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Tanaka T, Maeda Y, Suhaimi N, Tsuneoka C, Nonoyama T, Yoshino T, Kato N, Lauersen KJ. Intron-mediated enhancement of transgene expression in the oleaginous diatom Fistulifera solaris towards bisabolene production. ALGAL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2021.102345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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52
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Dementyeva P, Freudenberg RA, Baier T, Rojek K, Wobbe L, Weisshaar B, Kruse O. A novel, robust and mating-competent Chlamydomonas reinhardtii strain with an enhanced transgene expression capacity for algal biotechnology. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 31:e00644. [PMID: 34168966 PMCID: PMC8209186 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2021.e00644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
In the future, algae biotechnology could play an important role in sustainable development, especially with regard to the production of valuable chemicals. Among the established laboratory strains with efficient transgene expression, there are none that have demonstrated the required robustness for industrial applications, which generally require growth at larger scale. Here, we created a robust and mating-competent cell line of the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which also possesses a high transgene expression capacity. This strain shows a comparably high resistance to shear stress by accumulating increased amounts of biomass under these conditions. As a proof-of-concept, a high phototrophic productivity of cadaverine from CO2 and nitrate was demonstrated by efficiently expressing a bacterial l-lysine decarboxylase. In contrast to other established strains, this novel chassis strain for phototrophic production schemes is equipped with the traits required for industrial applications, by combining mating-competence, cell wall-mediated robustness and high level transgene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polina Dementyeva
- Algae Biotechnology and Bioenergy, Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Robert A Freudenberg
- Algae Biotechnology and Bioenergy, Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Thomas Baier
- Algae Biotechnology and Bioenergy, Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Kristin Rojek
- Algae Biotechnology and Bioenergy, Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Lutz Wobbe
- Algae Biotechnology and Bioenergy, Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Bernd Weisshaar
- Faculty of Biology, Genetics and Genomics of Plants, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Olaf Kruse
- Algae Biotechnology and Bioenergy, Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
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53
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Emrich-Mills TZ, Yates G, Barrett J, Girr P, Grouneva I, Lau CS, Walker CE, Kwok TK, Davey JW, Johnson MP, Mackinder LCM. A recombineering pipeline to clone large and complex genes in Chlamydomonas. THE PLANT CELL 2021; 33:1161-1181. [PMID: 33723601 PMCID: PMC8633747 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koab024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The ability to clone genes has greatly advanced cell and molecular biology research, enabling researchers to generate fluorescent protein fusions for localization and confirm genetic causation by mutant complementation. Most gene cloning is polymerase chain reaction (PCR)�or DNA synthesis-dependent, which can become costly and technically challenging as genes increase in size, particularly if they contain complex regions. This has been a long-standing challenge for the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii research community, as this alga has a high percentage of genes containing complex sequence structures. Here we overcame these challenges by developing a recombineering pipeline for the rapid parallel cloning of genes from a Chlamydomonas bacterial artificial chromosome collection. To generate fluorescent protein fusions for localization, we applied the pipeline at both batch and high-throughput scales to 203 genes related to the Chlamydomonas CO2 concentrating mechanism (CCM), with an overall cloning success rate of 77%. Cloning success was independent of gene size and complexity, with cloned genes as large as 23 kb. Localization of a subset of CCM targets confirmed previous mass spectrometry data, identified new pyrenoid components, and enabled complementation of mutants. We provide vectors and detailed protocols to facilitate easy adoption of this technology, which we envision will open up new possibilities in algal and plant research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Z Emrich-Mills
- Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
- Department Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Gary Yates
- Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - James Barrett
- Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Philipp Girr
- Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Irina Grouneva
- Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Chun Sing Lau
- Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | | | - Tsz Kam Kwok
- Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - John W Davey
- Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Matthew P Johnson
- Department Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Luke C M Mackinder
- Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
- Author for correspondence: (L.C.M.M.)
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54
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Craig RJ, Hasan AR, Ness RW, Keightley PD. Comparative genomics of Chlamydomonas. THE PLANT CELL 2021; 33:1016-1041. [PMID: 33793842 PMCID: PMC8226300 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koab026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite its role as a reference organism in the plant sciences, the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii entirely lacks genomic resources from closely related species. We present highly contiguous and well-annotated genome assemblies for three unicellular C. reinhardtii relatives: Chlamydomonas incerta, Chlamydomonas schloesseri, and the more distantly related Edaphochlamys debaryana. The three Chlamydomonas genomes are highly syntenous with similar gene contents, although the 129.2 Mb C. incerta and 130.2 Mb C. schloesseri assemblies are more repeat-rich than the 111.1 Mb C. reinhardtii genome. We identify the major centromeric repeat in C. reinhardtii as a LINE transposable element homologous to Zepp (the centromeric repeat in Coccomyxa subellipsoidea) and infer that centromere locations and structure are likely conserved in C. incerta and C. schloesseri. We report extensive rearrangements, but limited gene turnover, between the minus mating type loci of these Chlamydomonas species. We produce an eight-species core-Reinhardtinia whole-genome alignment, which we use to identify several hundred false positive and missing genes in the C. reinhardtii annotation and >260,000 evolutionarily conserved elements in the C. reinhardtii genome. In summary, these resources will enable comparative genomics analyses for C. reinhardtii, significantly extending the analytical toolkit for this emerging model system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ahmed R Hasan
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Onatrio, Canada L5L 1C6
| | - Rob W Ness
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Onatrio, Canada L5L 1C6
| | - Peter D Keightley
- School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3FL Edinburgh, UK
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55
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Xiong D, Happe T, Hankamer B, Ross IL. Inducible high level expression of a variant ΔD19A,D58A-ferredoxin-hydrogenase fusion increases photohydrogen production efficiency in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. ALGAL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2021.102275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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56
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Pivato M, Perozeni F, Licausi F, Cazzaniga S, Ballottari M. Heterologous expression of cyanobacterial Orange Carotenoid Protein (OCP2) as a soluble carrier of ketocarotenoids in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. ALGAL RES 2021; 55:102255. [PMID: 33777686 PMCID: PMC7610433 DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2021.102255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Photosynthetic organisms evolved different mechanisms to protect themselves from high irradiances and photodamage. In cyanobacteria, the photoactive Orange Carotenoid-binding Protein (OCP) acts both as a light sensor and quencher of excitation energy. It binds keto-carotenoids and, when photoactivated, interacts with phyco-bilisomes, thermally dissipating the excitation energy absorbed by the latter, and acting as efficient singlet oxygen quencher. Here, we report the heterologous expression of an OCP2 protein from the thermophilic cyanobacterium Fischerella thermalis (FtOCP2) in the model organism for green algae, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Robust expression of FtOCP2 was obtained through a synthetic redesigning strategy for optimized expression of the transgene. FtOCP2 expression was achieved both in UV-mediated mutant 4 strain, previously selected for efficient transgene expression, and in a background strain previously engineered for constitutive expression of an endogenous β-carotene ketolase, normally poorly expressed in this species, resulting into astaxanthin and other ketocarotenoids accumulation. Recombinant FtOCP2 was successfully localized into the chloroplast. Upon purification it was possible to demonstrate the formation of holoproteins with different xanthophylls and keto-carotenoids bound, including astaxanthin. Moreover, isolated ketocarotenoid-binding FtOCP2 holoproteins conserved their photoconversion properties. Carotenoids bound to FtOCP2 were thus maintained in solution even in absence of organic solvent. The synthetic biology approach herein reported could thus be considered as a novel tool for improving the solubility of ketocarotenoids produced in green algae, by binding to water-soluble carotenoids binding proteins.
