1
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Messaabi A, Merindol N, Bohnenblust L, Fantino E, Meddeb-Mouelhi F, Desgagné-Penix I. In vivo thrombin activity in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum: biotechnological insights. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:481. [PMID: 39377797 PMCID: PMC11461642 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13322-z] [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: 07/02/2024] [Revised: 09/24/2024] [Accepted: 10/01/2024] [Indexed: 10/09/2024]
Abstract
Diatoms are responsible for 20% of global carbon dioxide fixation and have significant potential in various biotechnological and industrial applications. Recently, the pennate diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum has emerged as a prominent platform organism for metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. The availability of its genome sequence has facilitated the development of new bioengineering tools. In this study, we used in silico analyses to identify sequences potentially encoding thrombin-like proteins, which are involved in recognizing and cleaving the thrombin sequence LVPRGS in P. tricornutum. Protein structure prediction and docking studies indicated a similar active site and ligand positioning compared to characterized human and bovine thrombin. The evidence and efficiency of the cleavage were determined in vivo using two fusion-protein constructs that included YFP to measure expression, protein accumulation, and cleavage. Western blot analysis revealed 50-100% cleavage between YFP and N-terminal fusion proteins. Our findings suggest the existence of a novel thrombin-like protease in P. tricornutum. This study advances the application of diatoms for the synthesis and production of complex proteins and enhances our understanding of the functional role of these putative thrombin sequences in diatom physiology. KEY POINTS: • Protein structure predictions reveal thrombin-like active sites in P. tricornutum. • Validated cleavage efficiency of thrombin-like protease on fusion proteins in vivo. • Study advances bioengineering tools for diatom-based biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anis Messaabi
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec À Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Natacha Merindol
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec À Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Lea Bohnenblust
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec À Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Elisa Fantino
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec À Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Plant Biology Research Group, Université du Québec À Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Fatma Meddeb-Mouelhi
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec À Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Plant Biology Research Group, Université du Québec À Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Isabel Desgagné-Penix
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec À Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada.
- Plant Biology Research Group, Université du Québec À Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada.
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2
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Zhu J, Li S, Chen W, Xu X, Wang X, Wang X, Han J, Jouhet J, Amato A, Maréchal E, Hu H, Allen AE, Gong Y, Jiang H. Delta-5 elongase knockout reduces docosahexaenoic acid and lipid synthesis and increases heat sensitivity in a diatom. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 196:1356-1373. [PMID: 38796833 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiae297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Recent global marine lipidomic analysis reveals a strong relationship between ocean temperature and phytoplanktonic abundance of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are essential for human nutrition and primarily sourced from phytoplankton in marine food webs. In phytoplanktonic organisms, EPA may play a major role in regulating the phase transition temperature of membranes, while the function of DHA remains unexplored. In the oleaginous diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, DHA is distributed mainly on extraplastidial phospholipids, which is very different from the EPA enriched in thylakoid lipids. Here, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9-mediated knockout of delta-5 elongase (ptELO5a), which encodes a delta-5 elongase (ELO5) catalyzing the elongation of EPA to synthesize DHA, led to a substantial interruption of DHA synthesis in P. tricornutum. The ptELO5a mutants showed some alterations in transcriptome and glycerolipidomes, including membrane lipids and triacylglycerols under normal temperature (22 °C), and were more sensitive to elevated temperature (28 °C) than wild type. We conclude that PtELO5a-mediated synthesis of small amounts of DHA has indispensable functions in regulating membrane lipids, indirectly contributing to storage lipid accumulation, and maintaining thermomorphogenesis in P. tricornutum. This study also highlights the significance of DHA synthesis and lipid composition for environmental adaptation of P. tricornutum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junkai Zhu
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Shuangqing Li
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
- Life and Ecology Center, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519080, China
| | - Weizhong Chen
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Xinde Xu
- Department of Human Nutrition, Zhejiang Medicine Co. Ltd., Xinchang 312500, China
- Department of Human Nutrition, Zhejiang Keming Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Xinchang 312500, China
| | - Xiaoping Wang
- Department of Human Nutrition, Zhejiang Medicine Co. Ltd., Xinchang 312500, China
- Department of Human Nutrition, Zhejiang Keming Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Xinchang 312500, China
| | - Xinwei Wang
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Jichang Han
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Juliette Jouhet
- Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, INRAE, Université Grenoble Alpes, Unité mixte de recherche 5168, IRIG, CEA Grenoble, F-38041 Grenoble, France
| | - Alberto Amato
- Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, INRAE, Université Grenoble Alpes, Unité mixte de recherche 5168, IRIG, CEA Grenoble, F-38041 Grenoble, France
| | - Eric Maréchal
- Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, INRAE, Université Grenoble Alpes, Unité mixte de recherche 5168, IRIG, CEA Grenoble, F-38041 Grenoble, France
| | - Hanhua Hu
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Andrew E Allen
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Environment and Sustainability, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Yangmin Gong
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Haibo Jiang
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
- Life and Ecology Center, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519080, China
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3
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Cagney MH, O'Neill EC. Strategies for producing high value small molecules in microalgae. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2024; 214:108942. [PMID: 39024780 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108942] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Eukaryotic microalgae are a diverse group of organisms that can be used for the sustainable production of a wide range of high value compounds, including lipids, flavours and dyes, bioplastics, and cosmetics. Optimising total biomass production often does not lead to optimal product yield and more sophisticated biphasic growth strategies are needed, introducing specific stresses to induce product synthesis. Genetic tools have been used to increase yields of natural products or to introduce new pathways to algae, and wider deployment of these tools offers promising routes for commercial production of high value compounds utilising minimal inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael H Cagney
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK; Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Ellis C O'Neill
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK; Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
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4
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Toustou C, Boulogne I, Gonzalez AA, Bardor M. Comparative RNA-Seq of Ten Phaeodactylum tricornutum Accessions: Unravelling Criteria for Robust Strain Selection from a Bioproduction Point of View. Mar Drugs 2024; 22:353. [PMID: 39195469 DOI: 10.3390/md22080353] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The production of biologics in mammalian cells is hindered by some limitations including high production costs, prompting the exploration of other alternative expression systems that are cheaper and sustainable like microalgae. Successful productions of biologics such as monoclonal antibodies have already been demonstrated in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum; however, limited production yields still remain compared to mammalian cells. Therefore, efforts are needed to make this microalga more competitive as a cell biofactory. Among the seventeen reported accessions of P. tricornutum, ten have been mainly studied so far. Among them, some have already been used to produce high-value-added molecules such as biologics. The use of "omics" is increasingly being described as useful for the improvement of both upstream and downstream steps in bioprocesses using mammalian cells. Therefore, in this context, we performed an RNA-Seq analysis of the ten most used P. tricornutum accessions (Pt1 to Pt10) and deciphered the differential gene expression in pathways that could affect bioproduction of biologics in P. tricornutum. Our results highlighted the benefits of certain accessions such as Pt9 or Pt4 for the production of biologics. Indeed, these accessions seem to be more advantageous. Moreover, these results contribute to a better understanding of the molecular and cellular biology of P. tricornutum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Toustou
- Laboratoire GlycoMEV UR 4358, Université de Rouen Normandie, SFR Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Innovation Chimie Carnot, 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Isabelle Boulogne
- Laboratoire GlycoMEV UR 4358, Université de Rouen Normandie, SFR Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Innovation Chimie Carnot, 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Anne-Alicia Gonzalez
- MGX-Montpellier GenomiX, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier, France
| | - Muriel Bardor
- Laboratoire GlycoMEV UR 4358, Université de Rouen Normandie, SFR Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Innovation Chimie Carnot, 76000 Rouen, France
- ALGA BIOLOGICS, CURIB, 25 rue Tesnières, 76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
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5
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Zhang H, Xiong X, Guo K, Zheng M, Cao T, Yang Y, Song J, Cen J, Zhang J, Jiang Y, Feng S, Tian L, Li X. A rapid aureochrome opto-switch enables diatom acclimation to dynamic light. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5578. [PMID: 38956103 PMCID: PMC11219949 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49991-7] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Diatoms often outnumber other eukaryotic algae in the oceans, especially in coastal environments characterized by frequent fluctuations in light intensity. The identities and operational mechanisms of regulatory factors governing diatom acclimation to high light stress remain largely elusive. Here, we identified the AUREO1c protein from the coastal diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum as a crucial regulator of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), a photoprotective mechanism that dissipates excess energy as heat. AUREO1c detects light stress using a light-oxygen-voltage (LOV) domain and directly activates the expression of target genes, including LI818 genes that encode NPQ effector proteins, via its bZIP DNA-binding domain. In comparison to a kinase-mediated pathway reported in the freshwater green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, the AUREO1c pathway exhibits a faster response and enables accumulation of LI818 transcript and protein levels to comparable degrees between continuous high-light and fluctuating-light treatments. We propose that the AUREO1c-LI818 pathway contributes to the resilience of diatoms under dynamic light conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhang
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaofeng Xiong
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kangning Guo
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengyuan Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Photobiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- China National Botanical Garden, Beijing, China
| | - Tianjun Cao
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuqing Yang
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiaojiao Song
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jie Cen
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiahuan Zhang
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanyou Jiang
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shan Feng
- Mass Spectrometry & Metabolomics Core Facility, The Biomedical Research Core Facility, Center for Research Equipment and Facilities, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lijin Tian
- Key Laboratory of Photobiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- China National Botanical Garden, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaobo Li
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China.
- Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, China.
