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Leprovost S, Plasson C, Balieu J, Walet-Balieu ML, Lerouge P, Bardor M, Mathieu-Rivet E. Fine-tuning the N-glycosylation of recombinant human erythropoietin using Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutants. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024. [PMID: 38968612 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Microalgae are considered as attractive expression systems for the production of biologics. As photosynthetic unicellular organisms, they do not require costly and complex media for growing and are able to secrete proteins and perform protein glycosylation. Some biologics have been successfully produced in the green microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. However, post-translational modifications like glycosylation of these Chlamydomonas-made biologics have poorly been investigated so far. Therefore, in this study, we report on the first structural investigation of glycans linked to human erythropoietin (hEPO) expressed in a wild-type C. reinhardtii strain and mutants impaired in key Golgi glycosyltransferases. The glycoproteomic analysis of recombinant hEPO (rhEPO) expressed in the wild-type strain demonstrated that the three N-glycosylation sites are 100% glycosylated with mature N-glycans containing four to five mannose residues and carrying core xylose, core fucose and O-methyl groups. Moreover, expression in C. reinhardtii insertional mutants defective in xylosyltransferases A and B and fucosyltransferase resulted in drastic decreases of core xylosylation and core fucosylation of glycans N-linked to the rhEPOs, thus demonstrating that this strategy offers perspectives for humanizing the N-glycosylation of the Chlamydomonas-made biologics.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Leprovost
- Université de Rouen Normandie, Normandie Univ, GlycoMEV UR 4358, SFR Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Innovation Chimie Carnot, IRIB, GDR CNRS Chemobiologie, Rouen, France
- Institute for Plant Biology and Biotechnology (IBBP), University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - C Plasson
- Université de Rouen Normandie, Normandie Univ, GlycoMEV UR 4358, SFR Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Innovation Chimie Carnot, IRIB, GDR CNRS Chemobiologie, Rouen, France
| | - J Balieu
- Université de Rouen Normandie, Normandie Univ, GlycoMEV UR 4358, SFR Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Innovation Chimie Carnot, IRIB, GDR CNRS Chemobiologie, Rouen, France
| | - M-L Walet-Balieu
- Infrastructure de Recherche HeRacLeS, Plate-forme protéomique PISSARO, Université de Rouen Normandie, Rouen, France
| | - P Lerouge
- Université de Rouen Normandie, Normandie Univ, GlycoMEV UR 4358, SFR Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Innovation Chimie Carnot, IRIB, GDR CNRS Chemobiologie, Rouen, France
| | - M Bardor
- Université de Rouen Normandie, Normandie Univ, GlycoMEV UR 4358, SFR Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Innovation Chimie Carnot, IRIB, GDR CNRS Chemobiologie, Rouen, France
| | - E Mathieu-Rivet
- Université de Rouen Normandie, Normandie Univ, GlycoMEV UR 4358, SFR Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Innovation Chimie Carnot, IRIB, GDR CNRS Chemobiologie, Rouen, France
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Chen HH, Wu JX, Huang R, Dai JL, Liang MH, Jiang JG. Enhancing astaxanthin accumulation through the expression of the plant-derived astaxanthin biosynthetic pathway in Dunaliella salina. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2024; 211:108697. [PMID: 38705045 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108697] [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: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Dunaliella salina, a microalga that thrives under high-saline conditions, is notable for its high β-carotene content and the absence of a polysaccharide cell wall. These unique characteristics render it a prime candidate as a cellular platform for astaxanthin production. In this study, our initial tests in an E. coli revealed that β-ring-4-dehydrogenase (CBFD) and 4-hydroxy-β-ring-4-dehydrogenase (HBFD) genes from Adonis aestivalis outperformed β-carotene hydroxylase (BCH) and β-carotene ketolase (BKT) from Haematococcus pluvialis counterparts by two-fold in terms of astaxanthin biosynthesis efficiency. Subsequently, we utilized electroporation to integrate either the BKT gene or the CBFD and HBFD genes into the genome of D. salina. In comparison to wild-type D. salina, strains transformed with BKT or CBFD and HBFD exhibited inhibited growth, underwent color changes to shades of red and yellow, and saw a nearly 50% decline in cell density. HPLC analysis confirmed astaxanthin synthesis in engineered D. salina strains, with CBFD + HBFD-D. salina yielding 134.88 ± 9.12 μg/g of dry cell weight (DCW), significantly higher than BKT-D. salina (83.58 ± 2.40 μg/g). This represents the largest amount of astaxanthin extracted from transgenic D. salina, as reported to date. These findings have significant implications, opening up new avenues for the development of specialized D. salina-based microcell factories for efficient astaxanthin production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Hong Chen
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China; Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Jing-Xuan Wu
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Rui Huang
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Jv-Liang Dai
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Ming-Hua Liang
- School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Jian-Guo Jiang
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China.
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Jacobebbinghaus N, Lauersen KJ, Kruse O, Baier T. Bicistronic expression of nuclear transgenes in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 118:1400-1412. [PMID: 38415961 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16677] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
In eukaryotic organisms, proteins are typically translated from monocistronic messenger RNAs containing a single coding sequence (CDS). However, recent long transcript sequencing identified 87 nuclear polycistronic mRNAs in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii natively carrying multiple co-expressed CDSs. In this study, we investigated the dynamics of 22 short intergenic sequences derived from these native polycistronic loci by their application in genetic constructs for synthetic transgene expression. A promising candidate sequence was identified based on the quantification of transformation efficiency and expression strength of a fluorescence reporter protein. Subsequently, the expression of independent proteins from one mRNA was verified by cDNA amplification and protein molecular mass characterization. We demonstrated engineered bicistronic expression in vivo to drive successful co-expression of several terpene synthases with the selection marker aphVIII. Bicistronic transgene design resulted in significantly increased (E)-α-bisabolene production of 7.95 mg L-1 from a single open reading frame, 18.1× fold higher than previous reports. Use of this strategy simplifies screening procedures for identification of high-level expressing transformants, does not require the application of additional fluorescence reporters, and reduces the nucleotide footprint compared to classical monocistronic expression cassettes. Although clear advantages for bicistronic transgene expression were observed, this strategy was found to be limited to the aphVIII marker, and further studies are necessary to gain insights into the underlying mechanism that uniquely permits this co-expression from the algal nuclear genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Jacobebbinghaus
- Algae Biotechnology and Bioenergy, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Kyle J Lauersen
- Bioengineering Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Olaf Kruse
- Algae Biotechnology and Bioenergy, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Thomas Baier
- Algae Biotechnology and Bioenergy, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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Kneip JS, Kniepkamp N, Jang J, Mortaro MG, Jin E, Kruse O, Baier T. CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Knockout of the Lycopene ε-Cyclase for Efficient Astaxanthin Production in the Green Microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1393. [PMID: 38794462 PMCID: PMC11125023 DOI: 10.3390/plants13101393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Carotenoids are valuable pigments naturally occurring in all photosynthetic plants and microalgae as well as in selected fungi, bacteria, and archaea. Green microalgae developed a complex carotenoid profile suitable for efficient light harvesting and light protection and harbor great capacity for carotenoid production through the substantial power of the endogenous 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway. Previous works established successful genome editing and induced significant changes in the cellular carotenoid content in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. This study employs a tailored carotenoid pathway for engineered bioproduction of the valuable ketocarotenoid astaxanthin. Functional knockout of lycopene ε-cyclase (LCYE) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ)-based integration of donor DNA at the target site inhibit the accumulation of α-carotene and consequently lutein and loroxanthin, abundant carotenoids in C. reinhardtii without changes in cellular fitness. PCR-based screening indicated that 4 of 96 regenerated candidate lines carried (partial) integrations of donor DNA and increased ß-carotene as well as derived carotenoid contents. Iterative overexpression of CrBKT, PacrtB, and CrCHYB resulted in a 2.3-fold increase in astaxanthin accumulation in mutant ΔLCYE#3 (1.8 mg/L) compared to the parental strain UVM4, which demonstrates the potential of genome editing for the design of a green cell factory for astaxanthin bioproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Sebastian Kneip
- Algae Biotechnology and Bioenergy, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Niklas Kniepkamp
- Algae Biotechnology and Bioenergy, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Junhwan Jang
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Maria Grazia Mortaro
- Algae Biotechnology and Bioenergy, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - EonSeon Jin
