Viruses or viruslike particles of eukaryotic algae are ubiquitous in aquatic habitats, however, suprisingly little is known about them. The research presented here focused on one such virus which infects a multicellular filamentous brown alga of the genus Feldmannia. Although preliminary studies had been performed on the genome structure of the Feldmannia sp. Virus (FsV), little was known. The purpose of this study was to analyze the structure of the FsV genome in detail. During the experiments aimed at mapping the FsV genome, cross-hybridization was observed among five BamHI-fragments of the digested FsV DNA. Sequence analysis of one of those fragments revealed the presence of 173 by direct repeats. There are two FsV genomes of different size-classes (158 and 178 kbp). The 173 by repeats in the cross-hybridizing BamHI-fragments were confined to a small region of each virus genome. The number of these repeats in the 178 kbp genome was estimated to be about 109 and in the 158 kbp genome to be about 41. in the 178 kbp genome, the repeats are contained within a 22 kbp region and in the 1.58 kbp genome, the repeats are contained within a 10 kbp region. These viruses are actively replicated in sporophyte plants. A family of related 173 by direct repeats was discovered in an encrypted FsV genome. The family of repeats estimated to be greater than 50 kbp in length were found inserted into a protein kinase gene encoded within the 3.6 kbp viral BamHI-fragment Z. Southern analysis indicates that these repeats in the encrypted FsV genome are distinct from the previously characterized repeats in the amplified FsV genome. The translated protein kinase shares highest homologies to the SNF1 subfamily of serine/threonine protein kinases and contains a potential autophosphorylation site in a region unique to this protein kinase. A DNA polymerase gene was identified in the FsV genome. The predicted peptide sequence of the FsV DNA polymerase gene contains all of the conserved motifs found in B-family (a-like) DNA polymerases. A TTTTTNT sequence motif shown to be a transcription termination signal for Vaccinia virus early genes is found at the 3' end of the DNA polymerase gene. Phylogenetic analysis of the FsV DNA polymerase gene and other viral DNA polymerase genes indicates that FsV belongs to a group of algal viruses recently defined as Phycodnaviridae. / Graduation date: 1998

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Adelaide, 2004. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Feb. 19, 2006). Includes bibliographical references (p. [150]-172).

Marine brown algae (seaweeds) are a rich source of fucoxanthin, a xanthophyll carotenoid that is naturally, an accessory pigment in the process of photosynthesis of sea vegetation such as Sargassum incisifolium. Fucoxanthin has been exploited by nutraceutical companies for its anti-obesity effects that has resulted in an increase of seaweed slimming preparations such as FucoThin™. The field is getting widespread consumer attention as interest in fucoxanthin has also transcended to its widespread biological potential which include cytotoxicity, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-plasmodium effects. We therefore wanted to identify a reliable source(s) of fucoxanthin from diverse samples of South African marine brown algae in order to explore our medicinal chemistry interests around the cytotoxicity and anti-malarial potential of fucoxanthin. A known source, Sargassum incisifolium, was used to isolate (maceration in CH₂Cl₂/MeOH at 35 °C followed by a hexane/EtOAc step gradient silica column of the crude extract and reversed phase semi-prep HPLC) and characterize (1D and 2D NMR) fucoxanthin (reference standard) in order to develop an analytical method for its determination in selected diverse brown algae commonly found in South Africa. The HPLC [Column: Phenomenex® Synergi™ (250 x 3.0 mm i.d); Mobile phase: ACN/H2O (95:5)] method developed for this analysis was validated according the guidelines set by the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH). Fifteen species were then assessed for fucoxanthin content (μg/g of dried weight) using the developed method. Stability studies on fucoxanthin were also carried out to assess photo- and pH degradation of fucoxanthin. Zonaria subarticulata (KOS130226-18) from Kenton-On-Sea beach and Sargassum incisifolium (PA130427-1) from Port Alfred beach were found to be the highest producers of fucoxanthin with 0.50 mg/g and 0.45 mg/g dried weight respectively. Fucoxanthin was found to be both photo-labile and sensitive to both acidic and basic pH environments. However, the pigment was more photostable in pure as opposed to extract form and also showed to be more stable at pH 10.0. Our findings show that Z. subarticulata and S. incisifolium could be reliable sources of fucoxanthin and can be considered as the algae to use in optimized extraction procedures in further studies. Also, when working with fucoxanthin, it is important to protect it from light. Any consideration of taking fucoxanthin preparation orally (as a nutraceutical) should consider protecting the active from the harsh conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Any upscale production of fucoxanthin from seaweed should consider variations such as geographical, seasonal, lifecycle stage, etc. of identified algae as these may be important factors in obtaining effective concentrations of fucoxanthin.

