This page introduces the Labyrinthulomycetes, stramenopilous protists with fungal-like biology.
The thraustochytrids, labyrinthulids and aplanochytrids comprise three branches of a monophyletic clade near the base of the stramenopiles (syn..Heterokonta, Straminipila, Chromista without haptophytes and cryptophytes). These organisms are heterotrophic, marine eukaryotes which produce ectoplasmic networks derived from one or more specialized cell surface organelles called a bothrosome (syn. sagenogen, saganogenetosome). The presence of bothrosomes is an apomorphic characteristic for the Labyrinthulomycetes as they are found in no other organisms.
It is likely that many of the labyrinthulomycetes play a major role as decomposers in the ocean ecosystem. Others are parasites. Labyrinthula zosterae is the causative agent of eelgrass wasting disease while the thraustochytrid, QPX causes a devastating shellfish disease.
Many of the labyrinthulomycetes accumulate high concentrations of secondary metabolites such as poly-unsaturated fatty acids (e.g., DHA, EPA, AA) and carotenoid pigments (e.g., astaxanthin, canthaxanthin). As a result, these organisms have attracted significant industrial interest because of their potential for biotechnological applications such as biofuels, nutraceuticals and medicines.
In June of 2009 the US Dept of Energy Joint Genome Institute (JGI) selected four species of the Labyrinthulomycetes for genome sequencing. This study, already in progress is expected to significantly advance our knowledge of the molecular biology of these organisms.
New information
We hope that this page helps your understanding of the Labyrinthulomycetes and possibly stimulates your own research with these organisms. Information on the Labyrinthulomycetes that you might wish to share is welcomed.
Update history（See also all update process）
The thraustochytrids, labyrinthulids and aplanochytrids comprise three branches of a monophyletic clade near the base of the stramenopiles (syn..Heterokonta, Straminipila, Chromista without haptophytes and cryptophytes). These organisms are heterotrophic, marine eukaryotes which produce ectoplasmic networks derived from one or more specialized cell surface organelles called a bothrosome (syn. sagenogen, saganogenetosome). The presence of bothrosomes is an apomorphic characteristic for the Labyrinthulomycetes as they are found in no other organisms.
It is likely that many of the labyrinthulomycetes play a major role as decomposers in the ocean ecosystem. Others are parasites. Labyrinthula zosterae is the causative agent of eelgrass wasting disease while the thraustochytrid, QPX causes a devastating shellfish disease.
Many of the labyrinthulomycetes accumulate high concentrations of secondary metabolites such as poly-unsaturated fatty acids (e.g., DHA, EPA, AA) and carotenoid pigments (e.g., astaxanthin, canthaxanthin). As a result, these organisms have attracted significant industrial interest because of their potential for biotechnological applications such as biofuels, nutraceuticals and medicines.
In June of 2009 the US Dept of Energy Joint Genome Institute (JGI) selected four species of the Labyrinthulomycetes for genome sequencing. This study, already in progress is expected to significantly advance our knowledge of the molecular biology of these organisms.
New information
| 2009.9.16 | "Laby Base" opened. |
| 2009.6.29 |
JGI selected genome project for four species of Labyrinthulomycetes. ＜Link to detailed genome project＞ |
We hope that this page helps your understanding of the Labyrinthulomycetes and possibly stimulates your own research with these organisms. Information on the Labyrinthulomycetes that you might wish to share is welcomed.
| Dr. Daiske HONDA <dhonda@konan-u.ac.jp> | |
| Associate Professor of Systematics, Konan University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan |
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Collaborators:
| Dr. David PORTER < porter@plantbio.uga.edu> |
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| Professor Emeritus of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA | |
| 2009.11.26 |
Update: |
Added 1 article in References Wahid et al (2008) [see more details]
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| 2009.11.25 |
Update: |
Added 4 following articles in References Harel et al. (2008)
Massana et al. (2004) Nagano et al. (2009) Stoeck et al. (2003) (Click to see more detail) |
| 2009.10.24 |
Update: |
Added 1 following article in References. Athalye et al. (2009) (Click to see more detail)
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| 2009.10.18 |
New page: |
Homepage in English (this page) |
| 2009.10.9 |
New page: |
[Movie] Aplanospores of Aplanochytrium kerguelensis |
Laboratory of Systematics in Konan University
"Systematics" for education in Japanese