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Jeffers TL, Purvine SO, Nicora CD, McCombs R, Upadhyaya S, Stroumza A, Whang K, Gallaher SD, Dohnalkova A, Merchant SS, Lipton M, Niyogi KK, Roth MS. Iron rescues glucose-mediated photosynthesis repression during lipid accumulation in the green alga Chromochloris zofingiensis. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6046. [PMID: 39025848 PMCID: PMC11258321 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50170-x] [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: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Energy status and nutrients regulate photosynthetic protein expression. The unicellular green alga Chromochloris zofingiensis switches off photosynthesis in the presence of exogenous glucose (+Glc) in a process that depends on hexokinase (HXK1). Here, we show that this response requires that cells lack sufficient iron (-Fe). Cells grown in -Fe+Glc accumulate triacylglycerol (TAG) while losing photosynthesis and thylakoid membranes. However, cells with an iron supplement (+Fe+Glc) maintain photosynthesis and thylakoids while still accumulating TAG. Proteomic analysis shows that known photosynthetic proteins are most depleted in heterotrophy, alongside hundreds of uncharacterized, conserved proteins. Photosynthesis repression is associated with enzyme and transporter regulation that redirects iron resources to (a) respiratory instead of photosynthetic complexes and (b) a ferredoxin-dependent desaturase pathway supporting TAG accumulation rather than thylakoid lipid synthesis. Combining insights from diverse organisms from green algae to vascular plants, we show how iron and trophic constraints on metabolism aid gene discovery for photosynthesis and biofuel production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim L Jeffers
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Samuel O Purvine
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
| | - Carrie D Nicora
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
| | - Ryan McCombs
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Shivani Upadhyaya
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Adrien Stroumza
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Ken Whang
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Sean D Gallaher
- UCLA DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Alice Dohnalkova
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
| | - Sabeeha S Merchant
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Mary Lipton
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
| | - Krishna K Niyogi
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720-3102, USA.
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
| | - Melissa S Roth
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
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Chen Q, Liu M, Mi W, Wan D, Song G, Huang W, Bi Y. Light Intensity Enhances the Lutein Production in Chromochloris zofingiensis Mutant LUT-4. Mar Drugs 2024; 22:306. [PMID: 39057415 PMCID: PMC11277835 DOI: 10.3390/md22070306] [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: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chromochloris zofingiensis, a unicellular green alga, is a potential source of natural carotenoids. In this study, the mutant LUT-4 was acquired from the chemical mutagenesis pool of C. zofingiensis strain. The biomass yield and lutein content of LUT-4 reached 9.23 g·L-1, and 0.209% of dry weight (DW) on Day 3, which was 49.4%, and 33% higher than that of wild-type (WT), respectively. The biomass yields of LUT-4 under 100, 300, and 500 µmol/m2/s reached 8.4 g·L-1, 7.75 g·L-1, and 6.6 g·L-1, which was 10.4%, 21%, and 29.6% lower compared with the control, respectively. Under mixotrophic conditions, the lutein yields were significantly higher than that obtained in the control. The light intensity of 300 µmol/m2/s was optimal for lutein biosynthesis and the content of lutein reached 0.294% of DW on Day 3, which was 40.7% more than that of the control. When LUT-4 was grown under 300 µmol/m2/s, a significant increase in expression of genes implicated in lutein biosynthesis, including phytoene synthase (PSY), phytoene desaturase (PDS), and lycopene epsilon cyclase (LCYe) was observed. The changes in biochemical composition, Ace-CoA, pyruvate, isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP), and geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) contents during lutein biosynthesis were caused by utilization of organic carbon. It was thereby concluded that 300 µmol/m2/s was the optimal culture light intensity for the mutant LUT-4 to synthesize lutein. The results would be helpful for the large-scale production of lutein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaohong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; (Q.C.); (W.M.); (D.W.); (G.S.); (W.H.)
