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Mohamed Abdoul-Latif F, Ainane A, Houmed Aboubaker I, Merito Ali A, Mohamed H, Jutur PP, Ainane T. Unlocking the Green Gold: Exploring the Cancer Treatment and the Other Therapeutic Potential of Fucoxanthin Derivatives from Microalgae. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:960. [PMID: 39065808 PMCID: PMC11280058 DOI: 10.3390/ph17070960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 07/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Fucoxanthin, a carotenoid widely studied in marine microalgae, is at the heart of scientific research because of its promising bioactive properties for human health. Its unique chemical structure and specific biosynthesis, characterized by complex enzymatic conversion in marine organisms, have been examined in depth in this review. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities of fucoxanthin have been rigorously supported by data from in vitro and in vivo experiments and early clinical trials. Additionally, this review explores emerging strategies to optimize the stability and efficacy of fucoxanthin, aiming to increase its solubility and bioavailability to enhance its therapeutic applications. However, despite these potential benefits, challenges persist, such as limited bioavailability and technological obstacles hindering its large-scale production. The medical exploitation of fucoxanthin thus requires an innovative approach and continuous optimization to overcome these barriers. Although further research is needed to refine its clinical use, fucoxanthin offers promising potential in the development of natural therapies aimed at improving human health. By integrating knowledge about its biosynthesis, mechanisms of action, and potential beneficial effects, future studies could open new perspectives in the treatment of cancer and other chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ayoub Ainane
- Superior School of Technology, University of Sultan Moulay Slimane, P.O. Box 170, Khenifra 54000, Morocco
| | - Ibrahim Houmed Aboubaker
- Center for Research and Study of Djibouti, Medicinal Research Institute, Djibouti City P.O. Box 486, Djibouti
- Peltier Hospital of Djibouti, Djibouti City P.O. Box 2123, Djibouti
| | - Ali Merito Ali
- Center for Research and Study of Djibouti, Medicinal Research Institute, Djibouti City P.O. Box 486, Djibouti
| | - Houda Mohamed
- Center for Research and Study of Djibouti, Medicinal Research Institute, Djibouti City P.O. Box 486, Djibouti
- Peltier Hospital of Djibouti, Djibouti City P.O. Box 2123, Djibouti
| | - Pannaga Pavan Jutur
- Omics of Algae Group, Industrial Biotechnology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India;
| | - Tarik Ainane
- Superior School of Technology, University of Sultan Moulay Slimane, P.O. Box 170, Khenifra 54000, Morocco
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Sun H, Wang J, Li Y, Yang S, Chen DD, Tu Y, Liu J, Sun Z. Synthetic biology in microalgae towards fucoxanthin production for pharmacy and nutraceuticals. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 220:115958. [PMID: 38052271 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115958] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology has emerged as a powerful tool for engineering biological systems to produce valuable compounds, including pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. Microalgae, in particular, offer a promising platform for the production of bioactive compounds due to their high productivity, low land and water requirements, and ability to perform photosynthesis. Fucoxanthin, a carotenoid pigment found predominantly in brown seaweeds and certain microalgae, has gained significant attention in recent years due to its numerous health benefits, such as antioxidation, antitumor effect and precaution osteoporosis. This review provides an overview of the principles and applications of synthetic biology in the microbial engineering of microalgae for enhanced fucoxanthin production. Firstly, the fucoxanthin bioavailability and metabolism in vivo was introduced for the beneficial roles, followed by the biological functions of anti-oxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, antiapoptotic role antidiabetic and antilipemic effects. Secondly, the cultivation condition and strategy were summarized for fucoxanthin improvement with low production costs. Thirdly, the genetic engineering of microalgae, including gene overexpression, knockdown and knockout strategies were discussed for further improving the fucoxanthin production. Then, synthetic biology tools of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, transcription activator-like effector nucleases as well as modular assembly and chassis engineering were proposed to precise modification of microalgal genomes to improve fucoxanthin production. Finally, challenges and future perspectives were discussed to realize the industrial production and development of functional foods of fucoxanthin from microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Sun
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Jia Wang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Yuelian Li
- China National Chemical Information Center, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Shufang Yang
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | | | - Yidong Tu
- Technology Center, Shanghai Inoherb Co. Ltd, 121 Chengyin Road, Shanghai 200083, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, Algae Innovation Center for Engineering Research, School of Resources and Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Zheng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Marine Biomedical Science and Technology Innovation Platform of Lin-gang Special Area, Shanghai 201306, China.
