Enzymes of Marine Algae: I. Studies on Phenolase in the Green Alga, Monostroma Fuscum

Tocher, R. D.; Meeuse, B. J. D.

doi:10.1139/b66-067

Cited by 12 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Dopamine (Tocher and Craigie 1966) and a phenolase enzyme, which could use dopamine as a substrate for oxidation (Tocher and Meeuse 1966), have been previously isolated from U. obscura. The phenolase enzyme (Tocher and Meeuse 1966) may allow ingested dopamine to be oxidized to quinones (Mason 1955), which are highly reactive and have a number of deleterious biological effects (Appel 1993). This mechanism would be similar to activated defenses reported from other green algae (Paul and Van Alstyne 1992;Van Alstyne et al 2001).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Asterisks indicate experiments in which control foods were eaten significantly (P<0.05) more than foods containing dopamine (paired t-test). Black bars Foods with dopamine, white bars foods lacking dopamine cation, they darken as dopamine is presumably converted to quinones by phenolase (Tocher and Meeuse 1966). Damaged algae also release a water-soluble reddish-black substance that inhibits the development of brown algal embryos, reduces macroalgal and epiphyte growth rates, and causes increased mortality in oyster larvae (Nelson et al 2003b).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dopamine functions as an antiherbivore defense in the temperate green alga Ulvaria obscura

et al. 2006

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On northeastern Pacific coasts, Ulvaria obscura is a dominant component of subtidal "green tide" blooms, which can be harmful to marine communities, fisheries, and aquaculture facilities. U. obscura is avoided by herbivores relative to many other locally common macrophytes, which may contribute to its ability to form persistent blooms. We used a bioassay-guided fractionation method to experimentally determine the cause of reduced feeding on Ulvaria by echinoderms, molluscs, and arthropods. Our results indicated that dopamine, which constituted an average of 4.4% of the alga's dry mass, was responsible for decreased feeding by sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis). Subsequent experiments demonstrated that dopamine also reduced the feeding rates of snails (Littorina sitkana) and isopods (Idotea wosnesenskii). Dopamine is a catecholamine that is a common neurotransmitter in animals. The catecholamines dopamine, epinephrine (adrenaline), and norepinephrine also occur in at least 44 families of higher plants. The functions of catecholamines in plants are less well known than in animals but are likely to be diverse and include both physiological and ecological roles. Our results are the first experimental demonstration of a plant or algal catecholamine functioning as a feeding deterrent. This novel use of dopamine by Ulvaria may contribute to the formation and persistence of harmful Ulvaria blooms in northeastern Pacific coastal waters.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dopamine functions as an antiherbivore defense in the temperate green alga Ulvaria obscura

et al. 2006

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“…Dopamine in aqueous solutions is known to oxidize to form red to purple-colored quinones, which subsequently polymerize to form brown to black-colored melanins (Palmer 1963, Stokes et al 1999. The oxidation of dopamine can happen via auto-oxidation in the presence of transition metals (Stokes et al 1999) or can be catalyzed by phenolase enzymes, which are known to be produced by Ulvaria (Tocher and Meeuse 1966). In the previously described experiments that were conducted on sunny days, the seawater in the experimental containers turned a reddish color that was consistent with the formation of dihydroindole quinone and the algae developed a brownish-black coloration, consistent with the formation of melanins (Van Alstyne et al 2011).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…In Ulvaria, disruptions to the cell membrane and membranes of the vesicles storing dopamine, which could result from conformational changes to membrane proteins and damage to lipids that occur as a result of desiccation, could lead to the release of dopamine from the vesicles that contain it. This would result in the production of additional ROS as the released dopamine is oxidized to dopamine quinone through autooxidation (Stokes et al 1999) and the action of phenolase enzymes (Tocher and Meeuse 1966). Ulvoid green algae contain a number of enzymatic and non-enzymatic oxidant scavenging molecules (Coll en and Peders en 1996, Ross and Van Alstyne 2007); however, the combination of increased amounts of ROS due to desiccation and the production of ROS by the released dopamine may exceed the ability of Ulvaria's scavenging molecules to remove them, leading to further biochemical and cellular damage (Fridovich 1978, Asada and Takahashi 1987, Halliwell and Gutteridge 1989, Lesser 2006.…”