Breast cancer, the most common malignancy diagnosed in women, is one of the leading causes of death in women worldwide. In South Africa only 32% of women diagnosed with advanced breast cancer survive more than five years. The search for new chemotherapeutic agents capable of effectively treating breast cancer is therefore essential. Recent evidence supporting the cancer stem cell theory of cancer development for breast cancer challenges the current theories of cancer development and hence treatment. Cancer stem cells are a small subpopulation of tumour cells that possess properties of both cancer cells and stem cells and are believed to be the tumour-initiating population of many cancers. Cancer stem cells are inherently resistant to many chemotherapeutic agents and in this way have been associated with repopulation of tumours after chemotherapy. This phenomenon is proposed as a possible mechanism for cancer relapse after treatment. Cancer stem cells have also been implicated in metastasis, the major cause of mortality in cancer patients. Therefore, any treatment that is capable of targeting and removing breast cancer stem cells may have the theoretical potential to effectively treat breast cancer. However, there are currently no such treatments available for clinical use. We were provided access to a library of novel indigenous small molecules isolated from red and brown algae found off the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The aim of this project was to analyse the anti-cancer and anti-cancer stem cell properties of the compounds in this library and to identify „hit‟ compounds which could form the basis for future development into new anti-cancer drugs. Ten novel compounds of algal origin were tested for cytotoxicity, by determining their ability to inhibit the growth of MCF12A breast epithelial cells and MCF7 breast cancer cells using the colorimetric MTT [(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] cell proliferation assay. All but one of the compounds tested exhibited cytotoxicity towards the MCF7 cancer cell line, with IC50 values (the concentration of the compound that leads to a 50% inhibition in cell growth) of between 3 μM and 90 μM. The chemotherapeutic drug paclitaxel was used as a positive control. Four of the compounds (RUMB-001, RUMB-002, RUMB-007 and RUMB-010/saragaquinoic acid) were significantly more toxic to the MCF7 cancer cell line, than the „normal‟ MCF12A breast cells and were selected as priority compounds for further analyses. In addition, two other compounds were selected as priority compounds, one highly cytotoxic towards both MCF12A and MCF7 cell lines (RUMB-015) and one which was non toxic to either cell line (RUMB-017/018). Preliminary studies into the mechanism of cytotoxicity using Western blot analysis for poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage and Hoechst 33342 immunostaining in MCF-7 cells were largely unsuccessful. The Hoechst 33342 immunostaining assay did provide tentative evidence that selected priority compounds were capable of inducing apoptosis, although these assays will need to be repeated using a less subjective assay to confirm the results. The priority compounds were subsequently investigated for their cytotoxic effect on the cancer stem cell-enriched side population in MCF7 cells. The ability of the priority compounds to selectively target the cancer stem cell containing side population was assessed using two complementary flow cytometry-based techniques – namely the Hoechst 33342-exclusion assay, and fluorescent immunostaining for the expression of the putative cancer stem cell marker, ABCG2+. The ABCG2+ staining assay was a novel technique developed during the course of this study. It remains to be fully validated, but it may provide a new and reliable way to identify and analyse cancer stem cell containing side population cells. The MCF7 cells were treated with the compounds and the proportion of putative cancer stem cells compared with the size of the population in untreated cells was assessed. Three compounds (RUMB-010, RUMB-015 and RUMB-017/018) capable of reducing the proportion of side population cells within the MCF7 cell line were identified. Taking these data together, we identified two potential „hit‟ compounds which should be prioritised for future research. These are compounds RUMB-010/sargaquinoic acid and RUMB-017/018. RUMB-010 is of interest as it was shown to target the putative cancer stem cell population, in addition to the bulk MCF7 tumour line, but was relatively less toxic to the „normal‟ MCF12A cell line. RUMB-017/018 is of interest due to the ability to selectively target the cancer stem cell enriched side population, while having little effect on the normal (MCF12A) or bulk tumour (MCF7) cell lines tested. These compounds will be important as „hit‟ compounds for drug development and as tool compounds to study cancer and cancer stem cell biology.