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Seo S, Chang KS, Choi MS, Jin E. Overexpression of PtVDL1 in Phaeodactylum tricornutum Increases Fucoxanthin Content under Red Light. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 34:198-206. [PMID: 37957112 PMCID: PMC10840463 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2309.09018] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a model diatom with significant biotechnological applications, including enhancing biomass, biofuel, and carotenoid production. Specifically, owing to the capacity of this organism to serve as a valuable source of essential raw materials for pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, ongoing research is actively focused on enhancing its productivity. One of the genes involved in various stages of fucoxanthin (Fx) biosynthesis, violaxanthin de-epoxidase like 1 (VDL1), has recently been identified. To validate the intracellular function of this gene and boost Fx production through overexpression, we established and examined three transgenic P. tricornutum lines characterized by elevated P. tricortunum VDL1 ( PtVDL1) expression and evaluate their cell growth and Fx productivity. These transgenic lines exhibited substantially increased PtVDL1 mRNA and protein levels compared to the wild type (WT). Notably, the enzyme substrate violaxanthin was entirely depleted and could not be detected in the transformants, whereas it remained at constant levels in the WT. Interestingly, under standard white light conditions, Fx productivity in the transformants remained unchanged; however, but after 48 h of exposure to red light, it increased by up to 15%. These results indicate that PtVDL1-overexpressing P. tricornutum has industrial potential, particularly for enhancing Fx production under red light conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungbeom Seo
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang Suk Chang
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Sun Choi
- Korea Radio-Isotope Center for Pharmaceuticals, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - EonSeon Jin
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
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Liu J, Sun Y, Zhang L, Li X, He Z, Zhou C, Han J. Screening of antibiotics to obtain axenic cell cultures of a marine microalga Chrysotila roscoffensis. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1218031. [PMID: 37304139 PMCID: PMC10248157 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1218031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to high growth rate, outstanding abiotic stress tolerance, and rich value-added substances, Chrysotila roscoffensis, belonging to the phylum of Haptophyta, can be considered as a versatile resource for industrial exploitation of bioactive compounds. However, the application potential of C. roscoffensis has drawn attention until just recently, and the understanding related to the biological properties of this species is still scarce. For example, the sensitivities of C. roscoffensis to antibiotics, which is essential for the verification of heterotrophic capacity and the establishment of efficient genetic manipulation system is still unavailable. Aiming to provide fundamental information for future exploitation, the sensitivities of C. roscoffensis to nine types of antibiotics were tested in this study. The results demonstrated that C. roscoffensis exhibited relatively high resistances to ampicillin, kanamycin, streptomycin, gentamicin, and geneticin, while was sensitive to bleomycin, hygromycin B, paromomycin, and chloramphenicol. Using the former five types of antibiotics, a bacteria removal strategy was established tentatively. Finally, the axenicity of treated C. roscoffensis was confirmed based on a multi-strategy method including solid plate, 16S rDNA amplification, and nuclear acid staining. This report can provide valuable information for the development of optimal selection markers, which are meaningful for more extensive transgenic studies in C. roscoffensis. Moreover, our study also paves the way for the establishment of heterotrophic/mixotrophic cultivation modes of C. roscoffensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaojiao Liu
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yan Sun
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Xiaohui Li
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Zhichao He
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Chengxu Zhou
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Jichang Han
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Ningbo Institute of Oceanography, Ningbo, China
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Liu X, Li X, Yang H, Yang R, Zhang D. Genome-Wide Characterization and Expression Profiling of ABA Biosynthesis Genes in a Desert Moss Syntrichia caninervis. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:1114. [PMID: 36903974 PMCID: PMC10004953 DOI: 10.3390/plants12051114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Syntrichia caninervis can survive under 80-90% protoplasmic water losses, and it is a model plant in desiccation tolerance research. A previous study has revealed that S. caninervis would accumulate ABA under dehydration stress, while the ABA biosynthesis genes in S. caninervis are still unknown. This study identified one ScABA1, two ScABA4s, five ScNCEDs, twenty-nine ScABA2s, one ScABA3, and four ScAAOs genes, indicating that the ABA biosynthesis genes were complete in S. caninervis. Gene location analysis showed that the ABA biosynthesis genes were evenly distributed in chromosomes but were not allocated to sex chromosomes. Collinear analysis revealed that ScABA1, ScNCED, and ScABA2 had homologous genes in Physcomitrella patens. RT-qPCR detection found that all of the ABA biosynthesis genes responded to abiotic stress; it further indicated that ABA plays an important role in S. caninervis. Moreover, the ABA biosynthesis genes in 19 representative plants were compared to study their phylogenetic and conserved motifs; the results suggested that the ABA biosynthesis genes were closely associated with plant taxa, but these genes had the same conserved domain in each plant. In contrast, there is a huge variation in the exon number between different plant taxa; it revealed that ABA biosynthesis gene structures are closely related to plant taxa. Above all, this study provides strong evidence demonstrating that ABA biosynthesis genes were conserved in the plant kingdom and deepens our understanding of the evolution of the phytohormone ABA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
