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Garric S, Ratin M, Marie D, Foulon V, Probert I, Rodriguez F, Six C. Impaired photoacclimation in a kleptoplastidic dinoflagellate reveals physiological limits of early stages of endosymbiosis. Curr Biol 2024; 34:3064-3076.e5. [PMID: 38936366 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.05.066] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Dinophysis dinoflagellates are predators of Mesodinium ciliates, from which they retain only the plastids of cryptophyte origin. The absence of nuclear photosynthetic cryptophyte genes in Dinophysis raises intriguing physiological and evolutionary questions regarding the functional dynamics of these temporary kleptoplastids within a foreign cellular environment. In an experimental setup including two light conditions, the comparative analysis with Mesodinium rubrum and the cryptophyte Teleaulax amphioxeia revealed that Dinophysis acuminata possessed a smaller and less dynamic functional photosynthetic antenna for green light, a function performed by phycoerythrin. We showed that the lack of the cryptophyte nucleus prevented the synthesis of the phycoerythrin α subunit, thereby hindering the formation of a complete phycoerythrin in Dinophysis. In particular, biochemical analyses showed that Dinophysis acuminata synthesized a poorly stable, incomplete phycoerythrin composed of chromophorylated β subunits, with impaired performance. We show that, consequently, a continuous supply of new plastids is crucial for growth and effective photoacclimation in this organism. Transcriptome analyses revealed that all examined strains of Dinophysis spp. have acquired the cryptophyte pebA and pebB genes through horizontal gene transfer, suggesting a potential ability to synthesize the phycobilin pigments bound to the cryptophyte phycoerythrin. By emphasizing that a potential long-term acquisition of the cryptophyte plastid relies on establishing genetic independence for essential functions such as light harvesting, this study highlights the intricate molecular challenges inherent in the enslavement of organelles and the processes involved in the diversification of photosynthetic organisms through endosymbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Garric
- Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7144, Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin, group Ecology of Marine Plankton, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier, Roscoff 29680, France
| | - Morgane Ratin
- Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7144, Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin, group Ecology of Marine Plankton, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier, Roscoff 29680, France
| | - Dominique Marie
- Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7144, Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin, group Ecology of Marine Plankton, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier, Roscoff 29680, France
| | - Valentin Foulon
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 6285 Laboratoire des Sciences et Techniques de l'information de la Communication et de la Connaissance (Lab-STICC), Technopole Brest-Iroise, Brest 29238, France
| | - Ian Probert
- Sorbonne Université, FR 2424, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier, Roscoff 29680, France
| | - Francisco Rodriguez
- Centro oceanográfico de Vigo (IEO-CSIC), Subida a Radio Faro 50, Vigo 36390, Spain
| | - Christophe Six
- Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7144, Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin, group Ecology of Marine Plankton, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier, Roscoff 29680, France.