| | - Mingmeng Liu
- School of Civil Engineering, Hubei Engineering University, Xiaogan 432000, China;
| | - Wujuan Mi
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; (Q.C.); (W.M.); (D.W.); (G.S.); (W.H.)
| | - Dong Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; (Q.C.); (W.M.); (D.W.); (G.S.); (W.H.)
| | - Gaofei Song
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; (Q.C.); (W.M.); (D.W.); (G.S.); (W.H.)
| | - Weichao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; (Q.C.); (W.M.); (D.W.); (G.S.); (W.H.)
| | - Yonghong Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; (Q.C.); (W.M.); (D.W.); (G.S.); (W.H.)
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Tong P, Liao G, Lu D, Zhou X, Zhang W, Xu Q, Wu C, Wang J. ZjHXK5 and ZjHXK6 negatively regulate the sugar metabolism of Ziziphus jujuba Mill. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1335120. [PMID: 38410733 PMCID: PMC10895003 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1335120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Hexokinase (HXK) plays a crucial role in plants, catalyzing the phosphorylation of hexose substances, which is one of the key steps in sugar metabolism and energy production. While HXK genes have been well-studied in model plants, the evolutionary and functional characteristics of HXK gene family in jujube is unknow. In this study, the HXK gene family members were identified by bioinformatics methods, the key members regulating glucose metabolism were identified by transcriptome data, and finally the function of the key genes was verified by instantaneous and stable genetic transformation. Our results showed that seven HXK genes were identified in the jujube genome, all of which were predict located in the chloroplast and contain Hexokinase-1 (PF00349) and Hexokinase-2 (PF03727) conserved domains. Most of HXK proteins were transmembrane protein with stable, lipid-soluble, hydrophilic. The secondary structure of ZjHXK proteins main α-helix, and contains two distinct tertiary structure. All ZjHXK genes contain nine exons and eight introns. Predictions of cis-regulatory elements indicate that the promoter region of ZjHXK contains a large number of MeJA responsive elements. Finally, combined with the analysis of the relationship between the expression and glucose metabolism, found that ZjHXK5 and ZjHXK6 may the key genes regulating sugar metabolism. Transient overexpression of ZjHXK5 and ZjHXK6 on jujube, or allogeneic overexpression of ZjHXK5 and ZjHXK6 on tomato would significantly reduce the content of total sugar and various sugar components. Transient silencing of ZjHXK5 and ZjHXK6 genes results in a significant increase in sucrose and total sugar content. Interestingly, the expression of ZjHXK5 and ZjHXK6 were also affected by methyl jasmonate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panpan Tong
- College of Life Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, China
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of High Efficiency and Superior Quality Cultivation and Fruit Deep Processing Technology on Characteristic Fruit Trees, Alar, Xinjiang, China
| | - Guanglian Liao
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Dengyang Lu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, China
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of High Efficiency and Superior Quality Cultivation and Fruit Deep Processing Technology on Characteristic Fruit Trees, Alar, Xinjiang, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhou
- College of Life Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, China
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of High Efficiency and Superior Quality Cultivation and Fruit Deep Processing Technology on Characteristic Fruit Trees, Alar, Xinjiang, China
| | - Wang Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qiang Xu
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Cuiyun Wu
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of High Efficiency and Superior Quality Cultivation and Fruit Deep Processing Technology on Characteristic Fruit Trees, Alar, Xinjiang, China
- College of Horticulture and Forestry, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, China
| | - Jiangbo Wang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of High Efficiency and Superior Quality Cultivation and Fruit Deep Processing Technology on Characteristic Fruit Trees, Alar, Xinjiang, China
- College of Horticulture and Forestry, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, China
