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Bolaños-Martínez OC, Malla A, Rosales-Mendoza S, Vimolmangkang S. Harnessing the advances of genetic engineering in microalgae for the production of cannabinoids. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2023; 43:823-834. [PMID: 35762029 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2022.2071672] [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: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis is widely recognized as a medicinal plant owing to bioactive cannabinoids. However, it is still considered a narcotic plant, making it hard to be accessed. Since the biosynthetic pathway of cannabinoids is disclosed, biotechnological methods can be employed to produce cannabinoids in heterologous systems. This would pave the way toward biosynthesizing any cannabinoid compound of interest, especially minor substances that are less produced by a plant but have a high medicinal value. In this context, microalgae have attracted increasing scientific interest given their unique potential for biopharmaceutical production. In the present review, the current knowledge on cannabinoid production in different hosts is summarized and the biotechnological potential of microalgae as an emerging platform for synthetic production is put in perspective. A critical survey of genetic requirements and various transformation approaches are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omayra C Bolaños-Martínez
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ashwini Malla
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - 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
| | - Sornkanok Vimolmangkang
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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2
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Abdallah MN, Wellman GB, Overmans S, Lauersen KJ. Combinatorial Engineering Enables Photoautotrophic Growth in High Cell Density Phosphite-Buffered Media to Support Engineered Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Bio-Production Concepts. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:885840. [PMID: 35633717 PMCID: PMC9141048 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.885840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has emerged as a powerful green cell factory for metabolic engineering of sustainable products created from the photosynthetic lifestyle of this microalga. Advances in nuclear genome modification and transgene expression are allowing robust engineering strategies to be demonstrated in this host. However, commonly used lab strains are not equipped with features to enable their broader implementation in non-sterile conditions and high-cell density concepts. Here, we used combinatorial chloroplast and nuclear genome engineering to augment the metabolism of the C. reinhardtii strain UVM4 with publicly available genetic tools to enable the use of inorganic phosphite and nitrate as sole sources of phosphorous and nitrogen, respectively. We present recipes to create phosphite-buffered media solutions that enable high cell density algal cultivation. We then combined previously reported engineering strategies to produce the heterologous sesquiterpenoid patchoulol to high titers from our engineered green cell factories and show these products are possible to produce in non-sterile conditions. Our work presents a straightforward means to generate C. reinhardtii strains for broader application in bio-processes for the sustainable generation of products from green microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kyle J. Lauersen
- Bioengineering Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
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3
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Abdallah MN, Wellman GB, Overmans S, Lauersen KJ. Combinatorial Engineering Enables Photoautotrophic Growth in High Cell Density Phosphite-Buffered Media to Support Engineered Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Bio-Production Concepts. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:885840. [PMID: 35633717 DOI: 10.1101/2022.02.28.482248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has emerged as a powerful green cell factory for metabolic engineering of sustainable products created from the photosynthetic lifestyle of this microalga. Advances in nuclear genome modification and transgene expression are allowing robust engineering strategies to be demonstrated in this host. However, commonly used lab strains are not equipped with features to enable their broader implementation in non-sterile conditions and high-cell density concepts. Here, we used combinatorial chloroplast and nuclear genome engineering to augment the metabolism of the C. reinhardtii strain UVM4 with publicly available genetic tools to enable the use of inorganic phosphite and nitrate as sole sources of phosphorous and nitrogen, respectively. We present recipes to create phosphite-buffered media solutions that enable high cell density algal cultivation. We then combined previously reported engineering strategies to produce the heterologous sesquiterpenoid patchoulol to high titers from our engineered green cell factories and show these products are possible to produce in non-sterile conditions. Our work presents a straightforward means to generate C. reinhardtii strains for broader application in bio-processes for the sustainable generation of products from green microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malak N Abdallah
- Bioengineering Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gordon B Wellman
- Bioengineering Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sebastian Overmans
- Bioengineering Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kyle J Lauersen