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Merritt KA, Richardson TL. Variability in spectral absorption within cryptophyte phycobiliprotein types. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2024; 60:528-540. [PMID: 38456338 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Cryptophytes are known to vary widely in coloration among species. These differences in color arise primarily from the presence of phycobiliprotein accessory pigments. There are nine defined cryptophyte phycobiliprotein (Cr-PBP) types, named for their wavelength of maximal absorbance. Because Cr-PBP type has traditionally been regarded as a categorical trait, there is a paucity of information about how spectral absorption characteristics of Cr-PBPs vary among species. We investigated variability in primary and secondary peak absorbance wavelengths and full width at half max (FWHM) values of spectra of Cr-PBPs extracted from 75 cryptophyte strains (55 species) grown under full spectrum irradiance. We show that there may be substantial differences in spectral shapes within Cr-PBP types, with Cr-Phycoerythrin (Cr-PE) 545 showing the greatest variability with two, possibly three, subtypes, while Cr-PE 566 spectra were the least variable, with only ±1 nm of variance around the mean absorbance maximum of 565 nm. We provide additional criteria for classification in cases where the wavelength of maximum absorbance alone is not definitive. Variations in spectral characteristics among strains containing the same presumed Cr-PBP type may indicate differing chromophore composition and/or the presence of more than one Cr-PBP in a single cryptophyte species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristiaän A Merritt
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Tammi L Richardson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
- School of the Earth, Ocean & Environment, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
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3
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Liu R, Zhen ZH, Li W, Ge B, Qin S. How can Phycobilisome, the unique light harvesting system in certain algae working highly efficiently: The connection in between structures and functions. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 186:39-52. [PMID: 38030044 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2023.11.005] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Algae, which are ubiquitous in ecosystems, have evolved a variety of light-harvesting complexes to better adapt to diverse habitats. Phycobilisomes/phycobiliproteins, unique to cyanobacteria, red algae, and certain cryptomonads, compensate for the lack of chlorophyll absorption, allowing algae to capture and efficiently transfer light energy in aquatic environments. With the advancement of microscopy and spectroscopy, the structure and energy transfer processes of increasingly complex phycobilisomes have been elucidated, providing us with a vivid portrait of the dynamic adaptation of their structures to the light environment in which algae thrive: 1) Cyanobacteria living on the surface of the water use short, small phycobilisomes to absorb red-orange light and reduce the damage from blue-violet light via multiple methods; 2) Large red algae inhabiting the depths of the ocean have evolved long and dense phycobilisomes containing phycoerythrin to capture the feeble blue-green light; 3) In far-red light environments such as caves, algae use special allophycocyanin cores to optimally utilize the far-red light; 4) When the environment shifts, algae can adjust the length, composition and density of their rods to better adapt; 5) By carefully designing the position of the pigments, phycobilisomes can transfer light energy to the reaction center with nearly 100% efficiency via three energy transfer processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runze Liu
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100000, China
| | - Zhang-He Zhen
- Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Wenjun Li
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
| | - Baosheng Ge
- China University of Petroleum (HUADONG), Qingdao, Shandong, 266580, China
| | - Song Qin
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China.
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4
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Schomaker RA, Richardson TL, Dudycha JL. Consequences of light spectra for pigment composition and gene expression in the cryptophyte Rhodomonas salina. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:3280-3297. [PMID: 37845005 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Algae with a more diverse suite of pigments can, in principle, exploit a broader swath of the light spectrum through chromatic acclimation, the ability to maximize light capture via plasticity of pigment composition. We grew Rhodomonas salina in wide-spectrum, red, green, and blue environments and measured how pigment composition differed. We also measured expression of key light-capture and photosynthesis-related genes and performed a transcriptome-wide expression analysis. We observed the highest concentration of phycoerythrin in green light, consistent with chromatic acclimation. Other pigments showed trends inconsistent with chromatic acclimation, possibly due to feedback loops among pigments or high-energy light acclimation. Expression of some photosynthesis-related genes was sensitive to spectrum, although expression of most was not. The phycoerythrin α-subunit was expressed two-orders of magnitude greater than the β-subunit even though the peptides are needed in an equimolar ratio. Expression of genes related to chlorophyll-binding and phycoerythrin concentration were correlated, indicating a potential synthesis relationship. Pigment concentrations and expression of related genes were generally uncorrelated, implying post-transcriptional regulation of pigments. Overall, most differentially expressed genes were not related to photosynthesis; thus, examining associations between light spectrum and other organismal functions, including sexual reproduction and glycolysis, may be important.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tammi L Richardson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
