AUTHOR=Qui-Minet Zujaila Nohemy , Connan Solène , Stiger-Pouvreau Valérie 

TITLE=To die or not to die: how seaweed holobionts chemistry influences lifespan and stress resilience

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Marine Science

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1635698

DOI=10.3389/fmars.2025.1635698

ISSN=2296-7745

ABSTRACT=Understanding premature senescence in macroalgae is essential for progress in marine biology, ecosystem management, and sustainable aquaculture. This mini-review addresses four key and interconnected dimensions: (i) the pivotal role of photosynthesis in mediating seaweed responses to environmental stress and its influence on delaying or inducing premature senescence; (ii) the taxon-specific yet environmentally modulated biochemical profiles that collectively shape seaweed lifespan; (iii) the dynamic interactions between seaweeds and their associated microbiomes, and how these holobiont relationships contribute to host resilience and longevity; and (iv) the importance of understanding how environmental factors trigger premature senescence, alongside the current state of research on the disciplines involved. Although studies remain limited -particularly regarding how macroalgal holobionts are reshaped in terms of stability and interaction with their environment-senescence has been documented in several macroalgal species. Nevertheless, it is essential to broaden the holobiont approach, particularly in long-lived taxa, such as large brown algae and coralline red algae. This mini-review advocates for a multidisciplinary approach to unravel the mechanisms governing macroalgal aging and premature senescence. This approach should integrate physiology, biochemistry, microbial ecology, and environmental science, while also accounting for factors such as genetic regulation and reproductive strategies, in order to better-understand seaweed premature senescence-whether for management, aquaculture, or fundamental research.