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Olaf Kruse
- Algae Biotechnology and Bioenergy, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Thomas Baier
- Algae Biotechnology and Bioenergy, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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Zhang X, Lu Q. Cultivation of microalgae in food processing effluent for pollution attenuation and astaxanthin production: a review of technological innovation and downstream application. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1365514. [PMID: 38572356 PMCID: PMC10987718 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1365514] [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: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Valorization of food processing effluent (FPE) by microalgae cultivation for astaxanthin production is regarded as a potential strategy to solve the environmental pollution of food processing industry and promote the development of eco-friendly agriculture. In this review paper, microalgal species which have the potential to be employed for astaxanthin in FPE were identified. Additionally, in terms of CO2 emission, the performances of microalgae cultivation and traditional methods for FPE remediation were compared. Thirdly, an in-depth discussion of some innovative technologies, which may be employed to lower the total cost, improve the nutrient profile of FPE, and enhance the astaxanthin synthesis, was provided. Finally, specific effects of dietary supplementation of algal astaxanthin on the growth rate, immune response, and pigmentation of animals were discussed. Based on the discussion of this work, the cultivation of microalgae in FPE for astaxanthin production is a value-adding process which can bring environmental benefits and ecological benefits to the food processing industry and agriculture. Particularly, technological innovations in recent years are promoting the shift of this new idea from academic research to practical application. In the coming future, with the reduction of the total cost of algal astaxanthin, policy support from the governments, and further improvement of the innovative technologies, the concept of growing microalgae in FPE for astaxanthin will be more applicable in the industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Zhang
- School of Grain Science and Technology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Qian Lu
- School of Grain Science and Technology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China
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Kim M, Cazzaniga S, Jang J, Pivato M, Kim G, Ballottari M, Jin E. Photoautotrophic cultivation of a Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutant with zeaxanthin as the sole xanthophyll. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2024; 17:41. [PMID: 38486329 PMCID: PMC10941483 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-024-02483-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Photosynthetic microalgae are known for their sustainable and eco-friendly potential to convert carbon dioxide into valuable products. Nevertheless, the challenge of self-shading due to high cell density has been identified as a drawback, hampering productivity in sustainable photoautotrophic mass cultivation. To address this issue, mutants with altered pigment composition have been proposed to allow a more efficient light diffusion but further study on the role of the different pigments is still needed to correctly engineer this process. RESULTS We here investigated the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Δzl mutant with zeaxanthin as the sole xanthophyll. The Δzl mutant displayed altered pigment composition, characterized by lower chlorophyll content, higher chlorophyll a/b ratio, and lower chlorophyll/carotenoid ratio compared to the wild type (Wt). The Δzl mutant also exhibited a significant decrease in the light-harvesting complex II/Photosystem II ratio (LHCII/PSII) and the absence of trimeric LHCIIs. This significantly affects the organization and stability of PSII supercomplexes. Consequently, the estimated functional antenna size of PSII in the Δzl mutant was approximately 60% smaller compared to that of Wt, and reduced PSII activity was evident in this mutant. Notably, the Δzl mutant showed impaired non-photochemical quenching. However, the Δzl mutant compensated by exhibiting enhanced cyclic electron flow compared to Wt, seemingly offsetting the impaired PSII functionality. Consequently, the Δzl mutant achieved significantly higher cell densities than Wt under high-light conditions. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight significant changes in pigment content and pigment-protein complexes in the Δzl mutant compared to Wt, resulting in an advantage for high-density photoautotrophic cultivation. This advantage is attributed to the decreased chlorophyll content of the Δzl mutant, allowing better light penetration. In addition, the accumulated zeaxanthin in the mutant could serve as an antioxidant, offering protection against reactive oxygen species generated by chlorophylls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjae Kim
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Korea
| | | | - Junhwan Jang
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Korea
| | - Matteo Pivato
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Gueeda Kim
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Korea
| | | | - EonSeon Jin
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Korea.
- Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Korea.
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Goold HD, Moseley JL, Lauersen KJ. The synthetic future of algal genomes. CELL GENOMICS 2024; 4:100505. [PMID: 38395701 PMCID: PMC10943592 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2024.100505] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Algae are diverse organisms with significant biotechnological potential for resource circularity. Taking inspiration from fermentative microbes, engineering algal genomes holds promise to broadly expand their application ranges. Advances in genome sequencing with improvements in DNA synthesis and delivery techniques are enabling customized molecular tool development to confer advanced traits to algae. Efforts to redesign and rebuild entire genomes to create fit-for-purpose organisms currently being explored in heterotrophic prokaryotes and eukaryotic microbes could also be applied to photosynthetic algae. Future algal genome engineering will enhance yields of native products and permit the expression of complex biochemical pathways to produce novel metabolites from sustainable inputs. We present a historical perspective on advances in engineering algae, discuss the requisite genetic traits to enable algal genome optimization, take inspiration from whole-genome engineering efforts in other microbes for algal systems, and present candidate algal species in the context of these engineering goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugh D Goold
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia; ARC Center of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Jeffrey L Moseley
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Division of Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Phycoil Biotechnology International, Inc., Fremont, CA 94538, USA
| | - Kyle J Lauersen
- Bioengineering Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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Hammel A, Neupert J, Bock R. Optimized transgene expression in the red alga Porphyridium purpureum and efficient recombinant protein secretion into the culture medium. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 114:18. [PMID: 38353826 PMCID: PMC10866757 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-024-01415-2] [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: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Microalgae represent a promising but yet underexplored production platform for biotechnology. The vast majority of studies on recombinant protein expression in algae have been conducted in a single species, the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. However, due to epigenetic silencing, transgene expression in Chlamydomonas is often inefficient. Here we have investigated parameters that govern efficient transgene expression in the red microalga Porphyridium purpureum. Porphyridium is unique in that the introduced transformation vectors are episomally maintained as autonomously replicating plasmids in the nucleus. We show that full codon optimization to the preferred codon usage in the Porphyridium genome confers superior transgene expression, not only at the level of protein accumulation, but also at the level of mRNA accumulation, indicating that high translation rates increase mRNA stability. Our optimized expression constructs resulted in YFP accumulation to unprecedented levels of up to 5% of the total soluble protein. We also designed expression cassettes that target foreign proteins to the secretory pathway and lead to efficient protein secretion into the culture medium, thus simplifying recombinant protein harvest and purification. Our study paves the way to the exploration of red microalgae as expression hosts in molecular farming for recombinant proteins and metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Hammel
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie (MPI-MP), Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Juliane Neupert
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie (MPI-MP), Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Ralph Bock
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie (MPI-MP), Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
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Dennis G, Posewitz MC. Advances in light system engineering across the phototrophic spectrum. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1332456. [PMID: 38410727 PMCID: PMC10895028 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1332456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Current work in photosynthetic engineering is progressing along the lines of cyanobacterial, microalgal, and plant research. These are interconnected through the fundamental mechanisms of photosynthesis and advances in one field can often be leveraged to improve another. It is worthwhile for researchers specializing in one or more of these systems to be aware of the work being done across the entire research space as parallel advances of techniques and experimental approaches can often be applied across the field of photosynthesis research. This review focuses on research published in recent years related to the light reactions of photosynthesis in cyanobacteria, eukaryotic algae, and plants. Highlighted are attempts to improve photosynthetic efficiency, and subsequent biomass production. Also discussed are studies on cross-field heterologous expression, and related work on augmented and novel light capture systems. This is reviewed in the context of translatability in research across diverse photosynthetic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galen Dennis
