PmMGST3, a novel microsomal glutathione S-transferase gene in the dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum, is a potential biomarker of oxidative stress

•Cloning of a novel microsomal GST3 gene from a dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum•ROS accumulation and reduced GSH increase in copper-treated P. minimum cells•Transcriptional effects of copper and nickel on P. minimum MGST3 expression•Dinoflagellate MGST3 related to defense mechanisms associated with oxidative stress

In this study, we evaluated a novel microsomal glutathione S-transferase3 (MGST3) gene from the dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum, and examined its expression pattern in response to copper-and nickel-induced stresses. The full length of PmMGST3 was 732 bp, ranging from the dinoflagellate splice leader (DinoSL) sequence to the poly (A) tail, covering a 441-bp ORF, 97-bp 5′UTR, and 194-bp 3′UTR. The PmMGST3 was up-regulated by metals, including copper and nickel. The highest up-regulation levels of the PmMGST3 were found under 0.1 mg/L copper and 0.5 mg/L nickel treatment, respectively. In addition, the PmMGST3 was gradually up-regulated by 0.1 mg/L copper with increasing exposure time. Furthermore, ROS production and reduced GSH was measured in the copper treated cells. A significant increased ROS production and reduced GSH were found in the copper treated cells. These results suggest that PmMGST3 may be related to defense mechanisms associated with oxidative stress in dinoflagellates.