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Santos-Merino M, Sakkos JK, Singh AK, Ducat DC. Coordination of carbon partitioning and photosynthesis by a two-component signaling network in Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942. Metab Eng 2024; 81:38-52. [PMID: 37925065 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2023.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Photosynthetic organisms need to balance the rate of photosynthesis with the utilization of photosynthetic products by downstream reactions. While such "source/sink" pathways are well-interrogated in plants, analogous regulatory systems are unknown or poorly studied in single-celled algal and cyanobacterial species. Towards the identification of energy/sugar sensors in cyanobacteria, we utilized an engineered strain of Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 that allows experimental manipulation of carbon status. We conducted a screening of all two-component systems (TCS) and serine/threonine kinases (STKs) encoded in S. elongatus PCC 7942 by analyzing phenotypes consistent with sucrose-induced relaxation of sink inhibition. We narrowed the candidate sensor proteins by analyzing changes observed after sucrose feeding. We show that a clustered TCS network containing RpaA, CikB, ManS and NblS are involved in the regulation of genes related to photosynthesis, pigment synthesis, and Rubisco concentration in response to sucrose. Altogether, these results highlight a regulatory TCS group that may play under-appreciated functions in carbon partitioning and energy balancing in cyanobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Santos-Merino
- MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
| | - Jonathan K Sakkos
- MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
| | - Amit K Singh
- MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
| | - Daniel C Ducat
- MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States.
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5
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Je S, Lee Y, Yamaoka Y. Effect of Common ER Stress-Inducing Drugs on the Growth and Lipid Phenotypes of Chlamydomonas and Arabidopsis. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 64:392-404. [PMID: 36318453 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcac154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is caused by the stress-induced accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER. Several compounds are used to induce the unfolded protein response (UPR) in animals, with different modes of action, but which ER stress-inducing drugs induce ER stress in microalgae or land plants is unclear. In this study, we examined the effects of seven chemicals that were reported to induce ER stress in animals on the growth, UPR gene expression and fatty acid profiles of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Chlamydomonas) and Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis): 2-deoxyglucose, dithiothreitol (DTT), tunicamycin (TM), thapsigargin, brefeldin A (BFA), monensin (MON) and eeyarestatin I. In both model photosynthetic organisms, DTT, TM, BFA and MON treatment induced ER stress, as indicated by the induction of spliced bZIP1 and bZIP60, respectively. In Chlamydomonas, DTT, TM and BFA treatment induced the production of transcripts related to lipid biosynthesis, but MON treatment did not. In Arabidopsis, DTT, TM, BFA and MON inhibited seed germination and seedling growth with the activation of bZIP60. These findings lay the foundation for using four types of ER stress-inducing drugs in photosynthetic organisms, and they help uncover the mode of action of each compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujeong Je
- Division of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, The Republic of Korea
| | - Yuree Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, The Republic of Korea
- Research Center for Plant Plasticity, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, The Republic of Korea
| | - Yasuyo Yamaoka
- Division of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, The Republic of Korea
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Quantitative Proteomics of Chromochloris zofingiensis Reveals the Key Proteins Involved in Cell Growth and Bioactive Compound Biosynthesis. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11141851. [PMID: 35890485 PMCID: PMC9315768 DOI: 10.3390/plants11141851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Glucose metabolism regulates cell growth and affects astaxanthin accumulation in the green algae Chromochloris zofingiensis. Hub gene functioning in this bioactive compound has been illustrated at the genome, transcriptome and metabolome level, but is rather limited from a proteome aspect. Microalgal cell produce an enhanced biomass (8-fold higher) but decreased lipid and astaxanthin content (~20% less) in the glucose condition compared to the control. Here, we investigate the proteomic response of C. zofingiensis grown with and without glucose using an LC-MS/MS-based Tandem Mass Tag (TMT) approach. The proteomic analysis demonstrated that glucose supplementation triggers the upregulation of 105 proteins and downregulation of 151 proteins. Thus, the carbon and energy flux might flow to cell growth, which increased the associated protein abundance, including DNA polymerase, translation initiation factor, 26S proteasome regulatory subunits, and the marker enzyme of the TCA cycle ribosomal protein. Moreover, the glucose supplement triggered the downregulation of proteins mainly involved in photosynthesis, chloroplasts, valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis, 2-oxocarboxylic acid metabolism, and pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis pathways. This proteomic analysis is likely to provide new insights into algal growth and lipid or astaxanthin accumulation upon glucose supplementation, providing a foundation for further development of C. zofingiensis as oleaginous microalga for bioengineering applications.