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57
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Einhaus A, Baier T, Rosenstengel M, Freudenberg RA, Kruse O. Rational Promoter Engineering Enables Robust Terpene Production in Microalgae. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:847-856. [PMID: 33764741 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Microalgal biotechnology promises sustainable light-driven production of valuable bioproducts and addresses urgent demands to attain a sustainable economy. However, to unfold its full potential as a platform for biotechnology, new and powerful tools for nuclear engineering need to be established. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, the model for microalgal synthetic biology and genetic engineering has already been used to produce various bioproducts. Nevertheless, low transgene titers, the lack of potent expression elements, and sparse comparative evaluation prevents further development of C. reinhardtii as a biotechnological host. By systematically evaluating existing expression elements combined with rational promoter engineering, we established novel synthetic expression elements, improved the standardized application of synthetic biology tools, and unveiled an existing synergism between the PSAD 5' UTR and its corresponding chloroplast targeting peptide. Promoter engineering strategies, implemented in a newly designed synthetic algal promoter, increased the production of the sesquiterpene (E)-α-bisabolene by 18-fold compared to its native version and 4-fold to commonly used expression elements. Our results improve the application of synthetic biology in microalgae and display a significant step toward establishing C. reinhardtii as a sustainable green cell-factory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Einhaus
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitaetsstrasse 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Thomas Baier
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitaetsstrasse 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Marian Rosenstengel
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitaetsstrasse 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Robert A. Freudenberg
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitaetsstrasse 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Olaf Kruse
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitaetsstrasse 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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58
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Sanchez-Tarre V, Kiparissides A. The effects of illumination and trophic strategy on gene expression in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. ALGAL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2021.102186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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59
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Freudenberg RA, Baier T, Einhaus A, Wobbe L, Kruse O. High cell density cultivation enables efficient and sustainable recombinant polyamine production in the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 323:124542. [PMID: 33385626 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Modern chemical industry calls for new resource-efficient and sustainable value chains for production of key base chemicals such as polyamines. The green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii offers great potential as an innovative green-cell factory by combining fast and inexpensive, phototrophic growth with mature genetic engineering. Here, overexpression of recombinant lysine decarboxylases in C. reinhardtii enabled the robust accumulation of the non-native polyamine cadaverine, which serves as building block for bio-polyamides. The issue of low cell densities, limiting most microalgal cultivation processes was resolved by systematically optimizing cultivation parameters. A new, easy-to-apply and fully phototrophic medium enables high cell density cultivations of C. reinhardtii with a 6-fold increase in biomass and cell count (20 g/L biomass dry weight, ~2·108 cells/mL). Application of high cell density cultivations in established photobioreactors resulted in a 10-fold increase of cadaverine yields, with up to 0.24 g/L after 9 days and maximal productivity of 0.1 g/L/d.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Freudenberg
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Thomas Baier
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Alexander Einhaus
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Lutz Wobbe
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Olaf Kruse
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany.
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60
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Jareonsin S, Pumas C. Advantages of Heterotrophic Microalgae as a Host for Phytochemicals Production. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:628597. [PMID: 33644020 PMCID: PMC7907617 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.628597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, most commercial recombinant technologies rely on host systems. However, each host has their own benefits and drawbacks, depending on the target products. Prokaryote host is lack of post-transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms, making them unsuitable for eukaryotic productions like phytochemicals. Even there are other eukaryote hosts (e.g., transgenic animals, mammalian cell, and transgenic plants), but those hosts have some limitations, such as low yield, high cost, time consuming, virus contamination, and so on. Thus, flexible platforms and efficient methods that can produced phytochemicals are required. The use of heterotrophic microalgae as a host system is interesting because it possibly overcome those obstacles. This paper presents a comprehensive review of heterotrophic microalgal expression host including advantages of heterotrophic microalgae as a host, genetic engineering of microalgae, genetic transformation of microalgae, microalgal engineering for phytochemicals production, challenges of microalgal hosts, key market trends, and future view. Finally, this review might be a directions of the alternative microalgae host for high-value phytochemicals production in the next few years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surumpa Jareonsin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Chayakorn Pumas
- Research Center in Bioresources for Agriculture, Industry and Medicine, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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61
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Liu H, Lyu HM, Zhu K, de Peer YV, Cheng ZM(M. The emergence and evolution of intron-poor and intronless genes in intron-rich plant gene families. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 105:1072-1082. [PMID: 33217085 PMCID: PMC7116809 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryotic genes can be classified into intronless (no introns), intron-poor (three or fewer introns per gene) or intron-rich. Early eukaryotic genes were mostly intron-rich, and their alternative splicing into multiple transcripts, giving rise to different proteins, might have played pivotal roles in adaptation and evolution. Interestingly, extant plant genomes contain many gene families with one or sometimes few sub-families with genes that are intron-poor or intronless, and it remains unknown when and how these intron-poor or intronless genes have originated and evolved, and what their possible functions are. In this study, we identified 33 such gene families that contained intronless and intron-poor sub-families. Intronless genes seemed to have first emerged in early land plant evolution, while intron-poor sub-families seemed first to have appeared in green algae. In contrast to intron-rich genes, intronless genes in intron-poor sub-families occurred later, and were subject to stronger functional constraints. Based on RNA-seq analyses in Arabidopsis and rice, intronless or intron-poor genes in AP2, EF-hand_7, bZIP, FAD_binding_4, STE_STE11, CAMK_CAMKL-CHK1 and C2 gene families were more likely to play a role in response to drought and salt stress, compared with intron-rich genes in the same gene families, whereas intronless genes in the B_lectin and S_locus_glycop gene family were more likely to participate in epigenetic processes and plant development. Understanding the origin and evolutionary trajectory, as well as the potential functions, of intronless and intron-poor sub-families provides further insight into plant genome evolution and the functional divergence of genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Hai-Meng Lyu
- College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Kaikai Zhu
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Yves Van de Peer
- College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Zong-Ming (Max) Cheng
- College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37996, USA
- Corresponding author (, )
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62
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Lin JY, Xue C, Tan SI, Ng IS. Pyridoxal kinase PdxY mediated carbon dioxide assimilation to enhance the biomass in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii CC-400. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 322:124530. [PMID: 33340949 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Microalga served as the promising bioresources due to the high efficiency of carbon dioxide conversion. However, the application of microalga is still restricted by low biomass, easier contamination, and high cost of production. To overcome the challenge, engineered Chlamydomonas reinhardtii CC-400 with pyridoxal kinase gene (pdxY) has demonstrated in this study. The results indicated CC-400 with pdxY reached enhanced algal biomass in three different systems, including flask, Two-layer Photo-Reactor (TPR) and airlift Photo-Bioreactor (PBR). The genetic strain PY9 cultured with 1% CO2 in the PBR showed a significant enhancement of biomass up to 1.442 g/L, a 2-times of that of the wild type. We also found the transcriptional levels of carbonic anhydrase (CA) dropped down in PY9 while higher levels of RuBisCo and pdxY occurred, thus the carbon dioxide assimilation under mixotrophic culture dramatically increased. We proofed that pdxY successfully mediated carbon dioxide utilization in CC-400.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Yi Lin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Chengfeng Xue
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Shih-I Tan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - I-Son Ng
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan.
