Hyposalinity induces significant polar lipid remodeling in the marine microalga Dunaliella tertiolecta (Chlorophyceae)

Abstract Marine microalgae often live in a fluctuating environment including decrease salinity caused by global warming induced sea ice melting and freshwater inflows. Under conditions of salinity, have evolved variety survival mechanisms such as lipid accumulation remodeling. The purpose this study was to investigated the membrane remodeling marine green microalga Dunaliella tertiolecta short-term acclimation mechanism response hyposalinity (20 3 PSU) with respect growth at optimal (38 PSU). We identified 34 species belonging seven polar classes. accumulates cell lipids remodels classes their fatty acids composition hypoosmotic stress PSU. found that unsaturation most decreases overall, indicating decreased fluidity altered permeability, whereas shortening length is not one strategies D. cope salinity. Increase relative content (%) monogalactosyldiacylglycerols (MGDG) phosphatidylglycerols (PG), suggesting changes photosynthetic membranes thylakoids 20 At very low PSU, phosphatidylinositols (PI) increases, increased trafficking signaling cells. These are statistically significant we hypothesize genetically adapted withstand large fluctuations through composition.