- Bioengineering Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
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4
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Homburg SV, Patel AV. Silica Hydrogels as Entrapment Material for Microalgae. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14071391. [PMID: 35406264 PMCID: PMC9002651 DOI: 10.3390/polym14071391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite being a promising feedstock for food, feed, chemicals, and biofuels, microalgal production processes are still uneconomical due to slow growth rates, costly media, problematic downstreaming processes, and rather low cell densities. Immobilization via entrapment constitutes a promising tool to overcome these drawbacks of microalgal production and enables continuous processes with protection against shear forces and contaminations. In contrast to biopolymer gels, inorganic silica hydrogels are highly transparent and chemically, mechanically, thermally, and biologically stable. Since the first report on entrapment of living cells in silica hydrogels in 1989, efforts were made to increase the biocompatibility by omitting organic solvents during hydrolysis, removing toxic by-products, and replacing detrimental mineral acids or bases for pH adjustment. Furthermore, methods were developed to decrease the stiffness in order to enable proliferation of entrapped cells. This review aims to provide an overview of studied entrapment methods in silica hydrogels, specifically for rather sensitive microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Vanessa Homburg
- WG Fermentation and Formulation of Biologicals and Chemicals, Faculty of Engineering and Mathematics, Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, Interaktion 1, 33619 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Anant V Patel
- WG Fermentation and Formulation of Biologicals and Chemicals, Faculty of Engineering and Mathematics, Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, Interaktion 1, 33619 Bielefeld, Germany
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Liu X, Xie X, Du H, Sanganyado E, Wang W, Aslam M, Chen J, Chen W, Liang H. Bioinformatic analysis and genetic engineering approaches for recombinant biopharmaceutical glycoproteins production in microalgae. ALGAL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2021.102276] [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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Dahlin LR, Guarnieri MT. Development of the high-productivity marine microalga, Picochlorum renovo, as a photosynthetic protein secretion platform. ALGAL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2021.102197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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7
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Arias CAD, Matsudo MC, Ferreira-Camargo LS, Molino JVD, Mayfield SP, de Carvalho JCM. Semicontinuous system for the production of recombinant mCherry protein in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Biotechnol Prog 2021; 37:e3101. [PMID: 33169497 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.3101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Biotechnology advances have allowed bacteria, yeasts, plants, mammalian and insect cells to function as heterologous protein expression systems. Recently, microalgae have gained attention as an innovative platform for recombinant protein production, due to low culture media cost, compared to traditional systems, as well as the fact that microalgae such as Chlamydomonas reinhardtii are considered safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Previous studies showed that recombinant protein production in traditional platforms by semicontinuous process increased biomass and bio product productivity, when compared to batch process. As there is a lack of studies on semicontinuous process for recombinant protein production in microalgae, the production of recombinant mCherry fluorescent protein was evaluated by semicontinuous cultivation of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in bubble column photobioreactor. This semicontinuous cultivation process was evaluated in the following conditions: 20%, 40%, and 60% culture portion withdrawal. The highest culture withdrawal percentage (60%) provided the best results, as an up to 161% increase in mCherry productivity (454.5 RFU h-1 - Relative Fluorescence Unit h-1 ), in comparison to batch cultivation (174.0 RFU h-1 ) of the same strain. All cultivations were carried out for 13 days, at pH 7, temperature 25°C and, by semicontinuous process, two culture withdrawals were taken during the cultivations. Throughout the production cycles, it was possible to obtain biomass concentration up to 1.36 g L-1 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar Andres Diaz Arias
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - João Vitor Dutra Molino
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Stephen Patrick Mayfield
- Department of Molecular Biology, and The California Center for Algae Biotechnology, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - João Carlos Monteiro de Carvalho
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Benedetti M, Barera S, Longoni P, Guardini Z, Herrero Garcia N, Bolzonella D, Lopez‐Arredondo D, Herrera‐Estrella L, Goldschmidt‐Clermont M, Bassi R, Dall’Osto L. A microalgal-based preparation with synergistic cellulolytic and detoxifying action towards chemical-treated lignocellulose. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2021; 19:124-137. [PMID: 32649019 PMCID: PMC7769238 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
