Expression Variations of MBF-1, PKS and psbA Genes in Umbilicaria decussata Collected from Horseshoe Island (Antarctic Peninsula) and the Southern Coast of Turkiye

Authors : Ekrem Bölükbaşı, Mehmet Gökhan Halıcı

Pages : 61-74

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Publication Date : 2025-04-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Antarctic lichens contribute to scientific research as indicators of environmental change, helping scientists monitor the impacts of climate change and human activity. The adaptation of lichen species to these different habitats and extreme conditions is due to rapid in expressions of the genes in their genetic backgrounds. In this study, Umbilicaria decussata (Vill.) Zahlbr. lichen samples were collected with from two different regions: from the Horseshoe Island, located to the west of the Antarctic Peninsula and from the south coast of Turkiye. The nrITS gene regions of the samples were studied and the phylogenetic positions of the samples were confirmed as U. decussata. After DNA barcoding, comparative determinations of the changes in the expressions of the multiprotein binding factor-1 (MBF-1), polyketide synthase (PKS) and photosystem II D1 protein (psbA) genes due to temperature change stress were performed by a qPCR. Specifically, under cold stress conditions such as those found on the Horseshoe Island, the MBF-1 gene was highly expressed, while PKS and psbA gene expression levels were lower compared to the south coast of Turkiye. Specimen collected from different geographical regions exhibited gene expression differences. The results of this study, which is the first in its field, highlight how the adaptation of Umbilicaria decussata samples to those habitats and regional climate.
Keywords : Antarktika, İklim değişikliği, Kutup Biyolojisi, Gen ekspresyonu, qRT-PCR