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New Insights into Xanthophylls and Lipidomic Profile Changes Induced by Glucose Supplementation in the Marine Diatom Nitzschia laevis. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20070456. [PMID: 35877749 PMCID: PMC9318829 DOI: 10.3390/md20070456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Nitzschia laevis is a candidate microorganism for bioactive compounds (fucoxanthin and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)) production. In this study, the impacts of glucose-induced trophic transition on biomass, photosynthesis, pigments, and lipid profiles were examined. The specific growth rate was increased under glucose addition, achieved at 0.47 day−1 (0.26 ± 0.01 day−1 for the group without glucose in medium). However, the photosynthetic parameters and pigments including chlorophylls, fucoxanthin, and diatoxanthin were reduced. The net yield of EPA doubled under glucose addition, reaching 20.36 ± 1.22 mg/L in 4 days. In addition, the alteration in detailed lipid molecular species was demonstrated with a focus on EPA-enriched lipids. The effects of 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) indicated that glucose phosphorylation was involved in glucose-induced regulation. These findings provide novel data for guiding the application of this diatom strain in the functional food industries.
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Wood EE, Ross ME, Jubeau S, Montalescot V, Stanley MS. Progress towards a targeted biorefinery of Chromochloris zofingiensis: a review. BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY 2022; 14:8127-8152. [PMID: 38510795 PMCID: PMC10948469 DOI: 10.1007/s13399-022-02955-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Biorefinery approaches offer the potential to improve the economics of the microalgae industry by producing multiple products from a single source of biomass. Chromochloris zofingiensis shows great promise for biorefinery due to high biomass productivity and a diverse range of products including secondary carotenoids, predominantly astaxanthin; lipids such as TAGs; carbohydrates including starch; and proteins and essential amino acids. Whilst this species has been demonstrated to accumulate multiple products, the development of an integrated downstream process to obtain these is lacking. The objective of this review paper is to assess the research that has taken place and to identify the steps that must be taken to establish a biorefinery approach for C. zofingiensis. In particular, the reasons why C. zofingiensis is a promising species to target for biorefinery are discussed in terms of cellular structure, potential products, and means to accumulate desirable components via the alteration of culture conditions. Future advances and the challenges that lie ahead for successful biorefinery of this species are also reviewed along with potential solutions to address them. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13399-022-02955-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor E. Wood
- University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI); Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, PA37 1QA UK
- Xanthella Ltd, Malin House, European Marine Science Park, Dunstaffnage, Argyll, Oban PA37 1SZ Scotland, UK
| | - Michael E. Ross
- University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI); Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, PA37 1QA UK
| | - Sébastien Jubeau
- Xanthella Ltd, Malin House, European Marine Science Park, Dunstaffnage, Argyll, Oban PA37 1SZ Scotland, UK
| | | | - Michele S. Stanley
- University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI); Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, PA37 1QA UK
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Chen Z, Chen Y, Zhang H, Qin H, He J, Zheng Z, Zhao L, Lei A, Wang J. Evaluation of Euglena gracilis 815 as a New Candidate for Biodiesel Production. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:827513. [PMID: 35402390 PMCID: PMC8990129 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.827513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Euglena comprises over 200 species, of which Euglena gracilis is a model organism with a relatively high fatty acid content, making it an excellent potential source of biodiesel. This study isolated and characterized a new strain named E. gracilis 815. E. gracilis 815 cells were cultivated under light and dark conditions, with either ethanol or glucose as an external carbon source and an autotrophic medium as control. To achieve maximum active substances within a short period i.e., 6 days, the effects of the light condition and carbon source on the accumulation of bioactive