High-temperature bioconversion of lignocellulose into fermentable sugars has drawn attention for efficient production of renewable chemicals and biofuels, because competing microbial activities are inhibited at elevated temperatures and thermostable cell wall degrading enzymes are superior to mesophilic enzymes. Here, we report on the development of a platform to produce four different thermostable cell wall degrading enzymes in the chloroplast of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The enzyme blend was composed of the cellobiohydrolase CBM3GH5 from C. saccharolyticus, the β-glucosidase celB from P. furiosus, the endoglucanase B and the endoxylanase XynA from T. neapolitana. In addition, transplastomic microalgae were engineered for the expression of phosphite dehydrogenase D from Pseudomonas stutzeri, allowing for growth in non-axenic media by selective phosphite nutrition. The cellulolytic blend composed of the glycoside hydrolase (GH) domain GH12/GH5/GH1 allowed the conversion of alkaline-treated lignocellulose into glucose with efficiencies ranging from 14% to 17% upon 48h of reaction and an enzyme loading of 0.05% (w/w). Hydrolysates from treated cellulosic materials with extracts of transgenic microalgae boosted both the biogas production by methanogenic bacteria and the mixotrophic growth of the oleaginous microalga Chlorella vulgaris. Notably, microalgal treatment suppressed the detrimental effect of inhibitory by-products released from the alkaline treatment of biomass, thus allowing for efficient assimilation of lignocellulose-derived sugars by C. vulgaris under mixotrophic growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Benedetti
- Dipartimento di BiotecnologieUniversità di VeronaVeronaItaly
- Present address:
Dipartimento MESVAUniversità dell'AquilaCoppitoAQItaly
| | - Simone Barera
- Dipartimento di BiotecnologieUniversità di VeronaVeronaItaly
| | - Paolo Longoni
- Faculty of ScienceInstitute of BiologyUniversity of NeuchâtelNeuchâtelSwitzerland
| | - Zeno Guardini
- Dipartimento di BiotecnologieUniversità di VeronaVeronaItaly
| | | | | | - Damar Lopez‐Arredondo
- StelaGenomics MexicoS de RL de CVIrapuato, GuanajuatoMexico
- Institute of Genomics for Crop Abiotic Stress ToleranceTexas Tech UniversityLubbockTXUSA
| | - Luis Herrera‐Estrella
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la BiodiversidadCentro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico NacionalIrapuato, GuanajuatoMexico
- Institute of Genomics for Crop Abiotic Stress ToleranceTexas Tech UniversityLubbockTXUSA
| | | | - Roberto Bassi
- Dipartimento di BiotecnologieUniversità di VeronaVeronaItaly
| | - Luca Dall’Osto
- Dipartimento di BiotecnologieUniversità di VeronaVeronaItaly
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Samak NA, Jia Y, Sharshar MM, Mu T, Yang M, Peh S, Xing J. Recent advances in biocatalysts engineering for polyethylene terephthalate plastic waste green recycling. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 145:106144. [PMID: 32987219 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The massive waste of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) that ends up in the landfills and oceans and needs hundreds of years for degradation has attracted global concern. The poor stability and productivity of the available PET biocatalysts hinder their industrial applications. Active PET biocatalysts can provide a promising avenue for PET bioconversion and recycling. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new strategies that could enhance the stability, catalytic activity, solubility, productivity, and re-usability of these PET biocatalysts under harsh conditions such as high temperatures, pH, and salinity. This has raised great attention in using bioengineering strategies to improve PET biocatalysts' robustness and catalytic behavior. Herein, historical and forecasting data of plastic production and disposal were critically reviewed. Challenges facing the PET degradation process and available strategies that could be used to solve them were critically highlighted and summarized. In this review, we also discussed the recent progress in enzyme bioengineering approaches used for discovering new PET biocatalysts, elucidating the degradation mechanism, and improving the catalytic performance, solubility, and productivity, critically assess their strength and weakness and highlighting the gaps of the available data. Discovery of more potential PET hydrolases and studying their molecular mechanism extensively via solving their crystal structure will widen this research area to move forward the industrial application. A deeper knowledge of PET molecular and degradation mechanisms will give great insight into the future identification of related enzymes. The reported bioengineering strategies during this review could be used to reduce PET crystallinity and to increase the operational temperature of PET hydrolyzing enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia A Samak
- CAS Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China; College of Chemical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, PR China; Processes Design and Development Department, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Nasr City, 11727 Cairo, Egypt
| | - Yunpu Jia
- CAS Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China; College of Chemical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Moustafa M Sharshar
- CAS Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China; College of Chemical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Tingzhen Mu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China
| | - Maohua Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China
| | - Sumit Peh
- CAS Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China; College of Chemical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Jianmin Xing
- CAS Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China; College of Chemical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, PR China.