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6
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Stindt KR, McClean MN. Tuning interdomain conjugation to enable in situ population modification in yeasts. mSystems 2024; 9:e0005024. [PMID: 38747597 PMCID: PMC11326116 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00050-24] [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: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The ability to modify and control natural and engineered microbiomes is essential for biotechnology and biomedicine. Fungi are critical members of most microbiomes, yet technology for modifying the fungal members of a microbiome has lagged far behind that for bacteria. Interdomain conjugation (IDC) is a promising approach, as DNA transfer from bacterial cells to yeast enables in situ modification. While such genetic transfers have been known to naturally occur in a wide range of eukaryotes and are thought to contribute to their evolution, IDC has been understudied as a technique to control fungal or fungal-bacterial consortia. One major obstacle to the widespread use of IDC is its limited efficiency. In this work, we manipulated metabolic and physical interactions between genetically tractable Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae to control the incidence of IDC. We test the landscape of population interactions between the bacterial donors and yeast recipients to find that bacterial commensalism leads to maximized IDC, both in culture and in mixed colonies. We demonstrate the capacity of cell-to-cell binding via mannoproteins to assist both IDC incidence and bacterial commensalism in culture and model how these tunable controls can predictably yield a range of IDC outcomes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that these controls can be utilized to irreversibly alter a recipient yeast population, by both "rescuing" a poor-growing recipient population and collapsing a stable population via a novel IDC-mediated CRISPR/Cas9 system.IMPORTANCEFungi are important but often unaddressed members of most natural and synthetic microbial communities. This work highlights opportunities for modifying yeast microbiome populations through bacterial conjugation. While conjugation has been recognized for its capacity to deliver engineerable DNA to a range of cells, its dependence on cell contact has limited its efficiency. Here, we find "knobs" to control DNA transfer, by engineering the metabolic dependence between bacterial donors and yeast recipients and by changing their ability to physically adhere to each other. Importantly, we functionally validate these "knobs" by irreversibly altering yeast populations. We use these controls to "rescue" a failing yeast population, demonstrate the capacity of conjugated CRISPR/Cas9 to depress or collapse populations, and show that conjugation can be easily interrupted by disrupting cell-to-cell binding. These results offer building blocks toward in situ mycobiome editing, with significant implications for clinical treatments of fungal pathogens and other fungal system engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin R Stindt
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Doctoral Program in Biophysics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Megan N McClean
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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7
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Fogarty EC, Schechter MS, Lolans K, Sheahan ML, Veseli I, Moore RM, Kiefl E, Moody T, Rice PA, Yu MK, Mimee M, Chang EB, Ruscheweyh HJ, Sunagawa S, Mclellan SL, Willis AD, Comstock LE, Eren AM. A cryptic plasmid is among the most numerous genetic elements in the human gut. Cell 2024; 187:1206-1222.e16. [PMID: 38428395 PMCID: PMC10973873 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.01.039] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Plasmids are extrachromosomal genetic elements that often encode fitness-enhancing features. However, many bacteria carry "cryptic" plasmids that do not confer clear beneficial functions. We identified one such cryptic plasmid, pBI143, which is ubiquitous across industrialized gut microbiomes and is 14 times as numerous as crAssphage, currently established as the most abundant extrachromosomal genetic element in the human gut. The majority of mutations in pBI143 accumulate in specific positions across thousands of metagenomes, indicating strong purifying selection. pBI143 is monoclonal in most individuals, likely due to the priority effect of the version first acquired, often from one's mother. pBI143 can transfer between Bacteroidales, and although it does not appear to impact bacterial host fitness in vivo, it can transiently acquire additional genetic content. We identified important practical applications of pBI143, including its use in identifying human fecal contamination and its potential as an alternative approach to track human colonic inflammatory states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Fogarty
- Committee on Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Duchossois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
| | - Matthew S Schechter
- Committee on Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Duchossois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Karen Lolans
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Madeline L Sheahan
- Duchossois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Iva Veseli
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Graduate Program in Biophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Ryan M Moore
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Evan Kiefl
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Graduate Program in Biophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Thomas Moody
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Phoebe A Rice
- Committee on Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Michael K Yu
- Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Mark Mimee
- Committee on Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Eugene B Chang
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Hans-Joachim Ruscheweyh
- Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Shinichi Sunagawa
- Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Sandra L Mclellan
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USA
| | - Amy D Willis
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Laurie E Comstock
- Committee on Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Duchossois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
| | - A Murat Eren
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA; Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany; Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, University of Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, 28359 Bremen, Germany; Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany.
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8
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You L, Połońska A, Jasieniecka-Gazarkiewicz K, Richard F, Jouhet J, Maréchal E, Banaś A, Hu H, Pan Y, Hao X, Jin H, Allen AE, Amato A, Gong Y. Two plastidial lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferases differentially mediate the biosynthesis of membrane lipids and triacylglycerols in Phaeodactylum tricornutum. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 241:1543-1558. [PMID: 38031462 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19434] [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: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferases (LPAATs) catalyze the formation of phosphatidic acid (PA), a central metabolite in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms for glycerolipid biosynthesis. Phaeodactylum tricornutum contains at least two plastid-localized LPAATs (ptATS2a and ptATS2b), but their roles in lipid synthesis remain unknown. Both ptATS2a and ptATS2b could complement the high temperature sensitivity of the bacterial plsC mutant deficient in LPAAT. In vitro enzyme assays showed that they prefer lysophosphatidic acid over other lysophospholipids. ptATS2a is localized in the plastid inner envelope membrane and CRISPR/Cas9-generated ptATS2a mutants showed compromised cell growth, significantly changed plastid and extra-plastidial membrane lipids at nitrogen-replete condition and reduced triacylglycerols (TAGs) under nitrogen-depleted condition. ptATS2b is localized in thylakoid membranes and its knockout led to reduced growth rate and TAG content but slightly altered molecular composition of membrane lipids. The changes in glycerolipid profiles are consistent with the role of both LPAATs in the sn-2 acylation of sn-1-acyl-glycerol-3-phosphate substrates harboring 20:5 at the sn-1 position. Our findings suggest that both LPAATs are important for membrane lipids and TAG biosynthesis in P. tricornutum and further highlight that 20:5-Lyso-PA is likely involved in the massive import of 20:5 back to the plastid to feed plastid glycerolipid syntheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingjie You
- Oil Crops Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Ada Połońska
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of UG and MUG, Gdansk, 80-307, Poland
| | | | - Fabien Richard
- Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, INRAE, Université Grenoble Alpes, Unité mixte de recherche 5168, IRIG, CEA Grenoble, F-38041, Grenoble, France
| | - Juliette Jouhet
- Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, INRAE, Université Grenoble Alpes, Unité mixte de recherche 5168, IRIG, CEA Grenoble, F-38041, Grenoble, France
| | - Eric Maréchal
- Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, INRAE, Université Grenoble Alpes, Unité mixte de recherche 5168, IRIG, CEA Grenoble, F-38041, Grenoble, France
| | - Antoni Banaś
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of UG and MUG, Gdansk, 80-307, Poland
| | - Hanhua Hu
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Yufang Pan
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Xiahui Hao
- Oil Crops Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Hu Jin
- Center for Microalgal Biotechnology and Biofuels, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Andrew E Allen
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- J. Craig Venter Institute, 4120 Capricorn Lane, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Alberto Amato
- Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, INRAE, Université Grenoble Alpes, Unité mixte de recherche 5168, IRIG, CEA Grenoble, F-38041, Grenoble, France
| | - Yangmin Gong
- Oil Crops Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, 430062, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, 430062, China
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9
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Oda K, Wlodawer A. Development of Enzyme-Based Approaches for Recycling PET on an Industrial Scale. Biochemistry 2024. [PMID: 38285602 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Pollution by plastics such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PUR), polyamide (PA), polystyrene (PS), and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is now gaining worldwide attention as a critical environmental issue, closely linked to climate change. Among them, PET is particularly prone to hydrolysis, breaking down into its constituents, ethylene glycol (EG) and terephthalate (TPA). Biorecycling or bioupcycling stands out as one of the most promising methods for addressing PET pollution. For dealing with pollution by the macrosize PET, a French company Carbios has developed a pilot-scale plant for biorecycling waste PET beverage bottles into new bottles using derivatives of thermophilic leaf compost cutinase (LCC). However, this system still provides significant challenges in its practical implementation. For the micro- or nanosize PET pollution that poses significant human health risks, including cancer, no industrial-scale approach has been established so far, despite the need to develop such technologies. In this Perspective, we explore the enhancement of the low activity and thermostability of the enzyme PETase to match that of LCC, along with the potential application of microbes and enzymes for the treatment of waste PET as microplastics. Additionally, we discuss the shortcomings of the current biorecycling protocols from a life cycle assessment perspective, covering aspects such as the diversity of PET-hydrolyzing enzymes in nature, the catalytic mechanism for crystallized PET, and more. We also provide an overview of the Ideonella sakaiensis system, highlighting its ability to operate and grow at moderate temperatures, in contrast to high-temperature processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Oda
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Alexander Wlodawer
- Center for Structural Biology, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
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10
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Liu X, Zuo Z, Xie X, Gao S, Wu S, Gu W, Wang G. SLC24A-mediated calcium exchange as an indispensable component of the diatom cell density-driven signaling pathway. THE ISME JOURNAL 2024; 18:wrae039. [PMID: 38457651 PMCID: PMC10982851 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae039] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Diatom bloom is characterized by a rapid increase of population density. Perception of population density and physiological responses can significantly influence their survival strategies, subsequently impacting bloom fate. The population density itself can serve as a signal, which is perceived through chemical signals or chlorophyll fluorescence signals triggered by high cell density, and their intracellular signaling mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this study, we focused on the model diatom, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, and designed an orthogonal experiment involving varying cell densities and light conditions, to stimulate the release of chemical signals and light-induced chlorophyll fluorescence signals. Utilizing RNA-Seq and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis, we identified four gene clusters displaying density-dependent expression patterns. Within these, a potential hub gene, PtSLC24A, encoding a Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, was identified. Based on molecular genetics, cellular physiology, computational structural biology, and in situ oceanic data, we propose a potential intracellular signaling mechanism related to cell density in marine diatoms using Ca2+: upon sensing population density signals mediated by chemical cues, the membrane-bound PtSLC24A facilitates the efflux of Ca2+ to maintain specific intracellular calcium levels, allowing the transduction of intracellular density signals, subsequently regulating physiological responses, including cell apoptosis, ultimately affecting algal blooms fate. These findings shed light on the calcium-mediated intracellular signaling mechanism of marine diatoms to changing population densities, and enhances our understanding of diatom bloom dynamics and their ecological implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuehua Liu