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63
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Moog D, Zarzycki J, Rexer KH, Erb TJ, Maier UG. Engineering microalgae as a whole cell catalyst for PET degradation. Methods Enzymol 2021; 648:435-455. [PMID: 33579415 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2020.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Plastic pollution has become a serious issue on Earth. Although efficient industrial recycling processes exist, a significant fraction of plastic waste still ends up in nature, where it can endure for centuries. Slow mechanical and chemical decay lead to the formation of micro- and nanoplastics, which are washed from land into rivers and finally end up in the oceans. As such particles cannot be efficiently removed from the environment, biological degradation mechanisms are highly desirable. Several enzymes have been described that are capable of degrading certain plastic materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Such enzymes have a huge potential for future biotechnology applications. However, they require model systems that can be efficiently adapted to very specific conditions. Here, we present detailed instructions, how to convert the model diatom Phaeodactylum into a solar-fueled microbial cell factory for PETase expression, resulting in a whole cell catalyst for PET degradation at moderate temperatures under saltwater conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Moog
- Laboratory for Cell Biology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany; SYNMIKRO Research Center, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Jan Zarzycki
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Karl-Heinz Rexer
- Department for Evolutionary Ecology of Plants, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Tobias J Erb
- SYNMIKRO Research Center, Marburg, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Uwe G Maier
- Laboratory for Cell Biology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany; SYNMIKRO Research Center, Marburg, Germany
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64
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Ghribi M, Nouemssi SB, Meddeb-Mouelhi F, Desgagné-Penix I. Genome Editing by CRISPR-Cas: A Game Change in the Genetic Manipulation of Chlamydomonas. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:E295. [PMID: 33233548 PMCID: PMC7699682 DOI: 10.3390/life10110295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Microalgae are promising photosynthetic unicellular eukaryotes among the most abundant on the planet and are considered as alternative sustainable resources for various industrial applications. Chlamydomonas is an emerging model for microalgae to be manipulated by multiple biotechnological tools in order to produce high-value bioproducts such as biofuels, bioactive peptides, pigments, nutraceuticals, and medicines. Specifically, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has become a subject of different genetic-editing techniques adapted to modulate the production of microalgal metabolites. The main nuclear genome-editing tools available today include zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcriptional activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and more recently discovered the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR associated protein (Cas) nuclease system. The latter, shown to have an interesting editing capacity, has become an essential tool for genome editing. In this review, we highlight the available literature on the methods and the applications of CRISPR-Cas for C. reinhardtii genetic engineering, including recent transformation methods, most used bioinformatic tools, best strategies for the expression of Cas protein and sgRNA, the CRISPR-Cas mediated gene knock-in/knock-out strategies, and finally the literature related to CRISPR expression and modification approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manel Ghribi
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351, Boulevard des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada; (M.G.); (S.B.N.); (F.M.-M.)
| | - Serge Basile Nouemssi
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351, Boulevard des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada; (M.G.); (S.B.N.); (F.M.-M.)
| | - Fatma Meddeb-Mouelhi
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351, Boulevard des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada; (M.G.); (S.B.N.); (F.M.-M.)
- Groupe de Recherche en Biologie Végétale, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351, Boulevard des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada
| | - Isabel Desgagné-Penix
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351, Boulevard des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada; (M.G.); (S.B.N.); (F.M.-M.)
- Groupe de Recherche en Biologie Végétale, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351, Boulevard des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada
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65
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Perozeni F, Cazzaniga S, Baier T, Zanoni F, Zoccatelli G, Lauersen KJ, Wobbe L, Ballottari M. Turning a green alga red: engineering astaxanthin biosynthesis by intragenic pseudogene revival in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2020; 18:2053-2067. [PMID: 32096597 PMCID: PMC7540493 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii does not synthesize high-value ketocarotenoids like canthaxanthin and astaxanthin; however, a β-carotene ketolase (CrBKT) can be found in its genome. CrBKT is poorly expressed, contains a long C-terminal extension not found in homologues and likely represents a pseudogene in this alga. Here, we used synthetic redesign of this gene to enable its constitutive overexpression from the nuclear genome of C. reinhardtii. Overexpression of the optimized CrBKT extended native carotenoid biosynthesis to generate ketocarotenoids in the algal host causing noticeable changes the green algal colour to reddish-brown. We found that up to 50% of native carotenoids could be converted into astaxanthin and more than 70% into other ketocarotenoids by robust CrBKT overexpression. Modification of the carotenoid metabolism did not impair growth or biomass productivity of C. reinhardtii, even at high light intensities. Under different growth conditions, the best performing CrBKT overexpression strain was found to reach ketocarotenoid productivities up to 4.3 mg/L/day. Astaxanthin productivity in engineered C. reinhardtii shown here might be competitive with that reported for Haematococcus lacustris (formerly pluvialis) which is currently the main organism cultivated for industrial astaxanthin production. In addition, the extractability and bio-accessibility of these pigments were much higher in cell wall-deficient C. reinhardtii than the resting cysts of H. lacustris. Engineered C. reinhardtii strains could thus be a promising alternative to natural astaxanthin producing algal strains and may open the possibility of other tailor-made pigments from this host.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thomas Baier
- Faculty of BiologyCenter for Biotechnology (CeBiTec)Bielefeld UniversityBielefeldGermany
| | | | | | - Kyle J. Lauersen
- Faculty of BiologyCenter for Biotechnology (CeBiTec)Bielefeld UniversityBielefeldGermany
| | - Lutz Wobbe
- Faculty of BiologyCenter for Biotechnology (CeBiTec)Bielefeld UniversityBielefeldGermany
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66
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Nouemssi SB, Ghribi M, Beauchemin R, Meddeb-Mouelhi F, Germain H, Desgagné-Penix I. Rapid and Efficient Colony-PCR for High Throughput Screening of Genetically Transformed Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:E186. [PMID: 32927613 PMCID: PMC7554959 DOI: 10.3390/life10090186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Microalgae biotechnologies are rapidly developing into new commercial settings. Several high value products already exist on the market, and biotechnological development is focused on genetic engineering of microalgae to open up future economic opportunities for food, fuel and pharmacological production. Colony-polymerase chain reaction (colony-PCR or cPCR) is a critical method for screening genetically transformed microalgae cells. However, the ability to rapidly screen thousands of transformants using the current colony-PCR method, becomes a very laborious and time-consuming process. Herein, the non-homologous transformation of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii using the electroporation and glass beads methods generated more than seven thousand transformants. In order to manage this impressive number of clones efficiently, we developed a high-throughput screening (HTS) cPCR method to rapidly maximize the detection and selection of positively transformed clones. For this, we optimized the Chlamydomonas transformed cell layout on the culture media to improve genomic DNA extraction and cPCR in 96-well plate. The application of this optimized HTS cPCR method offers a rapid, less expensive and reliable method for the detection and selection of microalgae transformants. Our method, which saves up to 80% of the experimental time, holds promise for evaluating genetically transformed cells and selection for microalgae-based biotechnological applications such as synthetic biology and metabolic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serge Basile Nouemssi
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351, boul. des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada; (S.B.N.); (M.G.); (R.B.); (F.M.-M.); (H.G.)
| | - Manel Ghribi
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351, boul. des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada; (S.B.N.); (M.G.); (R.B.); (F.M.-M.); (H.G.)
| | - Rémy Beauchemin
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351, boul. des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada; (S.B.N.); (M.G.); (R.B.); (F.M.-M.); (H.G.)
| | - Fatma Meddeb-Mouelhi
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351, boul. des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada; (S.B.N.); (M.G.); (R.B.); (F.M.-M.); (H.G.)