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, United States
| | - Matthew C Posewitz
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, United States
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Kang Y, Xu L, Dong J, Yuan X, Ye J, Fan Y, Liu B, Xie J, Ji X. Programmed microalgae-gel promotes chronic wound healing in diabetes. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1042. [PMID: 38310127 PMCID: PMC10838327 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45101-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic diabetic wounds are at lifelong risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers owing to severe hypoxia, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), a complex inflammatory microenvironment, and the potential for bacterial infection. Here we develop a programmed treatment strategy employing live Haematococcus (HEA). By modulating light intensity, HEA can be programmed to perform a variety of functions, such as antibacterial activity, oxygen supply, ROS scavenging, and immune regulation, suggesting its potential for use in programmed therapy. Under high light intensity (658 nm, 0.5 W/cm2), green HEA (GHEA) with efficient photothermal conversion mediate wound surface disinfection. By decreasing the light intensity (658 nm, 0.1 W/cm2), the photosynthetic system of GHEA can continuously produce oxygen, effectively resolving the problems of hypoxia and promoting vascular regeneration. Continuous light irradiation induces astaxanthin (AST) accumulation in HEA cells, resulting in a gradual transformation from a green to red hue (RHEA). RHEA effectively scavenges excess ROS, enhances the expression of intracellular antioxidant enzymes, and directs polarization to M2 macrophages by secreting AST vesicles via exosomes. The living HEA hydrogel can sterilize and enhance cell proliferation and migration and promote neoangiogenesis, which could improve infected diabetic wound healing in female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Kang
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Medical College, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Lingling Xu
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Medical College, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Jinrui Dong
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Medical College, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Xue Yuan
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Medical College, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Jiamin Ye
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Medical College, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Yueyue Fan
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Medical College, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Department of Disease Control and Prevention, Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center, Beijing, 10088, China.
| | - Julin Xie
- Department of Burns, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Xiaoyuan Ji
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Medical College, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.
- Medical College, Linyi University, Linyi, 276000, China.
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Xing H, Sun X, Xu N, Su X, Qin Y, Zhang L, Liu K, Li M, Hu C. The combination of uridine and nitrogen-deprivation promotes the efficient formation of astaxanthin-rich motile cells in Haematococcus pluvialis. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 393:130150. [PMID: 38049016 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.130150] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Astaxanthin accumulation in Haematococcus pluvialis typically occurs alongside the formation of secondary cell wall (SCW), hindering astaxanthin extraction and bio-accessibility. A potential solution lies in cultivating astaxanthin-rich motile cells lacking SCW. This study explored the influence and underlying mechanism of nitrogen-deprivation (ND) on SCW formation and established a connection between pyrimidine metabolism and SCW development. Then, various pyrimidine and ND combinations were examined to cultivate astaxanthin-rich motile cells. The results indicated that, compared to the nitrogen-replete group, the combination of uridine and ND increased the proportion of motile cells by 25-33 times, achieving 95 %, and enhanced astaxanthin yield by 26.52 %. Moreover, the efficiency of astaxanthin extraction from intact, wet motile cells was 91 % - 95 %, which was 5.6-9.0 times that from non-motile cells. This study not only presents a promising method for producing astaxanthin-rich motile cells in H. pluvialis but also provides insights into the relationship between pyrimidine metabolism and SCW development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailiang Xing
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Xue Sun
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Nianjun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Su
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Yujie Qin
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Liuquan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Kai Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Mingyang Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Chaoyang Hu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China.
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Ye Y, Liu M, Yu L, Sun H, Liu J. Nannochloropsis as an Emerging Algal Chassis for Light-Driven Synthesis of Lipids and High-Value Products. Mar Drugs 2024; 22:54. [PMID: 38393025 PMCID: PMC10890015 DOI: 10.3390/md22020054] [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: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In light of the escalating global energy crisis, microalgae have emerged as highly promising producers of biofuel and high-value products. Among these microalgae, Nannochloropsis has received significant attention due to its capacity to generate not only triacylglycerol (TAG) but also eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and valuable carotenoids. Recent advancements in genetic tools and the field of synthetic biology have revolutionized Nannochloropsis into a powerful biofactory. This comprehensive review provides an initial overview of the current state of cultivation and utilization of the Nannochloropsis genus. Subsequently, our review examines the metabolic pathways governing lipids and carotenoids, emphasizing strategies to enhance oil production and optimize carbon flux redirection toward target products. Additionally, we summarize the utilization of advanced genetic manipulation techniques in Nannochloropsis. Together, the insights presented in this review highlight the immense potential of Nannochloropsis as a valuable model for biofuels and synthetic biology. By effectively integrating genetic tools and metabolic engineering, the realization of this potential becomes increasingly feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Ye
- Laboratory for Algae Biotechnology & Innovation, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (L.Y.)
| | - Meijing Liu
- Laboratory for Algae Biotechnology & Innovation, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (L.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, Center for Algae Innovation & Engineering Research, School of Resources and Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Lihua Yu
- Laboratory for Algae Biotechnology & Innovation, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (L.Y.)
| | - Han Sun
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Laboratory for Algae Biotechnology & Innovation, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (L.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, Center for Algae Innovation & Engineering Research, School of Resources and Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
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Guo L, Yang G. Pioneering DNA assembling techniques and their applications in eukaryotic microalgae. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 70:108301. [PMID: 38101551 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Assembling DNA fragments is a fundamental manipulation of cloning microalgal genes and carrying out microalgal synthetic biological studies. From the earliest DNA recombination to current trait and metabolic pathway engineering, we are always accompanied by homology-based DNA assembling. The improvement and modification of pioneering DNA assembling techniques and the combinational applications of the available assembling techniques have diversified and complicated the literature environment and aggravated our identification of the core and pioneering methodologies. Identifying the core assembling methodologies and using them appropriately and flourishing them even are important for researchers. A group of microalgae have been evolving as the models for both industrial applications and biological studies. DNA assembling requires researchers to know the methods available and their improvements and evolvements. In this review, we summarized the pioneering (core; leading) DNA assembling techniques developed previously, extended these techniques to their modifications, improvements and their combinations, and highlighted their applications in eukaryotic microalgae. We predicted that the gene(s) will be assembled into a functional cluster (e.g., those involving in a metabolic pathway, and stacked on normal microalgal chromosomes, their artificial episomes and looming artificial chromosomes. It should be particularly pointed out that the techniques mentioned in this review are classified according to the strategy used to assemble the final construct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Guo
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Guanpin Yang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China; Institutes of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China; MoE Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China; Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China.
