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Jo SH, Jo KA, Park SY, Kim JY. Unveiling Immunomodulatory Effects of Euglena gracilis in Immunosuppressed Mice: Transcriptome and Pathway Analysis. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 34:880-890. [PMID: 38379288 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2401.01006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
The immunomodulatory effects of Euglena gracilis (Euglena) and its bioactive component, β-1,3-glucan (paramylon), have been clarified through various studies. However, the detailed mechanisms of the immune regulation remain to be elucidated. This study was designed not only to investigate the immunomodulatory effects but also to determine the genetic mechanisms of Euglena and β-glucan in cyclophosphamide (CCP)-induced immunosuppressed mice. The animals were orally administered saline, Euglena (800 mg/kg B.W.) or β-glucan (400 mg/kg B.W.) for 19 days, and CCP (80 mg/kg B.W.) was subsequently administered to induce immunosuppression in the mice. The mice exhibited significant decreases in body weight, organ weight, and the spleen index. However, there were significant improvements in the spleen weight and the spleen index in CCP-induced mice after the oral administration of Euglena and β-glucan. Transcriptome analysis of the splenocytes revealed immune-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) regulated in the Euglena- and β-glucantreated groups. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses indicated that pathways related with interleukin (IL)-17 and cAMP play significant roles in regulating T cells, B cells, and inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, Ptgs2, a major inflammatory factor, was exclusively expressed in the Euglena-treated group, suggesting that Euglena's beneficial components, such as carotenoids, could regulate these genes by influencing immune lymphocytes and inflammatory cytokines in CCP-induced mice. This study validated the immunomodulatory effects of Euglena and highlighted its underlying mechanisms, suggesting a positive contribution to the determination of phenotypes associated with immune-related diseases and the research and development of immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seon Ha Jo
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong Ah Jo
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-Yeon Park
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Yeon Kim
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nano Bio Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea
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Kim S, Im H, Yu J, Kim K, Kim M, Lee T. Biofuel production from Euglena: Current status and techno-economic perspectives. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 371:128582. [PMID: 36610485 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.128582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) can contribute reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional fuel. With the increasing SAFs demand, various generations of resources have been shifted from the 1st generation (oil crops), the 2nd generation (agricultural waste), to the 3rd generation (microalgae). Microalgae are the most suitable feedstock for jet biofuel production than other resources because of their productivity and capability to capture carbon dioxide. However, microalgae-based biofuel has a limitation of high freezing point. Recently, a jet biofuel derived from Euglena wax ester has been paying attention due to its low freezing point. Challenges still remain to enhance production yields in both upstream and downstream processes. Studies on downstream processes as well as techno-economic analysis on biofuel production using Euglena are highly limited to date. Economic aspects for the biofuel production will be ensured via valorization of industrial byproducts such as food wastes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunah Kim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyungjoon Im
- Institute for Environment and Energy, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaecheul Yu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; Institute for Environment and Energy, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Keunho Kim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Minjeong Kim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeho Lee
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea.
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Tanaka Y, Goto K, Jun L, Nishino K, Ogawa T, Maruta T, Ishikawa T. Identification of glucanases and phosphorylases involved in hypoxic paramylon degradation in Euglena gracilis. ALGAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2022.102829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Yang H, Choi K, Kim KJ, Park SY, Jeon JY, Kim BG, Kim JY. Immunoenhancing Effects of Euglena gracilis on a Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressive Mouse Model. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 32:228-237. [PMID: 35001010 PMCID: PMC9628845 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2112.12035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In this study, the effects of the immune stimulator Euglena gracilis (Euglena) in cyclophosphamide (CCP)-induced immunocompromised mice were assessed. The key component β-1,3-glucan (paramylon) constitutes 50% of E. gracilis. Mice were orally administered Euglena powder (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (B.W.)) or β-glucan powder (250 mg/kg B.W.) for 19 days. In a preliminary immunology experiment, ICR mice were intraperitoneally injected with 80 mg of CCP/kg B.W. during the final 3 consecutive days. In the main experiment, BALB/c mice were treated with CCP for the final 5 days. To evaluate the enhancing effects of Euglena on the immune system, mouse B.W., the spleen index, natural killer (NK) cell activity and mRNA expression in splenocytes lungs and livers were determined. To detect cytokine and receptor expression, splenocytes were treated with 5 μg/ml concanavalin A or 1 μg/ml lipopolysaccharide. The B.W. and spleen index were significantly increased and NK cell activity was slightly enhanced in all the experimental groups compared to the CCP group. In splenocytes, the gene expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-6, and IL-12 receptor were increased in the E. gracilis and β-glucan groups compared to the CCP group, but there was no significant difference. Treatment with 500mg of Euglena/kg B.W. significantly upregulated dectin-1 mRNA expression in the lung and liver compared to the CCP group. These results suggest that Euglena may enhance the immune system by strengthening innate immunity through immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeonji Yang
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwanyong Choi
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong Jin Kim
- Department of Nano Bio Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-yeon Park
- Lab of Nanobio, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Young Jeon
- BIO R&D center, Daesang Corp., Icheon 17384, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Gon Kim
- BIO R&D center, Daesang Corp., Icheon 17384, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Yeon Kim
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea,Department of Nano Bio Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea,Corresponding author Phone: +82-2-970-6740 E-mail:
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Seok JH, Enomoto Y, Iwata T. Synthesis of Paramylon ester–graft–PLA Copolymers and its Two-step Enzymatic Degradation by Proteinase K and β-1,3-Glucanase. Polym Degrad Stab 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2022.109855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Seok JH, Enomoto Y, Iwata T. Synthesis and characterization of paramylon propionate-graft- poly(lactic acid) and paramylon propionate-graft-poly(ε-caprolactone). POLYMER 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2021.123922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Cordoba J, Perez E, Van Vlierberghe M, Bertrand AR, Lupo V, Cardol P, Baurain D. De Novo Transcriptome Meta-Assembly of the Mixotrophic Freshwater Microalga Euglena gracilis. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:842. [PMID: 34072576 PMCID: PMC8227486 DOI: 10.3390/genes12060842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Euglena gracilis is a well-known photosynthetic microeukaryote considered as the product of a secondary endosymbiosis between a green alga and a phagotrophic unicellular belonging to the same eukaryotic phylum as the parasitic trypanosomatids. As its nuclear genome has proven difficult to sequence, reliable transcriptomes are important for functional studies. In this work, we assembled a new consensus transcriptome by combining sequencing reads from five independent studies. Based on a detailed comparison with two previously released transcriptomes, our consensus transcriptome appears to be the most complete so far. Remapping the reads on it allowed us to compare the expression of the transcripts across multiple culture conditions at once and to infer a functionally annotated network of co-expressed genes. Although the emergence of meaningful gene clusters indicates that some biological signal lies in gene expression levels, our analyses confirm that gene regulation in euglenozoans is not primarily controlled at the transcriptional level. Regarding the origin of E. gracilis, we observe a heavily mixed gene ancestry, as previously reported, and rule out sequence contamination as a possible explanation for these observations. Instead, they indicate that this complex alga has evolved through a convoluted process involving much more than two partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Cordoba
- InBioS—PhytoSYSTEMS, Laboratoire de Génétique et Physiologie des Microalgues, ULiège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium; (J.C.); (E.P.); (P.C.)
| | - Emilie Perez
- InBioS—PhytoSYSTEMS, Laboratoire de Génétique et Physiologie des Microalgues, ULiège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium; (J.C.); (E.P.); (P.C.)
- InBioS—PhytoSYSTEMS, Unit of Eukaryotic Phylogenomics, ULiège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium; (M.V.V.); (A.R.B.); (V.L.)
| | - Mick Van Vlierberghe
- InBioS—PhytoSYSTEMS, Unit of Eukaryotic Phylogenomics, ULiège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium; (M.V.V.); (A.R.B.); (V.L.)
| | - Amandine R. Bertrand
- InBioS—PhytoSYSTEMS, Unit of Eukaryotic Phylogenomics, ULiège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium; (M.V.V.); (A.R.B.); (V.L.)
| | - Valérian Lupo
- InBioS—PhytoSYSTEMS, Unit of Eukaryotic Phylogenomics, ULiège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium; (M.V.V.); (A.R.B.); (V.L.)
| | - Pierre Cardol
- InBioS—PhytoSYSTEMS, Laboratoire de Génétique et Physiologie des Microalgues, ULiège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium; (J.C.); (E.P.); (P.C.)
| | - Denis Baurain
- InBioS—PhytoSYSTEMS, Unit of Eukaryotic Phylogenomics, ULiège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium; (M.V.V.); (A.R.B.); (V.L.)