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10
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Ermilova E. Cold Stress Response: An Overview in Chlamydomonas. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:569437. [PMID: 33013991 PMCID: PMC7494811 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.569437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Low temperature (or cold) is one of the major environmental factors that limit the growth and development of many plants. Various plant species have evolved complex mechanisms to adjust to decreased temperature. Mesophilic chlorophytes are a widely distributed group of eukaryotic photosynthetic organisms, but there is insufficient information about the key molecular processes of their cold acclimation. The best available model for studying how chlorophytes respond to and cope with variations in temperature is the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Chlamydomonas has been widely used for decades as a model system for studying the fundamental mechanisms of the plant heat stress response. At present, unraveling novel cold-regulated events in Chlamydomonas has attracted increasing research attention. This mini-review summarizes recent progress on low-temperature-dependent processes in the model alga, while information on other photosynthetic organisms (cyanobacteria and land plants) was used to strengthen generalizations or specializations of cold-induced mechanisms in plant evolution. Here, we describe recent advances in our understanding of cold stress response in Chlamydomonas, discuss areas of controversy, and highlight potential future directions in cold acclimation research.
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11
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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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12
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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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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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14
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Barolo L, Abbriano RM, Commault AS, George J, Kahlke T, Fabris M, Padula MP, Lopez A, Ralph PJ, Pernice M. Perspectives for Glyco-Engineering of Recombinant Biopharmaceuticals from Microalgae. Cells 2020; 9:E633. [PMID: 32151094 PMCID: PMC7140410 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Microalgae exhibit great potential for recombinant therapeutic protein production, due to lower production costs, immunity to human pathogens, and advanced genetic toolkits. However, a fundamental aspect to consider for recombinant biopharmaceutical production is the presence of correct post-translational modifications. Multiple recent studies focusing on glycosylation in microalgae have revealed unique species-specific patterns absent in humans. Glycosylation is particularly important for protein function and is directly responsible for recombinant biopharmaceutical immunogenicity. Therefore, it is necessary to fully characterise this key feature in microalgae before these organisms can be established as industrially relevant microbial biofactories. Here, we review the work done to date on production of recombinant biopharmaceuticals in microalgae, experimental and computational evidence for N- and O-glycosylation in diverse microalgal groups, established approaches for glyco-engineering, and perspectives for their application in microalgal systems. The insights from this review may be applied to future glyco-engineering attempts to humanize recombinant therapeutic proteins and to potentially obtain cheaper, fully functional biopharmaceuticals from microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Barolo
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway Campus, Ultimo NSW 2007, Sydney, Australia; (R.M.A.); (A.S.C.); (J.G.); (T.K.); (M.F.); (P.J.R.)
| | - Raffaela M. Abbriano
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway Campus, Ultimo NSW 2007, Sydney, Australia; (R.M.A.); (A.S.C.); (J.G.); (T.K.); (M.F.); (P.J.R.)
| | - Audrey S. Commault
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway Campus, Ultimo NSW 2007, Sydney, Australia; (R.M.A.); (A.S.C.); (J.G.); (T.K.); (M.F.); (P.J.R.)
| | - Jestin George
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway Campus, Ultimo NSW 2007, Sydney, Australia; (R.M.A.); (A.S.C.); (J.G.); (T.K.); (M.F.); (P.J.R.)
| | - Tim Kahlke
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway Campus, Ultimo NSW 2007, Sydney, Australia; (R.M.A.); (A.S.C.); (J.G.); (T.K.); (M.F.); (P.J.R.)
| | - Michele Fabris
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway Campus, Ultimo NSW 2007, Sydney, Australia; (R.M.A.); (A.S.C.); (J.G.); (T.K.); (M.F.); (P.J.R.)
- CSIRO Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
| | - Matthew P. Padula
- School of Life Sciences and Proteomics Core Facility, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo NSW 2007, Sydney, Australia;
| | - Angelo Lopez
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK;
| | - Peter J. Ralph
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway Campus, Ultimo NSW 2007, Sydney, Australia; (R.M.A.); (A.S.C.); (J.G.); (T.K.); (M.F.); (P.J.R.)
| | - Mathieu Pernice
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway Campus, Ultimo NSW 2007, Sydney, Australia; (R.M.A.); (A.S.C.); (J.G.); (T.K.); (M.F.); (P.J.R.)
