Heterosides – compatible solutes occurring in prokaryotic and eukaryotic phototrophs

Abstract

The acclimation to osmotic and/or salt stress conditions induces an integrated response at different cellular levels. One acclimation strategy relies on the massive accumulation of low molecular mass compounds, so-called compatible solutes, to balance osmotic gradients and to directly protect critical macromolecules. Heterosides are compounds composed of a sugar and a polyol moiety that represent one chemical class of compatible solutes with interesting features. Well-investigated examples are glucosylglycerol, which is found in many cyanobacteria, and galactosylglycerols (floridoside and isofloridoside), which are accumulated by eukaryotic algae under salt stress conditions. Here, we review knowledge on physiology, biochemistry and genetics of heteroside accumulation in pro- and eukaryotic photoautotrophic organisms.

Integrated omics data of two annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) genotypes reveals core metabolic processes under drought stress

“…According to our research, only 2′,3′-cyclic GMP was detected in annual ryegrass, which is involved in guanine production. Glucosylglycerol, found in many cyanobacteria, and galactosylglycerols (floridoside and isofloridoside) accumulate in eukaryotic algae under salt stress conditions [ 51 ]. In the present study, galactosylglycerol production was involved in glycolysis and fructose/mannose metabolism in response to drought, indicating that the concentration of galactosylglycerol plays a role in drought tolerance of annual ryegrass.…”

What distinguishes cyanobacteria able to revive after desiccation from those that cannot: the genome aspect

“…water content/potential in their surroundings. Synthesis and degradation of various compatible solutes (osmolytes) are used to balance the changing water potential in cyanobacteria (Ohad et al, 2005;Klahn and Hagemann, 2011;Pade et al, 2012;Hagemann and Pade, 2015;Shimura et al, 2015;Hagemann et al, 2016). A significant rise in the level of trehalose was observed in L. ohadii filaments during dehydration (Fig.…”

Floridoside Exhibits Antioxidant Properties by Activating HO-1 Expression via p38/ERK MAPK Pathway

“…Floridoside, a 2-O-d-glycerol-α-d-galactoside, has long been known as a typical low-molecular-weight red algal carbohydrate. It is not only the main photosynthetic product of many Rhodophyceae, but also plays a role in cell protection under many stressful conditions, such as hyperosmolality or high temperature [1,2]. The antioxidant activity of floridoside helps red algae fight, in particular, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in these stressful environments.…”