- School of the Earth, Ocean, & Environment, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Jeffry L Dudycha
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
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5
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Rathbone HW, Laos AJ, Michie KA, Iranmanesh H, Biazik J, Goodchild SC, Thordarson P, Green BR, Curmi PMG. Molecular dissection of the soluble photosynthetic antenna from the cryptophyte alga Hemiselmis andersenii. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1158. [PMID: 37957226 PMCID: PMC10643455 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05508-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptophyte algae have a unique phycobiliprotein light-harvesting antenna that fills a spectral gap in chlorophyll absorption from photosystems. However, it is unclear how the antenna transfers energy efficiently to these photosystems. We show that the cryptophyte Hemiselmis andersenii expresses an energetically complex antenna comprising three distinct spectrotypes of phycobiliprotein, each composed of two αβ protomers but with different quaternary structures arising from a diverse α subunit family. We report crystal structures of the major phycobiliprotein from each spectrotype. Two-thirds of the antenna consists of open quaternary form phycobiliproteins acting as primary photon acceptors. These are supplemented by a newly discovered open-braced form (~15%), where an insertion in the α subunit produces ~10 nm absorbance red-shift. The final components (~15%) are closed forms with a long wavelength spectral feature due to substitution of a single chromophore. This chromophore is present on only one β subunit where asymmetry is dictated by the corresponding α subunit. This chromophore creates spectral overlap with chlorophyll, thus bridging the energetic gap between the phycobiliprotein antenna and the photosystems. We propose that the macromolecular organization of the cryptophyte antenna consists of bulk open and open-braced forms that transfer excitations to photosystems via this bridging closed form phycobiliprotein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry W Rathbone
- School of Physics, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- UMR144 Cell Biology and Cancer, Institut Curie, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Alistair J Laos
- UNSW RNA Institute and School of Chemistry, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Katharine A Michie
- School of Physics, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Hasti Iranmanesh
- School of Physics, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Joanna Biazik
- Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Sophia C Goodchild
- School of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Pall Thordarson
- UNSW RNA Institute and School of Chemistry, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Beverley R Green
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Paul M G Curmi
- School of Physics, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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Cao K, Cui Y, Sun F, Zhang H, Fan J, Ge B, Cao Y, Wang X, Zhu X, Wei Z, Yao Q, Ma J, Wang Y, Meng C, Gao Z. Metabolic engineering and synthetic biology strategies for producing high-value natural pigments in Microalgae. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 68:108236. [PMID: 37586543 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae are microorganisms capable of producing bioactive compounds using photosynthesis. Microalgae contain a variety of high value-added natural pigments such as carotenoids, phycobilins, and chlorophylls. These pigments play an important role in many areas such as food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Natural pigments have a health value that is unmatched by synthetic pigments. However, the current commercial production of natural pigments from microalgae is not able to meet the growing market demand. The use of metabolic engineering and synthetic biological strategies to improve the production performance of microalgal cell factories is essential to promote the large-scale production of high-value pigments from microalgae. This paper reviews the health and economic values, the applications, and the synthesis pathways of microalgal pigments. Overall, this review aims to highlight the latest research progress in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology in constructing engineered strains of microalgae with high-value pigments and the application of CRISPR technology and multi-omics in this context. Finally, we conclude with a discussion on the bottlenecks and challenges of microalgal pigment production and their future development prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China; School of Life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
| | - Yulin Cui
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Fengjie Sun
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, USA
| | - Hao Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Jianhua Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Baosheng Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing and Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
| | - Yujiao Cao
- School of Foreign Languages, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255090, China
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Xiangyu Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China; School of Life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
| | - Zuoxi Wei
- School of Life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
| | - Qingshou Yao
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Jinju Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Yu Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Chunxiao Meng
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China.
| | - Zhengquan Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China.
