Polyamine distribution profiles in unicellular and multicellular red algae (phylum Rhodophyta): Detection of 1,6-diaminohexane, aminobutylcadaverine, canavalmine and aminopropylcanavalmine

To consider the phylogenetic significance of cellular polyamine distribution profiles in multicellular red-algal evolution, polyamines procured through acid extraction from 27 additional red algae species (29 strains) including 18 species (19 strains) of marine multicellular species (seaweeds) were newly analyzed by HPLC and HPGC-MS, and compared with 21 previously analyzed red-algal polyamine profiles. In the unicellular thermoacidophilic order Cyanidiales, Cyanidium and Cyanidioschyzon contained putrescine, spermidine and spermine, and Galdieria contained norspermidine and norspermine in addition to the three polyamines. Freshwater/marine unicellular Porphyridium contained putrescine and spermidine, furthermore, spermine was found in some Porphyridium species. In the marine unicellular orders Dixoniellales, Rhodellales and Stylonematales, the presence of putrescine, spermidine, norspermidine, spermine and norspermine was detected. Of the five polyamines, Bulboplastis containing thermospermine instead of spermine, has a novel algal polyamine profile. In the freshwater macroalgal orders Thorelales, Batrachospermales and Compsopongonales, the presence of putrescine, spermidine, homospermidine and spermine was abundant. In red seaweeds belonging to seven orders of the class Bangiophyceae or Florideophyceae, 1,3-diaminopropane, putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine, norspermidine, homospermidine, spermine, norspermine and thermospermine were widely distributed. 1,6-Diaminohexane was distributed within 12 species, aminobutylcadaverine was found in Gelidium and Hypnea, and canavalmine and aminopropylcanavalmine were detected in Meristotheca, as unusual algal polyamines. The distribution of norspermidine and norspermine was particular in marine unicellular species. Homospermidine was a special polyamine member for freshwater multicellular species. 1,6-Diaminohexane and penta-amines were found in seaweeds in addition to common red-algal polyamines. The polyamine profiles of red seaweeds distinguished them from those of green seaweeds (ulvophytes) and brown seaweeds.