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Effect of pH on metabolite excretion and cell morphology of Euglena gracilis under dark, anaerobic conditions. ALGAL RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2020.102084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Kim S, Lee D, Lim D, Lim S, Park S, Kang C, Yu J, Lee T. Paramylon production from heterotrophic cultivation of Euglena gracilis in two different industrial byproducts: Corn steep liquor and brewer's spent grain. ALGAL RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2020.101826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Škodová-Sveráková I, Prokopchuk G, Peña-Diaz P, Záhonová K, Moos M, Horváth A, Šimek P, Lukeš J. Unique Dynamics of Paramylon Storage in the Marine Euglenozoan Diplonema papillatum. Protist 2020; 171:125717. [PMID: 32087573 DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2020.125717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Diplonemids belong to the most diverse and abundant marine protists, which places them among the key players of the oceanic ecosystem. Under in vitro conditions, their best-known representative Diplonema papillatum accumulates in its cytoplasm a crystalline polymer. When grown under the nutrient-poor conditions, but not nutrient-rich conditions, D. papillatum synthesizes a β-1,3-glucan polymer, also known as paramylon. This phenomenon is unexpected, as it is in striking contrast to the accumulation of paramylon in euglenids, since these related flagellates synthesize this polymer solely under nutrient-rich conditions. The capacity of D. papillatum to store an energy source in the form of polysaccharides when the environment is poor in nutrients is unexpected and may contribute to the wide distribution of these protists in the ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Škodová-Sveráková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic; Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Galina Prokopchuk
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Priscila Peña-Diaz
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Kristína Záhonová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Moos
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Anton Horváth
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Petr Šimek
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic; Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic.
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Sharaf A, Füssy Z, Tomčala A, Richtová J, Oborník M. Isolation of plastids and mitochondria from Chromera velia. PLANTA 2019; 250:1731-1741. [PMID: 31422509 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-019-03259-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We present an easy and effective procedure to purify plastids and mitochondria from Chromera velia. Our method enables downstream analyses of protein and metabolite content of the organelles. Chromerids are alveolate algae that are the closest known phototrophic relatives to apicomplexan parasites such as Plasmodium or Toxoplasma. While genomic and transcriptomic resources for chromerids are in place, tools and experimental conditions for proteomic studies have not been developed yet. Here we describe a rapid and efficient protocol for simultaneous isolation of plastids and mitochondria from the chromerid alga Chromera velia. This procedure involves enzymatic treatment and breakage of cells, followed by differential centrifugation. While plastids sediment in the first centrifugation step, mitochondria remain in the supernatant. Subsequently, plastids can be purified from the crude pellet by centrifugation on a discontinuous 60%/70% sucrose density gradient, while mitochondria can be obtained by centrifugation on a discontinuous 33%/80% Percoll density gradient. Isolated plastids are autofluorescent, and their multi-membrane structure was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Fluorescent optical microscopy was used to identify isolated mitochondria stained with MitoTrackerTM green, while their intactness and membrane potential were confirmed by staining with MitoTrackerTM orange CMTMRos. Total proteins were extracted from isolated organellar fractions, and the purity of isolated organelles was confirmed using immunoblotting. Antibodies against the beta subunit of the mitochondrial ATP synthase and the plastid protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase did not cross-react on immunoblots, suggesting that each organellar fraction is free of the residues of the other. The presented protocol represents an essential step for further proteomic, organellar, and cell biological studies of C. velia and can be employed, with minor optimizations, in other thick-walled unicellular algae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdoallah Sharaf
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre CAS, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
- Genetic Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, 11241, Egypt.