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15
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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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16
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Ramos-Martinez EM, Fimognari L, Rasmussen MK, Sakuragi Y. Secretion of Acetylxylan Esterase From Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Enables Utilization of Lignocellulosic Biomass as a Carbon Source. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2019; 7:35. [PMID: 30873405 PMCID: PMC6403119 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microalgae offer a promising biological platform for sustainable biomanufacturing of a wide range of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and fuels. The model microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is thus far the most versatile algal chassis for bioengineering and can grow using atmospheric CO2 and organic carbons (e.g., acetate and pure cellulose). Ability to utilize renewable feedstock like lignocellulosic biomass as a carbon source could significantly accelerate microalgae-based productions, but this is yet to be demonstrated. We observed that C. reinhardtii was not able to heterotrophically grow using wheat straw, a common type of lignocellulosic biomass, likely due to the recalcitrant nature of the biomass. When the biomass was pretreated with alkaline, C. reinhardtii was able to grow using acetate that was released from the biomass. To establish an eco-friendly and self-sustained growth system, we engineered C. reinhardtii to secrete a fungal acetylxylan esterase (AXE) for hydrolysis of acetylesters in the lignocellulosic biomass. Two transgenic strains (CrAXE03 and CrAXE23) secreting an active AXE into culture media were isolated. Incubation of CrAXE03 with wheat straw resulted in an eight-fold increase in the algal cell counts with a concomitant decrease of biomass acetylester contents by 96%. The transgenic lines showed minor growth defects compared to the parental strain, indicating that secretion of the AXE protein imposes limited metabolic burden. The results presented here would open new opportunities for applying low-cost renewable feedstock, available in large amounts as agricultural and manufacturing by-products, for microalgal cultivation. Furthermore, acetylesters and acetate released from them, are well-known inhibitors in lignocellulosic biofuel productions; thus, direct application of the bioengineered microalga could be exploited for improving renewable biofuel productions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yumiko Sakuragi
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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17
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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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18
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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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19
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Lima S, Webb CL, Deery E, Robinson C, Zedler JAZ. Human Intrinsic Factor Expression for Bioavailable Vitamin B 12 Enrichment in Microalgae. BIOLOGY 2018; 7:biology7010019. [PMID: 29463047 PMCID: PMC5872045 DOI: 10.3390/biology7010019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 01/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Dietary supplements and functional foods are becoming increasingly popular complements to regular diets. A recurring ingredient is the essential cofactor vitamin B12 (B12). Microalgae are making their way into the dietary supplement and functional food market but do not produce B12, and their B12 content is very variable. In this study, the suitability of using the human B12-binding protein intrinsic factor (IF) to enrich bioavailable B12 using microalgae was tested. The IF protein was successfully expressed from the nuclear genome of the model microalga Chlamydomonasreinhardtii and the addition of an N-terminal ARS2 signal peptide resulted in efficient IF secretion to the medium. Co-abundance of B12 and the secreted IF suggests the algal produced IF protein is functional and B12-binding. Utilizing IF expression could be an efficient tool to generate B12-enriched microalgae in a controlled manner that is suitable for vegetarians and, potentially, more bioavailable for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Lima
- Industrial Biotechnology Centre, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Giles Lane, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7 NK, UK.
- Dipartimento dell'Innovazione Industriale e Digitale, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 6, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Conner L Webb
- Industrial Biotechnology Centre, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Giles Lane, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7 NK, UK.
| | - Evelyne Deery
- Industrial Biotechnology Centre, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Giles Lane, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7 NK, UK.
| | - Colin Robinson
- Industrial Biotechnology Centre, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Giles Lane, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7 NK, UK.
| | - Julie A Z Zedler
- Industrial Biotechnology Centre, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Giles Lane, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7 NK, UK.