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Michie KA, Harrop SJ, Rathbone HW, Wilk KE, Teng CY, Hoef‐Emden K, Hiller RG, Green BR, Curmi PMG. Molecular structures reveal the origin of spectral variation in cryptophyte light harvesting antenna proteins. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4586. [PMID: 36721353 PMCID: PMC9951199 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
In addition to their membrane-bound chlorophyll a/c light-harvesting antenna, the cryptophyte algae have evolved a unique phycobiliprotein antenna system located in the thylakoid lumen. The basic unit of this antenna consists of two copies of an αβ protomer where the α and β subunits scaffold different combinations of a limited number of linear tetrapyrrole chromophores. While the β subunit is highly conserved, encoded by a single plastid gene, the nuclear-encoded α subunits have evolved diversified multigene families. It is still unclear how this sequence diversity results in the spectral diversity of the mature proteins. By careful examination of three newly determined crystal structures in comparison with three previously obtained, we show how the α subunit amino acid sequences control chromophore conformations and hence spectral properties even when the chromophores are identical. Previously we have shown that α subunits control the quaternary structure of the mature αβ.αβ complex (either open or closed), however, each species appeared to only harbor a single quaternary form. Here we show that species of the Hemiselmis genus contain expressed α subunit genes that encode both distinct quaternary structures. Finally, we have discovered a common single-copy gene (expressed into protein) consisting of tandem copies of a small α subunit that could potentially scaffold pairs of light harvesting units. Together, our results show how the diversity of the multigene α subunit family produces a range of mature cryptophyte antenna proteins with differing spectral properties, and the potential for minor forms that could contribute to acclimation to varying light regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine A. Michie
- School of PhysicsThe University of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular SciencesThe University of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Mark Wainwright Analytical CentreUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Stephen J. Harrop
- School of PhysicsThe University of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- MX Beamlines, Australian SynchrotronClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Harry W. Rathbone
- School of PhysicsThe University of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular SciencesThe University of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Krystyna E. Wilk
- School of PhysicsThe University of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Chang Ying Teng
- Department of BotanyUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | | | - Roger G. Hiller
- Department of Biological SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | | | - Paul M. G. Curmi
- School of PhysicsThe University of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular SciencesThe University of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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8
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Phycobilisomes and Phycobiliproteins in the Pigment Apparatus of Oxygenic Photosynthetics: From Cyanobacteria to Tertiary Endosymbiosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032290. [PMID: 36768613 PMCID: PMC9916406 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032290] [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: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic photosynthesis originated in the course of evolution as a result of the uptake of some unstored cyanobacterium and its transformation to chloroplasts by an ancestral heterotrophic eukaryotic cell. The pigment apparatus of Archaeplastida and other algal phyla that emerged later turned out to be arranged in the same way. Pigment-protein complexes of photosystem I (PS I) and photosystem II (PS II) are characterized by uniform structures, while the light-harvesting antennae have undergone a series of changes. The phycobilisome (PBS) antenna present in cyanobacteria was replaced by Chl a/b- or Chl a/c-containing pigment-protein complexes in most groups of photosynthetics. In the form of PBS or phycobiliprotein aggregates, it was inherited by members of Cyanophyta, Cryptophyta, red algae, and photosynthetic amoebae. Supramolecular organization and architectural modifications of phycobiliprotein antennae in various algal phyla in line with the endosymbiotic theory of chloroplast origin are the subject of this review.
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9
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Moya R, Norris AC, Spangler LC, Scholes GD, Schlau-Cohen GS. Observation of conformational dynamics in single light-harvesting proteins from cryptophyte algae. J Chem Phys 2022; 157:035102. [PMID: 35868944 PMCID: PMC9894659 DOI: 10.1063/5.0095763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Photosynthetic organisms use pigment-protein complexes to capture the sunlight that powers most life on earth. Within these complexes, the position of the embedded pigments is all optimized for light harvesting. At the same time, the protein scaffold undergoes thermal fluctuations that vary the structure, and, thus, photophysics, of the complexes. While these variations are averaged out in ensemble measurements, single-molecule spectroscopy provides the ability to probe these conformational changes. We used single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy to identify the photophysical substates reflective of distinct conformations and the associated conformational dynamics in phycoerythrin 545 (PE545), a pigment-protein complex from cryptophyte algae. Rapid switching between photophysical states was observed, indicating that ensemble measurements average over a conformational equilibrium. A highly quenched conformation was also identified, and its population increased under high light. This discovery establishes that PE545 has the characteristics to serve as a photoprotective site. Finally, unlike homologous proteins from the evolutionarily related cyanobacteria and red algae, quenching was not observed upon photobleaching, which may allow for robust photophysics without the need for rapid repair or replacement machinery. Collectively, these observations establish the presence of a rich and robust set of conformational states of PE545. Cryptophytes exhibit particularly diverse energetics owing to the variety of microenvironments in which they survive, and the conformational states and dynamics reported here may provide photophysical flexibility that contributes to their remarkable ability to flourish under diverse conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymundo Moya
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Audrey C. Norris
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Leah C. Spangler
