Functional characterization of putrescine biosynthesis in the early development of conchospores in the red seaweed Pyropia yezoensis.

Putrescine biosynthesis, especially via PyODC, is essential for early conchospore development in Pyropia yezoensis, with exogenous PUT enhancing polarization and meiosis.

• Why it matters: Understanding the molecular mechanisms of conchospore development is crucial for improving germling yields in Pyropia aquaculture, which currently depends on natural spore collection.
• What they did: The study analyzed gene expression profiles, identified key PUT biosynthesis genes, and used exogenous PUT, inhibitors, and gene silencing to investigate their roles during early development stages.
• The result: Findings demonstrate that PyODC and PUT are vital for conchospore polarization and meiosis, providing strategies for metabolic regulation to optimize seedling production.