- Groupe de Recherche en Biologie Végétale, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351, boul. des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada
| | - Hugo Germain
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351, boul. des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada; (S.B.N.); (M.G.); (R.B.); (F.M.-M.); (H.G.)
- Groupe de Recherche en Biologie Végétale, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351, boul. des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada
| | - Isabel Desgagné-Penix
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351, boul. des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada; (S.B.N.); (M.G.); (R.B.); (F.M.-M.); (H.G.)
- Groupe de Recherche en Biologie Végétale, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351, boul. des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada
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Rosales-Mendoza S, García-Silva I, González-Ortega O, Sandoval-Vargas JM, Malla A, Vimolmangkang S. The Potential of Algal Biotechnology to Produce Antiviral Compounds and Biopharmaceuticals. Molecules 2020; 25:E4049. [PMID: 32899754 PMCID: PMC7571207 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25184049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to an unprecedented pandemic, which demands urgent development of antiviral drugs and antibodies; as well as prophylactic approaches, namely vaccines. Algae biotechnology has much to offer in this scenario given the diversity of such organisms, which are a valuable source of antiviral and anti-inflammatory compounds that can also be used to produce vaccines and antibodies. Antivirals with possible activity against SARS-CoV-2 are summarized, based on previously reported activity against Coronaviruses or other enveloped or respiratory viruses. Moreover, the potential of algae-derived anti-inflammatory compounds to treat severe cases of COVID-19 is contemplated. The scenario of producing biopharmaceuticals in recombinant algae is presented and the cases of algae-made vaccines targeting viral diseases is highlighted as valuable references for the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Successful cases in the production of functional antibodies are described. Perspectives on how specific algae species and genetic engineering techniques can be applied for the production of anti-viral compounds antibodies and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Rosales-Mendoza
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico; (I.G.-S.); (O.G.-O.); (J.M.S.-V.)
- Sección de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Sierra Leona 550, Lomas 2. Sección, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico
| | - Ileana García-Silva
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico; (I.G.-S.); (O.G.-O.); (J.M.S.-V.)
- Sección de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Sierra Leona 550, Lomas 2. Sección, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico
| | - Omar González-Ortega
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico; (I.G.-S.); (O.G.-O.); (J.M.S.-V.)
| | - José M. Sandoval-Vargas
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico; (I.G.-S.); (O.G.-O.); (J.M.S.-V.)
- Sección de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Sierra Leona 550, Lomas 2. Sección, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico
| | - Ashwini Malla
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
- Research Unit for Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Sornkanok Vimolmangkang
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
- Research Unit for Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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68
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Achievements and challenges of genetic engineering of the model green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. ALGAL RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2020.101986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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69
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Effect of biphasic temperature regime on therapeutic recombinant protein production in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. ALGAL RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2020.101997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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70
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Introduction of a leaky stop codon as molecular tool in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237405. [PMID: 32817702 PMCID: PMC7440625 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Expression of proteins in the chloroplast or mitochondria of the model green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii can be achieved by directly inserting transgenes into organellar genomes, or through nuclear expression and post-translational import. A number of tools have been developed in the literature for achieving high expression levels from the nuclear genome despite messy genomic integration and widespread silencing of transgenes. Here, recent advances in the field are combined and two systems of bicistronic expression, based on ribosome reinitiation or ribosomal skip induced by a viral 2A sequence, are compared side-by-side. Further, the small subunit of Rubisco (RBCS) was developed as a functional nuclear reporter for successful chloroplast import and restoration of photosynthesis: To be able to combine RBCS with a Venus fluorescent reporter without compromising photosynthetic activity, a leaky stop codon is introduced as a novel molecular tool that allows the simultaneous expression of functional and fluorescently tagged versions of the protein from a single construct.
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71
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Baier T, Jacobebbinghaus N, Einhaus A, Lauersen KJ, Kruse O. Introns mediate post-transcriptional enhancement of nuclear gene expression in the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008944. [PMID: 32730252 PMCID: PMC7419008 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Efficient nuclear transgene expression in the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is generally hindered by low transcription rates. Introns can increase transcript abundance by a process called Intron-Mediated Enhancement (IME) in this alga and has been broadly observed in other eukaryotes. However, the mechanisms of IME in microalgae are poorly understood. Here, we identified 33 native introns from highly expressed genes in C. reinhardtii selected from transcriptome studies as well as 13 non-native introns. We investigated their IME capacities and probed the mechanism of action by modification of splice sites, internal sequence motifs, and position within transgenes. Several introns were found to elicit strong IME and found to be broadly applicable in different expression constructs. We determined that IME in C. reinhardtii exclusively occurs from introns within transcribed ORFs regardless of the promoter and is not induced by traditional enhancers of transcription. Our results elucidate some mechanistic details of IME in C. reinhardtii, which are similar to those observed in higher plants yet underly distinctly different induction processes. Our findings narrow the focus of targets responsible for algal IME and provides evidence that introns are underestimated regulators of C. reinhardtii nuclear gene expression. Although many genetic tools and basic transformation strategies exist for the model microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, high-level genetic engineering with this organism is hindered by its inherent recalcitrance to foreign gene expression and limited knowledge of responsible expression regulators. In this work, we characterized the dynamics of 33 endogenous and 13 non-native introns and their effect on gene expression as artificial insertions into codon optimized transgenes. We found that introns from different origins have the capacity to increase gene expression rates. Intron-mediated enhancement was observed exclusively when these elements were placed in transcripts but not outside of transcribed mRNA regions. Insertion of different endogenous introns into coding sequences was found to positively affect expression rates through a synergy of additive transcription enhancement and exon length reduction, similar to those natively found in the C. reinhardtii genome. Our results indicate that intensive mRNA processing plays an underestimated role in the regulation of native gene expression in C. reinhardtii. In addition to internal sequence motifs, the location of artificially introduced introns greatly affected transgene expression levels. This work is highly valuable to the greater microalgal and synthetic biology research communities and contributes to broadening our understanding of eukaryotic intron-mediated enhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Baier
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitätsstrasse, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Nick Jacobebbinghaus
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitätsstrasse, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Alexander Einhaus
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitätsstrasse, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Kyle J. Lauersen
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitätsstrasse, Bielefeld, Germany
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Olaf Kruse
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitätsstrasse, Bielefeld, Germany
- * E-mail:
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72
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Dehghani J, Adibkia K, Movafeghi A, Pourseif MM, Omidi Y. Designing a new generation of expression toolkits for engineering of green microalgae; robust production of human interleukin-2. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 10:259-268. [PMID: 32983942 PMCID: PMC7502910 DOI: 10.34172/bi.2020.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
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Introduction: Attributable to some critical features especially the similarity of the protein synthesis machinery between humans and microalgae, these microorganisms can be utilized for the expression of many recombinant proteins. However, low and unstable gene expression levels prevent the further development of microalgae biotechnology towards protein production.
