Diversity and expression of diatom silicon transporter genes during a flood event in the East China Sea

摘要: Diatoms are responsible for 75 % of the primary production in high-nutrient and coastal regions ocean, their growth is sometimes limited by silicon availability. We investigated genetic diversity transporter (Sit) genes measured Sit gene expression one dominant genus, Chaetoceros, as a molecular indicator deficiency East China Sea (ECS). A total 34 fragments were sequenced from species belonging to 13 genera. These sequences covered 12 genera which no have been previously reported; thus, this information has greatly expanded database. combined with existing GenBank, set was used sort homologous identified ECS. Based on sequence alignments, specific primers designed Chaetoceros genus quantitatively estimate levels using quantitative RT-PCR. In cruise conducted July 2010, observed Chaetoceros transcript comparable range those detected species, C. affinis, cultured under silicon-sufficient conditions. This finding may be explained devastating 2010 flood Changjiang River, resulted influx large amount silicic acid