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confidence: 99%

Dopamine release by Ulvaria obscura (Chlorophyta): environmental triggers and impacts on photosynthesis, growth, and survival of the releaser

Alstyne

Anderson

Hees

et al. 2013

Journal of Phycology

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In the NE Pacific, Ulvaria obscura is a common component of "green tide" blooms. It is also the only alga known to produce dopamine, which is released into seawater on sunny days when Ulvaria is emersed and then rehydrated. To better understand the mechanisms associated with dopamine release, we experimentally determined whether light quantity and quality, desiccation, temperature, exudates from conspecifics, and dissolved dopamine caused dopamine release. We also examined the effects of desiccation on Ulvaria's ability to photosynthesize, grow, and survive. Desiccation was the only factor that caused significant amounts of dopamine to be lost from U. obscura tissues. The loss of water from Ulvaria tissues was strongly and positively correlated with the loss of dopamine after rehydration. Only 56% of desiccated algae survived for 1 week, compared to 100% of undesiccated control algae. Desiccated algae lost 77% of their pigmented surface area and grew only 15% as much as undesiccated algae, which remained fully pigmented. The oxygen saturation of water containing Ulvaria that was desiccated and then rehydrated was significantly lower than that of seawater containing undesiccated algae. Thus, desiccation, which is coupled with dopamine release, is associated with the deterioration and death of some, but not all, tissues in Ulvaria. Although dopamine released into seawater can reduce the survival or growth of potential competitors, its release is associated with significant physiological stress and tissue mortality. However, the survival and continued growth of some Ulvaria tissues indicates that a net fitness benefit to release dopamine following desiccation cannot be ruled out.

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“…blyttii (Areschoug) Bliding turns dark brown. This darkening has been associated with dopamine oxidase activity (reported as Monostroma fuscum , an outdated synonym for Ulvaria obscura , in Tocher and Meeuse 1966, Tocher and Craigie 1966. If immersed after death by desiccation, the water around the thallus turns tawny‐orange within minutes, then reddish‐brown, and finally (after 24–48 h) dark brown or black.…”

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confidence: 99%

ARE “GREEN TIDES” HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS? TOXIC PROPERTIES OF WATER‐SOLUBLE EXTRACTS FROM TWO BLOOM‐FORMING MACROALGAE, ULVA FENESTRATA AND ULVARIA OBSCURA (ULVOPHYCEAE)

Nelson

Lee

Smith

2003

Journal of Phycology

127

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Toxic properties are more often associated with microalgal blooms than with macroalgal blooms, although herbivore deterrents are well known in macroalgae, and inhibition of invertebrate larval development by extracts from Ulva spp. has been suggested. This study was prompted from our observation that substantial discoloration of seawater occurred in small bays after mass desiccation‐induced mortality of Ulvaria obscura (Kützing) Gayral. We examined the effects of extracts from Ulva fenestrata Postels et Ruprecht and Ulvaria obscura on Fucus gardneri Silva zygote development, growth of Ulva and Ulvaria, epiphytic algal accumulation, and oyster larval development. Fucus zygote development was inhibited by extracts from both species, although the effects of Ulvaria extracts were significantly greater. Epiphytic algal accumulation and the growth of Ulva and Ulvaria were inhibited by extracts from both species. Oyster larval development was arrested by the presence of extracts from each species. We conclude that extracts from both Ulva fenestrata and Ulvaria obscura have allelopathic properties. The effects are more widespread and occur at lower concentrations for extracts from Ulvaria than Ulva. These properties could alter competitive interactions by inhibiting germination or development of algae and invertebrates.

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Enzymes of Marine Algae: I. Studies on Phenolase in the Green Alga, Monostroma Fuscum

Cited by 12 publications

References 12 publications

Dopamine functions as an antiherbivore defense in the temperate green alga Ulvaria obscura

Dopamine functions as an antiherbivore defense in the temperate green alga Ulvaria obscura

Dopamine release by Ulvaria obscura (Chlorophyta): environmental triggers and impacts on photosynthesis, growth, and survival of the releaser

ARE “GREEN TIDES” HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS? TOXIC PROPERTIES OF WATER‐SOLUBLE EXTRACTS FROM TWO BLOOM‐FORMING MACROALGAE, ULVA FENESTRATA AND ULVARIA OBSCURA (ULVOPHYCEAE)

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