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
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20
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Comparison of secretory signal peptides for heterologous protein expression in microalgae: Expanding the secretion portfolio for Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0192433. [PMID: 29408937 PMCID: PMC5800701 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Efficient protein secretion is a desirable trait for any recombinant protein expression system, together with simple, low-cost, and defined media, such as the typical media used for photosynthetic cultures of microalgae. However, low titers of secreted heterologous proteins are usually obtained, even with the most extensively studied microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, preventing their industrial application. In this study, we aimed to expand and evaluate secretory signal peptides (SP) for heterologous protein secretion in C. reinhardtii by comparing previously described SP with untested sequences. We compared the SPs from arylsulfatase 1 and carbonic anhydrase 1, with those of untried SPs from binding protein 1, an ice-binding protein, and six sequences identified in silico. We identified over 2000 unique SPs using the SignalP 4.0 software. mCherry fluorescence was used to compare the protein secretion of up to 96 colonies for each construct, non-secretion construct, and parental wild-type cc1690 cells. Supernatant fluorescence varied according to the SP used, with a 10-fold difference observed between the highest and lowest secretors. Moreover, two SPs identified in silico secreted the highest amount of mCherry. Our results demonstrate that the SP should be carefully selected and that efficient sequences can be coded in the C. reinhardtii genome. The SPs described here expand the portfolio available for research on heterologous protein secretion and for biomanufacturing applications.
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21
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Mathieu-Rivet E, Lerouge P, Bardor M. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: Protein Glycosylation and Production of Biopharmaceuticals. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-66360-9_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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22
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Ramos‐Martinez EM, Fimognari L, Sakuragi Y. High-yield secretion of recombinant proteins from the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2017; 15:1214-1224. [PMID: 28207991 PMCID: PMC5552477 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/12/2017] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Microalga-based biomanufacturing of recombinant proteins is attracting growing attention due to its advantages in safety, metabolic diversity, scalability and sustainability. Secretion of recombinant proteins can accelerate the use of microalgal platforms by allowing post-translational modifications and easy recovery of products from the culture media. However, currently, the yields of secreted recombinant proteins are low, which hampers the commercial application of this strategy. This study aimed at expanding the genetic tools for enhancing secretion of recombinant proteins in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a widely used green microalga as a model organism and a potential industrial biotechnology platform. We demonstrated that the putative signal sequence from C. reinhardtii gametolysin can assist the secretion of the yellow fluorescent protein Venus into the culture media. To increase the secretion yields, Venus was C-terminally fused with synthetic glycomodules comprised of tandem serine (Ser) and proline (Pro) repeats of 10 and 20 units [hereafter (SP)n , wherein n = 10 or 20]. The yields of the (SP)n -fused Venus were higher than Venus without the glycomodule by up to 12-fold, with the maximum yield of 15 mg/L. Moreover, the presence of the glycomodules conferred an enhanced proteolytic protein stability. The Venus-(SP)n proteins were shown to be glycosylated, and a treatment of the cells with brefeldin A led to a suggestion that glycosylation of the (SP)n glycomodules starts in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Taken together, the results demonstrate the utility of the gametolysin signal sequence and (SP)n glycomodule to promote a more efficient biomanufacturing of microalgae-based recombinant proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick Miguel Ramos‐Martinez
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesCopenhagen Plant Science CentreUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksberg C, CopenhagenDenmark
| | - Lorenzo Fimognari
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesCopenhagen Plant Science CentreUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksberg C, CopenhagenDenmark
| | - Yumiko Sakuragi
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesCopenhagen Plant Science CentreUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksberg C, CopenhagenDenmark
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23
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Doron L, Segal N, Shapira M. Transgene Expression in Microalgae-From Tools to Applications. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 7:505. [PMID: 27148328 PMCID: PMC4840263 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae comprise a biodiverse group of photosynthetic organisms that reside in water sources and sediments. The green microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was adopted as a useful model organism for studying various physiological systems. Its ability to grow under both photosynthetic and heterotrophic conditions allows efficient growth of non-photosynthetic mutants, making Chlamydomonas a useful genetic tool to study photosynthesis. In addition, this green alga can grow as haploid or diploid cells, similar to yeast, providing a powerful genetic system. As a result, easy and efficient transformation systems have been developed for Chlamydomonas, targeting both the chloroplast and nuclear genomes. Since microalgae comprise a rich repertoire of species that offer variable advantages for biotech and biomed industries, gene transfer technologies were further developed for many microalgae to allow for the expression of foreign proteins of interest. Expressing foreign genes in the chloroplast enables the targeting of foreign DNA to specific sites by homologous recombination. Chloroplast transformation also allows for the introduction of genes encoding several enzymes from a complex pathway, possibly as an operon. Expressing foreign proteins in the chloroplast can also be achieved by introducing the target gene into the nuclear genome, with the protein product bearing a targeting signal that directs import of the transgene-product into the chloroplast, like other endogenous chloroplast proteins. Integration of foreign genes into the nuclear genome is mostly random, resulting in large variability between different clones, such that extensive screening is required. The use of different selection modalities is also described, with special emphasis on the use of herbicides and metabolic markers which are considered to be friendly to the environment, as compared to drug-resistance genes that are commonly used. Finally, despite the development of a wide range of transformation tools and approaches, expression of foreign genes in microalgae suffers from low efficiency. Thus, novel tools have appeared in recent years to deal with this problem. Finally, while C. reinhardtii was traditionally used as a model organism for the development of transformation systems and their subsequent improvement, similar technologies can be adapted for other microalgae that may have higher biotechnological value.
