Comparative quantitative proteomics reveals the desiccation stress responses of the intertidal seaweed Pyropia haitanensis

Neoporphyra haitanensis is an economically important red seaweed that inhabits upper intertidal zones. The thallus tolerates extreme fluctuating environmental stresses (e.g., surviving more than 80% water loss during low tides). To elucidate the global molecular responses relevant to this outstanding desiccation tolerance, a quantitative proteomics analysis of N. haitanensis under different desiccation treatments as well as rehydration was performed. According to the clustering of expression patterns and the functional interpretation of the 483 significantly differentially expressed proteins, a three-stage cellular response to desiccation stress and subsequent rehydration was proposed. Stage I: at the beginning of water loss, multiple signal transduction pathways were triggered including lipid signaling, protein phosphorylation cascades, and histone acetylation controlling acetate biosynthesis to further modulate downstream hormone signaling. Protein protection by peptidyl-prolyl isomerase and ROS scavenging systems were also immediately switched on. Stage II: with the aggravation of stress, increases in antioxidant systems, the accumulation of LEA proteins, and the temporary biosynthesis of branched starch were observed. Multiple enzymes involved in redox homeostasis, including peroxiredoxin, thioredoxin, ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, were hypothesized to function in specific cellular compartments. Stage III: when the desiccated thalli had rehydrated for 30 mins, photosynthesis and carbon fixation were recovered, and antioxidant activities and protein structure protection were maintained at a high level. This work increases the understanding of the molecular responses to environmental stresses via a proteomic approach in red seaweeds and paves the way for further functional studies and genetic engineering.