biology Article Insights into Alexandrium minutum Nutrient Acquisition, Metabolism and Saxitoxin Biosynthesis through Comprehensive Transcriptome Survey Muhamad Afiq Akbar 1, Nurul Yuziana Mohd Yusof 2 , Fathul Karim Sahrani 2, Gires Usup 2, Asmat Ahmad 1, Syarul Nataqain Baharum 3 , Nor Azlan Nor Muhammad 3 and Hamidun Bunawan 3,* 1 Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia; muhdafi
[email protected] (M.A.A.);
[email protected] (A.A.) 2 Department of Earth Science and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia;
[email protected] (N.Y.M.Y.);
[email protected] (F.K.S.);
[email protected] (G.U.) 3 Institute of System Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia;
[email protected] (S.N.B.);
[email protected] (N.A.N.M.) * Correspondence:
[email protected]; Tel.: +60-389-214-570 Simple Summary: Alexandrium minutum is one of the causing organisms for the occurrence of harmful algae bloom (HABs) in marine ecosystems. This species produces saxitoxin, one of the deadliest neurotoxins which can cause human mortality. However, molecular information such as genes and proteins catalog on this species is still lacking. Therefore, this study has successfully Citation: Akbar, M.A.; Yusof, N.Y.M.; characterized several new molecular mechanisms regarding A. minutum environmental adaptation Sahrani, F.K.; Usup, G.; Ahmad, A.; and saxitoxin biosynthesis. Ultimately, this study provides a valuable resource for facilitating future Baharum, S.N.; Muhammad, N.A.N.; dinoflagellates’ molecular response to environmental changes.