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266404, Shandong Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266404, Shandong Province, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, Shandong Province, China
| | - Zhicheng Zuo
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai 201620, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Center for Druggability of Cardiovascular Noncoding RNA, Institute for Frontier Medical Technology, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Xiujun Xie
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266404, Shandong Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266404, Shandong Province, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, Shandong Province, China
| | - Shan Gao
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266404, Shandong Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266404, Shandong Province, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, Shandong Province, China
| | - Songcui Wu
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266404, Shandong Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266404, Shandong Province, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, Shandong Province, China
| | - Wenhui Gu
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266404, Shandong Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266404, Shandong Province, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, Shandong Province, China
| | - Guangce Wang
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266404, Shandong Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266404, Shandong Province, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, Shandong Province, China
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11
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Awwad F, Fantino EI, Héneault M, Diaz-Garza AM, Merindol N, Custeau A, Gélinas SE, Meddeb-Mouelhi F, Li J, Lemay JF, Karas BJ, Desgagne-Penix I. Bioengineering of the Marine Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum with Cannabis Genes Enables the Production of the Cannabinoid Precursor, Olivetolic Acid. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16624. [PMID: 38068947 PMCID: PMC10706280 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316624] [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: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing demand for novel natural compounds has prompted the exploration of innovative approaches in bioengineering. This study investigates the bioengineering potential of the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum through the introduction of cannabis genes, specifically, tetraketide synthase (TKS), and olivetolic acid cyclase (OAC), for the production of the cannabinoid precursor, olivetolic acid (OA). P. tricornutum is a promising biotechnological platform due to its fast growth rate, amenability to genetic manipulation, and ability to produce valuable compounds. Through genetic engineering techniques, we successfully integrated the cannabis genes TKS and OAC into the diatom. P. tricornutum transconjugants expressing these genes showed the production of the recombinant TKS and OAC enzymes, detected via Western blot analysis, and the production of cannabinoids precursor (OA) detected using the HPLC/UV spectrum when compared to the wild-type strain. Quantitative analysis revealed significant olivetolic acid accumulation (0.6-2.6 mg/L), demonstrating the successful integration and functionality of the heterologous genes. Furthermore, the introduction of TKS and OAC genes led to the synthesis of novel molecules, potentially expanding the repertoire of bioactive compounds accessible through diatom-based biotechnology. This study demonstrates the successful bioengineering of P. tricornutum with cannabis genes, enabling the production of OA as a precursor for cannabinoid production and the synthesis of novel molecules with potential pharmaceutical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Awwad
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boulevard des Forges, Trois-Riviere, QC G9A 5H7, Canada
| | - Elisa Ines Fantino
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boulevard des Forges, Trois-Riviere, QC G9A 5H7, Canada
| | - Marianne Héneault
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boulevard des Forges, Trois-Riviere, QC G9A 5H7, Canada
| | - Aracely Maribel Diaz-Garza
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boulevard des Forges, Trois-Riviere, QC G9A 5H7, Canada
| | - Natacha Merindol
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boulevard des Forges, Trois-Riviere, QC G9A 5H7, Canada
- Groupe de Recherche en Biologie Végétale, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Riviere, QC G9A 5H7, Canada
| | - Alexandre Custeau
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boulevard des Forges, Trois-Riviere, QC G9A 5H7, Canada
| | - Sarah-Eve Gélinas
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boulevard des Forges, Trois-Riviere, QC G9A 5H7, Canada
| | - Fatma Meddeb-Mouelhi
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boulevard des Forges, Trois-Riviere, QC G9A 5H7, Canada
- Groupe de Recherche en Biologie Végétale, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Riviere, QC G9A 5H7, Canada
| | - Jessica Li
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Jean-François Lemay
- Centre National en Électrochimie et en Technologies Environnementales Inc., 2263 Avenue du Collège, Shawinigan, QC G9N 6V8, Canada
| | - Bogumil J. Karas
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Isabel Desgagne-Penix
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boulevard des Forges, Trois-Riviere, QC G9A 5H7, Canada
- Groupe de Recherche en Biologie Végétale, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Riviere, QC G9A 5H7, Canada
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12
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Garza EA, Bielinski VA, Espinoza JL, Orlandi K, Alfaro JR, Bolt TM, Beeri K, Weyman PD, Dupont CL. Validating a Promoter Library for Application in Plasmid-Based Diatom Genetic Engineering. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:3215-3228. [PMID: 37857380 PMCID: PMC10661051 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00163] [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: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
While diatoms are promising synthetic biology platforms, there currently exists a limited number of validated genetic regulatory parts available for genetic engineering. The standard method for diatom transformation, nonspecific introduction of DNA into chromosomes via biolistic particle bombardment, is low throughput and suffers from clonal variability and epigenetic effects. Recent developments in diatom engineering have demonstrated that autonomously replicating episomal plasmids serve as stable expression platforms for diverse gene expression technologies. These plasmids are delivered via bacterial conjugation and, when combined with modular DNA assembly technologies, provide a flexibility and speed not possible with biolistic-mediated strain generation. In order to expand the current toolbox for plasmid-based engineering in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, a conjugation-based forward genetics screen for promoter discovery was developed, and application to a diatom genomic DNA library defined 252 P. tricornutum promoter elements. From this library, 40 promoter/terminator pairs were delivered via conjugation on episomal plasmids, characterized in vivo, and ranked across 4 orders of magnitude difference in reporter gene expression levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin A. Garza
- J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | | | - Josh L. Espinoza
- J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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13
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Patwari P, Pruckner F, Fabris M. Biosensors in microalgae: A roadmap for new opportunities in synthetic biology and biotechnology. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 68:108221. [PMID: 37495181 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Biosensors are powerful tools to investigate, phenotype, improve and prototype microbial strains, both in fundamental research and in industrial contexts. Genetic and biotechnological developments now allow the implementation of synthetic biology approaches to novel different classes of microbial hosts, for example photosynthetic microalgae, which offer unique opportunities. To date, biosensors have not yet been implemented in phototrophic eukaryotic microorganisms, leaving great potential for novel biological and technological advancements untapped. Here, starting from selected biosensor technologies that have successfully been implemented in heterotrophic organisms, we project and define a roadmap on how these could be applied to microalgae research. We highlight novel opportunities for the development of new biosensors, identify critical challenges, and finally provide a perspective on the impact of their eventual implementation to tackle research questions and bioengineering strategies. From studying metabolism at the single-cell level to genome-wide screen approaches, and assisted laboratory evolution experiments, biosensors will greatly impact the pace of progress in understanding and engineering microalgal metabolism. We envision how this could further advance the possibilities for unraveling their ecological role, evolutionary history and accelerate their domestication, to further drive them as resource-efficient production hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payal Patwari
- SDU Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M DK-5230, Denmark
| | - Florian Pruckner
- SDU Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M DK-5230, Denmark
| | - Michele Fabris
- SDU Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M DK-5230, Denmark.
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14
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Jiang Y, Cao T, Yang Y, Zhang H, Zhang J, Li X. A chlorophyll c synthase widely co-opted by phytoplankton. Science 2023; 382:92-98. [PMID: 37797009 DOI: 10.1126/science.adg7921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Marine and terrestrial photosynthesis exhibit a schism in the accessory chlorophyll (Chl) that complements the function of Chl a: Chl b for green plants versus Chl c for most eukaryotic phytoplankton. The enzymes that mediate Chl c biosynthesis have long remained elusive. In this work, we identified the CHLC dioxygenase (Phatr3_J43737) from the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum as the Chl c synthase. The chlc mutants lacked Chl c, instead accumulating its precursors, and exhibited growth defects. In vitro, recombinant CHLC protein converted these precursors into Chl c, thereby confirming its identity. Phylogenetic evidence demonstrates conserved use of CHLC across phyla but also the existence of distinct Chl c synthases in different algal groups. Our study addresses a long-outstanding question with implications for both contemporary and ancient marine photosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyou Jiang
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tianjun Cao
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuqing Yang
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jingyu Zhang
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaobo Li
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, China
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15
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Stindt KR, McClean MN. Tuning Interdomain Conjugation Toward in situ Population Modification in Yeast. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.12.557379. [PMID: 37745509 PMCID: PMC10515866 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.12.557379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The ability to modify and control natural and engineered microbiomes is essential for biotechnology and biomedicine. Fungi are critical members of most microbiomes, yet technology for modifying the fungal members of a microbiome has lagged far behind that for bacteria. Interdomain conjugation (IDC) is a promising approach, as DNA transfer from bacterial cells to yeast enables in situ modification. While such genetic transfers have been known to naturally occur in a wide range of eukaryotes, and are thought to contribute to their evolution, IDC has been understudied as a technique to control fungal or fungal-bacterial consortia. One major obstacle to widespread use of IDC is its limited efficiency. In this work, we utilize interactions between genetically tractable Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae to control the incidence of IDC. We test the landscape of population interactions between the bacterial donors and yeast recipients to find that bacterial commensalism leads to maximized IDC, both in culture and in mixed colonies. We demonstrate the capacity of cell-to-cell binding via mannoproteins to assist both IDC incidence and bacterial commensalism in culture, and model how these tunable controls can predictably yield a range of IDC outcomes. Further, we demonstrate that these lessons can be utilized to lastingly alter a recipient yeast population, by both "rescuing" a poor-growing recipient population and collapsing a stable population via a novel IDC-mediated CRISPR/Cas9 system.