- Xinjiang Key Lab of Conservation and Utilization of Plant Gene Resources, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaoshuang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
- Xinjiang Key Lab of Conservation and Utilization of Plant Gene Resources, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Honglan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
- Xinjiang Key Lab of Conservation and Utilization of Plant Gene Resources, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Ruirui Yang
- Xinjiang Key Lab of Conservation and Utilization of Plant Gene Resources, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Daoyuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
- Xinjiang Key Lab of Conservation and Utilization of Plant Gene Resources, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Turpan Eremophytes Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Turpan 838008, China
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Bai Y, Cao T, Dautermann O, Buschbeck P, Cantrell MB, Chen Y, Lein CD, Shi X, Ware MA, Yang F, Zhang H, Zhang L, Peers G, Li X, Lohr M. Green diatom mutants reveal an intricate biosynthetic pathway of fucoxanthin. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2203708119. [PMID: 36095219 PMCID: PMC9499517 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2203708119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Fucoxanthin is a major light-harvesting pigment in ecologically important algae such as diatoms, haptophytes, and brown algae (Phaeophyceae). Therefore, it is a major driver of global primary productivity. Species of these algal groups are brown colored because the high amounts of fucoxanthin bound to the proteins of their photosynthetic machineries enable efficient absorption of green light. While the structure of these fucoxanthin-chlorophyll proteins has recently been resolved, the biosynthetic pathway of fucoxanthin is still unknown. Here, we identified two enzymes central to this pathway by generating corresponding knockout mutants of the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum that are green due to the lack of fucoxanthin. Complementation of the mutants with the native genes or orthologs from haptophytes restored fucoxanthin biosynthesis. We propose a complete biosynthetic path to fucoxanthin in diatoms and haptophytes based on the carotenoid intermediates identified in the mutants and in vitro biochemical assays. It is substantially more complex than anticipated and reveals diadinoxanthin metabolism as the central regulatory hub connecting the photoprotective xanthophyll cycle and the formation of fucoxanthin. Moreover, our data show that the pathway evolved by repeated duplication and neofunctionalization of genes for the xanthophyll cycle enzymes violaxanthin de-epoxidase and zeaxanthin epoxidase. Brown algae lack diadinoxanthin and the genes described here and instead use an alternative pathway predicted to involve fewer enzymes. Our work represents a major step forward in elucidating the biosynthesis of fucoxanthin and understanding the evolution, biogenesis, and regulation of the photosynthetic machinery in algae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Bai
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1878
| | - Tianjun Cao
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China
- Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Oliver Dautermann
- Institut für Molekulare Physiologie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Paul Buschbeck
- Institut für Molekulare Physiologie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael B. Cantrell
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1878
| | - Yinjuan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Precise Synthesis of Functional Molecules of Zhejiang Province, School of Science, Instrumentation and Service Center for Molecular Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Christopher D. Lein
- Institut für Molekulare Physiologie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Xiaohuo Shi
- Key Laboratory of Precise Synthesis of Functional Molecules of Zhejiang Province, School of Science, Instrumentation and Service Center for Molecular Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Maxwell A. Ware
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1878
| | - Fenghua Yang
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China
- Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Lihan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Precise Synthesis of Functional Molecules of Zhejiang Province, School of Science, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China
- Institute of Natural Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Graham Peers
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1878
| | - Xiaobo Li
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China
- Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Martin Lohr
- Institut für Molekulare Physiologie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, 55099 Mainz, Germany
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