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| | - Gregory D. Scholes
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| | - Gabriela S. Schlau-Cohen
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA,Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
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10
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Spangler LC, Yu M, Jeffrey PD, Scholes GD. Controllable Phycobilin Modification: An Alternative Photoacclimation Response in Cryptophyte Algae. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2022; 8:340-350. [PMID: 35350600 PMCID: PMC8949638 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.1c01209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Cryptophyte algae are well-known for their ability to survive under low light conditions using their auxiliary light harvesting antennas, phycobiliproteins. Mainly acting to absorb light where chlorophyll cannot (500-650 nm), phycobiliproteins also play an instrumental role in helping cryptophyte algae respond to changes in light intensity through the process of photoacclimation. Until recently, photoacclimation in cryptophyte algae was only observed as a change in the cellular concentration of phycobiliproteins; however, an additional photoacclimation response was recently discovered that causes shifts in the phycobiliprotein absorbance peaks following growth under red, blue, or green light. Here, we reproduce this newly identified photoacclimation response in two species of cryptophyte algae and elucidate the origin of the response on the protein level. We compare isolated native and photoacclimated phycobiliproteins for these two species using spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, and we report the X-ray structures of each phycobiliprotein and the corresponding photoacclimated complex. We find that neither the protein sequences nor the protein structures are modified by photoacclimation. We conclude that cryptophyte algae change one chromophore in the phycobiliprotein β subunits in response to changes in the spectral quality of light. Ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy shows that the energy transfer is weakly affected by photoacclimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah C. Spangler
- Department
of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Mina Yu
- Department
of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Philip D. Jeffrey
- Department
of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Gregory D. Scholes
- Department
of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
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11
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Abstract
John Archibald introduces cryptomonads, an important group of protists.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Archibald
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
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12
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Kumar G, Shekh A, Jakhu S, Sharma Y, Kapoor R, Sharma TR. Bioengineering of Microalgae: Recent Advances, Perspectives, and Regulatory Challenges for Industrial Application. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:914. [PMID: 33014997 PMCID: PMC7494788 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Microalgae, due to their complex metabolic capacity, are being continuously explored for nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and other industrially important bioactives. However, suboptimal yield and productivity of the bioactive of interest in local and robust wild-type strains are of perennial concerns for their industrial applications. To overcome such limitations, strain improvement through genetic engineering could play a decisive role. Though the advanced tools for genetic engineering have emerged at a greater pace, they still remain underused for microalgae as compared to other microorganisms. Pertaining to this, we reviewed the progress made so far in the development of molecular tools and techniques, and their deployment for microalgae strain improvement through genetic engineering. The recent availability of genome sequences and other omics datasets form diverse microalgae species have remarkable potential to guide strategic momentum in microalgae strain improvement program. This review focuses on the recent and significant improvements in the omics resources, mutant libraries, and high throughput screening methodologies helpful to augment research in the model and non-model microalgae. Authors have also summarized the case studies on genetically engineered microalgae and highlight the opportunities and challenges that are emerging from the current progress in the application of genome-editing to facilitate microalgal strain improvement. Toward the end, the regulatory and biosafety issues in the use of genetically engineered microalgae in commercial applications are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulshan Kumar
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, India
| | - Ajam Shekh
- Plant Cell Biotechnology Department, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysuru, India
| | - Sunaina Jakhu
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, India
| | - Yogesh Sharma
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, India
| | - Ritu Kapoor
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, India
| | - Tilak Raj Sharma
- Division of Crop Science, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India
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13
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Stadnichuk IN, Novikova TM, Miniuk GS, Boichenko VA, Bolychevtseva YV, Gusev ES, Lukashev EP. Phycoerythrin Association with Photosystem II in the Cryptophyte Alga Rhodomonas salina. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2020; 85:679-688. [PMID: 32586231 DOI: 10.1134/s000629792006005x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
# Deceased. Cryptophyte algae belong to a special group of oxygenic photosynthetic organisms containing pigment combination unique for plastids - phycobiliproteins and chlorophyll a/c-containing antenna. Despite the progress in investigation of morphological and ecological features, as well as genome-based systematics of cryptophytes, their photosynthetic apparatus remains poorly understood. The ratio of the photosystems (PS)s I and II is unknown and information on participation of the two antennal complexes in functions of the two photosystems is inconsistent. In the present work we demonstrated for the first time that the cryptophyte alga Rhodomonas salina had the PSI to PSII ratio in thylakoid membranes equal to 1 : 4, whereas this ratio in cyanobacteria and higher plants was known to be 3 : 1 and 1 : 1, respectively. Furthermore, it was established that contrary to the case of cyanobacteria the phycobiliprotein antenna represented by phycoerythrin-545 (PE-545) in R. salina was associated only with the PSII, which indicated specific spatial organization of these protein pigments within the thylakoids that did not facilitate interaction with the PSI.