| | - Zoltán Füssy
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre CAS, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Tomčala
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre CAS, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Richtová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre CAS, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Oborník
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre CAS, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
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Toyama T, Hanaoka T, Yamada K, Suzuki K, Tanaka Y, Morikawa M, Mori K. Enhanced production of biomass and lipids by Euglena gracilis via co-culturing with a microalga growth-promoting bacterium, Emticicia sp. EG3. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2019; 12:205. [PMID: 31695747 PMCID: PMC6822413 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-019-1544-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Euglena gracilis, a unicellular flagellated microalga, is regarded as one of the most promising species as microalgal feedstock for biofuels. Its lipids (mainly wax esters) are suitable for biodiesel and jet fuel. Culture of E. gracilis using wastewater effluent will improve the economics of E. gracilis biofuel production. Enhancement of the productivity of E. gracilis biomass is critical to creating a highly efficient biofuels production system. Certain bacteria have been found to promote microalgal growth by creating a favorable microenvironment. These bacteria have been characterized as microalgae growth-promoting bacteria (MGPB). Co-culture of microalgae with MGPB might offer an effective strategy to enhance microalgal biomass production in wastewater effluent culture systems. However, no MGPB has been identified to enhance the growth of E. gracilis. The objectives of this study were, therefore, to isolate and characterize the MGPB effective for E. gracilis and to demonstrate that the isolated MGPB indeed enhances the production of biomass and lipids by E. gracilis in wastewater effluent culture system. RESULTS A bacterium, Emticicia sp. EG3, which is capable of promoting the growth of microalga E. gracilis, was isolated from an E. gracilis-municipal wastewater effluent culture. Biomass production rate of E. gracilis was enhanced 3.5-fold and 3.1-fold by EG3 in the co-culture system using a medium of heat-sterilized and non-sterilized wastewater effluent, respectively, compared to growth in the same effluent culture but without EG3. Two-step culture system was examined as follows: E. gracilis was cultured with or without EG3 in wastewater effluent in the first step and was further grown in wastewater effluent in the second step. Production yields of biomass and lipids by E. gracilis were enhanced 3.2-fold and 2.9-fold, respectively, in the second step of the system in which E. gracilis was co-cultured with EG3 in the first step. CONCLUSION Emticicia sp. EG3 is the first MGPB for E. gracilis. Growth-promoting bacteria such as EG3 will be promising agents for enhancing E. gracilis biomass/biofuel productivities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadashi Toyama
- Graduate Faculty of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8511 Japan
| | - Tsubasa Hanaoka
- Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8511 Japan
| | - Koji Yamada
- Euglena Co., Ltd., 5-29-11 Shiba Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-0014 Japan
- Microalgae Production Control Technology Laboratory, RIKEN, 1-7-22, Suehiro, Tsurumi, Yookohama, Kanagawa 230-0045 Japan
| | - Kengo Suzuki
- Euglena Co., Ltd., 5-29-11 Shiba Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-0014 Japan
- Microalgae Production Control Technology Laboratory, RIKEN, 1-7-22, Suehiro, Tsurumi, Yookohama, Kanagawa 230-0045 Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Tanaka
- Graduate Faculty of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8511 Japan
| | - Masaaki Morikawa
- Division of Biosphere Science, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Kita-10 Nishi-5, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0810 Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Mori
- Graduate Faculty of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8511 Japan
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Inwongwan S, Kruger NJ, Ratcliffe RG, O'Neill EC. Euglena Central Metabolic Pathways and Their Subcellular Locations. Metabolites 2019; 9:E115. [PMID: 31207935 PMCID: PMC6630311 DOI: 10.3390/metabo9060115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Euglenids are a group of algae of great interest for biotechnology, with a large and complex metabolic capability. To study the metabolic network, it is necessary to know where the component enzymes are in the cell, but despite a long history of research into Euglena, the subcellular locations of many major pathways are only poorly defined. Euglena is phylogenetically distant from other commonly studied algae, they have secondary plastids bounded by three membranes, and they can survive after destruction of their plastids. These unusual features make it difficult to assume that the subcellular organization of the metabolic network will be equivalent to that of other photosynthetic organisms. We analysed bioinformatic, biochemical, and proteomic information from a variety of sources to assess the subcellular location of the enzymes of the central metabolic pathways, and we use these assignments to propose a model of the metabolic network of Euglena. Other than photosynthesis, all major pathways present in the chloroplast are also present elsewhere in the cell. Our model demonstrates how Euglena can synthesise all the metabolites required for growth from simple carbon inputs, and can survive in the absence of chloroplasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahutchai Inwongwan
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK.
| | - Nicholas J Kruger
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK.
| | - R George Ratcliffe
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK.
| | - Ellis C O'Neill
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK.