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14
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Cutolo EA, Caferri R, Campitiello R, Cutolo M. The Clinical Promise of Microalgae in Rheumatoid Arthritis: From Natural Compounds to Recombinant Therapeutics. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:630. [PMID: 38132951 PMCID: PMC10745133 DOI: 10.3390/md21120630] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an invalidating chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by joint inflammation and progressive bone damage. Dietary intervention is an important component in the treatment of RA to mitigate oxidative stress, a major pathogenic driver of the disease. Alongside traditional sources of antioxidants, microalgae-a diverse group of photosynthetic prokaryotes and eukaryotes-are emerging as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory food supplements. Several species accumulate therapeutic metabolites-mainly lipids and pigments-which interfere in the pro-inflammatory pathways involved in RA and other chronic inflammatory conditions. The advancement of the clinical uses of microalgae requires the continuous exploration of phytoplankton biodiversity and chemodiversity, followed by the domestication of wild strains into reliable producers of said metabolites. In addition, the tractability of microalgal genomes offers unprecedented possibilities to establish photosynthetic microbes as light-driven biofactories of heterologous immunotherapeutics. Here, we review the evidence-based anti-inflammatory mechanisms of microalgal metabolites and provide a detailed coverage of the genetic engineering strategies to enhance the yields of endogenous compounds and to develop innovative bioproducts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Andrea Cutolo
- Laboratory of Photosynthesis and Bioenergy, Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy;
| | - Roberto Caferri
- Laboratory of Photosynthesis and Bioenergy, Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy;
| | - Rosanna Campitiello
- Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic Hospital, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (R.C.)
| | - Maurizio Cutolo
- Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic Hospital, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (R.C.)
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15
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Pessoa JDS, de Oliveira CFM, Mena-Chalco JP, de Carvalho JCM, Ferreira-Camargo LS. Trends on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii growth regimes and bioproducts. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2023; 70:1830-1842. [PMID: 37337370 DOI: 10.1002/bab.2486] [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: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
The green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a model microorganism for several areas of study. Among the different microalgae species, it presents advantageous characteristics, such as genomes completely sequenced and well-established techniques for genetic transformation. Despite that, C. reinhardtii production is still not easily commercially viable, especially due to the low biomass yield. So far there are no reports of scientometric study focusing only on C. reinhardtii biomass production process. Considering the need for culture optimization, a scientometric research was conducted to analyze the papers that investigated the growth regimes effects in C. reinhardtii cultivation. The search resulted in 130 papers indexed on Web of Science and Scopus platforms from 1969 to December 2022. The quantitative analysis indicated that the photoautotrophic regime was the most employed in the papers. However, when comparing the three growth regimes, the mixotrophic one led to the highest production of biomass, lipids, and heterologous protein. The production of bioproducts was considered the main objective of most of the papers and, among them, biomass was the most frequently investigated. The highest biomass production reported among the papers was 40 g L-1 in the heterotrophic growth of a transgenic strain. Other culture conditions were also crucial for C. reinhardtii growth, for instance, temperature and cultivation process.
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Seger M, Mammadova F, Villegas-Valencia M, Bastos de Freitas B, Chang C, Isachsen I, Hemstreet H, Abualsaud F, Boring M, Lammers PJ, Lauersen KJ. Engineered ketocarotenoid biosynthesis in the polyextremophilic red microalga Cyanidioschyzon merolae 10D. Metab Eng Commun 2023; 17:e00226. [PMID: 37449053 PMCID: PMC10336515 DOI: 10.1016/j.mec.2023.e00226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The polyextremophilic Cyanidiophyceae are eukaryotic red microalgae with promising biotechnological properties arising from their low pH and elevated temperature requirements which can minimize culture contamination at scale. Cyanidioschyzon merolae 10D is a cell wall deficient species with a fully sequenced genome that is amenable to nuclear transgene integration by targeted homologous recombination. C. merolae maintains a minimal carotenoid profile and here, we sought to determine its capacity for ketocarotenoid accumulation mediated by heterologous expression of a green algal β-carotene ketolase (BKT) and hydroxylase (CHYB). To achieve this, a synthetic transgene expression cassette system was built to integrate and express Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Cr) sourced enzymes by fusing native C. merolae transcription, translation and chloroplast targeting signals to codon-optimized coding sequences. Chloramphenicol resistance was used to select for the integration of synthetic linear DNAs into a neutral site within the host genome. CrBKT expression caused accumulation of canthaxanthin and adonirubin as major carotenoids while co-expression of CrBKT with CrCHYB generated astaxanthin as the major carotenoid in C. merolae. Unlike green algae and plants, ketocarotenoid accumulation in C. merolae did not reduce total carotenoid contents, but chlorophyll a reduction was observed. Light intensity affected global ratios of all pigments but not individual pigment compositions and phycocyanin contents were not markedly different between parental strain and transformants. Continuous illumination was found to encourage biomass accumulation and all strains could be cultivated in simulated summer conditions from two different extreme desert environments. Our findings present the first example of carotenoid metabolic engineering in a red eukaryotic microalga and open the possibility for use of C. merolae 10D for simultaneous production of phycocyanin and ketocarotenoid pigments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Seger
- Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation, Arizona State University, 7418 Innovation Way South, Mesa, AZ, 85212, United States
| | - Fakhriyya Mammadova
- Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation, Arizona State University, 7418 Innovation Way South, Mesa, AZ, 85212, United States
| | - Melany Villegas-Valencia
- Bioengineering Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Bárbara Bastos de Freitas
- Bioengineering Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Clarissa Chang
- Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation, Arizona State University, 7418 Innovation Way South, Mesa, AZ, 85212, United States
| | - Iona Isachsen
- Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation, Arizona State University, 7418 Innovation Way South, Mesa, AZ, 85212, United States
| | - Haley Hemstreet
- Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation, Arizona State University, 7418 Innovation Way South, Mesa, AZ, 85212, United States
| | - Fatimah Abualsaud
- Bioengineering Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Malia Boring
- Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation, Arizona State University, 7418 Innovation Way South, Mesa, AZ, 85212, United States
| | - Peter J. Lammers
- Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation, Arizona State University, 7418 Innovation Way South, Mesa, AZ, 85212, United States
| | - Kyle J. Lauersen
- Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation, Arizona State University, 7418 Innovation Way South, Mesa, AZ, 85212, United States
- Bioengineering Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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17
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Zhang L, Hu T, Yao S, Hu C, Xing H, Liu K, Sun X, Xu N. Enhancement of astaxanthin production, recovery, and bio-accessibility in Haematococcus pluvialis through taurine-mediated inhibition of secondary cell wall formation under high light conditions. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 389:129802. [PMID: 37783237 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
This study explored the use of taurine in enhancing the production and bio-accessibility of astaxanthin in Haematococcus pluvialis, which typically forms a secondary cell wall hindering astaxanthin extraction. The biomass of taurine-treated group significantly increased by 18%, and astaxanthin yield surged by 34% in comparison to the control group. Without cell disruption, astaxanthin recovery from thin-walled cells in the taurine-treated group, using dimethyl sulfoxide and ethanol as extraction reagents, was 97% and 75%, respectively, which were 30-fold higher than those of thick-walled cells in the control group. Additionally, the cell fragmentation rate increased by 86% in taurine-treated group relative to the control group. Comparative transcriptome analysis identified taurine-induced upregulation of genes involved in the astaxanthin biosynthesis pathway and downregulation of those associated with secondary cell wall synthesis. This study thus offers an innovative taurine-based strategy to enhance astaxanthin production and bio-accessibility while shedding light on the mechanisms driving this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuquan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Tao Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Shiqi Yao
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Chaoyang Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Hailiang Xing
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Kai Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Xue Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Nianjun Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China.