Les algues brunes sont des organismes photosynthétiques multicellulaires, appartenant à la lignée des straménopiles, et dont l'habitat principal est la zone intertidale. Une de leurs caractéristiques métaboliques est d'utiliser le mannitol (polyalcool à six atomes de carbone) comme forme de stockage du carbone issu de la photosynthèse. Le métabolisme du mannitol chez ces organismes fait intervenir quatre enzymes, deux pour la synthèse et deux pour le recyclage, regroupées dans le cycle du mannitol. Parmi les algues brunes, Ectocarpus siliculosus est l'organisme modèle pour étudier différents aspects de leur biologie. Au cours de la thèse, trois gènes de cette algue codant pour les enzymes responsables de la première étape du cycle du mannitol, la mannitol-1-phosphate déshydrogénase (M1PDH), ont été étudiés (EsM1PDH1, EsM1PDH2, et EsM1PDH3). Les M1PDHs catalysent une réaction réversible entre le fructose-6-phosphate et le mannitol-1-phosphate. Une version du gène EsM1PDH, codant pour une protéine tronquée en N-terminal afin d'éliminer un domaine de fonction inconnue, a été surexprimée chez la bactérie Escherichia coli. La protéine recombinante tronquée a été purifiée et caractérisée au niveau biochimique, notamment pour déterminer ses paramètres cinétiques dans les deux sens de la réaction catalysée par les M1PDHs. Ces résultats ont été complétés par l'analyse de l'expression des gènes codant pour les enzymes du cycle du mannitol chez E. siliculosus au cours du cycle diurnal. L'ensemble de ces observations contribue à mieux comprendre une voie métabolique clé dans la physiologie des algues brunes. / Brown algae are multicellular photosynthetic organisms belonging to the stramenopile lineage and which are mainly found in the intertidal zone. One of their metabolic characteristics is to store carbon fixed by photosynthesis through the production of mannitol, a 6-carbon non-cyclic polyol. Synthesis and recycling of mannitol in these organisms occur through the mannitol cycle, which includes two steps for synthesis and two for recycling. Among brown algae, Ectocarpus siliculosus represents the model organisms to study different aspects of their biology. During the PhD thesis, three genes coding for the enzymes involved in the first step of the mannitol cycle, the mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase (M1PDH), were studied (EsM1PDH1, EsM1PDH2, and EsM1PDH3). M1PDHs catalyze a reversible reaction between fructose-6-phosphate and mannitol-1-phosphate. One modified version of the EsM1PDH1 gene, coding for a N-terminal truncated protein in order to deleted a domain of unknown function, was overexpressed in the bacteria Escherichia coli. The truncated recombinant protein was purified and biochemically characterized, notably to determine kinetic parameters in both directions of the reversible reaction catalyzed by M1PDH. These results were completed by analysis of changes in expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in the mannitol cycle during the diurnal cycle. These observations contribute to increasing the understanding of a key metabolic pathway in brown algal physiology.

Les phlorotannins, polymères du phloroglucinol, sont des composés phénoliques (CP) uniquement retrouvés chez les algues brunes (Phéophycées). Ces métabolites présentant des activités anti-oxydantes, interviendraient dans la formation de la paroi, mais à ce jour leur voie de biosynthèse reste non élucidée. L'annotation du génome de l'algue brune Ectocarpus, a permis d'identifier des gènes homologues codant pour des enzymes de la biosynthèse des CP chez les plantes terrestres. Une polyketide synthase de type III (PKSIII), a été caractérisée: elle synthétise le phloroglucinol. La recherche d'autres cibles a été poursuivie sur des gènes codant pour des chalcone-isomérases-like (CHIL), ainsi que pour des phénol-sulfotransférases homologues d'enzymes de sulfatation des flavonoïdes. Les CHIL se sont révélées être des fatty acid binding protein (FAP) impliquées dans le métabolisme des acides gras. L'intérêt pour cette nouvelle famille a justifié leur caractérisation biochimique puis fonctionnelle par complémentation de mutants FAP d'Arabidopsis thaliana. L'élucidation progressive des voies de biosynthèse des phlorotannins a servi de base pour étudier les mécanismes de régulation de ce métabolisme chez les Phaeophycées. En combinant des approches intégrées d'expression de gènes cibles, de dosages et de profilages de phlorotannins solubles, nous avons pu montrer que ces composés assurent une protection constitutive chez Fucus vesiculosus en réponse aux UV-B, et que leur métabolisme serait induit très précocement au cours de l'herbivorie. Le développement d'outils moléculaires spécifiques de ces voies métaboliques, ouvre de nouvelles perspectives en écophysiologie et en écologie. / Phlorotannins are polymers of phloroglucinol that are specific phenolic compounds of brown algae (Phaeophyceae). These metabolites present antioxidant activities and are potentially involved in the formation of cell-walls but their