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Advances in Genetic Engineering in Improving Photosynthesis and Microalgal Productivity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24031898. [PMID: 36768215 PMCID: PMC9915242 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24031898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Even though sunlight energy far outweighs the energy required by human activities, its utilization is a key goal in the field of renewable energies. Microalgae have emerged as a promising new and sustainable feedstock for meeting rising food and feed demand. Because traditional methods of microalgal improvement are likely to have reached their limits, genetic engineering is expected to allow for further increases in the photosynthesis and productivity of microalgae. Understanding the mechanisms that control photosynthesis will enable researchers to identify targets for genetic engineering and, in the end, increase biomass yield, offsetting the costs of cultivation systems and downstream biomass processing. This review describes the molecular events that happen during photosynthesis and microalgal productivity through genetic engineering and discusses future strategies and the limitations of genetic engineering in microalgal productivity. We highlight the major achievements in manipulating the fundamental mechanisms of microalgal photosynthesis and biomass production, as well as promising approaches for making significant contributions to upcoming microalgal-based biotechnology.
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Maeno T, Yamakawa Y, Takiyasu Y, Miyauchi H, Nakamura Y, Ono M, Ozaki N, Utsumi Y, Cenci U, Colleoni C, Ball S, Tsuzuki M, Fujiwara S. One of the isoamylase isoforms, CMI294C, is required for semi-amylopectin synthesis in the rhodophyte Cyanidioschyzon merolae. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:967165. [PMID: 36051298 PMCID: PMC9424615 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.967165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Most rhodophytes synthesize semi-amylopectin as a storage polysaccharide, whereas some species in the most primitive class (Cyanidiophyceae) make glycogen. To know the roles of isoamylases in semi-amylopectin synthesis, we investigated the effects of isoamylase gene (CMI294C and CMS197C)-deficiencies on semi-amylopectin molecular structure and starch granule morphology in Cyanidioschyzon merolae (Cyanidiophyceae). Semi-amylopectin content in a CMS197C-disruption mutant (ΔCMS197C) was not significantly different from that in the control strain, while that in a CMI294C-disruption mutant (ΔCMI294C) was much lower than those in the control strain, suggesting that CMI294C is essential for semi-amylopectin synthesis. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the ΔCMI294C strain contained smaller starch granules, while the ΔCMS197C strain had normal size, but donut-shaped granules, unlike those of the control strain. Although the chain length distribution of starch from the control strain displayed a semi-amylopectin pattern with a peak around degree of polymerization (DP) 11-13, differences in chain length profiles revealed that the ΔCMS197C strain has more short chains (DP of 3 and 4) than the control strain, while the ΔCMI294C strain has more long chains (DP ≥12). These findings suggest that CMI294C-type isoamylase, which can debranch a wide range of chains, probably plays an important role in semi-amylopectin synthesis unique in the Rhodophyta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiki Maeno
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Yuki Yamakawa
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Yohei Takiyasu
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Hiroki Miyauchi
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Yasunori Nakamura
- Faculty of Bioresource Sciences, Akita Prefectural University, Akita, Japan
| | - Masami Ono
- Faculty of Bioresource Sciences, Akita Prefectural University, Akita, Japan
| | - Noriaki Ozaki
- Faculty of Bioresource Sciences, Akita Prefectural University, Akita, Japan
| | | | - Ugo Cenci
- CNRS, UMR8576-UGSF-Unite de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Christophe Colleoni
- CNRS, UMR8576-UGSF-Unite de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Steven Ball
- CNRS, UMR8576-UGSF-Unite de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Mikio Tsuzuki
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Shoko Fujiwara
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Japan
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Mérida A, Fettke J. Starch granule initiation in Arabidopsis thaliana chloroplasts. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 107:688-697. [PMID: 34051021 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The initiation of starch granule formation and the mechanism controlling the number of granules per plastid have been some of the most elusive aspects of starch metabolism. This review covers the advances made in the study of these processes. The analyses presented herein depict a scenario in which starch synthase isoform 4 (SS4) provides the elongating activity necessary for the initiation of starch granule formation. However, this protein does not act alone; other polypeptides are required for the initiation of an appropriate number of starch granules per chloroplast. The functions of this group of polypeptides include providing suitable substrates (maltooligosaccharides) to SS4, the localization of the starch initiation machinery to the thylakoid membranes, and facilitating the correct folding of SS4. The number of starch granules per chloroplast is tightly regulated and depends on the developmental stage of the leaves and their metabolic status. Plastidial phosphorylase (PHS1) and other enzymes play an essential role in this process since they are necessary for the synthesis of the substrates used by the initiation machinery. The mechanism of starch granule formation initiation in Arabidopsis seems to be generalizable to other plants and also to the synthesis of long-term storage starch. The latter, however, shows specific features due to the presence of more isoforms, the absence of constantly recurring starch synthesis and degradation, and the metabolic characteristics of the storage sink organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel Mérida
- Institute of Plant Biochemistry and Photosynthesis (IBVF), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla (US), Avda Américo Vespucio, 49, Sevilla, 41092, Spain
| | - Joerg Fettke
- Biopolymer Analytics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Building 20, Potsdam-Golm, 14476, Germany
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Ralton JE, Sernee MF, McConville MJ. Evolution and function of carbohydrate reserve biosynthesis in parasitic protists. Trends Parasitol 2021; 37:988-1001. [PMID: 34266735 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Nearly all eukaryotic cells synthesize carbohydrate reserves, such as glycogen, starch, or low-molecular-weight oligosaccharides. However, a number of parasitic protists have lost this capacity while others have lost, and subsequently evolved, entirely new pathways. Recent studies suggest that retention, loss, or acquisition of these pathways in different protists is intimately linked to their lifestyle. In particular, parasites with carbohydrate reserves often establish long-lived chronic infections and/or produce environmental cysts, whereas loss of these pathways is associated with parasites that have highly proliferative and metabolically active life-cycle stages. The evolution of mannogen biosynthesis in Leishmania and related parasites indicates that these pathways have played a role in defining the host range and niches occupied by some protists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie E Ralton
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - M Fleur Sernee
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Malcolm J McConville
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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Pancha I, Takaya K, Tanaka K, Imamura S. The Unicellular Red Alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae, an Excellent Model Organism for Elucidating Fundamental Molecular Mechanisms and Their Applications in Biofuel Production. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10061218. [PMID: 34203949 PMCID: PMC8232737 DOI: 10.3390/plants10061218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Microalgae are considered one of the best resources for the production of biofuels and industrially important compounds. Various models have been developed to understand the fundamental mechanism underlying the accumulation of triacylglycerols (TAGs)/starch and to enhance its content in cells. Among various algae, the red alga Cyanidioschyzonmerolae has been considered an excellent model system to understand the fundamental mechanisms behind the accumulation of TAG/starch in the microalga, as it has a smaller genome size and various biotechnological methods are available for it. Furthermore, C. merolae can grow and survive under high temperature (40 °C) and low pH (2–3) conditions, where most other organisms would die, thus making it a choice alga for large-scale production. Investigations using this alga has revealed that the target of rapamycin (TOR) kinase is involved in the accumulation of carbon-reserved molecules, TAGs, and starch. Furthermore, detailed molecular mechanisms of the role of TOR in controlling the accumulation of TAGs and starch were uncovered via omics analyses. Based on these findings, genetic engineering of the key gene and proteins resulted in a drastic increment of the amount of TAGs and starch. In addition to these studies, other trials that attempted to achieve the TAG increment in C. merolae have been summarized in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Pancha
- Department of Biological Sciences, SRM University-AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh 522502, India
- Correspondence: (I.P.); (S.I.); Tel.: +81-422-59-6179 (S.I.)
| | - Kazuhiro Takaya
- NTT Space Environment and Energy Laboratories, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, 3-9-11 Midori-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8585, Japan;
| | - Kan Tanaka
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259-R1-29 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan;
| | - Sousuke Imamura
- NTT Space Environment and Energy Laboratories, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, 3-9-11 Midori-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8585, Japan;
- Correspondence: (I.P.); (S.I.); Tel.: +81-422-59-6179 (S.I.)