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18
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Cao K, Cui Y, Sun F, Zhang H, Fan J, Ge B, Cao Y, Wang X, Zhu X, Wei Z, Yao Q, Ma J, Wang Y, Meng C, Gao Z. Metabolic engineering and synthetic biology strategies for producing high-value natural pigments in Microalgae. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 68:108236. [PMID: 37586543 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae are microorganisms capable of producing bioactive compounds using photosynthesis. Microalgae contain a variety of high value-added natural pigments such as carotenoids, phycobilins, and chlorophylls. These pigments play an important role in many areas such as food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Natural pigments have a health value that is unmatched by synthetic pigments. However, the current commercial production of natural pigments from microalgae is not able to meet the growing market demand. The use of metabolic engineering and synthetic biological strategies to improve the production performance of microalgal cell factories is essential to promote the large-scale production of high-value pigments from microalgae. This paper reviews the health and economic values, the applications, and the synthesis pathways of microalgal pigments. Overall, this review aims to highlight the latest research progress in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology in constructing engineered strains of microalgae with high-value pigments and the application of CRISPR technology and multi-omics in this context. Finally, we conclude with a discussion on the bottlenecks and challenges of microalgal pigment production and their future development prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China; School of Life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
| | - Yulin Cui
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Fengjie Sun
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, USA
| | - Hao Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Jianhua Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Baosheng Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing and Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
| | - Yujiao Cao
- School of Foreign Languages, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255090, China
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Xiangyu Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China; School of Life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
| | - Zuoxi Wei
- School of Life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
| | - Qingshou Yao
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Jinju Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Yu Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Chunxiao Meng
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China.
| | - Zhengquan Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China.
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Yadav S, Kalwan G, Meena S, Gill SS, Yadava YK, Gaikwad K, Jain PK. Unravelling the due importance of pseudogenes and their resurrection in plants. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2023; 203:108062. [PMID: 37778114 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
The complexities of a genome are underpinned to the vast expanses of the intergenic region, which constitutes ∼97-98% of the genome. This region is essentially composed of what is colloquially referred to as the "junk DNA" and is composed of various elements like transposons, repeats, pseudogenes, etc. The latter have long been considered as dead elements merely contributing to transcriptional noise in the genome. Many studies now describe the previously unknown regulatory functions of these genes. Recent advances in the Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have allowed unprecedented access to these regions. With the availability of whole genome sequences of more than 788 different plant species in past 20 years, genome annotation has become feasible like never before. Different bioinformatic pipelines are available for the identification of pseudogenes. However, still little is known about their biological functions. The functional validation of these genes remains challenging and research in this area is still in infancy, particularly in plants. CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing could provide solutions to understand the biological roles of these genes by allowing creation of precise edits within these genes. The possibility of pseudogene reactivation or resurrection as has been demonstrated in a few studies might open new avenues of genetic manipulation to yield a desirable phenotype. This review aims at comprehensively summarizing the progress made with regards to the identification of pseudogenes and understanding their biological functions in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheel Yadav
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110012, India; PG School, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India; Division of Genomic Resources, ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Gopal Kalwan
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110012, India; PG School, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Shashi Meena
- PG School, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India; Division of Plant Physiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Sarvajeet Singh Gill
- Stress Physiology & Molecular Biology Lab, Centre for Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, 124 001, Haryana, India
| | - Yashwant K Yadava
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Kishor Gaikwad
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - P K Jain
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110012, India.
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20
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Cazzaniga S, Kim M, Pivato M, Perozeni F, Sardar S, D'Andrea C, Jin E, Ballottari M. Photosystem II monomeric antenna CP26 plays a key role in nonphotochemical quenching in Chlamydomonas. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 193:1365-1380. [PMID: 37403662 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Thermal dissipation of excess excitation energy, called nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ), is 1 of the main photoprotective mechanisms in oxygenic photosynthetic organisms. Here, we investigated the function of the monomeric photosystem II (PSII) antenna protein CP26 in photoprotection and light harvesting in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a model organism for green algae. We used CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and complementation to generate cp26 knockout mutants (named k6#) that did not negatively affect CP29 accumulation, which differed from previous cp26 mutants, allowing us to compare mutants specifically deprived of CP26, CP29, or both. The absence of CP26 partially affected PSII activity, causing reduced growth at low or medium light but not at high irradiances. However, the main phenotype observed in k6# mutants was a more than 70% reduction of NPQ compared to the wild type (Wt). This phenotype was fully rescued by genetic complementation and complemented strains accumulating different levels of CP26, demonstrating that ∼50% of CP26 content, compared to the Wt, was sufficient to restore the NPQ capacity. Our findings demonstrate a pivotal role for CP26 in NPQ induction, while CP29 is crucial for PSII activity. The genetic engineering of these 2 proteins could be a promising strategy to regulate the photosynthetic efficiency of microalgae under different light regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Cazzaniga
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università di Verona, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Minjae Kim
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, South Korea
| | - Matteo Pivato
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università di Verona, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Federico Perozeni
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università di Verona, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Samim Sardar
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Nano Science and Technology, Milano 20134, Italy
| | - Cosimo D'Andrea
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Nano Science and Technology, Milano 20134, Italy
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - EonSeon Jin
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, South Korea
| | - Matteo Ballottari
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università di Verona, Verona 37134, Italy
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21
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Cecchin M, Simicevic J, Chaput L, Hernandez Gil M, Girolomoni L, Cazzaniga S, Remacle C, Hoeng J, Ivanov NV, Titz B, Ballottari M. Acclimation strategies of the green alga Chlorella vulgaris to different light regimes revealed by physiological and comparative proteomic analyses. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:4540-4558. [PMID: 37155956 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad170] [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: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Acclimation to different light regimes is at the basis of survival for photosynthetic organisms, regardless of their evolutionary origin. Previous research efforts largely focused on acclimation events occurring at the level of the photosynthetic apparatus and often highlighted species-specific mechanisms. Here, we investigated the consequences of acclimation to different irradiances in Chlorella vulgaris, a green alga that is one of the most promising species for industrial application, focusing on both photosynthetic and mitochondrial activities. Moreover, proteomic analysis of cells acclimated to high light (HL) or low light (LL) allowed identification of the main targets of acclimation in terms of differentially expressed proteins. The results obtained demonstrate photosynthetic adaptation to HL versus LL that was only partially consistent with previous findings in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a model organism for green algae, but in many cases similar to vascular plant acclimation events. Increased mitochondrial respiration measured in HL-acclimated cells mainly relied on alternative oxidative pathway dissipating the excessive reducing power produced due to enhanced carbon flow. Finally, proteins involved in cell metabolism, intracellular transport, gene expression, and signaling-including a heliorhodopsin homolog-were identified as strongly differentially expressed in HL versus LL, suggesting their key roles in acclimation to different light regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Cecchin
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università di Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Jovan Simicevic
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Louise Chaput
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Hernandez Gil
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Laura Girolomoni
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università di Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Cazzaniga
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università di Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Claire Remacle
- Genetics and Physiology of Microalgae, InBios/Phytosystems Research Unit, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Julia Hoeng