biosynthetic pathway is currently uncharacterized. The genome annotation of the brown algae Ectocarpus provided some information about conserved genes which are implicated in the synthesis of phenolics in terrestrial plants. One polyketide synthase of type III (PKSIII) has been successfully characterized: it produces phloroglucinol. The search for other targets has been pursued in brown algae focusing mainly on chalcone isomerase-like (CHI-like) genes, as well as on phenol-sulfotransferases, which are implicated in the sulfation of flavonoids. The characterization of CHIL has revealed their implication in fatty acid binding (FAP). However, the level of interest for this new family has led to their biochemical characterization and to functional studies by complementation of gene in the Arabidopsis thaliana FAP mutant. The progressive elucidation of the phlorotannin biosynthesis pathway has been used in order to discover mechanisms which regulate this metabolism in brown algae. By combining integrated approaches of gene expression profiling with the quantification and profiling of soluble phlorotannins, we have shown that these metabolites ensure the constitutive protection in Fucus vesiculosus against UV-B radiation and could also be induced as a very early response to grazing. The development of specific molecular tools for this metabolic pathway opens some news perspectives in ecophysiological and ecological studies.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-03T13:58:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CybelleTM.pdf: 889951 bytes, checksum: bcf6eb5adb7011fa19c2ab4cd178326c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-09-05 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / ?Fucans, sulfated polysaccharides extracted from brown algae and some echinoderms, have been extensively studied for its diverse biological activities and because of its interference with molecular mechanisms of cell to cell recognition, including leukocyte trafficking from blood vessels into sites of inflammation mediated by selectin, a family of adhesion molecules. In the present study, we examined structural features of a heterofucan extracted from brown algae Padina gymnospora and its effect on the leukocyte migration to the peritoneum. The sulfated polysaccharides were extracted from the brown seaweed by proteolysis with the proteolytic enzyme maxatase. The presence of protein and uronic acid contamination was detected in the crude polysaccharide extract. Fractionation of the crude extract with growing concentrations of acetone produced five fractions with different concentrations of fucose, xylose, uronic acid, galactose, glucose and sulfate. The fraction precipitated with 1.5 volumes of acetone was characterized by infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance, through which can be observed the presence of sulfate groups in the C4 of -L-fucose. The anti-inflammatory action of this composite was assessed by a sodium thioglycollate-induced peritonitis assay and through nitric oxide production by the peritoneal macrophages using Griess reagent. Fraction F1.5 was efficient in reducing leukocyte influx into the peritoneal cavity when 10 mg/kg and 25mg/kg were used, resulting in a decrease of 56 and 39%, respectively. A decrease of nitric oxide production occurred when high concentrations of fucana were used. The cytotoxicity of the composite was also assessed using the reduction of 3-(4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl) 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). Fraction F1.5 had no cytotoxicity when 500 ?g/mL of the fraction was used. This study suggests the use of fraction F1.5 (heterofucan) as an anti-inflammatory / Fucanas, polissacar?deos sulfatados extra?dos de alga marrom e alguns equinodermos, t?m sido extensivamente estudadas devido as suas diversas atividades biol?gicas e pela sua interfer?ncia com mecanismos moleculares de reconhecimento celular, incluindo o tr?fego de leuc?citos dos vasos sangu?neos para o interior de s?tios inflamat?rios mediado pela fam?lia das mol?culas de ades?o denominada selectinas. Neste presente estudo, n?s examinamos a estrutura de uma heterofucana extra?da da alga marrom Padina gymnospora e seu efeito sobre a migra??o de leuc?citos para o perit?nio. Os polissacar?deos sulfatados foram extra?dos da alga marrom por prote?lise com a enzima proteol?tica maxatase. A presen?a de contamina??o por prote?nas e ?cido ur?nico foi detectada no extrato bruto dos polissacar?deos. Fracionamento do extrato bruto com concentra??es crescentes de acetona produziu cinco fra??es com diferentes concentra??es de fucose, xilose, ?cido ur?nico, galactose, glicose e sulfato. A fra??o precipitada com 1,5 volume de acetona foi caracterizada por infravermelho e resson?ncia magn?tica nuclear, atrav?s das quais se p?de constatar a presen?a de grupos sulfato no C4 da -L-fucose. A a??o antiinflamat?ria deste composto foi avaliada atrav?s do ensaio de peritonite induzida por tioglicolato de s?dio e atrav?s da produ??o de ?xido n?trico por macr?fagos peritoneais utilizando-se o reagente de Griess. A fra??o F1,5 mostrou-se eficiente na redu??o do influxo leucocit?rio para a cavidade peritoneal quando utilizados 10 mg/Kg e 25 mg/Kg resultando em uma diminui??o na ordem de 56 e 39 %, respectivamente. Uma diminui??o na produ??o de ?xido n?trico ocorreu quando altas concentra??es de fucana foram usadas. A citotoxicidade do composto tamb?m foi avaliada utilizando-se como par?metro a redu??o do 3-(4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). A fra??o F1,5 n?o apresentou citotoxicidade quando utilizados 500 ?g/ml da fra??o. Este estudo sugere o uso da fra??o F1,5 (heterofucana) como um antiinflamat?rio