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24
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Lauersen KJ, Huber I, Wichmann J, Baier T, Leiter A, Gaukel V, Kartushin V, Rattenholl A, Steinweg C, von Riesen L, Posten C, Gudermann F, Lütkemeyer D, Mussgnug JH, Kruse O. Investigating the dynamics of recombinant protein secretion from a microalgal host. J Biotechnol 2015; 215:62-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2015.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Revised: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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25
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Gangl D, Zedler JAZ, Rajakumar PD, Martinez EMR, Riseley A, Włodarczyk A, Purton S, Sakuragi Y, Howe CJ, Jensen PE, Robinson C. Biotechnological exploitation of microalgae. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2015; 66:6975-90. [PMID: 26400987 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erv426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae are a diverse group of single-cell photosynthetic organisms that include cyanobacteria and a wide range of eukaryotic algae. A number of microalgae contain high-value compounds such as oils, colorants, and polysaccharides, which are used by the food additive, oil, and cosmetic industries, among others. They offer the potential for rapid growth under photoautotrophic conditions, and they can grow in a wide range of habitats. More recently, the development of genetic tools means that a number of species can be transformed and hence used as cell factories for the production of high-value chemicals or recombinant proteins. In this article, we review exploitation use of microalgae with a special emphasis on genetic engineering approaches to develop cell factories, and the use of synthetic ecology approaches to maximize productivity. We discuss the success stories in these areas, the hurdles that need to be overcome, and the potential for expanding the industry in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Gangl
- Centre for Molecular Processing, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Julie A Z Zedler
- Centre for Molecular Processing, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Priscilla D Rajakumar
- Institute of Structural & Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Erick M Ramos Martinez
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anthony Riseley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Artur Włodarczyk
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Saul Purton
- Institute of Structural & Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Yumiko Sakuragi
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Poul Erik Jensen
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Colin Robinson
- Centre for Molecular Processing, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK
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26
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Jinkerson RE, Jonikas MC. Molecular techniques to interrogate and edit the Chlamydomonas nuclear genome. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 82:393-412. [PMID: 25704665 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.12801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2014] [Revised: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The success of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as a model organism is to a large extent due to the wide range of molecular techniques that are available for its characterization. Here, we review some of the techniques currently used to modify and interrogate the C. reinhardtii nuclear genome and explore several technologies under development. Nuclear mutants can be generated with ultraviolet (UV) light and chemical mutagens, or by insertional mutagenesis. Nuclear transformation methods include biolistic delivery, agitation with glass beads, and electroporation. Transforming DNA integrates into the genome at random sites, and multiple strategies exist for mapping insertion sites. A limited number of studies have demonstrated targeted modification of the nuclear genome by approaches such as zinc-finger nucleases and homologous recombination. RNA interference is widely used to knock down expression levels of nuclear genes. A wide assortment of transgenes has been successfully expressed in the Chlamydomonas nuclear genome, including transformation markers, fluorescent proteins, reporter genes, epitope tagged proteins, and even therapeutic proteins. Optimized expression constructs and strains help transgene expression. Emerging technologies such as the CRISPR/Cas9 system, high-throughput mutant identification, and a whole-genome knockout library are being developed for this organism. We discuss how these advances will propel future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E Jinkerson
- Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science, 260 Panama Street, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Martin C Jonikas
- Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science, 260 Panama Street, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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27
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Targeted expression of nuclear transgenes in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii with a versatile, modular vector toolkit. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2015; 99:3491-503. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-014-6354-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Revised: 12/09/2014] [Accepted: 12/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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28