Methods: Here, we designed a novel "Gained Agrobacterium -2A plasmid for microalgae expression" (named GAME plasmid) for the production of the human interleukin-2 using three model microalgae, including Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Chlorella vulgaris , and Dunaliella salina . The GAME plasmid harbors a native chimeric hsp70/Int-1/rbcS2 promoter, the microalgae specific Kozak sequence, a novel hybrid 2A peptide, and Int-1 and Int-3 of the rbcS2 gene in its expression cassette.
Results: The obtained data confirmed that the GAME plasmid can transform the microalgae with high transformation frequency. Molecular and proteomic analyses revealed the stable and robust production of the hIL-2 by the GAME plasmid in the microalgae. According to the densimetric analysis, the microalgae can accumulate the produced protein about 0.94% of the total soluble protein content. The ELISA data confirmed that the produced hIL-2 possesses the same conformation pattern with the acceptable biological activity found naturally in humans.
Conclusion: Most therapeutic proteins need post-translational modifications for their correct conformation, biological function, and half-life. Accordingly, microalgae could be considered as a cost-effective and more powerful platform for the production of a wide range of recombinant proteins such as antibodies, enzymes, hormones, and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaber Dehghani
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Khosro Adibkia
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Movafeghi
- Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad M Pourseif
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Yadollah Omidi
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33328, USA
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73
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Mehrshahi P, Nguyen GTDT, Gorchs Rovira A, Sayer A, Llavero-Pasquina M, Lim Huei Sin M, Medcalf EJ, Mendoza-Ochoa GI, Scaife MA, Smith AG. Development of Novel Riboswitches for Synthetic Biology in the Green Alga Chlamydomonas. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:1406-1417. [PMID: 32496044 PMCID: PMC7309327 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Riboswitches are RNA regulatory elements that bind specific ligands to control gene expression. Because of their modular composition, where a ligand-sensing aptamer domain is combined with an expression platform, riboswitches offer unique tools for synthetic biology applications. Here we took a mutational approach to determine functionally important nucleotide residues in the thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) riboswitch in the THI4 gene of the model alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, allowing us to carry out aptamer swap using THIC aptamers from Chlamydomonas and Arabidopsis thaliana. These chimeric riboswitches displayed a distinct specificity and dynamic range of responses to different ligands. Our studies demonstrate ease of assembly as 5'UTR DNA parts, predictability of output, and utility for controlled production of a high-value compound in Chlamydomonas. The simplicity of riboswitch incorporation in current design platforms will facilitate the generation of genetic circuits to advance synthetic biology and metabolic engineering of microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payam Mehrshahi
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA, U.K
| | - Ginnie Trinh D. T. Nguyen
- Glanbia Performance Nutrition Canada Inc., 3500 Lacey Road, Suite 1200, Downers Grove, Illinois 60515, United States
| | - Aleix Gorchs Rovira
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA, U.K
| | - Andrew Sayer
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA, U.K
| | - Marcel Llavero-Pasquina
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA, U.K
| | - Michelle Lim Huei Sin
- John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Ltd. 33/F One Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong, China
| | - Elliot J. Medcalf
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA, U.K
| | | | - Mark A. Scaife
- Mara Renewables Corporation, 101A Research Drive, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 4T6, Canada
| | - Alison G. Smith
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA, U.K
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Rojas-Sánchez U, López-Calleja AC, Millán-Chiu BE, Fernández F, Loske AM, Gómez-Lim MA. Enhancing the yield of human erythropoietin in Aspergillus niger by introns and CRISPR-Cas9. Protein Expr Purif 2020; 168:105570. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2020.105570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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75
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Rosales-Mendoza S, Solís-Andrade KI, Márquez-Escobar VA, González-Ortega O, Bañuelos-Hernandez B. Current advances in the algae-made biopharmaceuticals field. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2020; 20:751-766. [DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2020.1739643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Rosales-Mendoza
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
- Sección de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
| | - Karla I. Solís-Andrade
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
- Sección de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
| | - Verónica A. Márquez-Escobar
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
- Sección de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
| | - Omar González-Ortega
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
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Kim J, Lee S, Baek K, Jin E. Site-Specific Gene Knock-Out and On-Site Heterologous Gene Overexpression in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii via a CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Knock-in Method. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:306. [PMID: 32265959 PMCID: PMC7099044 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is being transformed from a model organism to an industrial organism for the production of pigments, fatty acids, and pharmaceuticals. Genetic modification has been used to increase the economic value of C. reinhardtii. However, low gene-editing efficiency and position-effects hinder the genetic improvement of this microorganism. Recently, site-specific double-stranded DNA cleavage using CRISPR-Cas9 system has been applied to regulate a metabolic pathway in C. reinhardtii. In this study, we proved that site-specific gene expression can be induced by CRISPR-Cas9-mediated double-strand cleavage and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) mechanism. The CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knock-in method was adopted to improve gene-editing efficiency and express the reporter gene on the intended site. Knock-in was performed using a combination of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex and DNA fragment (antibiotics resistance gene). Gene-editing efficiency was improved via optimization of a component of RNP complex. We found that when the gene CrFTSY was targeted, the efficiency of obtaining the desired mutant by the knock-in method combined with antibiotic resistance was nearly 37%; 2.5 times higher than the previous reports. Additionally, insertion of a long DNA fragment (3.2 and 6.4 kb) and site-specific gene expression were analyzed. We demonstrated the knock-out phenotype of CrFTSY and on-site inserted gene expression of luciferase and mVenus at the same time. This result showed that CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knock-in can be used to express the gene of interest avoiding position-effects in C. reinhardtii. This report could provide a new perspective to the use of gene-editing. Furthermore, the technical improvements in genetic modification may accelerate the commercialization of C. reinhardtii.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - EonSeon Jin
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
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Fabris M, Abbriano RM, Pernice M, Sutherland DL, Commault AS, Hall CC, Labeeuw L, McCauley JI, Kuzhiuparambil U, Ray P, Kahlke T, Ralph PJ. Emerging Technologies in Algal Biotechnology: Toward the Establishment of a Sustainable, Algae-Based Bioeconomy. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:279. [PMID: 32256509 PMCID: PMC7090149 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Mankind has recognized the value of land plants as renewable sources of food, medicine, and materials for millennia. Throughout human history, agricultural methods were continuously modified and improved to meet the changing needs of civilization. Today, our rapidly growing population requires further innovation to address the practical limitations and serious environmental concerns associated with current industrial and agricultural practices. Microalgae are a diverse group of unicellular photosynthetic organisms that are emerging as next-generation resources with the potential to address urgent industrial and agricultural demands. The extensive biological diversity of algae can be leveraged to produce a wealth of valuable bioproducts, either naturally or via genetic manipulation. Microalgae additionally possess a set of intrinsic advantages, such as low production costs, no requirement for arable land, and the capacity to grow rapidly in both large-scale outdoor systems and scalable, fully contained photobioreactors. Here, we review technical advancements, novel fields of application, and products in the field of algal biotechnology to illustrate how algae could present high-tech, low-cost, and environmentally friendly solutions to many current and future needs of our society. We discuss how emerging technologies such as synthetic biology, high-throughput phenomics, and the application of internet of things (IoT) automation to algal manufacturing technology can advance the understanding of algal biology and, ultimately, drive the establishment of an algal-based bioeconomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Fabris
- Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- CSIRO Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Raffaela M. Abbriano
- Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Mathieu Pernice
- Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Donna L. Sutherland
- Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Audrey S. Commault
- Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Christopher C. Hall
- Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Leen Labeeuw
- Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Janice I. McCauley
- Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Parijat Ray
- Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim Kahlke
- Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter J. Ralph
- Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
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Shahar N, Landman S, Weiner I, Elman T, Dafni E, Feldman Y, Tuller T, Yacoby I. The Integration of Multiple Nuclear-Encoded Transgenes in the Green Alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Results in Higher Transcription Levels. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 10:1784. [PMID: 32117346 PMCID: PMC7033495 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.01784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The integration of genes into the nuclear genome of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is mediated by Non-Homologous-End-Joining, thus resulting in unpredicted insertion locations. This phenomenon defines 'the position-effect', which is used to explain the variation of expression levels between different clones transformed with the same DNA fragment. Likewise, nuclear transgenes often undergo epigenetic silencing that reduces their expression; hence, nuclear transformations require high-throughput screening methods to isolate clones that express the foreign gene at a desirable level. Here, we show that the number of integration sites of heterologous genes results in higher mRNA levels. By transforming both a synthetic ferredoxin-hydrogenase fusion enzyme and a Gaussia-Luciferase reporter protein, we were able to obtain 33 positive clones that exhibit a wide range of synthetic expression. We then performed a droplet-digital polymerase-chain-reaction for these lines to measure their transgene DNA copy-number and mRNA levels. Surprisingly, most clones contain two integration sites of the synthetic gene (45.5%), whilst 33.3% contain one, 18.1% include three and 3.1% encompass four. Remarkably, we observed a positive correlation between the raw DNA copy-number values to the mRNA levels, suggesting a general effect of which transcription of transgenes is partially modulated by their number of copies in the genome. However, our data indicate that only clones harboring at least three copies of the target amplicon show a significant increment in mRNA levels of the reporter transgene. Lastly, we measured protein activity for each of the reporter genes to elucidate the effect of copy-number variation on heterologous expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noam Shahar
- The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shira Landman
- The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Iddo Weiner
- The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tamar Elman
- The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eyal Dafni
- The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Feldman
- The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tamir Tuller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Iftach Yacoby
- The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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79
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Vecchi V, Barera S, Bassi R, Dall’Osto L. Potential and Challenges of Improving Photosynthesis in Algae. PLANTS 2020; 9:plants9010067. [PMID: 31947868 PMCID: PMC7020468 DOI: 10.3390/plants9010067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Sunlight energy largely exceeds the energy required by anthropic activities, and therefore its exploitation represents a major target in the field of renewable energies. The interest in the mass cultivation of green microalgae has grown in the last decades, as algal biomass could be employed to cover a significant portion of global energy demand. Advantages of microalgal vs. plant biomass production include higher light-use efficiency, efficient carbon capture and the valorization of marginal lands and wastewaters. Realization of this potential requires a decrease of the current production costs, which can be obtained by increasing the productivity of the most common industrial strains, by the identification of factors limiting biomass yield, and by removing bottlenecks, namely through domestication strategies aimed to fill the gap between the theoretical and real productivity of algal cultures. In particular, the light-to-biomass conversion efficiency represents one of the major constraints for achieving a significant improvement of algal cell lines. This review outlines the molecular events of photosynthesis, which regulate the conversion of light into biomass, and discusses how these can be targeted to enhance productivity through mutagenesis, strain selection or genetic engineering. This review highlights the most recent results in the manipulation of the fundamental mechanisms of algal photosynthesis, which revealed that a significant yield enhancement is feasible. Moreover, metabolic engineering of microalgae, focused upon the development of renewable fuel biorefineries, has also drawn attention and resulted in efforts for enhancing productivity of oil or isoprenoids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Luca Dall’Osto
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-045-8027806; Fax: +39-045-8027929
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80
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Towards a biotechnological platform for the production of human pro-angiogenic growth factors in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 104:725-739. [PMID: 31822980 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-10267-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The recent use of photosynthetic organisms such as Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in biomedical applications has demonstrated their potential for the treatment of acute and chronic tissue hypoxia. Moreover, transgenic microalgae have been suggested as an alternative in situ drug delivery system. In this study, we set out to identify the best available combination of strains and expression vectors to establish a robust platform for the expression of human pro-angiogenic growth factors, i.e., hVEGF-165, hPDGF-B, and hSDF-1, in biomedical settings. As a case study, combinations of two expression vectors (pOpt and pBC1) and two C. reinhardtii strains (UVM4 and UVM11) were compared with respect to hVEGF-165 transgene expression by determination of steady-state levels of transgenic transcripts and immunological detection of recombinant proteins produced and secreted by the generated strains. The results revealed the combination of the UVM11 strain with the pBC1 vector to be the most efficient one for high-level hVEGF-165 production. To assess the robustness of this finding, the selected combination was used to create hPDGF-B and hSDF-1 transgenic strains for optimized recombinant protein expression. Furthermore, biological activity and functionality of algal-produced recombinant pro-angiogenic growth factors were assessed by receptor phosphorylation and in vitro angiogenesis assays. The results obtained revealed a potentiating effect in the combinatorial application of transgenic strains expressing either of the three growth factors on endothelial cell tube formation ability, and thus support the idea of using transgenic algae expressing pro-angiogenic growth factors in wound healing approaches.
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81
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Good News for Nuclear Transgene Expression in Chlamydomonas. Cells 2019; 8:cells8121534. [PMID: 31795196 PMCID: PMC6952782 DOI: 10.3390/cells8121534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a well-established model system for basic research questions ranging from photosynthesis and organelle biogenesis, to the biology of cilia and basal bodies, to channelrhodopsins and photoreceptors. More recently, Chlamydomonas has also been recognized as a suitable host for the production of high-value chemicals and high-value recombinant proteins. However, basic and applied research have suffered from the inefficient expression of nuclear transgenes. The combined efforts of the Chlamydomonas community over the past decades have provided insights into the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon and have resulted in mutant strains defective in some silencing mechanisms. Moreover, many insights have been gained into the parameters that affect nuclear transgene expression, like promoters, introns, codon usage, or terminators. Here I critically review these insights and try to integrate them into design suggestions for the construction of nuclear transgenes that are to be expressed at high levels.
