Isolation and characterization of a red type variant in Porphyra haitanensis Chang et Zheng (Bangials, Rhodophyta)

Abstract:

A sectored blade of Porphyra haitanensis with a wild sector and a red sector was found in the cultivating population. The pure red type of variant blades were regenerated from the somatic cells of the red sector. Some obvious differences have been found between the blades of the red variant and the wild type, in morphology, color, growth rate, maturity time, and contents of chlorophyll a (Chl. a) and phycobilioprotein (PE, PC). Compared with the wide type, the blade of the red type variant was wider, showing reddish brown color, grew faster, matured far later and did not mature even being cultured more than 400 days. In vivo absorption spectrum of its blades showed that, the absorption peak of phycocyanin (PC) shifted about 3 nm to shortwave, indicating that the structure of the phycocyanin may have changed. In addition, the contents of chlorophyll a and phycoerythrin (PE) of this variant significantly increased, but the phycocyanin content decreased, showing a higher ratios of PE / Chl. a and PC / Chl. a, lower ratio of PE / PC. When the single somatic cells were enzymatically isolated from the 400dold blade of this red variant which was still immature, and regenerated into only three types of blades: normal blades (about 78.49%) and abnormal blades (19.81%) and the rhizoid blades (1.7%) without appearance of any cellmasses. This result indicated that the serious delaying of cell differentiation of the variant blade probably led to its immuturity.