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Affiliation(s)
- I N Stadnichuk
- Timiryazev Institute of Plant Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 127726, Russia.
| | - T M Novikova
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia
| | - G S Miniuk
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia
| | - V A Boichenko
- Institute of Fundamental Problems of Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region, 142290, Russia
| | - Yu V Bolychevtseva
- Kovalevski Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas, Russian Academy of Sciences, Sevastopol, 299011, Russia
| | - E S Gusev
- Timiryazev Institute of Plant Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 127726, Russia
| | - E P Lukashev
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Biology, Moscow, 119991, Russia
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14
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Greenwold MJ, Cunningham BR, Lachenmyer EM, Pullman JM, Richardson TL, Dudycha JL. Diversification of light capture ability was accompanied by the evolution of phycobiliproteins in cryptophyte algae. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 286:20190655. [PMID: 31088271 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.0655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary biologists have long sought to identify phenotypic traits whose evolution enhances an organism's performance in its environment. Diversification of traits related to resource acquisition can occur owing to spatial or temporal resource heterogeneity. We examined the ability to capture light in the Cryptophyta, a phylum of single-celled eukaryotic algae with diverse photosynthetic pigments, to better understand how acquisition of an abiotic resource may be associated with diversification. Cryptophytes originated through secondary endosymbiosis between an unknown eukaryotic host and a red algal symbiont. This merger resulted in distinctive pigment-protein complexes, the cryptophyte phycobiliproteins, which are the products of genes from both ancestors. These novel complexes may have facilitated diversification across environments where the spectrum of light available for photosynthesis varies widely. We measured light capture and pigments under controlled conditions in a phenotypically and phylogenetically diverse collection of cryptophytes. Using phylogenetic comparative methods, we found that phycobiliprotein characteristics were evolutionarily associated with diversification of light capture in cryptophytes, while non-phycobiliprotein pigments were not. Furthermore, phycobiliproteins were evolutionarily labile with repeated transitions and reversals. Thus, the endosymbiotic origin of cryptophyte phycobiliproteins provided an evolutionary spark that drove diversification of light capture, the resource that is the foundation of photosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Greenwold
- 1 Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina , Columbia, SC 29208 , USA
| | - Brady R Cunningham
- 2 School of the Earth, Ocean, and Environment, University of South Carolina , Columbia, SC 29208 , USA
| | - Eric M Lachenmyer
- 2 School of the Earth, Ocean, and Environment, University of South Carolina , Columbia, SC 29208 , USA
| | - John Michael Pullman
- 1 Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina , Columbia, SC 29208 , USA
| | - Tammi L Richardson
- 1 Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina , Columbia, SC 29208 , USA.,2 School of the Earth, Ocean, and Environment, University of South Carolina , Columbia, SC 29208 , USA
| | - Jeffry L Dudycha
- 1 Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina , Columbia, SC 29208 , USA
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