THE EFFECTS OF CELL CYCLE INHIBITORS IN THE MODEL BROWN ALGA ECTOCARPUS SILICULOSUS (ECTOCARPALES, PHAEOPHYCEAE)

Ectocarpus siliculosus is the model system for the study of genetics and genomics in brown algae; a distinct eukaryotic group known to have independently evolved complex multicellularity. Development of a multicellular organism from a single cell is only possible due to the tightly regulated process of the cell cycle; a process which ensures perfect duplication and distribution of the genome and cellular components to daughter cells. Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms controlling the cell cycle has developed in the last few decades by exploitation of highly synchronised cell cultures. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of cell cycle inhibitors commonly used to achieve synchronous cultures in other systems on E. siliculosus. For inhibitors to be a useful tool they need to demonstrate rapid efficiency and reversibility. Growth was seen to be significantly less in treated samples compared to controls after two days treatment, illustrating the capacity of these inhibitors to prevent cell cycle and therefore cell division. Samples from one of the nine assays performed (50 μM Aphidicolin) demonstrated the ability to recover, growing comparably to controls during a 48 h assessment period once removed from treatment. This assay is proposed as a synchronisation methodology in E. siliculosus, and could be used to address questions regarding the cell cycle, development and even host-pathogen interactions. Future work should validate the assay competency by assessing phase distribution of the treated sample population.Faculty of Science & Technology