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16
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Gu X, Huang L, Lian J. Biomanufacturing of γ-linolenic acid-enriched galactosyldiacylglycerols: Challenges in microalgae and potential in oleaginous yeasts. Synth Syst Biotechnol 2023; 8:469-478. [PMID: 37692201 PMCID: PMC10485790 DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2023.06.007] [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: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
γ-Linolenic acid-enriched galactosyldiacylglycerols (GDGs-GLA), as the natural form of γ-linolenic acid in microalgae, have a range of functional activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-allergic properties. The low abundance of microalgae and the structural stereoselectivity complexity impede microalgae extraction or chemical synthesis, resulting in a lack of supply of GDGs-GLA with a growing demand. At present, there is a growing interest in engineering oleaginous yeasts for mass production of GDGs-GLA based on their ability to utilize a variety of hydrophobic substrates and a high metabolic flux toward fatty acid and lipid (triacylglycerol, TAG) production. Here, we first introduce the GDGs-GLA biosynthetic pathway in microalgae and challenges in the engineering of the native host. Subsequently, we describe in detail the applications of oleaginous yeasts with Yarrowia lipolytica as the representative for GDGs-GLA biosynthesis, including the development of synthetic biology parts, gene editing tools, and metabolic engineering of lipid biosynthesis. Finally, we discuss the development trend of GDGs-GLA biosynthesis in Y. lipolytica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaosong Gu
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311215, China
| | - Lei Huang
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311215, China
| | - Jiazhang Lian
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311215, China
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
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17
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Cao T, Bai Y, Buschbeck P, Tan Q, Cantrell MB, Chen Y, Jiang Y, Liu RZ, Ries NK, Shi X, Sun Y, Ware MA, Yang F, Zhang H, Han J, Zhang L, Huang J, Lohr M, Peers G, Li X. An unexpected hydratase synthesizes the green light-absorbing pigment fucoxanthin. THE PLANT CELL 2023; 35:3053-3072. [PMID: 37100425 PMCID: PMC10396388 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koad116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The ketocarotenoid fucoxanthin and its derivatives can absorb blue-green light enriched in marine environments. Fucoxanthin is widely adopted by phytoplankton species as a main light-harvesting pigment, in contrast to land plants that primarily employ chlorophylls. Despite its supreme abundance in the oceans, the last steps of fucoxanthin biosynthesis have remained elusive. Here, we identified the carotenoid isomerase-like protein CRTISO5 as the diatom fucoxanthin synthase that is related to the carotenoid cis-trans isomerase CRTISO from land plants but harbors unexpected enzymatic activity. A crtiso5 knockout mutant in the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum completely lacked fucoxanthin and accumulated the acetylenic carotenoid phaneroxanthin. Recombinant CRTISO5 converted phaneroxanthin into fucoxanthin in vitro by hydrating its carbon-carbon triple bond, instead of functioning as an isomerase. Molecular docking and mutational analyses revealed residues essential for this activity. Furthermore, a photophysiological characterization of the crtiso5 mutant revealed a major structural and functional role of fucoxanthin in photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes of diatoms. As CRTISO5 hydrates an internal alkyne physiologically, the enzyme has unique potential for biocatalytic applications. The discovery of CRTISO5 illustrates how neofunctionalization leads to major diversification events in evolution of photosynthetic mechanisms and the prominent brown coloration of most marine photosynthetic eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - Yu Bai
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Paul Buschbeck
- Institut für Molekulare Physiologie, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Qiaozhu Tan
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Michael B Cantrell
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - 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
| | - Yanyou Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Run-Zhou Liu
- Key Laboratory of Precise Synthesis of Functional Molecules of Zhejiang Province, School of Science, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Nana K Ries
- Institut für Molekulare Physiologie, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 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
| | - Yan Sun
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Maxwell A Ware
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - 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
| | - Jichang Han
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, 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
| | - Jing Huang
- Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310024, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Martin Lohr
- Institut für Molekulare Physiologie, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Graham Peers
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - 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
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18
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Koehle AP, Brumwell SL, Seto EP, Lynch AM, Urbaniak C. Microbial applications for sustainable space exploration beyond low Earth orbit. NPJ Microgravity 2023; 9:47. [PMID: 37344487 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-023-00285-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
With the construction of the International Space Station, humans have been continuously living and working in space for 22 years. Microbial studies in space and other extreme environments on Earth have shown the ability for bacteria and fungi to adapt and change compared to "normal" conditions. Some of these changes, like biofilm formation, can impact astronaut health and spacecraft integrity in a negative way, while others, such as a propensity for plastic degradation, can promote self-sufficiency and sustainability in space. With the next era of space exploration upon us, which will see crewed missions to the Moon and Mars in the next 10 years, incorporating microbiology research into planning, decision-making, and mission design will be paramount to ensuring success of these long-duration missions. These can include astronaut microbiome studies to protect against infections, immune system dysfunction and bone deterioration, or biological in situ resource utilization (bISRU) studies that incorporate microbes to act as radiation shields, create electricity and establish robust plant habitats for fresh food and recycling of waste. In this review, information will be presented on the beneficial use of microbes in bioregenerative life support systems, their applicability to bISRU, and their capability to be genetically engineered for biotechnological space applications. In addition, we discuss the negative effect microbes and microbial communities may have on long-duration space travel and provide mitigation strategies to reduce their impact. Utilizing the benefits of microbes, while understanding their limitations, will help us explore deeper into space and develop sustainable human habitats on the Moon, Mars and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison P Koehle
- Department of Plant Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Stephanie L Brumwell
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | | | - Anne M Lynch
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Graduate Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Camilla Urbaniak
- ZIN Technologies Inc, Middleburg Heights, OH, USA.
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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19
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Yin W, Hu H. CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Genome Editing via Homologous Recombination in a Centric Diatom Chaetoceros muelleri. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:1287-1296. [PMID: 37031406 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2023]
Abstract
Chaetoceros, the most abundant genus of marine planktonic diatoms, can be used in mariculture. An effective genetic transformation system with a short transformation period was established in Chaetoceros muelleri by electroporation in our previous study. In this study, a sequence-specific clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9 vector applicable for C. muelleri was constructed, and the expressions of sgRNA, resistance gene, and Cas9 gene were driven by the endogenous promoters U6, acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase, and fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c binding protein, respectively, in the vector. Nitrate reductase (NR) and urease (URE) genes were edited in C. muelleri, and the NR knockout and NR/URE double-knockout lines displayed the strict auxotrophic phenotype. In addition, the DNA double-strand break was repaired by homologous recombination when a donor DNA was introduced. CRISPR/Cas9 technology was successfully applied to C. muelleri with an editing efficiency of up to 86%, providing a molecular tool for the study of basic biology in C. muelleri and its synthetic biology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxiu Yin
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hanhua Hu
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
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20
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Fogarty EC, Schechter MS, Lolans K, Sheahan ML, Veseli I, Moore R, Kiefl E, Moody T, Rice PA, Yu MK, Mimee M, Chang EB, Mclellan SL, Willis AD, Comstock LE, Eren AM. A highly conserved and globally prevalent cryptic plasmid is among the most numerous mobile genetic elements in the human gut. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.25.534219. [PMID: 36993556 PMCID: PMC10055365 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.25.534219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Plasmids are extrachromosomal genetic elements that often encode fitness enhancing features. However, many bacteria carry 'cryptic' plasmids that do not confer clear beneficial functions. We identified one such cryptic plasmid, pBI143, which is ubiquitous across industrialized gut microbiomes, and is 14 times as numerous as crAssphage, currently established as the most abundant genetic element in the human gut. The majority of mutations in pBI143 accumulate in specific positions across thousands of metagenomes, indicating strong purifying selection. pBI143 is monoclonal in most individuals, likely due to the priority effect of the version first acquired, often from one's mother. pBI143 can transfer between Bacteroidales and although it does not appear to impact bacterial host fitness in vivo, can transiently acquire additional genetic content. We identified important practical applications of pBI143, including its use in identifying human fecal contamination and its potential as an inexpensive alternative for detecting human colonic inflammatory states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Fogarty
- Committee on Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Duchossois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Matthew S Schechter
- Committee on Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Duchossois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Karen Lolans
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Madeline L. Sheahan
- Duchossois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Iva Veseli
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Graduate Program in Biophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Ryan Moore
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Evan Kiefl
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Graduate Program in Biophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Thomas Moody
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032 USA
| | - Phoebe A Rice
- Committee on Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | | | - Mark Mimee
- Committee on Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Eugene B Chang
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Sandra L Mclellan
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, 53204, USA
| | - Amy D Willis
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Laurie E Comstock
- Duchossois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - A Murat Eren
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, USA
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, University of Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
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21
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Diamond A, Diaz-Garza AM, Li J, Slattery SS, Merindol N, Fantino E, Meddeb-Mouelhi F, Karas BJ, Barnabé S, Desgagné-Penix I. Instability of extrachromosomal DNA transformed into the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. ALGAL RES 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2023.102998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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22
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Patel VK, Das A, Kumari R, Kajla S. Recent progress and challenges in CRISPR-Cas9 engineered algae and cyanobacteria. ALGAL RES 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2023.103068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
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23