ingredients of E. gracilis 815 were explored, especially fatty acids. In comparison with the industrially used E. gracilis Z strain, E. gracilis 815 exhibited high adaptability to different carbon sources and light conditions, with a comparable biomass and lipid yield. The content and composition of fatty acids of E. gracilis 815 were further determined to assess its potential for biodiesel use. Results suggested that E. gracilis 815 has biodiesel potential under glucose addition in dark culture conditions and could be a promising source for producing unsaturated fatty acids. Therefore, E. gracilis 815 is a candidate for short-chain jet fuel, with prospects for a wide variety of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixi Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Eco-environmental Science, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yehua Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Eco-environmental Science, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Eco-environmental Science, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Academy of Environmental Science, Shenzhen, China
| | - Huan Qin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Eco-environmental Science, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiayi He
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Eco-environmental Science, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zezhou Zheng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Eco-environmental Science, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liqing Zhao
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Anping Lei
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Eco-environmental Science, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiangxin Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Eco-environmental Science, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Jiangxin Wang,
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Ren Y, Deng J, Lin Y, Huang J, Chen F. Developing a Chromochloris zofingiensis Mutant for Enhanced Production of Lutein under CO2 Aeration. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20030194. [PMID: 35323493 PMCID: PMC8950978 DOI: 10.3390/md20030194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Microalgae are competitive and commercial sources for health-benefit carotenoids. In this study, a Chromochloris zofingiensis mutant (Cz-pkg), which does not shut off its photosystem and stays green upon glucose treatment, was generated and characterized. Cz-pkg was developed by treating the algal cells with a chemical mutagen as N-methyl-N’-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and followed by a color-based colony screening approach. Cz-pkg was found to contain a dysfunctional cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG). By cultivated with CO2 aeration under mixotrophy, the mutant accumulated lutein up to 31.93 ± 1.91 mg L−1 with a productivity of 10.57 ± 0.73 mg L−1 day−1, which were about 2.5- and 8.5-fold of its mother strain. Besides, the lutein content of Cz-pkg could reach 7.73 ± 0.52 mg g−1 of dry weight, which is much higher than that of marigold flower, the most common commercial source of lutein. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that in the mutant Cz-pkg, most of the genes involved in the biosynthesis of lutein and chlorophylls were not down-regulated upon glucose addition, suggesting that PKG may regulate the metabolisms of photosynthetic pigments. This study demonstrated that Cz-pkg could serve as a promising strain for both lutein production and glucose sensing study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Ren
- Institute for Food and Bioresource Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China;
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (J.D.); (Y.L.)
- Institute for Innovative Development of Food Industry, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Jinquan Deng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (J.D.); (Y.L.)
- Institute for Innovative Development of Food Industry, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yan Lin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (J.D.); (Y.L.)
- Institute for Innovative Development of Food Industry, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Junchao Huang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (J.D.); (Y.L.)
- Institute for Innovative Development of Food Industry, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
- Correspondence: (J.H.); (F.C.)
| | - Feng Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (J.D.); (Y.L.)
- Institute for Innovative Development of Food Industry, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
- Correspondence: (J.H.); (F.C.)
