Comparative Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of High and Low Toxin-Producing Karenia brevis Strains Reveals Differences in Polyketide Synthase Abundance and Redox Status of the Proteome

To identify differentially abundant polyketide synthases (PKSs) and to characterize the biochemical consequences of brevetoxin biosynthesis, bottom up, TMT based quantitative proteomics and redox proteomics were conducted to compare two strains of the Florida red tide dinoflagellate Karenia brevis, which differ significantly in brevetoxin content. Forty-eight PKS enzymes potentially linked to brevetoxin production were identified, with 38 showing up to 16-fold higher abundance in the high-toxin strain. A pronounced shift toward a more oxidized redox state was observed in this strain’s proteome. Notably, 25 antioxidant-related proteins were significantly elevated, including alternative oxidase (AOX), which increased by 17-fold. These results elucidate the cellular consequences of toxin biosynthesis in K. brevis, offer new leads for the study of brevetoxin biosynthesis, and suggest a novel red tide mitigation approach targeting high toxin-producing strains.