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Hassanien A, Saadaoui I, Schipper K, Al-Marri S, Dalgamouni T, Aouida M, Saeed S, Al-Jabri HM. Genetic engineering to enhance microalgal-based produced water treatment with emphasis on CRISPR/Cas9: A review. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 10:1104914. [PMID: 36714622 PMCID: PMC9881887 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1104914] [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: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the increased demand for and regional variability of available water resources, along with sustainable water supply planning, have driven interest in the reuse of produced water. Reusing produced water can provide important economic, social, and environmental benefits, particularly in water-scarce regions. Therefore, efficient wastewater treatment is a crucial step prior to reuse to meet the requirements for use within the oil and gas industry or by external users. Bioremediation using microalgae has received increased interest as a method for produced water treatment for removing not only major contaminants such as nitrogen and phosphorus, but also heavy metals and hydrocarbons. Some research publications reported nearly 100% removal of total hydrocarbons, total nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, and iron when using microalgae to treat produced water. Enhancing microalgal removal efficiency as well as growth rate, in the presence of such relevant contaminants is of great interest to many industries to further optimize the process. One novel approach to further enhancing algal capabilities and phytoremediation of wastewater is genetic modification. A comprehensive description of using genetically engineered microalgae for wastewater bioremediation is discussed in this review. This article also reviews random and targeted mutations as a method to alter microalgal traits to produce strains capable of tolerating various stressors related to wastewater. Other methods of genetic engineering are discussed, with sympathy for CRISPR/Cas9 technology. This is accompanied by the opportunities, as well as the challenges of using genetically engineered microalgae for this purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa Hassanien
- Algal Technologies Program, Center for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Imen Saadaoui
- Algal Technologies Program, Center for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar,Biological and environmental Sciences Department, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Kira Schipper
- Algal Technologies Program, Center for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Tasneem Dalgamouni
- Algal Technologies Program, Center for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mustapha Aouida
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Qatar Foundation, College of Health and Life Sciences, Education City, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Suhur Saeed
- ExxonMobil Research Qatar (EMRQ), Doha, Qatar
| | - Hareb M. Al-Jabri
- Algal Technologies Program, Center for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar,Biological and environmental Sciences Department, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar,*Correspondence: Hareb M. Al-Jabri,
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24
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Pellegrino GM, Browne TS, Sharath K, Bari KA, Vancuren S, Allen-Vercoe E, Gloor GB, Edgell DR. Metabolically-targeted dCas9 expression in bacteria. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:982-996. [PMID: 36629257 PMCID: PMC9881133 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to restrict gene expression to a relevant bacterial species in a complex microbiome is an unsolved problem. In the context of the human microbiome, one desirable target metabolic activity are glucuronide-utilization enzymes (GUS) that are implicated in the toxic re-activation of glucuronidated compounds in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including the chemotherapeutic drug irinotecan. Here, we take advantage of the variable distribution of GUS enzymes in bacteria as a means to distinguish between bacteria with GUS activity, and re-purpose the glucuronide-responsive GusR transcription factor as a biosensor to regulate dCas9 expression in response to glucuronide inducers. We fused the Escherichia coli gusA regulatory region to the dCas9 gene to create pGreg-dCas9, and showed that dCas9 expression is induced by glucuronides, but not other carbon sources. When conjugated from E. coli to Gammaproteobacteria derived from human stool, dCas9 expression from pGreg-dCas9 was restricted to GUS-positive bacteria. dCas9-sgRNAs targeted to gusA specifically down-regulated gus operon transcription in Gammaproteobacteria, with a resulting ∼100-fold decrease in GusA activity. Our data outline a general strategy to re-purpose bacterial transcription factors responsive to exogenous metabolites for precise ligand-dependent expression of genetic tools such as dCas9 in diverse bacterial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory M Pellegrino
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Biochemistry, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Tyler S Browne
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Biochemistry, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Keerthana Sharath
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Biochemistry, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Khaleda A Bari
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Biochemistry, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Sarah J Vancuren
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Emma Allen-Vercoe
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Gregory B Gloor
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Biochemistry, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - David R Edgell
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 519 661 3133; Fax: +1 519 661 3175;
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25
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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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26
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Giguere DJ, Bahcheli AT, Slattery SS, Patel RR, Browne TS, Flatley M, Karas BJ, Edgell DR, Gloor GB. Telomere-to-telomere genome assembly of Phaeodactylum tricornutum. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13607. [PMID: 35811822 PMCID: PMC9266582 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a marine diatom with a growing genetic toolbox available and is being used in many synthetic biology applications. While most of the genome has been assembled, the currently available genome assembly is not a completed telomere-to-telomere assembly. Here, we used Oxford Nanopore long reads to build a telomere-to-telomere genome for Phaeodactylum tricornutum. We developed a graph-based approach to extract all unique telomeres, and used this information to manually correct assembly errors. In total, we found 25 nuclear chromosomes that comprise all previously assembled fragments, in addition to the chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes. We found that chromosome 19 has filtered long-read coverage and a quality estimate that suggests significantly less haplotype sequence variation than the other chromosomes. This work improves upon the previous genome assembly and provides new opportunities for genetic engineering of this species, including creating designer synthetic chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Giguere
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexander T. Bahcheli
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samuel S. Slattery
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rushali R. Patel
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tyler S. Browne
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Bogumil J. Karas
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - David R. Edgell
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gregory B. Gloor
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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27
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Koirala M, Karimzadegan V, Liyanage NS, Mérindol N, Desgagné-Penix I. Biotechnological Approaches to Optimize the Production of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids. Biomolecules 2022; 12:893. [PMID: 35883449 PMCID: PMC9313318 DOI: 10.3390/biom12070893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (AAs) are plant specialized metabolites with therapeutic properties exclusively produced by the Amaryllidaceae plant family. The two most studied representatives of the family are galanthamine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used as a treatment of Alzheimer's disease, and lycorine, displaying potent in vitro and in vivo cytotoxic and antiviral properties. Unfortunately, the variable level of AAs' production in planta restricts most of the pharmaceutical applications. Several biotechnological alternatives, such as in vitro culture or synthetic biology, are being developed to enhance the production and fulfil the increasing demand for these AAs plant-derived drugs. In this review, current biotechnological approaches to produce different types of bioactive AAs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Koirala
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada; (M.K.); (V.K.); (N.S.L.); (N.M.)
| | - Vahid Karimzadegan
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada; (M.K.); (V.K.); (N.S.L.); (N.M.)
| | - Nuwan Sameera Liyanage
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada; (M.K.); (V.K.); (N.S.L.); (N.M.)
| | - Natacha Mérindol
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada; (M.K.); (V.K.); (N.S.L.); (N.M.)
| | - Isabel Desgagné-Penix
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada; (M.K.); (V.K.); (N.S.L.); (N.M.)
- Groupe de Recherche en Biologie Végétale, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada
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28
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Slattery SS, Giguere DJ, Stuckless EE, Shrestha A, Briere LAK, Galbraith A, Reaume S, Boyko X, Say HH, Browne TS, Frederick MI, Lant JT, Heinemann IU, O'Donoghue P, Dsouza L, Martin S, Howard P, Jedeszko C, Ali K, Styba G, Flatley M, Karas BJ, Gloor GB, Edgell DR. Phosphate-regulated expression of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum for pandemic diagnostics. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7010. [PMID: 35487958 PMCID: PMC9051505 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11053-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 betacoronavirus has highlighted the need for a synthetic biology approach to create reliable and scalable sources of viral antigen for uses in diagnostics, therapeutics and basic biomedical research. Here, we adapt plasmid-based systems in the eukaryotic microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum to develop an inducible overexpression system for SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Limiting phosphate and iron in growth media induced expression of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein from the P. tricornutum HASP1 promoter in the wild-type strain and in a histidine auxotrophic strain that alleviates the requirement for antibiotic selection of expression plasmids. The RBD was purified from whole cell extracts (algae-RBD) with yield compromised by the finding that 90-95% of expressed RBD lacked the genetically encoded C-terminal 6X-histidine tag. Constructs that lacked the TEV protease site between the RBD and C-terminal 6X-histidine tag retained the tag, increasing yield. Purified algae-RBD was found to be N-linked glycosylated by treatment with endoglycosidases, was cross-reactive with anti-RBD polyclonal antibodies, and inhibited binding of recombinant RBD purified from mammalian cell lines to the human ACE2 receptor. We also show that the algae-RBD can be used in a lateral flow assay device to detect SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies from donor serum at sensitivity equivalent to assays performed with RBD made in mammalian cell lines. Our study shows that P. tricornutum is a scalable system with minimal biocontainment requirements for the inducible production of SARS-CoV-2 or other coronavirus antigens for pandemic diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel S Slattery
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Daniel J Giguere
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Emily E Stuckless
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Arina Shrestha
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Lee-Ann K Briere
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Alexa Galbraith
- Lambton College, 1457 London Rd, Sarnia, ON, N7S 6K4, Canada
| | - Stephen Reaume
- Lambton College, 1457 London Rd, Sarnia, ON, N7S 6K4, Canada
| | - Xenia Boyko
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Henry H Say
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Tyler S Browne
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Mallory I Frederick
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Jeremy T Lant
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Ilka U Heinemann
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Patrick O'Donoghue
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Liann Dsouza
- Pond Technologies Inc., Markham, ON, L3R 9W7, Canada
| | - Steven Martin
- Pond Technologies Inc., Markham, ON, L3R 9W7, Canada
| | - Peter Howard
- Pond Technologies Inc., Markham, ON, L3R 9W7, Canada
| | - Christopher Jedeszko
- International Point of Care Inc., 135 The West Mall Unit 9, Toronto, ON, M9C 1C2, Canada
| | - Kinza Ali
- International Point of Care Inc., 135 The West Mall Unit 9, Toronto, ON, M9C 1C2, Canada
| | - Garth Styba
- International Point of Care Inc., 135 The West Mall Unit 9, Toronto, ON, M9C 1C2, Canada
| | - Martin Flatley
- Suncor Energy Inc., Sarnia Refinery, 1900 River Road, Sarnia, ON, N7T 7J3, Canada
| | - Bogumil J Karas
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Gregory B Gloor
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada.
| | - David R Edgell
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada.
