between the thallus and conchocelis of N. yezoensis determine their transcriptomic divergence. Specifically, genes related to the photosynthetic system (e.g., thylakoid membrane, photosynthetic membrane, photosystem I and II genes) were significantly upregulated in the thallus with fold change≥2; meanwhile, genes involved in protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation (kinase activity, phosphotransferase activity genes) also exhibited higher expression levels in the thallus compared to the conchocelis, with the related DEGs enriched in the photosynthesis (ko00195) and photosynthesis -antenna proteins (ko00196) pathways of KEGG database. In contrast, the f ilamentous conchocelis displayed significant upregulation (fold change≥2) of genes regulating the membrane system (endoplasmic reticulum, endomembrane system, membrane and membrane part genes) and the actin cytoskeleton, with the core DEGs enriched in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton (ko04810), nitrogen metabolism (ko00910) and purine metabolism (ko00230) pathways, which facilitates its adaptation to the marine environment and maintenance of the slender morphological characteristics. Therefore, the diff erential expression of these regulatory pathway genes drives the alternation of generations between the thallus and conchocelis, resulting in significant differences in their life histories and environmental adaptation strategies. This study deepens our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying alternation of generation and environmental adaptation in N. yezoensis at the transcriptomic level.

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Published
Aug 11, 2026
Conference Proceedings Volume
Vol. 18 (2026): Proceedings of 2026 International Conference on Smart Healthcare and Biomedical Engineering (ICSHBE 2026)
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Articles
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How to Cite

Chen, Xinhan. “Comparative Transcriptomics Reveals Divergent Gene Expression Patterns Underlying Environmental Adaptation in Two Generations of Neopyropia Yezoensis”. Exploring Science Academic Conference Series, vol. 18, Aug. 2026, pp. 165-78, https://doi.org/10.70267/shbe.2026165178.