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Nikolai V Ivanov
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Bjoern Titz
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Matteo Ballottari
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università di Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
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22
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Milito A, Aschern M, McQuillan JL, Yang JS. Challenges and advances towards the rational design of microalgal synthetic promoters in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:3833-3850. [PMID: 37025006 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad100] [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: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae hold enormous potential to provide a safe and sustainable source of high-value compounds, acting as carbon-fixing biofactories that could help to mitigate rapidly progressing climate change. Bioengineering microalgal strains will be key to optimizing and modifying their metabolic outputs, and to render them competitive with established industrial biotechnology hosts, such as bacteria or yeast. To achieve this, precise and tuneable control over transgene expression will be essential, which would require the development and rational design of synthetic promoters as a key strategy. Among green microalgae, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii represents the reference species for bioengineering and synthetic biology; however, the repertoire of functional synthetic promoters for this species, and for microalgae generally, is limited in comparison to other commercial chassis, emphasizing the need to expand the current microalgal gene expression toolbox. Here, we discuss state-of-the-art promoter analyses, and highlight areas of research required to advance synthetic promoter development in C. reinhardtii. In particular, we exemplify high-throughput studies performed in other model systems that could be applicable to microalgae, and propose novel approaches to interrogating algal promoters. We lastly outline the major limitations hindering microalgal promoter development, while providing novel suggestions and perspectives for how to overcome them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonsina Milito
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Moritz Aschern
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josie L McQuillan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK
| | - Jae-Seong Yang
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
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23
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Perozeni F, Baier T. Current Nuclear Engineering Strategies in the Green Microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1566. [PMID: 37511941 PMCID: PMC10381326 DOI: 10.3390/life13071566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The green model microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii recently emerged as a sustainable production chassis for the efficient biosynthesis of recombinant proteins and high-value metabolites. Its capacity for scalable, rapid and light-driven growth in minimal salt solutions, its simplicity for genetic manipulation and its "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS) status are key features for its application in industrial biotechnology. Although nuclear transformation has typically resulted in limited transgene expression levels, recent developments now allow the design of powerful and innovative bioproduction concepts. In this review, we summarize the main obstacles to genetic engineering in C. reinhardtii and describe all essential aspects in sequence adaption and vector design to enable sufficient transgene expression from the nuclear genome. Several biotechnological examples of successful engineering serve as blueprints for the future establishment of C. reinhardtii as a green cell factory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Perozeni
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Thomas Baier
- Algae Biotechnology and Bioenergy, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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24
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Chen Y, Du H, Liang H, Hong T, Li T. Enhanced Carotenoid Production in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by Overexpression of Endogenousand Exogenous Beta-Carotene Ketolase ( BKT) Genes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11382. [PMID: 37511141 PMCID: PMC10379168 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a unicellular green alga that can grow heterotrophically by using acetate as a carbon source. Carotenoids are natural pigments with biological activity and color, which have functions such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, vision protection, etc., and have high commercial value and prospects. We transformed Chlamydomonas reinhardtii with the BKT genes from Phaffia rhodozyma (PrBKT) and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (CrBKT) via plasmid vector, and screened out the stable transformed algal strains C18 and P1. Under the condition that the cell density of growth was not affected, the total carotenoid content of C18 and P1 was 2.13-fold and 2.20-fold higher than that of the WT, respectively. CrBKT increased the levels of β-carotene and astaxanthin by 1.84-fold and 1.21-fold, respectively, while PrBKT increased them by 1.11-fold and 1.27-fold, respectively. Transcriptome and metabolome analysis of C18 and P1 showed that the overexpression of CrBKT only up-regulated the transcription level of BKT and LCYE (the gene of lycopene e-cyclase). However, in P1, overexpression of PrBKT also led to the up-regulation of ZDS (the gene of ζ-carotene desaturase) and CHYB (the gene of β-carotene hydroxylase). Metabolome results showed that the relative content of canthaxanthin, an intermediate metabolite of astaxanthin synthesis in C18 and P1, decreased. The overall results indicate that there is a structural difference between CrBKT and PrBKT, and overexpression of PrBKT in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii seems to cause more genes in carotenoid pathway metabolism to be up-regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanhao Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 510000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, STU-UNIVPM Joint Algal Research Center, Institute of Marine Sciences, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Hong Du
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 510000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, STU-UNIVPM Joint Algal Research Center, Institute of Marine Sciences, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Honghao Liang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Ting Hong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Tangcheng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
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25
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Zhao ML, Li XY, Lan CX, Yuan ZL, Zhao JL, Huang Y, Hu ZL, Jia B. Promoting Photosynthetic Production of Dammarenediol-II in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii via Gene Loading and Culture Optimization. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11002. [PMID: 37446180 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Ginsenosides are major bioactive compounds found in Panax ginseng that exhibit various pharmaceutical properties. Dammarenediol-II, the nucleus of dammarane-type ginsenosides, is a promising candidate for pharmacologically active triterpenes. Dammarenediol-II synthase (DDS) cyclizes 2,3-oxidosqualene to produce dammarenediol-II. Based on the native terpenoids synthetic pathway, a dammarane-type ginsenosides synthetic pathway was established in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by introducing P. ginseng PgDDS, CYP450 enzyme (PgCYP716A47), or/and Arabidopsis thaliana NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase gene (AtCPR), which is responsible for producing dammarane-type ginsenosides. To enhance productivity, strategies such as "gene loading" and "culture optimizing" were employed. Multiple copies of transgene expression cassettes were introduced into the genome to increase the expression of the key rate-limiting enzyme gene, PgDDS, significantly improving the titer of dammarenediol-II to approximately 0.2 mg/L. Following the culture optimization in an opt2 medium supplemented with 1.5 mM methyl jasmonate under a light:dark regimen, the titer of dammarenediol-II increased more than 13-fold to approximately 2.6 mg/L. The C. reinhardtii strains engineered in this study constitute a good platform for the further production of ginsenosides in microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Li Zhao
- Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
- College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Xiang-Yu Li
- Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
- Bamboo Industry Institute, Zhejiang A&F University, Lin'an 311300, China
| | - Cheng-Xiang Lan
- Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Zi-Ling Yuan
- Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Jia-Lin Zhao
- Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Ying Huang
- Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Zhang-Li Hu
- Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Bin Jia
- Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
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26
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Yahya RZ, Wellman GB, Overmans S, Lauersen KJ. Engineered production of isoprene from the model green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Metab Eng Commun 2023; 16:e00221. [PMID: 37006831 PMCID: PMC10063407 DOI: 10.1016/j.mec.2023.e00221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Isoprene is a clear, colorless, volatile 5-carbon hydrocarbon that is one monomer of all cellular isoprenoids and a platform chemical with multiple applications in industry. Many plants have evolved isoprene synthases (IspSs) with the capacity to liberate isoprene from dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMADP) as part of cellular thermotolerance mechanisms. Isoprene is hydrophobic and volatile, rapidly leaves plant tissues and is one of the main carbon emission sources from vegetation globally. The universality of isoprenoid metabolism allows volatile isoprene production from microbes expressing heterologous IspSs. Here, we compared heterologous overexpression from the nuclear genome and localization into the plastid of four plant terpene synthases (TPs) in the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Using sealed vial mixotrophic cultivation, direct quantification of isoprene production was achieved from the headspace of living cultures, with the highest isoprene production observed in algae expressing the Ipomoea batatas IspS. Perturbations of the downstream carotenoid pathway through keto carotenoid biosynthesis enhanced isoprene titers, which could be further enhanced by increasing flux towards DMADP through heterologous co-expression of a yeast isopentenyl-DP delta isomerase. Multiplexed controlled-environment testing revealed that cultivation temperature, rather than illumination intensity, was the main factor affecting isoprene yield from the engineered alga. This is the first report of heterologous isoprene production from a eukaryotic alga and sets a foundation for further exploration of carbon conversion to this commodity chemical.