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Kuo EY, Yang RY, Chin YY, Chien YL, Chen YC, Wei CY, Kao LJ, Chang YH, Li YJ, Chen TY, Lee TM. Multi-omics approaches and genetic engineering of metabolism for improved biorefinery and wastewater treatment in microalgae. Biotechnol J 2022; 17:e2100603. [PMID: 35467782 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202100603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Microalgae, a group of photosynthetic microorganisms rich in diverse and novel bioactive metabolites, have been explored for the production of biofuels, high value-added compounds as food and feeds, and pharmaceutical chemicals as agents with therapeutic benefits. This article reviews the development of omics resources and genetic engineering techniques including gene transformation methodologies, mutagenesis, and genome-editing tools in microalgae biorefinery and wastewater treatment. The introduction of these enlisted techniques has simplified the understanding of complex metabolic pathways undergoing microalgal cells. The multiomics approach of the integrated omics datasets, big data analysis, and machine learning for the discovery of objective traits and genes responsible for metabolic pathways was reviewed. Recent advances and limitations of multiomics analysis and genetic bioengineering technology to facilitate the improvement of microalgae as the dual role of wastewater treatment and biorefinery feedstock production are discussed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva YuHua Kuo
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan.,Frontier Center for Ocean Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
| | - Ru-Yin Yang
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
| | - Yuan Yu Chin
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Lin Chien
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan.,Frontier Center for Ocean Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
| | - Yu Chu Chen
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yu Wei
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
| | - Li-Jung Kao
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hua Chang
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jia Li
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
| | - Te-Yuan Chen
- Doctoral Degree Program in Marine Biotechnology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
| | - Tse-Min Lee
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan.,Frontier Center for Ocean Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan.,Doctoral Degree Program in Marine Biotechnology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
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30
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Kassaw TK, Paton AJ, Peers G. Episome-Based Gene Expression Modulation Platform in the Model Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:191-204. [PMID: 35015507 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Chemically inducible gene expression systems have been an integral part of the advanced synthetic genetic circuit design and are employed for precise dynamic control over genetically engineered traits. However, the current systems for controlling transgene expression in most algae are limited to endogenous promoters that respond to different environmental factors. We developed a highly efficient, tunable, and reversible episome-based transcriptional control system in the model diatom alga, Phaeodactylum tricornutum. We assessed the time- and dose-response dynamics of each expression system using a reporter protein (eYFP) as a readout. Using our circuit configuration, we found two inducible expression systems with a high dynamic range and confirmed the suitability of an episome expression platform for synthetic biological applications in diatoms. These systems are controlled by the presence of β-estradiol and digoxin. Addition of either chemical to transgenic strains activates transcription with a dynamic range of up to ∼180-fold and ∼90-fold, respectively. We demonstrated that our episome-based transcriptional control systems are tunable and reversible in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we also confirmed that inducer-dependent transcriptional activation starts within minutes of inducer application without any detectable transcript in the uninduced controls. The system described here expands the molecular and synthetic biology toolkits in algae and will facilitate future gene discovery and metabolic engineering efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessema K. Kassaw
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Andrew J. Paton
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Graham Peers
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
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31
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Taparia Y, Dolui AK, Boussiba S, Khozin-Goldberg I. Multiplexed Genome Editing via an RNA Polymerase II Promoter-Driven sgRNA Array in the Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum: Insights Into the Role of StLDP. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 12:784780. [PMID: 35058949 PMCID: PMC8763850 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.784780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing has been demonstrated in the model diatom P. tricornutum, yet the currently available genetic tools do not combine the various advantageous features into a single, easy-to-assemble, modular construct that would allow the multiplexed targeting and creation of marker-free genome-edited lines. In this report, we describe the construction of the first modular two-component transcriptional unit system expressing SpCas9 from a diatom episome, assembled using the Universal Loop plasmid kit for Golden Gate assembly. We compared the editing efficiency of two constructs with orthogonal promoter-terminator combinations targeting the StLDP gene, encoding the major lipid droplet protein of P. tricornutum. Multiplexed targeting of the StLDP gene was confirmed via PCR screening, and lines with homozygous deletions were isolated from primary exconjugants. An editing efficiency ranging from 6.7 to 13.8% was observed in the better performing construct. Selected gene-edited lines displayed growth impairment, altered morphology, and the formation of lipid droplets during nutrient-replete growth. Under nitrogen deprivation, oversized lipid droplets were observed; the recovery of cell proliferation and degradation of lipid droplets were impaired after nitrogen replenishment. The results are consistent with the key role played by StLDP in the regulation of lipid droplet size and lipid homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Inna Khozin-Goldberg
- Microalgal Biotechnology Laboratory, French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Sede Boqer, Israel
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32
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Defrel G, Marsaud N, Rifa E, Martins F, Daboussi F. Identification of Loci Enabling Stable and High-Level Heterologous Gene Expression. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:734902. [PMID: 34660556 PMCID: PMC8517075 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.734902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Efficient and reliable genome engineering technologies have yet to be developed for diatoms. The delivery of DNA in diatoms results in the random integration of multiple copies, quite often leading to heterogeneous gene activity, as well as host instability. Transgenic diatoms are generally selected on the basis of transgene expression or high enzyme activity, without consideration of the copy number or the integration locus. Here, we propose an integrated pipeline for the diatom, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, that accurately quantifies transgene activity using a β-glucuronidase assay and the number of transgene copies integrated into the genome through Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR). An exhaustive and systematic analysis performed on 93 strains indicated that 42% of them exhibited high β-glucuronidase activity. Though most were attributed to high transgene copy numbers, we succeeded in isolating single-copy clones, as well as sequencing the integration loci. In addition to demonstrating the impact of the genomic integration site on gene activity, this study identifies integration sites for stable transgene expression in Phaeodactylum tricornutum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Defrel
- Toulouse Biotechnology Institute (TBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, Toulouse, France
| | - Nathalie Marsaud
- Toulouse Biotechnology Institute (TBI), Plateforme Genome et Transcriptome (GeT-Biopuces) Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, Toulouse, France
| | - Etienne Rifa
- Toulouse Biotechnology Institute (TBI), Plateforme Genome et Transcriptome (GeT-Biopuces) Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, Toulouse, France
| | - Frédéric Martins
- Institut des Maladies Métaboliques et Cardiovasculaires (I2MC), UMR1297, INSERM, UPS, Toulouse, France
- Plateforme Genome et Transcriptome (GeT), Genopole Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Fayza Daboussi
- Toulouse Biotechnology Institute (TBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, Toulouse, France
- Toulouse White Biotechnology (TWB), INSA, Toulouse, France
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33
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Potential for Biomass Production and Remediation by Cultivation of the Marine Model Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum in Oil Field Produced Wastewater Media. WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13192700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
While oilfield produced water (PW) is one of the largest, unclaimed wastewater streams of the oil industry, it could potentially be used as a cultivation medium for microalgae. Microalgae could help with the remediation of this water while also delivering biomass that can be transformed into valuable byproducts such as biofuels. The coupling of these two purposes is expected to cut production costs of biofuels while aiding environmental protection. In this study, we compared the cultivation capacity of the marine model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum in media at varying salinities and in media composed of PW from two oilfields in the Central Valley of California that differed drastically in the concentration of inorganic and organic constituents. Specifically, we measured the carrying capacity of these media, the maximum growth rates of P. tricornutum, its cellular lipid accumulation capacity, and its capacity to remediate the most polluted PW source. Our study shows that P. tricornutum can successfully adjust to the tested cultivation media through processes of short-term acclimation and long-term adaptation. Furthermore, the cultivation of P. tricornutum in the most heavily polluted PW source led to significant increases in cell yield and improved photosynthetic capacity during the stationary phase, which could be attributed chiefly to the higher levels of nitrate present in this PW source. Chemical water analyses also demonstrated the capability of P. tricornutum to remediate major nutrient content and potentially harmful elements like fluorine and copper. Because P. tricornutum is amenable to advanced genetic engineering, which could be taken advantage of to improve its cultivation resilience and productivity in an economic setting, we propose this study as a step towards essential follow-up studies that will identify the genetic regulation behind its growth in oilfield PW media and its remediation of the PW constituents.
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34
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Lu Y, Gu X, Lin H, Melis A. Engineering microalgae: transition from empirical design to programmable cells. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2021; 41:1233-1256. [PMID: 34130561 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2021.1917507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Domesticated microalgae hold great promise for the sustainable provision of various bioresources for human domestic and industrial consumption. Efforts to exploit their potential are far from being fully realized due to limitations in the know-how of microalgal engineering. The associated technologies are not as well developed as those for heterotrophic microbes, cyanobacteria, and plants. However, recent studies on microalgal metabolic engineering, genome editing, and synthetic biology have immensely helped to enhance transformation efficiencies and are bringing new insights into this field. Therefore, this article, summarizes recent developments in microalgal biotechnology and examines the prospects for generating specialty and commodity products through the processes of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. After a brief examination of empirical engineering methods and vector design, this article focuses on quantitative transformation cassette design, elaborates on target editing methods and emerging digital design of algal cellular metabolism to arrive at high yields of valuable products. These advances have enabled a transition of manners in microalgal engineering from single-gene and enzyme-based metabolic engineering to systems-level precision engineering, from cells created with genetically modified (GM) tags to that without GM tags, and ultimately from proof of concept to tangible industrial applications. Finally, future trends are proposed in microalgal engineering, aiming to establish individualized transformation systems in newly identified species for strain-specific specialty and commodity products, while developing sophisticated universal toolkits in model algal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yandu Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in the South China Sea, College of Oceanology, Hainan University, Haikou, China.,Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Xinping Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in the South China Sea, College of Oceanology, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Hanzhi Lin
- Institute of Marine & Environmental Technology, Center for Environmental Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Anastasios Melis
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
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35
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Li S, Toya M, Sato M. Simplification of nutritional conditions in transformation procedures for genome editing with the CRISPR/Cas9 system for fission yeast. Gene 2021; 784:145595. [PMID: 33775846 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.145595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 is a powerful tool for genome editing. Several studies have been conducted to take the benefit of the versatile tool in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. However, the protocols for the CRISPR/Cas9 system proposed in previous studies are complicated in culture conditions compared to traditional genome editing methods. In this study, we introduced vectors for expression of sgRNA as well as Cas9, which employ natMX6 and bsdMX6 dominant selection markers. Using these materials, we examined nutritional conditions of cell cultures and found that nitrogen depletion introduced in previous methods does not affect the efficiency of genome editing. We found that bsdMX6-based plasmids enable us to skip any recovery steps before plating onto medium containing blasticidin S, unlike other antibiotic resistance selection markers. We thus propose easier transformation procedures with natMX6 and particularly bsdMX6 markers. We also simulate prescreening of mutants by genotyping with DNA endonucleases or proofreading PCR instead of relying on existing knowledge of mutant phenotypes. These materials and methods assist easy construction of S. pombe strains using CRISPR/Cas9, thereby accelerating seamless introduction of CRISPR/Cas9 to S. pombe researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seibun Li
- Laboratory of Cytoskeletal Logistics, Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 2-2 Wakamatsucho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan
| | - Mika Toya
- Laboratory of Cytoskeletal Logistics, Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 2-2 Wakamatsucho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan; Faculty of Science and Engineering, Global Center for Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan; Institute for Advanced Research of Biosystem Dynamics, Waseda Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
| | - Masamitsu Sato
- Laboratory of Cytoskeletal Logistics, Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 2-2 Wakamatsucho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan; Institute for Advanced Research of Biosystem Dynamics, Waseda Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan; Institute for Medical-oriented Structural Biology, Waseda University, 2-2 Wakamatsucho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan.
