The colorful world of cryptophyte phycobiliproteins

Abstract Cryptophytes are flagellated, eukaryotic phytoplankton found in environments ranging from tea-colored ponds to the blue-water open ocean. Cryptophytes vary in color from green to red, a trait that is imparted primarily by their phycobiliprotein (PBP) accessory pigments. These PBPs have like...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Plankton Research
Main Author: Richardson, Tammi L
Other Authors: National Science Foundation’s Dimensions of Biodiversity Program
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Oxford University Press (OUP) 2022
Subjects:
Ecology
Aquatic Science
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Browning
permafrost
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/plankt/fbac048
https://academic.oup.com/plankt/article-pdf/44/6/806/47210267/fbac048.pdf
Description
Summary:Abstract Cryptophytes are flagellated, eukaryotic phytoplankton found in environments ranging from tea-colored ponds to the blue-water open ocean. Cryptophytes vary in color from green to red, a trait that is imparted primarily by their phycobiliprotein (PBP) accessory pigments. These PBPs have likely played a key role in the diversification of cryptophytes into a wide range of aquatic environments over their evolutionary history. This review covers the current knowledge of the origin, structure and function of cryptophyte PBPs and presents evidence for remarkable phenotypic plasticity of PBP absorption, which may help cryptophytes acclimate to changes in their environment like eutrophication (“greening”), permafrost melting (“browning”) or deforestation.

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