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27
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Liu M, Ding W, Pan Y, Hu H, Liu J. Zeaxanthin epoxidase is involved in the carotenoid biosynthesis and light-dependent growth of the marine alga Nannochloropsis oceanica. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2023; 16:74. [PMID: 37138328 PMCID: PMC10157934 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-023-02326-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The marine alga Nannochloropsis oceanica, an emerging model belonging to Heterokont, is considered as a promising light-driven eukaryotic chassis for transforming carbon dioxide to various compounds including carotenoids. Nevertheless, the carotenogenic genes and their roles in the alga remain less understood and to be further explored. RESULTS Here, two phylogenetically distant zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP) genes from N. oceanica (NoZEP1 and NoZEP2) were functionally characterized. Subcellular localization experiment demonstrated that both NoZEP1 and NoZEP2 reside in the chloroplast yet with differential distribution patterns. Overexpression of NoZEP1 or NoZEP2 led to increases of violaxanthin and its downstream carotenoids at the expense of zeaxanthin in N. oceanica, with the extent of changes mediated by NoZEP1 overexpression being greater as compared to NoZEP2 overexpression. Suppression of NoZEP1 or NoZEP2, on the other hand, caused decreases of violaxanthin and its downstream carotenoids as well as increases of zeaxanthin; similarly, the extent of changes mediated by NoZEP1 suppression was larger than that by NoZEP2 suppression. Interestingly, chlorophyll a dropped following violaxanthin decrease in a well-correlated manner in response to NoZEP suppression. The thylakoid membrane lipids including monogalactosyldiacylglycerol also correlated with the violaxanthin decreases. Accordingly, NoZEP1 suppression resulted in more attenuated algal growth than NoZEP2 suppression did under either normal light or high light stage. CONCLUSIONS The results together support that both NoZEP1 and NoZEP2, localized in the chloroplast, have overlapping roles in epoxidating zeaxanthin to violaxanthin for the light-dependent growth, yet with NoZEP1 being more functional than NoZEP2 in N. oceanica. Our study provides implications into the understanding of carotenoid biosynthesis and future manipulation of N. oceanica for carotenoid production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijing Liu
- Laboratory for Algae Biotechnology & Innovation, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871 China
| | - Wei Ding
- Laboratory for Algae Biotechnology & Innovation, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871 China
| | - Yufang Pan
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072 China
| | - Hanhua Hu
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072 China
| | - Jin Liu
- Laboratory for Algae Biotechnology & Innovation, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871 China
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28
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Kolackova M, Janova A, Dobesova M, Zvalova M, Chaloupsky P, Krystofova O, Adam V, Huska D. Role of secondary metabolites in distressed microalgae. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 224:115392. [PMID: 36746204 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115392] [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: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Proficient photosynthetic microalgae/cyanobacteria produce a remarkable amount of various biomolecules. Secondary metabolites (SM) represent high value products for global biotrend application. Production improvement can be achieved by nutritional, environmental, and physiological stress as a first line tools for their stimulation. In recent decade, an increasing interest in algal stress biology and omics techniques have deepened knowledge in this area. However, deep understanding and connection of specific stress elucidator are missing. Hence, the present review summarizes recent evidence with an emphasis on the carotenoids, phenolic, and less-discussed compounds (glycerol, proline, mycosporins-like amino acids). Even when they are synthesized at very low concentrations, it highlights the need to expand knowledge in this area using genome-editing tools and omics approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Kolackova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Janova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Dobesova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Monika Zvalova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Chaloupsky
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Olga Krystofova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtech Adam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Dalibor Huska
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
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29
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Jeong BR, Jang J, Jin E. Genome engineering via gene editing technologies in microalgae. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 373:128701. [PMID: 36746216 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.128701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas has revolutionized genetic modification with its comparative simplicity and accuracy, and it can be used even at the genomic level. Microalgae are excellent feedstocks for biofuels and nutraceuticals because they contain high levels of fatty acids, carotenoids, and other metabolites; however, genome engineering for microalgae is not yet as developed as for other model organisms. Microalgal engineering at the genetic and metabolic levels is relatively well established, and a few genomic resources are available. Their genomic information was used for a "safe harbor" site for stable transgene expression in microalgae. This review proposes further genome engineering schemes including the construction of sgRNA libraries, pan-genomic and epigenomic resources, and mini-genomes, which can together be developed into synthetic biology for carbon-based engineering in microalgae. Acetyl-CoA is at the center of carbon metabolic pathways and is further reviewed for the production of molecules including terpenoids in microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byeong-Ryool Jeong
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Junhwan Jang
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - EonSeon Jin
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea; Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea.