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82
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Park S, Nguyen THT, Jin E. Improving lipid production by strain development in microalgae: Strategies, challenges and perspectives. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2019; 292:121953. [PMID: 31405625 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, the number of original articles and reviews presenting microalgae as a promising feedstock for biodiesel has increased tremendously. Many improvements of microalgae have been achieved through selection and strain development for industrial applications. However, the large-scale production of lipids for commercialization is not yet realistic because the production is still much more expensive than that of agricultural products. This review summarizes recent research on the induction of lipid biosynthesis in microalgae and the various strategies of genetic and metabolic engineering for enhancing lipid production. Strain engineering targets are proposed based on these strategies. To address current limitations of strain engineering for lipid production, this review provides insights on recent engineering strategies based on molecular tools and methods, and also discusses further perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seunghye Park
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Thu Ha Thi Nguyen
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - EonSeon Jin
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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83
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Lin WR, Tan SI, Hsiang CC, Sung PK, Ng IS. Challenges and opportunity of recent genome editing and multi-omics in cyanobacteria and microalgae for biorefinery. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2019; 291:121932. [PMID: 31387837 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae and cyanobacteria are easy to culture, with higher growth rates and photosynthetic efficiencies compared to terrestrial plants, and thus generating higher productivity. The concept of microalgal biorefinery is to assimilate carbon dioxide and convert it to chemical energy/value-added products, such as vitamins, carotenoids, fatty acids, proteins and nucleic acids, to be applied in bioenergy, health foods, aquaculture feed, pharmaceutical and medical fields. Therefore, microalgae are annotated as the third generation feedstock in bioenergy and biorefinery. In past decades, many studies thrived to improve the carbon sequestration efficiency as well as enhance value-added compounds from different algae, especially via genetic engineering, synthetic biology, metabolic design and regulation. From the traditional Agrobacterium-mediated transformation DNA to novel CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) technology applied in microalgae and cyanobacteria, this review has highlighted the genome editing technology for biorefinery that is a highly environmental friendly trend to sustainable and renewable development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Way-Rong Lin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shih-I Tan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chuan-Chieh Hsiang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Po-Kuei Sung
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan, ROC
| | - I-Son Ng
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan, ROC.
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84
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Burlacot A, Peltier G, Li-Beisson Y. Subcellular Energetics and Carbon Storage in Chlamydomonas. Cells 2019; 8:E1154. [PMID: 31561610 PMCID: PMC6830334 DOI: 10.3390/cells8101154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Microalgae have emerged as a promising platform for production of carbon- and energy- rich molecules, notably starch and oil. Establishing an economically viable algal biotechnology sector requires a holistic understanding of algal photosynthesis, physiology, cell cycle and metabolism. Starch/oil productivity is a combined effect of their cellular content and cell division activities. Cell growth, starch and fatty acid synthesis all require carbon building blocks and a source of energy in the form of ATP and NADPH, but with a different requirement in ATP/NADPH ratio. Thus, several cellular mechanisms have been developed by microalgae to balance ATP and NADPH supply which are essentially produced by photosynthesis. Major energy management mechanisms include ATP production by the chloroplast-based cyclic electron flow and NADPH removal by water-water cycles. Furthermore, energetic coupling between chloroplast and other cellular compartments, mitochondria and peroxisome, is increasingly recognized as an important process involved in the chloroplast redox poise. Emerging literature suggests that alterations of energy management pathways affect not only cell fitness and survival, but also influence biomass content and composition. These emerging discoveries are important steps towards diverting algal photosynthetic energy to useful products for biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrien Burlacot
- Aix Marseille Univ, CEA, CNRS, Institut de Biosciences et Biotechnologies Aix-Marseille, CEA Cadarache CEDEX, 13108 Saint Paul-Lez-Durance, France.
| | - Gilles Peltier
- Aix Marseille Univ, CEA, CNRS, Institut de Biosciences et Biotechnologies Aix-Marseille, CEA Cadarache CEDEX, 13108 Saint Paul-Lez-Durance, France.
| | - Yonghua Li-Beisson
- Aix Marseille Univ, CEA, CNRS, Institut de Biosciences et Biotechnologies Aix-Marseille, CEA Cadarache CEDEX, 13108 Saint Paul-Lez-Durance, France.
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85
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Jaeger D, Baier T, Lauersen KJ. Intronserter, an advanced online tool for design of intron containing transgenes. ALGAL RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2019.101588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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86
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Vavitsas K, Crozet P, Vinde MH, Davies F, Lemaire SD, Vickers CE. The Synthetic Biology Toolkit for Photosynthetic Microorganisms. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 181:14-27. [PMID: 31262955 PMCID: PMC6716251 DOI: 10.1104/pp.19.00345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Photosynthetic microorganisms offer novel characteristics as synthetic biology chassis, and the toolbox of components and techniques for cyanobacteria and algae is rapidly increasing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Vavitsas
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, CSIRO Land & Water, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
| | - Pierre Crozet
- Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 8226, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Marcos Hamborg Vinde
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, CSIRO Land & Water, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
| | - Fiona Davies
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401
| | - Stéphane D Lemaire
- Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 8226, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Claudia E Vickers
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, CSIRO Land & Water, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
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87
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Fu W, Nelson DR, Mystikou A, Daakour S, Salehi-Ashtiani K. Advances in microalgal research and engineering development. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2019; 59:157-164. [PMID: 31252302 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae have been investigated for the photosynthetic production of natural products with industrial and biomedical applications. Their rapid growth offers an advantage over higher plants, while their complex metabolic capacities allow for the production of various molecules. Despite their potentials, molecular techniques are underdeveloped in microalgae compared to higher plants, fungi, and bacteria. However, recent advances in genome sequencing, strain development, and genome editing technologies, are providing thrust to enhance research on microalgal species that have branched out from several focal model organisms to encompass a great diversity of species. In this review, we highlight the recent, significant advances in microalgal research, with a focus on the development of new resources that can enhance work on model and non-model species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqi Fu
- Laboratory of Algal, Systems, and Synthetic Biology, Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Center for Systems Biology and Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - David R Nelson
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Alexandra Mystikou
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sarah Daakour
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Kourosh Salehi-Ashtiani
- Laboratory of Algal, Systems, and Synthetic Biology, Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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88
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Kong F, Yamaoka Y, Ohama T, Lee Y, Li-Beisson Y. Molecular Genetic Tools and Emerging Synthetic Biology Strategies to Increase Cellular Oil Content in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 60:1184-1196. [PMID: 30715500 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcz022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae constitute a highly diverse group of eukaryotic and photosynthetic microorganisms that have developed extremely efficient systems for harvesting and transforming solar energy into energy-rich molecules such as lipids. Although microalgae are considered to be one of the most promising platforms for the sustainable production of liquid oil, the oil content of these organisms is naturally low, and algal oil production is currently not economically viable. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Chlamydomonas) is an established algal model due to its fast growth, high transformation efficiency, and well-understood physiology and to the availability of detailed genome information and versatile molecular tools for this organism. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the development of genetic manipulation tools for Chlamydomonas, from gene delivery methods to state-of-the-art genome-editing technologies and fluorescent dye-based high-throughput mutant screening approaches. Furthermore, we discuss practical strategies and toolkits that enhance transgene expression, such as choice of expression vector and background strain. We then provide examples of how advanced genetic tools have been used to increase oil content in Chlamydomonas. Collectively, the current literature indicates that microalgal oil content can be increased by overexpressing key enzymes that catalyze lipid biosynthesis, blocking lipid degradation, silencing metabolic pathways that compete with lipid biosynthesis and modulating redox state. The tools and knowledge generated through metabolic engineering studies should pave the way for developing a synthetic biological approach to enhance lipid productivity in microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fantao Kong
- Department of Integrative Bioscience & Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Korea
- School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Yasuyo Yamaoka
- Department of Integrative Bioscience & Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Korea
| | - Takeshi Ohama
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kochi University of Technology (KUT), Tosayamada, Kochi, Japan
| | - Youngsook Lee
- Department of Integrative Bioscience & Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Korea
- Department of Life Science, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Korea
| | - Yonghua Li-Beisson
- Aix-Marseille Univ., CEA, CNRS, BIAM, UMR7265, CEA Cadarache, Saint-Paul-lez Durance F, France
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89
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Lauersen KJ. Eukaryotic microalgae as hosts for light-driven heterologous isoprenoid production. PLANTA 2019; 249:155-180. [PMID: 30467629 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-018-3048-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryotic microalgae hold incredible metabolic potential for the sustainable production of heterologous isoprenoid products. Recent advances in algal engineering have enabled the demonstration of prominent examples of heterologous isoprenoid production. Isoprenoids, also known as terpenes or terpenoids, are the largest class of natural chemicals, with a vast diversity of structures and biological roles. Some have high-value in human-use applications, although may be found in their native contexts in low abundance or be difficult to extract and purify. Heterologous production of isoprenoid compounds in heterotrophic microbial hosts such as bacteria or yeasts has been an active area of research for some time and is now a mature technology. Eukaryotic microalgae represent sustainable alternatives to these hosts for biotechnological production processes as their cultivation can be driven by light and freely available CO2 as a carbon source. Their photosynthetic lifestyles require metabolic architectures structured towards the generation of associated isoprenoids (carotenoids, phytol) which participate in photon capture, energy dissipation, and electron transfer. Eukaryotic microalgae should, therefore, contain inherently high capacities for the generation of heterologous isoprenoid products. Although engineering strategies in eukaryotic microalgae have lagged behind the more genetically tractable bacteria and yeasts, recent advances in algal engineering concepts have demonstrated prominent examples of light-driven heterologous isoprenoid production from these photosynthetic hosts. This work seeks to provide practical insights into the choice of eukaryotic microalgae as biotechnological chassis. Recent reports of advances in algal engineering for heterologous isoprenoid production are highlighted as encouraging examples that promote their expanded use as sustainable green-cell factories. Current state of the art, limitations, and future challenges are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle J Lauersen
- Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany.
