TY - JOUR T1 - Gametogenesis in the green seaweed <em>Ulva mutabilis</em> coincides with massive transcriptional restructuring JF - bioRxiv DO - 10.1101/2021.08.13.456063 SP - 2021.08.13.456063 AU - Xiaojie Liu AU - Jonas Blomme AU - Kenny Bogaert AU - Sofie D’hondt AU - Thomas Wichard AU - Olivier De Clerck Y1 - 2021/01/01 UR - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2021/08/13/2021.08.13.456063.abstract N2 - The molecular mechanism underlying sexual reproduction in land plants is well understood in model plants and is a target for crop improvement. However, unlike land plants, the genetic basis involved in triggering reproduction and gamete formation remains elusive in most seaweeds, which are increasingly viewed as an alternative source of functional food and feedstock for energy applications. Here, gametogenesis of Ulva mutabilis, a model organism for green seaweeds, is studied. We analyze transcriptome dynamics at different time points during gametogenesis following induction of reproduction by fragmentation and removal of sporulation inhibitors. Analyses demonstrate that 45% of the genes in the genome are differentially expressed during gametogenesis. We identified several transcription factors that potentially play a key role in the early gametogenesis of Ulva given the function of their homologs in higher plants and microalgae. In particular, the detailed expression pattern of an evolutionary conserved transcription factor containing an RWP-RK domain suggests a key role during Ulva gametogenesis. The identification of putative master regulators of gametogenesis provides a starting point for further functional characterization.Highlight Transcriptomic analyses of gametogenesis in the green seaweed Ulva highlight the importance of a conserved RWP-RK transcription factor in induction of sexual reproduction.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest. ER -