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Li Z, Cao L, Zhao L, Yu L, Chen Y, Yoon KS, Hu Q, Han D. Identification and Biotechnical Potential of a Gcn5-Related N-Acetyltransferase Gene in Enhancing Microalgal Biomass and Starch Production. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:544827. [PMID: 32983212 PMCID: PMC7483765 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.544827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae are promising feedstocks for starch production, which are precursors for bioenergy and chemicals manufacturing. Though starch biosynthesis has been intensively studied in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, regulatory mechanisms governing starch metabolism in this model species have remained largely unknown to date. We proposed that altering triacylglycerol (TAG) biosynthesis may trigger intrinsic regulatory pathways governing starch metabolism. In accordance with the hypothesis, it was observed in this study that overexpression of the plastidial lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase gene (i.e. LPAAT1) in C. reinhardtii significantly enhanced TAG biosynthesis under nitrogen (N)-replete conditions, whereas the starch biosynthesis was enhanced in turn under N depletion. By the exploitation of transcriptomics analysis, a putative regulatory gene coding Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferase (GNAT19) was identified, which was up-regulated by 11-12 times in the CrLPAAT1 OE lines. Overexpression of the cloned full-length CrGNAT19 cDNA led to significant increase in the starch content of C. reinhardtii cells grown under both N-replete and N-depleted conditions, which was up to 4 times and 26.7% higher than that of the empty vector control, respectively. Moreover, the biomass yield of the CrGNAT19 OE lines reached 1.5 g L-1 after 2 days under N-depleted conditions, 72% higher than that of the empty vector control (0.87 g L-1). Overall, the yield of starch increased by 118.5% in CrGNAT19 OE lines compared to that of the control. This study revealed the great biotechnical potentials of an unprecedented GNAT19 gene in enhancing microalgal starch and biomass production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongze Li
- Center for Microalgal Biotechnology and Biofuels, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Cao
- Center for Microalgal Biotechnology and Biofuels, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Liang Zhao
- Center for Microalgal Biotechnology and Biofuels, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Lihua Yu
- Center for Microalgal Biotechnology and Biofuels, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Center for Microalgal Biotechnology and Biofuels, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kang-sup Yoon
- Center for Microalgal Biotechnology and Biofuels, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiang Hu
- Center for Microalgal Biotechnology and Biofuels, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory for Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Danxiang Han
- Center for Microalgal Biotechnology and Biofuels, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory for Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Mandalasi M, Kim HW, Thieker D, Sheikh MO, Gas-Pascual E, Rahman K, Zhao P, Daniel NG, van der Wel H, Ichikawa HT, Glushka JN, Wells L, Woods RJ, Wood ZA, West CM. A terminal α3-galactose modification regulates an E3 ubiquitin ligase subunit in Toxoplasma gondii. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:9223-9243. [PMID: 32414843 PMCID: PMC7335778 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.013792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Skp1, a subunit of E3 Skp1/Cullin-1/F-box protein ubiquitin ligases, is modified by a prolyl hydroxylase that mediates O2 regulation of the social amoeba Dictyostelium and the parasite Toxoplasma gondii The full effect of hydroxylation requires modification of the hydroxyproline by a pentasaccharide that, in Dictyostelium, influences Skp1 structure to favor assembly of Skp1/F-box protein subcomplexes. In Toxoplasma, the presence of a contrasting penultimate sugar assembled by a different glycosyltransferase enables testing of the conformational control model. To define the final sugar and its linkage, here we identified the glycosyltransferase that completes the glycan and found that it is closely related to glycogenin, an enzyme that may prime glycogen synthesis in yeast and animals. However, the Toxoplasma enzyme catalyzes formation of a Galα1,3Glcα linkage rather than the Glcα1,4Glcα linkage formed by glycogenin. Kinetic and crystallographic experiments showed that the glycosyltransferase Gat1 is specific for Skp1 in Toxoplasma and also in another protist, the crop pathogen Pythium ultimum The fifth sugar is important for glycan function as indicated by the slow-growth phenotype of gat1Δ parasites. Computational analyses indicated that, despite the sequence difference, the Toxoplasma glycan still assumes an ordered conformation that controls Skp1 structure and revealed the importance of nonpolar packing interactions of the fifth sugar. The substitution of glycosyltransferases in Toxoplasma and Pythium by an unrelated bifunctional enzyme that assembles a distinct but structurally compatible glycan in Dictyostelium is a remarkable case of convergent evolution, which emphasizes the importance of the terminal α-galactose and establishes the phylogenetic breadth of Skp1 glycoregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Msano Mandalasi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA; Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Hyun W Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - David Thieker
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - M Osman Sheikh
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Elisabet Gas-Pascual
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA; Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Kazi Rahman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Peng Zhao
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Nitin G Daniel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Hanke van der Wel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - H Travis Ichikawa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - John N Glushka
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Lance Wells
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA; Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Robert J Woods
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA; Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Zachary A Wood
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Christopher M West
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA; Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA; Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.
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