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Tomita Y, Yoshioka K, Iijima H, Nakashima A, Iwata O, Suzuki K, Hasunuma T, Kondo A, Hirai MY, Osanai T. Succinate and Lactate Production from Euglena gracilis during Dark, Anaerobic Conditions. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:2050. [PMID: 28066371 PMCID: PMC5174102 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.02050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Euglena gracilis is a eukaryotic, unicellular phytoflagellate that has been widely studied in basic science and applied science. Under dark, anaerobic conditions, the cells of E. gracilis produce a wax ester that can be converted into biofuel. Here, we demonstrate that under dark, anaerobic conditions, E. gracilis excretes organic acids, such as succinate and lactate, which are bulk chemicals used in the production of bioplastics. The levels of succinate were altered by changes in the medium and temperature during dark, anaerobic incubation. Succinate production was enhanced when cells were incubated in CM medium in the presence of NaHCO3. Excretion of lactate was minimal in the absence of external carbon sources, but lactate was produced in the presence of glucose during dark, anaerobic incubation. E. gracilis predominantly produced L-lactate; however, the percentage of D-lactate increased to 28.4% in CM medium at 30°C. Finally, we used a commercial strain of E. gracilis for succinate production and found that nitrogen-starved cells, incubated under dark, anaerobic conditions, produced 869.6 mg/L succinate over a 3-day incubation period, which was 70-fold higher than the amount produced by nitrogen-replete cells. This is the first study to demonstrate organic acid excretion by E. gracilis cells and to reveal novel aspects of primary carbon metabolism in this organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Tomita
- School of Agriculture, Meiji University Kawasaki, Japan
| | | | - Hiroko Iijima
- School of Agriculture, Meiji University Kawasaki, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Tomohisa Hasunuma
- Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University Kobe, Japan
| | - Akihiko Kondo
- Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University Kobe, Japan
| | | | - Takashi Osanai
- School of Agriculture, Meiji UniversityKawasaki, Japan; RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource ScienceYokohama, Japan
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Applicability of Euglena gracilis for biorefineries demonstrated by the production of α-tocopherol and paramylon followed by anaerobic digestion. J Biotechnol 2015; 215:72-9. [PMID: 25910451 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2015.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Revised: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In this study the use of Euglena gracilis biomass for α-tocopherol, paramylon and biogas production in a value-added chain was investigated. Therefore, we analyzed the dry cell weight and product concentrations at different growth phases during heterotrophic, photoheterotrophic and photoautotrophic cultivation in a low-cost minimal medium. Furthermore, the specific biogas yields for differently derived biomass with and without product recovery were investigated. We demonstrate that growth phase and cultivation mode not only have a significant impact on product formation, but also influence the yield of biogas obtained from anaerobic digestion of Euglena gracilis biomass. The maximum dry cell weight concentration ranged from 12.3±0.14gL(-1) for heterotrophically to 3.4±0.02gL(-1) for photoautotrophically grown Euglena gracilis cells. The heterotrophically grown biomass accumulated product concentrations of 5.3±0.12mgL(-1) of α-tocopherol and 9.3±0.1gL(-1) of paramylon or 805±10.9mL of biogasgvs(-1) (per gram volatile solids). The results for photoautotrophically grown cells were 8.6±0.22mgL(-1) of α-tocopherol and 0.78±0.01gL(-1) of paramylon or 648±7.2mL of biogasgvs(-1). For an energy-saving downstream procedure the extracting agent methanol does not have to be removed strictly. Samples with residual methanol showed a significantly increased biogas yield, because the solvent can be used as an additional substrate for methane production by archaebacteria.