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36
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Rawat J, Gupta PK, Pandit S, Prasad R, Pande V. Current perspectives on integrated approaches to enhance lipid accumulation in microalgae. 3 Biotech 2021; 11:303. [PMID: 34194896 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-021-02851-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, research initiatives on renewable bioenergy or biofuels have been gaining momentum, not only due to fast depletion of finite reserves of fossil fuels but also because of the associated concerns for the environment and future energy security. In the last few decades, interest is growing concerning microalgae as the third-generation biofuel feedstock. The CO2 fixation ability and conversion of it into value-added compounds, devoid of challenging food and feed crops, make these photosynthetic microorganisms an optimistic producer of biofuel from an environmental point of view. Microalgal-derived fuels are currently being considered as clean, renewable, and promising sustainable biofuel. Therefore, most research targets to obtain strains with the highest lipid productivity and a high growth rate at the lowest cultivation costs. Different methods and strategies to attain higher biomass and lipid accumulation in microalgae have been extensively reported in the previous research, but there are fewer inclusive reports that summarize the conventional methods with the modern techniques for lipid enhancement and biodiesel production from microalgae. Therefore, the current review focuses on the latest techniques and advances in different cultivation conditions, the effect of different abiotic and heavy metal stress, and the role of nanoparticles (NPs) in the stimulation of lipid accumulation in microalgae. Techniques such as genetic engineering, where particular genes associated with lipid metabolism, are modified to boost lipid synthesis within the microalgae, the contribution of "Omics" in metabolic pathway studies. Further, the contribution of CRISPR/Cas9 system technique to the production of microalgae biofuel is also briefly described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Rawat
- Department of Biotechnology, Sir J. C. Bose Technical Campus Bhimtal, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263136 India
| | - Piyush Kumar Gupta
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Knowledge Park III, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201310 India
| | - Soumya Pandit
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Knowledge Park III, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201310 India
| | - Ram Prasad
- Department of Botany, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari, Bihar 845801 India
| | - Veena Pande
- Department of Biotechnology, Sir J. C. Bose Technical Campus Bhimtal, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263136 India
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37
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Galas L, Burel C, Schapman D, Ropitaux M, Bernard S, Bénard M, Bardor M. Comparative Structural and Functional Analyses of the Fusiform, Oval, and Triradiate Morphotypes of Phaeodactylum tricornutum Pt3 Strain. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:638181. [PMID: 33912207 PMCID: PMC8072121 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.638181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a marine unicellular microalga that exists under three main morphotypes: oval, fusiform, and triradiate. Previous works have demonstrated that the oval morphotype of P. tricornutum Pt3 strain presents specific metabolic features. Here, we compared the cellular organization of the main morphotypes of the diatom P. tricornutum Pt3 strain through transmission electron and advanced light microscopies. The three morphotypes share similarities including spectral characteristics of the plastid, the location of the nucleus, the organization of mitochondria around the plastid as well as the existence of both a F-actin cortex, and an intracellular network of F-actin. In contrast, compared to fusiform and triradiate cells, oval cells spontaneously release proteins more rapidly. In addition, comparison of whole transcriptomes of oval versus fusiform or triradiate cells revealed numerous differential expression of positive and negative regulators belonging to the complex dynamic secretory machinery. This study highlights the specificities occurring within the oval morphotype underlying that the oval cells secrete proteins more rapidly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Galas
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, INSERM, PRIMACEN, Rouen, France
| | - Carole Burel
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, Laboratoire Glycobiologie et Matrice Extracellulaire Végétale (Glyco-MEV) EA4358, Rouen, France
| | - Damien Schapman
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, INSERM, PRIMACEN, Rouen, France
| | - Marc Ropitaux
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, Laboratoire Glycobiologie et Matrice Extracellulaire Végétale (Glyco-MEV) EA4358, Rouen, France
| | - Sophie Bernard
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, INSERM, PRIMACEN, Rouen, France
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, Laboratoire Glycobiologie et Matrice Extracellulaire Végétale (Glyco-MEV) EA4358, Rouen, France
| | - Magalie Bénard
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, INSERM, PRIMACEN, Rouen, France
| | - Muriel Bardor
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, Laboratoire Glycobiologie et Matrice Extracellulaire Végétale (Glyco-MEV) EA4358, Rouen, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
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38
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Characterisation of novel regulatory sequences compatible with modular assembly in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. ALGAL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2020.102159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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39
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Leyland B, Zarka A, Didi-Cohen S, Boussiba S, Khozin-Goldberg I. High Resolution Proteome of Lipid Droplets Isolated from the Pennate Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Bacillariophyceae) Strain pt4 provides mechanistic insights into complex intracellular coordination during nitrogen deprivation. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2020; 56:1642-1663. [PMID: 32779202 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Lipid droplets (LDs) are an organelle conserved amongst all eukaryotes, consisting of a neutral lipid core surrounded by a polar lipid monolayer. Many species of microalgae accumulate LDs in response to stress conditions, such as nitrogen starvation. Here, we report the isolation and proteomic profiling of LD proteins from the model oleaginous pennate diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, strain Pt4 (UTEX 646). We also provide a quantitative description of LD morphological ontogeny, and fatty acid content. Novel cell disruption and LD isolation methods, combined with suspension-trapping and nanoflow liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry, yielded an unprecedented number of LD proteins. Predictive annotation of the LD proteome suggests a broad assemblage of proteins with diverse functions, including lipid metabolism and vesicle trafficking, as well as ribosomal and proteasomal machinery. These proteins provide mechanistic insights into LD processes, and evidence for interactions between LDs and other organelles. We identify for the first time several key steps in diatom LD-associated triacylglycerol biosynthesis. Bioinformatic analyses of the LD proteome suggests multiple protein targeting mechanisms, including amphipathic helices, post-translational modifications, and translocation machinery. This work corroborates recent findings from other strains of P. tricornutum, other diatoms, and other eukaryotic organisms, suggesting that the fundamental proteins orchestrating LDs are conserved, and represent an ancient component of the eukaryotic endomembrane system. We postulate a comprehensive model of nitrogen starvation-induced diatom LDs on a molecular scale, and provide a wealth of candidates for metabolic engineering, with the potential to eventually customize LD contents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Leyland
- The Microalgal Biotechnology Laboratory, The French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boker Campus, Be'er Sheva, 84990, Israel
| | - Aliza Zarka
- The Microalgal Biotechnology Laboratory, The French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boker Campus, Be'er Sheva, 84990, Israel
| | - Shoshana Didi-Cohen
- The Microalgal Biotechnology Laboratory, The French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boker Campus, Be'er Sheva, 84990, Israel
| | - Sammy Boussiba
- The Microalgal Biotechnology Laboratory, The French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boker Campus, Be'er Sheva, 84990, Israel
| | - Inna Khozin-Goldberg
- The Microalgal Biotechnology Laboratory, The French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boker Campus, Be'er Sheva, 84990, Israel
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40
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Cochrane RR, Brumwell SL, Shrestha A, Giguere DJ, Hamadache S, Gloor GB, Edgell DR, Karas BJ. Cloning of Thalassiosira pseudonana's Mitochondrial Genome in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:E358. [PMID: 33114477 PMCID: PMC7693118 DOI: 10.3390/biology9110358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Algae are attractive organisms for biotechnology applications such as the production of biofuels, medicines, and other high-value compounds due to their genetic diversity, varied physical characteristics, and metabolic processes. As new species are being domesticated, rapid nuclear and organelle genome engineering methods need to be developed or optimized. To that end, we have previously demonstrated that the mitochondrial genome of microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum can be cloned and engineered in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli. Here, we show that the same approach can be used to clone mitochondrial genomes of another microalga, Thalassiosira pseudonana. We have demonstrated that these genomes can be cloned in S. cerevisiae as easily as those of P. tricornutum, but they are less stable when propagated in E. coli. Specifically, after approximately 60 generations of propagation in E. coli, 17% of cloned T. pseudonana mitochondrial genomes contained deletions compared to 0% of previously cloned P. tricornutum mitochondrial genomes. This genome instability is potentially due to the lower G+C DNA content of T. pseudonana (30%) compared to P. tricornutum (35%). Consequently, the previously established method can be applied to clone T. pseudonana's mitochondrial genome, however, more frequent analyses of genome integrity will be required following propagation in E. coli prior to use in downstream applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Bogumil J. Karas
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; (R.R.C.); (S.L.B.); (A.S.); (D.J.G.); (S.H.); (G.B.G.); (D.R.E.)
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Ka S, Koirala M, Mérindol N, Desgagné-Penix I. Biosynthesis and Biological Activities of Newly Discovered Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids. Molecules 2020; 25:E4901. [PMID: 33113950 PMCID: PMC7660210 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25214901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Alkaloids are an important group of specialized nitrogen metabolites with a wide range of biochemical and pharmacological effects. Since the first publication on lycorine in 1877, more than 650 alkaloids have been extracted from Amaryllidaceae bulbous plants and clustered together as the Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (AAs) family. AAs are specifically remarkable for their diverse pharmaceutical properties, as exemplified by the success of galantamine used to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. This review addresses the isolation, biological, and structure activity of AAs discovered from January 2015 to August 2020, supporting their therapeutic interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seydou Ka
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351, boul. des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada; (S.K.); (M.K.); (N.M.)
| | - Manoj Koirala
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351, boul. des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada; (S.K.); (M.K.); (N.M.)
| | - Natacha Mérindol
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351, boul. des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada; (S.K.); (M.K.); (N.M.)
| | - Isabel Desgagné-Penix
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351, boul. des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada; (S.K.); (M.K.); (N.M.)
