Transcriptomic analyses reveal increased expression of dioxygenases, monooxygenases, and other metabolizing enzymes involved in anthracene degradation in the marine alga .

To analyze the mechanisms involved in anthracene (ANT) degradation in the marine alga , total RNA was obtained from the alga cultivated without ANT and with 5 μM of ANT for 24 h, and transcriptomic analyses were performed. A transcriptome was assembled, transcripts differentially expressed were selected, and those overexpressed were identified. Overexpressed transcripts potentially involved in ANT degradation were: one aromatic ring dioxygenase, three 2-oxoglutarate Fe (II) dioxygenases (2-OGDOs), and three dienelactone hydrolases that may account for anthraquinone, phthalic anhydride, salicylic acid, and phthalic acid production (pathway 1).