Sulfoquinovose metabolism in marine algae

Abstract This study aimed to survey algal model organisms, covering phylogenetically representative and ecologically relevant taxa. Reports about the occurrence of sulfonates (particularly sulfoquinovose, taurine, isethionate) in marine algae are scarce, their likely relevance global biogeochemical cycles ecosystem functioning is poorly known. Using both field-collected seaweeds from NW Scotland cultured strains, a combination enzyme assays, high-performance liquid chromatography matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used detect key extracts. complemented by bioinformatics, mining publicly available genome sequences models. The results confirm widespread presence biosynthetic pathways macro- microalgae. However, it also clear that catabolic pathways, if present, must be different those documented bacterial systems since no complete cluster gene homologues genes could detected genomes.