Accumulation of biologically active metabolites is a specific feature of plant biochemistry, directing the use of plants in numerous applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Among these substances, the plethora of phenolic compounds has attracted particular interest among researchers. Here, we report on new findings in phlorotannin research, a large group of multifunctional phenolic substances, produced in brown algae. Comprehensive LC-MS profiling of three algal species allowed us to depict the complex pattern of this structurally diverse compound group across different tissues and subcellular compartments. We compiled more than 30 different phlorotannin series in one sample and used accurate mass spectrometry to assign tentative structures to the observed ions based on the confirmed sum formulas. From that, we found that acetylation, hydroxylation, and oxidation are likely to be the most common in vivo modifications to phlorotannins. Using an alternative data mining strategy to cope with extensive coelution and structural isomers, we quantitatively compared the intensity of different phlorotannin series in species, tissues, and subcellular compartments to learn more about their physiological functions. The structure and intra-thallus profiles of cell wall-bound phlorotannins were studied here for the first time. We suggest that one of the major dibenzodioxin-type phlorotannin series may exclusively target integration into the cell wall of fucoid algae.

Bakgrund Strömmar av brunalgen sargassum har drabbat Karibien i flera år, särskilt påtagligt det senaste decenniet, sedan år 2011. Den överväldiga mängden sargassum har förknippats med klimatförändringar och utsläpp av gödningsmedel i havet. Sargassum har påvisats orsaka negativa hälsoeffekter för människan, bland annat yrsel, illamående, andningssvårigheter och eksem. Syfte Syftet i studien var att utforska hur strömmar av brunalgen sargassumpåverkar invånarnas livsstil och hälsa på ön Guadeloupe, samt vilka strategier som används för att hantera sargassum i praktiken. Metod Som datainsamlingsmetod har tio informanter intervjuats genom semistrukturerade intervjuer. Studiens informanter har bestått av ickestatliga organisationer, verksamheter inom hälso- och sjukvård, samt organisationer inom turism och maritima sektorn. Resultat Resultatet påvisar en ökad mängd oro av hälsoeffekterna kopplade till brunalgen samt ett kunskapsgap då det kommer till hälsoinformation om sargassum. Slutsats Studiens slutsats är att mer information behövs om hälsoeffekterna av sargassum och att hälsolitteracitet bland invånarna bör utvecklas. Även effektivare åtgärder för att göra sig av med brunalgen är nödvändiga. Därtill kan strömmar av sargassum anses vara ett hinder för destinationen att arbeta för Förenta nationernas globala mål nummer tre – god hälsa och välbefinnande, mål tretton – bekämpa klimatförändringarna, samt mål fjorton – hav och marina resurser. / Background Waves of the brown algae sargassum have been floating over the Caribbean for years, but most noticeably during the last decade, since 2011. The overwhelming amount of sargassum has been linked to climate change and the release of fertilisers into the ocean. Sargassum has been shown to cause negative health effects, including dizziness, nausea, breathing difficulties, and eczema. Objective The purpose of the study has been to explore how Guadeloupe is handling the seaweed sargassum, and how inhabitants’ health and lifestyle are affected. Method As a data collection method, ten informants were interviewed through semi-structured interviews. The informants have consisted of nongovernmental organisations, the health care sector and organisations within the tourism and marine sector. Results The results show an increased amount of concern about the health effects linked to the brown algae sargassum and a knowledge gap when it comes to health information about the brown algae. Conclusion The study's conclusion is that more information is needed about the health effects of sargassum, health literacy among the inhabitants requires development, and more effective measures to get rid of brown algae are necessary. In addition, waves of sargassum can be an obstacle for the destination to work for United Nation’s global goals number three -good health and well-being, goal thirteen - climate action, and goal fourteen- life below water.