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Transcriptomic study reveals widespread spliced leader trans-splicing, short 5'-UTRs and potential complex carbon fixation mechanisms in the euglenoid Alga Eutreptiella sp. PLoS One 2013; 8:e60826. [PMID: 23585853 PMCID: PMC3621762 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0060826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2012] [Accepted: 03/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Eutreptiella are an evolutionarily unique and ecologically important genus of microalgae, but they are poorly understood with regard to their genomic make-up and expression profiles. Through the analysis of the full-length cDNAs from a Eutreptiella species, we found a conserved 28-nt spliced leader sequence (Eut-SL, ACACUUUCUGAGUGUCUAUUUUUUUUCG) was trans-spliced to the mRNAs of Eutreptiella sp. Using a primer derived from Eut-SL, we constructed four cDNA libraries under contrasting physiological conditions for 454 pyrosequencing. Clustering analysis of the ∼1.9×10(6) original reads (average length 382 bp) yielded 36,643 unique transcripts. Although only 28% of the transcripts matched documented genes, this fraction represents a functionally very diverse gene set, suggesting that SL trans-splicing is likely ubiquitous in this alga's transcriptome. The mRNAs of Eutreptiella sp. seemed to have short 5'- untranslated regions, estimated to be 21 nucleotides on average. Among the diverse biochemical pathways represented in the transcriptome we obtained, carbonic anhydrase and genes known to function in the C4 pathway and heterotrophic carbon fixation were found, posing a question whether Eutreptiella sp. employs multifaceted strategies to acquire and fix carbon efficiently. This first large-scale transcriptomic dataset for a euglenoid uncovers many potential novel genes and overall offers a valuable genetic resource for research on euglenoid algae.
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Jasso-Chávez R, Moreno-Sánchez R. Cytosol-mitochondria transfer of reducing equivalents by a lactate shuttle in heterotrophic Euglena. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 270:4942-51. [PMID: 14653820 DOI: 10.1046/j.1432-1033.2003.03896.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
To assess the expression and physiological role of the mitochondrial NAD(+)-independent lactate dehydrogenase (iLDH) in Euglena gracilis, cells were grown with different carbon sources, and the d- and l-iLDH activities and several key metabolic intermediates were examined. iLDH activity was significant throughout the growth period, increasing by three- to fourfold from latency to the stationary phase. Intracellular levels of D- and L-lactate were high (5-40 mm) from the start of the culture and increased (20-80 mm) when the stationary phase was entered. All external carbon sources were actively consumed, reaching a minimum upon entering the stationary phase, when degradation of paramylon started. The level of ATP was essentially unchanged under all experimental conditions. Oxalate, an inhibitor of iLDH, strongly inhibited oligomycin-sensitive respiration and growth, whereas rotenone, an inhibitor of respiratory complex I, only slightly affected these parameters in lactate-grown cells. Isolated mitochondria exhibited external NADH-supported respiration, which was sensitive to rotenone and flavone, and an inability to oxidize pyruvate. Addition of cytosol, NADH and pyruvate to mitochondria incubated with rotenone and flavone prompted significant O2 uptake, which was blocked by oxalate. The data suggested that iLDH expression in Euglena is independent of substrate availability and that iLDHs play a key role in the transfer of reducing equivalents from the cytosol to the respiratory chain (lactate shuttle).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Jasso-Chávez
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología, Tlalpan, México DF, México.
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Ultrastructural organization of secondary mutants ofEuglena gracilis induced by N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 1990. [DOI: 10.1007/bf02821412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Kümmel UW, Brinkmann K. The oxidation of exogenous NADH by mitochondria of Euglena gracilis. PLANTA 1988; 176:261-268. [PMID: 24220782 DOI: 10.1007/bf00392454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/1988] [Accepted: 05/16/1988] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A novel oxidase activity of external NADH was found in mitochondria of a streptomycin-bleached mutant and the wild strain of Euglena gracilis. In contrast to higher plants the oxidation of external NADH in mitochondria of E. gracilis is sensitive to rotenone and yields the same phosphorylation efficiency as the matrix pool of NADH. Simulation of this activity by the classic complex I of the matrix side of the mitochondrial membrane, as a result of preparation-generated artefacts, is excluded. The external NADH-dehydrogenase activity is bound to the inner mitochondrial membrane with its active side facing the cytosol. State-4 enzyme activity is only slightly influenced by pH in the physiological range, whereas state-3 oxidation indicates an optimum in the physiological pH, as expected from a limitation by the ATPase. The external redox potential of NADH does not control enzyme activity. The results are discussed with respect to the metabolic status of the cells at the time of harvesting.
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Affiliation(s)
- U W Kümmel
- Botanisches Institut der Universität Bonn, Kirschallee 1, D-5300, Bonn 1, Federal Republic of Germany
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Pring D, Lonsdale D. Molecular Biology of Higher Plant Mitochondrial DNA. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CYTOLOGY 1985. [DOI: 10.1016/s0074-7696(08)62347-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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