Genetic tool development in marine protists: emerging model organisms for experimental cell biology

TLDR

Marine microbial ecosystems are diverse, yet genetic tools are limited to a few species that do not capture the breadth of eukaryotic diversity. We develop genetic tools for a broad set of marine protists. We successfully delivered and expressed foreign DNA in 13 previously untransformed protist species, improved tools for 8 others, and identified barriers in 17 species, creating a resource that will illuminate ancestral eukaryotic biology and pathway evolution.

Abstract

Abstract Diverse microbial ecosystems underpin life in the sea. Among these microbes are many unicellular eukaryotes that span the diversity of the eukaryotic tree of life. However, genetic tractability has been limited to a few species, which do not represent eukaryotic diversity or environmentally relevant taxa. Here, we report on the development of genetic tools in a range of protists primarily from marine environments. We present evidence for foreign DNA delivery and expression in 13 species never before transformed and for advancement of tools for eight other species, as well as potential reasons for why transformation of yet another 17 species tested was not achieved. Our resource in genetic manipulation will provide insights into the ancestral eukaryotic lifeforms, general eukaryote cell biology, protein diversification and the evolution of cellular pathways.