Primary Characterization of a Life-Cycle Mutant akasusabi of the Red Alga Neopyropia yezoensis

Gametophyte-to-sporophyte transition in the haploid-diploid life cycle depends on fertilization of male and female gametes. We describe here a mutant marine red seaweed Neopyropia yezoensis, designated akasusabi (aks), where gametophyte-to-sporophyte occurs independently fertilization. Although conchocelis filaments were produced from carpospores, severe defects maturation carposporangia via mitosis to generate conchospores observed. In aks mutant, however, somatic cells gametophytic thalli able produce without Thus, apogamy aks. addition, was highly sensitive wounding that promotes both asexual apogamous reproductive responses by producing spores, which develop either into blades or filaments, indicating responds enhanced reproduction. These findings indicated mutation enables transformation vegetative carpospores sporophytes wound-inducible trade-off, stimulating reset timing reproduction during cycle. Therefore, AKS is involved regulations spore production N. yezoensis.