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Wu T, Yu L, Zhang Y, Liu J. Characterization of fatty acid desaturases reveals stress-induced synthesis of C18 unsaturated fatty acids enriched in triacylglycerol in the oleaginous alga Chromochloris zofingiensis. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2021; 14:184. [PMID: 34535156 PMCID: PMC8447527 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-021-02037-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The green microalga Chromochloris zofingiensis is capable of producing high levels of triacylglycerol rich in C18 unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). FA desaturation degree is regulated by FA desaturases (FADs). Nevertheless, it remains largely unknown regarding what FADs are involved in FA desaturations and how these FADs collaborate to contribute to the high abundance of C18 UFAs in triacylglycerol in C. zofingiensis. RESULTS To address these issues, we firstly determined the transcription start sites of 11 putative membrane-bound FAD-coding genes (CzFADs) and updated their gene models. Functional validation of these CzFADs in yeast and cyanobacterial cells revealed that seven are bona fide FAD enzymes with distinct substrates. Combining the validated functions and predicted subcellular compartments of CzFADs and the FA profiles of C. zofingiensis, the FA desaturation pathways in this alga were reconstructed. Furthermore, a multifaceted lipidomic analysis by systematically integrating thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques was conducted, unraveling profiles of polar membrane lipids in C. zofingiensis and major desaturation steps occurring in these lipids. By correlating transcriptional patterns of CzFAD genes and changes of lipids upon abiotic stress conditions, our results highlighted collaboration of CzFADs for C18 UFA synthesis and supported that both de novo FA synthesis and membrane lipid remodeling contributed C18 UFAs to triacylglycerol for storage. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our study for the first time elucidated the pathways of C18 FA desaturations and comprehensive profiles of polar membrane lipids in C. zofingiensis and shed light on collaboration of CzFADs for the synthesis and enrichment of C18 UFAs in triacylglycerol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wu
- Laboratory for Algae Biotechnology & Innovation, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871 China
| | - Lihua Yu
- Laboratory for Algae Biotechnology & Innovation, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871 China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Laboratory for Algae Biotechnology & Innovation, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871 China
| | - Jin Liu
- Laboratory for Algae Biotechnology & Innovation, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871 China
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Improved photosynthetic capacity and photosystem I oxidation via heterologous metabolism engineering in cyanobacteria. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2021523118. [PMID: 33836593 PMCID: PMC7980454 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2021523118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria have been increasingly explored as a biotechnological platform, although their economic feasibility relies in part on the capacity to maximize their photosynthetic, solar-to-biomass energy conversion efficiency. Here we show that cyanobacterial photosynthetic capacity can be increased by diverting cellular resources toward heterologous, energy-storing metabolic pathways and by reducing electron flow to photoprotective, but energy-dissipating, oxygen reduction reactions. We further show that these heterologous sinks can partially contribute to photosystem I (PSI) oxidation, suggesting an engineering strategy to improve both energy storage capacity and robustness by selective diversion of excess photosynthetic capacity to productive processes. Cyanobacteria must prevent imbalances between absorbed light energy (source) and the metabolic capacity (sink) to utilize it to protect their photosynthetic apparatus against damage. A number of photoprotective mechanisms assist in dissipating excess absorbed energy, including respiratory terminal oxidases and flavodiiron proteins, but inherently reduce photosynthetic efficiency. Recently, it has been hypothesized that some engineered metabolic pathways may improve photosynthetic performance by correcting source/sink imbalances. In the context of this subject, we explored the interconnectivity between endogenous electron valves, and the activation of one or more heterologous metabolic sinks. We coexpressed two heterologous metabolic pathways that have been previously shown to positively impact photosynthetic activity in cyanobacteria, a sucrose production pathway (consuming ATP and reductant) and a reductant-only consuming cytochrome P450. Sucrose export was associated with improved quantum yield of phtotosystem II (PSII) and enhanced electron transport chain flux, especially at lower illumination levels, while cytochrome P450 activity led to photosynthetic enhancements primarily observed under high light. Moreover, coexpression of these two heterologous sinks showed additive impacts on photosynthesis, indicating that neither sink alone was capable of utilizing the full “overcapacity” of the electron transport chain. We find that heterologous sinks may partially compensate for the loss of photosystem I (PSI) oxidizing mechanisms even under rapid illumination changes, although this compensation is incomplete. Our results provide support for the theory that heterologous metabolism can act as a photosynthetic sink and exhibit some overlapping functionality with photoprotective mechanisms, while potentially conserving energy within useful metabolic products that might otherwise be “lost.”
