Pole-to-pole LOV-domain receptor diversity points to an early stramenopile origin and global dominance of aureochromes
Abstract
Light regimes are a fundamental environmental cue for marine organisms. Yet molecular adaptations of photoreceptors to the extreme seasonality of polar regions remain poorly understood. We demonstrate that the diversity of candidate blue-light-sensing LOV-domain proteins increases at higher latitudes. We identify aureochromes, blue-light-sensitive transcription factors unique to stramenopiles, as the most frequent LOV-domain receptors across ocean latitudes. Phylogenetic reconstructions reveal early aureochrome diversification in the stramenopile lineage, originating in a heterotrophic ancestor before photosynthesis was acquired. This challenges the assumption that aureochromes are restricted to phototrophs, suggesting an ancestral role in spectral light signaling. We find that, despite changes in light quality and photoperiod by latitude, diatom aureochrome domain architecture remains conserved. This implies adaptation through regulatory tuning, such as altered expression dynamics or post-translational control. Our results emphasise the importance of spectral-light sensing in polar oceans and link the widespread dominance of aureochromes to their ancient origin and conservation.
Related
- Edge–Interior Differences in Plant Diversity and Herbaceous Functional Composition in Tropical Urban Remnant Forests: Associations with Invasive-Herb Dominance
- A purinergic receptor dominance model for microglial state transitions: balancing perturbation and restraint during neuroinflammation
- Glucocorticoid Receptor Interacts with the TRKB Transmembrane Domain and modulates TRKB Dimerization and Neuronal Plasticity
- Discoidin Domain Receptor 1 Expression in Colon Cancer: Roles and Prognosis Impact
- The SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain has evolved decreased inherent antigenicity in humans
BibTeX
@article{misir2026poletopole,
title = {{Pole-to-pole LOV-domain receptor diversity points to an early stramenopile origin and global dominance of aureochromes}},
author = {Melissa Misir and Peter G. Kroth and Sylke Wohlrab},
journal = {Communications Biology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1038/s42003-026-11067-1},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-026-11067-1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Pole-to-pole LOV-domain receptor diversity points to an early stramenopile origin and global dominance of aureochromes
AU - Melissa Misir
AU - Peter G. Kroth
AU - Sylke Wohlrab
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/31
JO - Communications Biology
DO - 10.1038/s42003-026-11067-1
UR - https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-026-11067-1
AB - Light regimes are a fundamental environmental cue for marine organisms. Yet molecular adaptations of photoreceptors to the extreme seasonality of polar regions remain poorly understood. We demonstrate that the diversity of candidate blue-light-sensing LOV-domain proteins increases at higher latitudes. We identify aureochromes, blue-light-sensitive transcription factors unique to stramenopiles, as the most frequent LOV-domain receptors across ocean latitudes. Phylogenetic reconstructions reveal early aureochrome diversification in the stramenopile lineage, originating in a heterotrophic ancestor before photosynthesis was acquired. This challenges the assumption that aureochromes are restricted to phototrophs, suggesting an ancestral role in spectral light signaling. We find that, despite changes in light quality and photoperiod by latitude, diatom aureochrome domain architecture remains conserved. This implies adaptation through regulatory tuning, such as altered expression dynamics or post-translational control. Our results emphasise the importance of spectral-light sensing in polar oceans and link the widespread dominance of aureochromes to their ancient origin and conservation.
SN - 2399-3642
ER -