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90
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Baier T, Kros D, Feiner RC, Lauersen KJ, Müller KM, Kruse O. Engineered Fusion Proteins for Efficient Protein Secretion and Purification of a Human Growth Factor from the Green Microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. ACS Synth Biol 2018; 7:2547-2557. [PMID: 30296377 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Light-driven recombinant protein (RP) production in eukaryotic microalgae offers a sustainable alternative to other established cell-culture systems. RP production via secretion into the culture medium enables simple product separation from the cells adding a layer of process value in addition to the algal biomass, which can be separately harvested. For the model microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a broad range of molecular tools have been established to enable heterologous gene expression; however, low RP production levels and unreliable purification from secretion concepts have been reported. Domesticated C. reinhardtii strains used for genetic engineering are often cell-wall deficient. These strains nevertheless secrete cell-wall components such as insoluble (hydroxy)proline-rich glycoproteins into the culture media, which hinder downstream purification processes. Here, we attempted to overcome limitations in secretion titers and improve protein purification by combining fusion partners that enhance RP secretion and enable alternative aqueous two-phase (ATPS) RP extraction from the culture medium. Protein fusions were strategically designed to contain a stably folded peptide, which enhanced secretion capacities and gave insights into (some) regulatory mechanisms responsible for this process in the algal host. The elevated protein titers mediated by this fusion were then successfully applied in combination with a fungal hydrophobin tag, which enabled protein purification from the complex microalgal extracellular environment by ATPS, to yield functional recombinant human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) from the algal host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Baier
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Dana Kros
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Rebecca C. Feiner
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Technology, Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology, Universitätsstrasse 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Kyle J. Lauersen
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Kristian M. Müller
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Technology, Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology, Universitätsstrasse 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Olaf Kruse
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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Ramos-Vega A, Rosales-Mendoza S, Bañuelos-Hernández B, Angulo C. Prospects on the Use of Schizochytrium sp. to Develop Oral Vaccines. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2506. [PMID: 30410471 PMCID: PMC6209683 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although oral subunit vaccines are highly relevant in the fight against widespread diseases, their high cost, safety and proper immunogenicity are attributes that have yet to be addressed in many cases and thus these limitations should be considered in the development of new oral vaccines. Prominent examples of new platforms proposed to address these limitations are plant cells and microalgae. Schizochytrium sp. constitutes an attractive expression host for vaccine production because of its high biosynthetic capacity, fast growth in low cost culture media, and the availability of processes for industrial scale production. In addition, whole Schizochytrium sp. cells may serve as delivery vectors; especially for oral vaccines since Schizochytrium sp. is safe for oral consumption, produces immunomodulatory compounds, and may provide bioencapsulation to the antigen, thus increasing its bioavailability. Remarkably, Schizochytrium sp. was recently used for the production of a highly immunoprotective influenza vaccine. Moreover, an efficient method for transient expression of antigens based on viral vectors and Schizochytrium sp. as host has been recently developed. In this review, the potential of Schizochytrium sp. in vaccinology is placed in perspective, with emphasis on its use as an attractive oral vaccination vehicle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abel Ramos-Vega
- Grupo de Inmunología and Vacunología, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, La Paz, Mexico
| | - Sergio Rosales-Mendoza
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, Mexico.,Sección de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
| | | | - Carlos Angulo
- Grupo de Inmunología and Vacunología, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, La Paz, Mexico
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Esland L, Larrea-Alvarez M, Purton S. Selectable Markers and Reporter Genes for Engineering the Chloroplast of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. BIOLOGY 2018; 7:E46. [PMID: 30309004 PMCID: PMC6315944 DOI: 10.3390/biology7040046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Revised: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a model alga of increasing interest as a cell factory for the production of valuable compounds, including therapeutic proteins and bioactive metabolites. Expression of foreign genes in the chloroplast is particularly advantageous as: (i) accumulation of product in this sub-cellular compartment minimises potential toxicity to the rest of the cell; (ii) genes can integrate at specific loci of the chloroplast genome (plastome) by homologous recombination; (iii) the high ploidy of the plastome and the high-level expression of chloroplast genes can be exploited to achieve levels of recombinant protein as high as 5% total cell protein; (iv) the lack of any gene silencing mechanisms in the chloroplast ensures stable expression of transgenes. However, the generation of C. reinhardtii chloroplast transformants requires efficient methods of selection, and ideally methods for subsequent marker removal. Additionally, the use of reporter genes is critical to achieving a comprehensive understanding of gene expression, thereby informing experimental design for recombinant applications. This review discusses currently available selection and reporter systems for chloroplast engineering in C. reinhardtii, as well as those used for chloroplast engineering in higher plants and other microalgae, and looks to the future in terms of possible new markers and reporters that will further advance the C. reinhardtii chloroplast as an expression platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lola Esland
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - Marco Larrea-Alvarez
- School of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Yachay-Tech University, Hacienda San José, Urcuquí-Imbabura 100650, Ecuador.
| | - Saul Purton
- Institute of Structural & Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
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Lauersen KJ, Wichmann J, Baier T, Kampranis SC, Pateraki I, Møller BL, Kruse O. Phototrophic production of heterologous diterpenoids and a hydroxy-functionalized derivative from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Metab Eng 2018; 49:116-127. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2018.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Synthetic metabolic pathways for photobiological conversion of CO2 into hydrocarbon fuel. Metab Eng 2018; 49:201-211. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2018.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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