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Abstract
Nutrients are vital to life through intertwined sensing, signaling, and metabolic processes. Emerging research focuses on how distinct nutrient signaling networks integrate and coordinate gene expression, metabolism, growth, and survival. We review the multifaceted roles of sugars, nitrate, and phosphate as essential plant nutrients in controlling complex molecular and cellular mechanisms of dynamic signaling networks. Key advances in central sugar and energy signaling mechanisms mediated by the evolutionarily conserved master regulators HEXOKINASE1 (HXK1), TARGET OF RAPAMYCIN (TOR), and SNF1-RELATED PROTEIN KINASE1 (SNRK1) are discussed. Significant progress in primary nitrate sensing, calcium signaling, transcriptome analysis, and root-shoot communication to shape plant biomass and architecture are elaborated. Discoveries on intracellular and extracellular phosphate signaling and the intimate connections with nitrate and sugar signaling are examined. This review highlights the dynamic nutrient, energy, growth, and stress signaling networks that orchestrate systemwide transcriptional, translational, and metabolic reprogramming, modulate growth and developmental programs, and respond to environmental cues. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology, Volume 37 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Li
- Department of Molecular Biology and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA; ,
| | - Kun-Hsiang Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA; , .,State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Life Sciences, and Institute of Future Agriculture, Northwest Agriculture & Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Jen Sheen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA; ,
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Rodríguez-Saavedra C, Morgado-Martínez LE, Burgos-Palacios A, King-Díaz B, López-Coria M, Sánchez-Nieto S. Moonlighting Proteins: The Case of the Hexokinases. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:701975. [PMID: 34235183 PMCID: PMC8256278 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.701975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Moonlighting proteins are defined as proteins with two or more functions that are unrelated and independent to each other, so that inactivation of one of them should not affect the second one and vice versa. Intriguingly, all the glycolytic enzymes are described as moonlighting proteins in some organisms. Hexokinase (HXK) is a critical enzyme in the glycolytic pathway and displays a wide range of functions in different organisms such as fungi, parasites, mammals, and plants. This review discusses HXKs moonlighting functions in depth since they have a profound impact on the responses to nutritional, environmental, and disease challenges. HXKs’ activities can be as diverse as performing metabolic activities, as a gene repressor complexing with other proteins, as protein kinase, as immune receptor and regulating processes like autophagy, programmed cell death or immune system responses. However, most of those functions are particular for some organisms while the most common moonlighting HXK function in several kingdoms is being a glucose sensor. In this review, we also analyze how different regulation mechanisms cause HXK to change its subcellular localization, oligomeric or conformational state, the response to substrate and product concentration, and its interactions with membrane, proteins, or RNA, all of which might impact the HXK moonlighting functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Rodríguez-Saavedra
- Laboratorio de Transporte y Percepción de Azúcares en Plantas, Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luis Enrique Morgado-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Transporte y Percepción de Azúcares en Plantas, Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Andrés Burgos-Palacios
- Laboratorio de Transporte y Percepción de Azúcares en Plantas, Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Beatriz King-Díaz
- Laboratorio de Transporte y Percepción de Azúcares en Plantas, Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Montserrat López-Coria
- Laboratorio de Transporte y Percepción de Azúcares en Plantas, Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Sobeida Sánchez-Nieto
- Laboratorio de Transporte y Percepción de Azúcares en Plantas, Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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Zhang Y, Ye Y, Bai F, Liu J. The oleaginous astaxanthin-producing alga Chromochloris zofingiensis: potential from production to an emerging model for studying lipid metabolism and carotenogenesis. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2021; 14:119. [PMID: 33992124 PMCID: PMC8126118 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-021-01969-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The algal lipids-based biodiesel, albeit having advantages over plant oils, still remains high in the production cost. Co-production of value-added products with lipids has the potential to add benefits and is thus believed to be a promising strategy to improve the production economics of algal biodiesel. Chromochloris zofingiensis, a unicellular green alga, has been considered as a promising feedstock for biodiesel production because of its robust growth and ability of accumulating high levels of triacylglycerol under multiple trophic conditions. This alga is also able to synthesize high-value keto-carotenoids and has been cited as a candidate producer of astaxanthin, the strongest antioxidant found in nature. The concurrent accumulation of triacylglycerol and astaxanthin enables C. zofingiensis an ideal cell factory for integrated production of the two compounds and has potential to improve algae-based production economics. Furthermore, with the advent of chromosome-level whole genome sequence and genetic tools, C. zofingiensis becomes an emerging model for studying lipid metabolism and carotenogenesis. In this review, we summarize recent progress on the production of triacylglycerol and astaxanthin by C. zofingiensis. We also update our understanding in the distinctive molecular mechanisms underlying lipid metabolism and carotenogenesis, with an emphasis on triacylglycerol and astaxanthin biosynthesis and crosstalk between the two pathways. Furthermore, strategies for trait improvements are discussed regarding triacylglycerol and astaxanthin synthesis in C. zofingiensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Laboratory for Algae Biotechnology and Innovation, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Ying Ye
- Laboratory for Algae Biotechnology and Innovation, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Fan Bai
- Laboratory for Algae Biotechnology and Innovation, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Laboratory for Algae Biotechnology and Innovation, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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Fichtner F, Dissanayake IM, Lacombe B, Barbier F. Sugar and Nitrate Sensing: A Multi-Billion-Year Story. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 26:352-374. [PMID: 33281060 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2020.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Sugars and nitrate play a major role in providing carbon and nitrogen in plants. Understanding how plants sense these nutrients is crucial, most notably for crop improvement. The mechanisms underlying sugar and nitrate sensing are complex and involve moonlighting proteins such as the nitrate transporter NRT1.1/NFP6.3 or the glycolytic enzyme HXK1. Major components of nutrient signaling, such as SnRK1, TOR, and HXK1, are relatively well conserved across eukaryotes, and the diversification of components such as the NRT1 family and the SWEET sugar transporters correlates with plant terrestrialization. In plants, Tre6P plays a hormone-like role in plant development. In addition, nutrient signaling has evolved to interact with the more recent hormone signaling, allowing fine-tuning of physiological and developmental responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Fichtner
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | | | - Benoit Lacombe
- Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes (BPMP), Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation, et l'Environnement (INRAE), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Montpellier SupAgro, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Francois Barbier
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Vidotti AD, Riaño-Pachón DM, Mattiello L, Giraldi LA, Winck FV, Franco TT. Analysis of autotrophic, mixotrophic and heterotrophic phenotypes in the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris using time-resolved proteomics and transcriptomics approaches. ALGAL RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2020.102060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Harnessing C/N balance of Chromochloris zofingiensis to overcome the potential conflict in microalgal production. Commun Biol 2020; 3:186. [PMID: 32327698 PMCID: PMC7181789 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-0900-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of high-value products in microalgae is not conducive with rapid cell growth, which is the potential conflict in microalgal production. Overcoming such conflict faces numerous challenges in comprehensively understanding cell behavior and metabolism. Here, we show a fully integrated interaction between cell behavior, carbon partitioning, carbon availability and path rate of central carbon metabolism, and have practically overcome the production conflict of Chromochloris zofingiensis. We demonstrate that elevated carbon availability and active path rate of precursors are determinants for product biosynthesis, and the former exhibits a superior potential. As protein content reaches a threshold value to confer survival advantages, carbon availability becomes the major limiting factor for product biosynthesis and cell reproduction. Based on integrated interaction, regulating the C/N balance by feeding carbon source under excess light increases content of high-value products without inhibiting cell growth. Our findings provide a new orientation to achieve great productivity improvements in microalgal production.
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