Les macroalgues hébergent de nombreux micro-organismes, collectivement désignés sous le terme de microbiote algal, qui ont un rôle essentiel dans le développement et l’état de santé de leur hôte. Dans ce travail, nous avons exploré le microbiote fongique et bactérien d’algues brunes, ainsi que l’impact des interactions bactérie-champignon sur la médiation chimique et, en particulier, sur le quorum sensing bactérien. Par des approches de metabarcoding ciblant l’ADNr 16S et l’ITS2, nous avons montré que les communautés fongiques et bactériennes associées à la macroalgue brune Saccharina latissima étaient très riches, principalement composées de quelques OTUs dominants, et d’une grande abondance d’OTUs « rares ». De manière intéressante, les communautés fongiques comme bactériennes différaient de celles de l’eau de mer environnante et paraissaient spécifiques des tissus algaux. Cependant, de grandes variations intra et interindividuelles de composition ont été observées au sein des échantillons de tissus d’algue. Ainsi, ce qui définit la spécificité des communautés microbiennes reste à préciser. En parallèle, nous avons exploré la médiation chimique au sein de l’endomicrobiote de quatre algues brunes : Saccharina latissima, Laminaria digitata, Pelvetia canaliculata et Ascophylum nodosum, et révélé que de nombreux endophytes fongiques et bactériens isolés synthétisaient des métabolites interférant avec les systèmes de quorum sensing bactériens, en les induisant ou les inhibant. De plus, les bioessais basés sur les biosenseurs, couplés à une approche métabolomique, effectués sur les co-cultures, ont mis en évidence en quoi les interactions bactéries-champignons au sein de l’endomicrobiote d’algues brunes pouvaient affecter la production de médiateurs chimiques, et notamment de molécules interférant avec le quorum sensing bactérien. Ensemble, ces résultats suggèrent que le quorum sensing pourrait jouer un rôle clé dans le réseau complexe d’interactions au sein du microbiote algal, et ainsi dans l’équilibre hôte-microbiote. / Macroalgae host various microorganisms, collectively referred as the algal microbiota, which play an essential role in the development and health status of their host. In this work, we explored the bacterial and fungal microbiota of brown algae, as well as the impact of bacterial fungal interactions on the chemical mediation and, in particular, on the bacterial quorum sensing. Using 16S rDNA-based and ITS2-based metabarcoding approaches we showed that the fungal and bacterial communities associated with the brown macroalgae Saccharina latissima were very rich, mainly composed of few dominant OTUs, and a large abundance of “rare” OTUs. Interestingly, both fungal and bacterial communities differed from the ones of the surrounding seawater and appeared specific to the algal tissues. However, high intra and interindividual variations of composition were observed among the algal tissue samples. Thus what define the specificity of the microbial communities remains to be clarified. In parallel, we explored the chemical mediation within the cultivable endomicrobiota of four brown algae: Saccharina latissima, Laminaria digitata, Pelvetia canaliculata and Ascophylum nodosum, and pointed out that many of the isolated bacterial and fungal endophytes could synthetize metabolites interfering with bacterial quorum sensing systems, either inducing or inhibiting them. Additionally, biosensor-based bioassays coupled with metabolomics approaches performed on co-culture experiments, highlighted how bacterial-fungal interactions within the endomicrobiota of brown algae could affect the production of chemical mediators, including those interfering with bacterial quorum sensing. Altogether, the results suggest that the quorum sensing could play a key role in the complex network of interactions within the algal microbiota, and thus in the host-microbiota equilibrium.