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Improving the sunlight-to-biomass conversion efficiency in microalgal biofactories. J Biotechnol 2014; 201:28-42. [PMID: 25160918 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2014.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Revised: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Microalgae represent promising organisms for the sustainable production of commodities, chemicals or fuels. Future use of such systems, however, requires increased productivity of microalgal mass cultures in order to reach an economic viability for microalgae-based production schemes. The efficiency of sunlight-to-biomass conversion that can be observed in bulk cultures is generally far lower (35-80%) than the theoretical maximum, because energy losses occur at multiple steps during the light-driven conversion of carbon dioxide to organic carbon. The light-harvesting system is a major source of energy losses and thus a prime target for strain engineering. Truncation of the light-harvesting antenna in the algal model organism Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was shown to be an effective way of increasing culture productivity at least under saturating light conditions. Furthermore engineering of the Calvin-Benson cycle or the creation of photorespiratory bypasses in A. thaliana proved to be successful in terms of achieving higher biomass productivities. An efficient generation of novel microalgal strains with improved sunlight conversion efficiencies by targeted engineering in the future will require an expanded molecular toolkit. In the meantime random mutagenesis coupled to high-throughput screening for desired phenotypes can be used to provide engineered microalgae.
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29
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Mathieu-Rivet E, Kiefer-Meyer MC, Vanier G, Ovide C, Burel C, Lerouge P, Bardor M. Protein N-glycosylation in eukaryotic microalgae and its impact on the production of nuclear expressed biopharmaceuticals. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2014; 5:359. [PMID: 25183966 PMCID: PMC4135232 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2014.00359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2014] [Accepted: 07/04/2014] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae are currently used for the production of food compounds. Recently, few microalgae species have been investigated as potential biofactories for the production of biopharmaceuticals. Indeed in this context, microalgae are cheap, classified as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) organisms and can be grown easily. However, problems remain to be solved before any industrial production of microalgae-made biopharmaceuticals. Among them, post-translational modifications of the proteins need to be considered. Especially, N-glycosylation acquired by the secreted recombinant proteins is of major concern since most of the biopharmaceuticals are N-glycosylated and it is well recognized that glycosylation represent one of their critical quality attribute. Therefore, the evaluation of microalgae as alternative cell factory for biopharmaceutical productions thus requires to investigate their N-glycosylation capability in order to determine to what extend it differs from their human counterpart and to determine appropriate strategies for remodeling the microalgae glycosylation into human-compatible oligosaccharides. Here, we review the secreted recombinant proteins which have been successfully produced in microalgae. We also report on recent bioinformatics and biochemical data concerning the structure of glycans N-linked to proteins from various microalgae phyla and comment the consequences on the glycan engineering strategies that may be necessary to render those microalgae-made biopharmaceuticals compatible with human therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Mathieu-Rivet
- Laboratoire Glyco-MEV, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, UPRES EA 4358, Normandie Université, IRIB, VASIMont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Marie-Christine Kiefer-Meyer
- Laboratoire Glyco-MEV, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, UPRES EA 4358, Normandie Université, IRIB, VASIMont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Gaëtan Vanier
- Laboratoire Glyco-MEV, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, UPRES EA 4358, Normandie Université, IRIB, VASIMont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Clément Ovide
- Laboratoire Glyco-MEV, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, UPRES EA 4358, Normandie Université, IRIB, VASIMont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Carole Burel
- Laboratoire Glyco-MEV, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, UPRES EA 4358, Normandie Université, IRIB, VASIMont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Patrice Lerouge
- Laboratoire Glyco-MEV, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, UPRES EA 4358, Normandie Université, IRIB, VASIMont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Muriel Bardor
- Laboratoire Glyco-MEV, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, UPRES EA 4358, Normandie Université, IRIB, VASIMont-Saint-Aignan, France
- Institut Universitaire de FranceParis, France
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