- Groupe de Recherche en Biologie Végétale, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351, boul. des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada
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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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Slattery SS, Wang H, Giguere DJ, Kocsis C, Urquhart BL, Karas BJ, Edgell DR. Plasmid-based complementation of large deletions in Phaeodactylum tricornutum biosynthetic genes generated by Cas9 editing. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13879. [PMID: 32807825 PMCID: PMC7431573 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70769-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum is an attractive candidate for synthetic biology applications. Development of auxotrophic strains of P. tricornutum would provide alternative selective markers to commonly used antibiotic resistance genes. Here, using CRISPR/Cas9, we show successful editing of genes in the uracil, histidine, and tryptophan biosynthetic pathways. Nanopore long-read sequencing indicates that editing events are characterized by the occurrence of large deletions of up to ~ 2.7 kb centered on the editing site. The uracil and histidine-requiring phenotypes can be complemented by plasmid-based copies of the intact genes after curing of the Cas9-editing plasmid. Growth of uracil auxotrophs on media supplemented with 5-fluoroorotic acid and uracil results in loss of the complementing plasmid, providing a facile method for plasmid curing with potential applications in strain engineering and CRISPR editing. Metabolomic characterization of uracil auxotrophs revealed changes in cellular orotate concentrations consistent with partial or complete loss of orotate phosphoribosyltransferase activity. Our results expand the range of P. tricornutum auxotrophic strains and demonstrate that auxotrophic complementation markers provide a viable alternative to traditionally used antibiotic selection markers. Plasmid-based auxotrophic markers should expand the range of genome engineering applications and provide a means for biocontainment of engineered P. tricornutum strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel S Slattery
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Helen Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Daniel J Giguere
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Csanad Kocsis
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Bradley L Urquhart
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Bogumil J Karas
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada
| | - David R Edgell
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada.
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Sexual reproduction potential implied by functional analysis of SPO11 in Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Gene 2020; 757:144929. [PMID: 32622990 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.144929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a model microalgae that is widely used to study diatom physiology and ecology. Since the meiotic process and sexual cycle have never been observed directly, P. tricornutum has been considered to be an asexual species. However, phylogenetic analysis of the P. tricornutum genome has revealed a series of meiosis-specific gene homologues in this species. We identified two copies of differently transcribed SPO11 homologs that contain the conserved motifs of Winged-helix and Toprim domains. The homolog PtSPO11-3 interacts with TopoVIB in yeast two-hybrid analysis, whereas the homolog PtSPO11-2 could rescue the sporulation defect of a Spo11 yeast mutant strain. PtSPO11-2 was also found to be significantly up-regulated at low temperatures in P. tricornutum and its key catalytic residue was important to the homolog's function in sporulation. The results herein provide positive clue that meiosis and sexual reproduction could exist in this diatom.
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Kadono T, Tomaru Y, Suzuki K, Yamada K, Adachi M. The possibility of using marine diatom-infecting viral promoters for the engineering of marine diatoms. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2020; 296:110475. [PMID: 32540005 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2020.110475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Marine diatoms constitute a major group of unicellular photosynthetic eukaryotes. Diatoms are widely applicable for both basic studies and applied studies. Molecular tools and techniques have been developed for diatom research. Among these tools, several endogenous gene promoters (e.g., the fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding protein gene promoter) have become available for expressing transgenes in diatoms. Gene promoters that drive transgene expression at a high level are very important for the metabolic engineering of diatoms. Various marine diatom-infecting viruses (DIVs), including both DNA viruses and RNA viruses, have recently been isolated, and their genome sequences have been characterized. Promoters from viruses that infect plants and mammals are widely used as constitutive promoters to achieve high expression of transgenes. Thus, we recently investigated the activity of promoters derived from marine DIVs in the marine diatom, Phaeodactylum tricornutum. We discuss novel viral promoters that will be useful for the future metabolic engineering of diatoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Kadono
- Laboratory of Aquatic Environmental Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Marine Science, Kochi University, Otsu-200, Monobe, Nankoku, Kochi, 783-8502, Japan
| | - Yuji Tomaru
- National Research Institute of Fisheries and Environment of Inland Sea, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, 2-17-5 Maruishi, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, 739-0452, Japan
| | - Kengo Suzuki
- euglena Co., Ltd., G-BASE Tamachi 2nd and 3rd Floor 5-29-11 Shiba Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-0014, Japan
| | - Koji Yamada
- euglena Co., Ltd., G-BASE Tamachi 2nd and 3rd Floor 5-29-11 Shiba Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-0014, Japan
| | - Masao Adachi
- Laboratory of Aquatic Environmental Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Marine Science, Kochi University, Otsu-200, Monobe, Nankoku, Kochi, 783-8502, Japan.
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George J, Kahlke T, Abbriano RM, Kuzhiumparambil U, Ralph PJ, Fabris M. Metabolic Engineering Strategies in Diatoms Reveal Unique Phenotypes and Genetic Configurations With Implications for Algal Genetics and Synthetic Biology. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:513. [PMID: 32582656 PMCID: PMC7290003 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Diatoms are photosynthetic microeukaryotes that dominate phytoplankton populations and have increasing applicability in biotechnology. Uncovering their complex biology and elevating strains to commercial standards depends heavily on robust genetic engineering tools. However, engineering microalgal genomes predominantly relies on random integration of transgenes into nuclear DNA, often resulting in detrimental “position-effects” such as transgene silencing, integration into transcriptionally-inactive regions, and endogenous sequence disruption. With the recent development of extrachromosomal transgene expression via independent episomes, it is timely to investigate both strategies at the phenotypic and genomic level. Here, we engineered the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum to produce the high-value heterologous monoterpenoid geraniol, which, besides applications as fragrance and insect repellent, is a key intermediate of high-value pharmaceuticals. Using high-throughput phenotyping we confirmed the suitability of episomes for synthetic biology applications and identified superior geraniol-yielding strains following random integration. We used third generation long-read sequencing technology to generate a complete analysis of all transgene integration events including their genomic locations and arrangements associated with high-performing strains at a genome-wide scale with subchromosomal detail, never before reported in any microalga. This revealed very large, highly concatenated insertion islands, offering profound implications on diatom functional genetics and next generation genome editing technologies, and is key for developing more precise genome engineering approaches in diatoms, including possible genomic safe harbour locations to support high transgene expression for targeted integration approaches. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that exogenous DNA is not integrated inadvertently into the nuclear genome of extrachromosomal-expression clones, an important characterisation of this novel engineering approach that paves the road to synthetic biology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jestin George
- University of Technology Sydney, Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim Kahlke
- University of Technology Sydney, Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Raffaela M Abbriano
- University of Technology Sydney, Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Peter J Ralph
- University of Technology Sydney, Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Michele Fabris
- University of Technology Sydney, Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, Ultimo, NSW, Australia.,CSIRO Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Red Light Variation an Effective Alternative to Regulate Biomass and Lipid Profiles in Phaeodactylum tricornutum. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app10072531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Marine water diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a photosynthetic organism that is known to respond to the changing light environment and adapt to different temperatures to prevent photoinhibition and maintain its metabolic functions. The objective of the present study was to test whether light shift variations in different growth phases impact the growth and lipid metabolism of P. tricornutum. Thus, we investigated R exposure in different growth phases to find the most effective light shift condition. The results showed that substituting white light (W) by red light (R) under autotrophic conditions, a condition called red shift (RS), increased biomass and lipid content compared to levels found under continuous W or R exposure alone. We observed an increase by 2-fold biomass and 2.3-fold lipid content in RS as compared to W. No significant change was observed in the morphology of lipid droplets, but the fatty acid (FA) composition was altered. Specifically, polyunsaturated FAs were increased, whereas monounsaturated FAs decreased in P. tricornutum grown in RS compared to W control. Therefore, we propose that a light shift during the beginning of the stationary phase is a low-cost cultivation strategy to boost the total biomass and lipids in P. tricornutum.
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Fabris M, George J, Kuzhiumparambil U, Lawson CA, Jaramillo-Madrid AC, Abbriano RM, Vickers CE, Ralph P. Extrachromosomal Genetic Engineering of the Marine Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum Enables the Heterologous Production of Monoterpenoids. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:598-612. [PMID: 32032487 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Geraniol is a commercially relevant plant-derived monoterpenoid that is a main component of rose essential oil and used as insect repellent. Geraniol is also a key intermediate compound in the biosynthesis of the monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs), a group of over 2000 compounds that include high-value pharmaceuticals. As plants naturally produce extremely small amounts of these molecules and their chemical synthesis is complex, industrially sourcing these compounds is costly and inefficient. Hence, microbial hosts suitable to produce MIA precursors through synthetic biology and metabolic engineering are currently being sought. Here, we evaluated the suitability of a eukaryotic microalga, the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, for the heterologous production of monoterpenoids. Profiling of endogenous metabolism revealed that P. tricornutum, unlike other microbes employed for industrial production of terpenoids, accumulates free pools of the precursor geranyl diphosphate. To evaluate the potential for larger synthetic biology applications, we engineered P. tricornutum through extrachromosomal, episome-based expression, for the heterologous biosynthesis of the MIA intermediate geraniol. By profiling the production of geraniol resulting from various genetic and cultivation arrangements, P. tricornutum reached the maximum geraniol titer of 0.309 mg/L in phototrophic conditions. This work provides (i) a detailed analysis of P. tricornutum endogenous terpenoid metabolism, (ii) a successful demonstration of extrachromosomal expression for metabolic pathway engineering with potential gene-stacking applications, and (iii) a convincing proof-of-concept of the suitability of P. tricornutum as a novel production platform for heterologous monoterpenoids, with potential for complex pathway engineering aimed at the heterologous production of MIAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Fabris
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
- CSIRO Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
| | - Jestin George
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | | | - Caitlin A. Lawson
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | | | - Raffaela M. Abbriano
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Claudia E. Vickers
- CSIRO Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Peter Ralph
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
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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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