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30
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Amendola S, Kneip JS, Meyer F, Perozeni F, Cazzaniga S, Lauersen KJ, Ballottari M, Baier T. Metabolic Engineering for Efficient Ketocarotenoid Accumulation in the Green Microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:820-831. [PMID: 36821819 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Astaxanthin is a valuable ketocarotenoid with various pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. Green microalgae harbor natural capacities for pigment accumulation due to their 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway. Recently, a redesigned ß-carotene ketolase (BKT) was found to enable ketocarotenoid accumulation in the model microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, and transformants exhibited reduced photoinhibition under high-light. Here, a systematic screening by synthetic transgene design of carotenoid pathway enzymes and overexpression from the nuclear genome identified phytoene synthase (PSY/crtB) as a bottleneck for carotenoid accumulation in C. reinhardtii. Increased ß-carotene hydroxylase (CHYB) activity was found to be essential for engineered astaxanthin accumulation. A combined BKT, crtB, and CHYB expression strategy resulted in a volumetric astaxanthin production of 9.5 ± 0.3 mg L-1 (4.5 ± 0.1 mg g-1 CDW) in mixotrophic and 23.5 mg L-1 (1.09 mg L-1 h-1) in high cell density conditions, a 4-fold increase compared to previous reports in C. reinhardtii. This work presents a systematic investigation of bottlenecks in astaxanthin accumulation in C. reinhardtii and the phototrophic green cell factory design for competitive use in industrial biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Amendola
- Algae Biotechnology and Bioenergy, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Jacob S Kneip
- Algae Biotechnology and Bioenergy, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Florian Meyer
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Federico Perozeni
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Cazzaniga
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy
| | - Kyle J Lauersen
- Bioengineering Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Matteo Ballottari
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy
| | - Thomas Baier
- Algae Biotechnology and Bioenergy, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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31
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Miró-Vinyals B, Artigues M, Wostrikoff K, Monte E, Broto-Puig F, Leivar P, Planas A. Chloroplast engineering of the green microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii for the production of HAA, the lipid moiety of rhamnolipid biosurfactants. N Biotechnol 2023; 76:1-12. [PMID: 37004923 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2023.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Hydroxyalkanoyloxyalkanoates (HAA) are lipidic surfactants with a number of potential applications, but more remarkably, they are the biosynthetic precursors of rhamnolipids (RL), which are preferred biosurfactants thanks to their excellent physicochemical properties, biological activities, and environmental biodegradability. Because the natural highest producer of RLs is the pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, important efforts have been dedicated to transfer production to heterologous non-pathogenic microorganisms. Unicellular photosynthetic microalgae are emerging as important hosts for sustainable industrial biotechnology due to their ability to transform CO2 efficiently into biomass and bioproducts of interest. Here, we have explored the potential of the eukaryotic green microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as a chassis to produce RLs. Chloroplast genome engineering allowed the stable functional expression of the gene encoding RhlA acyltransferase from P. aeruginosa, an enzyme catalyzing the condensation of two 3-hydroxyacyl acid intermediaries in the fatty acid synthase cycle, to produce HAA. Four congeners of varying chain lengths were identified and quantified by UHPLC-QTOF mass spectrometry and gas chromatography, including C10-C10 and C10-C8, and the less abundant C10-C12 and C10-C6 congeners. HAA was present in the intracellular fraction, but also showed increased accumulation in the extracellular medium. Moreover, HAA production was also observed under photoautotrophic conditions based on atmospheric CO2. These results establish that RhlA is active in the chloroplast and is able to produce a new pool of HAA in a eukaryotic host. Subsequent engineering of microalgal strains should contribute to the development of an alternative clean, safe and cost-effective platform for the sustainable production of RLs. DATA AVAILABILITY: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding authors upon reasonable request.
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32
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de Freitas BB, Overmans S, Medina JS, Hong PY, Lauersen KJ. Biomass generation and heterologous isoprenoid milking from engineered microalgae grown in anaerobic membrane bioreactor effluent. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 229:119486. [PMID: 36535088 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater (WW) treatment in anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBR) is considered more sustainable than in aerobic reactors. However, outputs from AnMBR are a mixed methane and carbon dioxide gas stream as well as ammonium- (N) and phosphate- (P) containing waters. Using AnMBR outputs as inputs for photoautotrophic algal cultivation can strip the CO2 while removing N and P from effluent which feed algal biomass generation. Recent advances in algal engineering have generated strains that produce high-value side products concomitant with biomass, although only shown in heavily domesticated, lab-adapted strains. Here, it was investigated whether engineered Chlamydomonas reinhardtii could be grown directly in AnMBR effluent with CO2 concentrations found in AnMBR off-gas. The strain was found to proliferate over bacteria in the non-sterile effluent, consume N and P to levels that meet general discharge or reuse limits, and tolerate cultivation in modelled (extreme) outdoor environmental conditions prevalent along the central Red Sea coast. In addition to ∼2.4 g CDW L-1 biomass production in 96 h, a high-value heterologous sesquiterpene co-product could be obtained from 'milking' up to 837 µg L-1 culture in 96 h. This is the first demonstration of a combined bio-process that employs a heavily engineered algal strain to enhance the product generation potentials from AnMBR effluent treatment. This study shows it is possible to convert waste into value through use of engineered algae while also improving wastewater treatment economics through co-product generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Bastos de Freitas
- Bioengineering Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sebastian Overmans
- Bioengineering Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Julie Sanchez Medina
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pei-Ying Hong
- Bioengineering Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Kyle J Lauersen
- Bioengineering Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
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Masi A, Leonelli F, Scognamiglio V, Gasperuzzo G, Antonacci A, Terzidis MA. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: A Factory of Nutraceutical and Food Supplements for Human Health. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28031185. [PMID: 36770853 PMCID: PMC9921279 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (C. reinhardtii) is one of the most well-studied microalgae organisms that revealed important information for the photosynthetic and metabolic processes of plants and eukaryotes. Numerous extensive studies have also underpinned its great potential as a biochemical factory, capable of producing various highly desired molecules with a direct impact on human health and longevity. Polysaccharides, lipids, functional proteins, pigments, hormones, vaccines, and antibodies are among the valuable biomolecules that are produced spontaneously or under well-defined conditions by C. reinhardtii and can be directly linked to human nutrition and diet. The aim of this review is to highlight the recent advances in the field focusing on the most relevant applications related to the production of important biomolecules for human health that are also linked with human nutrition and diet. The limitations and challenges are critically discussed along with the potential future applications of C. reinhardtii biomass and processed products in the field of nutraceuticals and food supplements. The increasing need for high-value and low-cost biomolecules produced in an environmentally and economy sustainable manner also underline the important role of C. reinhardtii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Masi
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council, 00010 Montelibretti, Italy
| | - Francesca Leonelli
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rome “Sapienza”, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Scognamiglio
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council, 00010 Montelibretti, Italy
| | - Giulia Gasperuzzo
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council, 00010 Montelibretti, Italy
| | - Amina Antonacci
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council, 00010 Montelibretti, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (M.A.T.); Tel.: +39-0690675597 (A.A.); +30-2310013224 (M.A.T.)
| | - Michael A. Terzidis
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, International Hellenic University, Sindos Campus, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (M.A.T.); Tel.: +39-0690675597 (A.A.); +30-2310013224 (M.A.T.)
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Stra A, Almarwaey LO, Alagoz Y, Moreno JC, Al-Babili S. Carotenoid metabolism: New insights and synthetic approaches. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 13:1072061. [PMID: 36743580 PMCID: PMC9891708 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1072061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Carotenoids are well-known isoprenoid pigments naturally produced by plants, algae, photosynthetic bacteria as well as by several heterotrophic microorganisms. In plants, they are synthesized in plastids where they play essential roles in light-harvesting and in protecting the photosynthetic apparatus from reactive oxygen species (ROS). Carotenoids are also precursors of bioactive metabolites called apocarotenoids, including vitamin A and the phytohormones abscisic acid (ABA) and strigolactones (SLs). Genetic engineering of carotenogenesis made possible the enhancement of the nutritional value of many crops. New metabolic engineering approaches have recently been developed to modulate carotenoid content, including the employment of CRISPR technologies for single-base editing and the integration of exogenous genes into specific "safe harbors" in the genome. In addition, recent studies revealed the option of synthetic conversion of leaf chloroplasts into chromoplasts, thus increasing carotenoid storage capacity and boosting the nutritional value of green plant tissues. Moreover, transient gene expression through viral vectors allowed the accumulation of carotenoids outside the plastid. Furthermore, the utilization of engineered microorganisms allowed efficient mass production of carotenoids, making it convenient for industrial practices. Interestingly, manipulation of carotenoid biosynthesis can also influence plant architecture, and positively impact growth and yield, making it an important target for crop improvements beyond biofortification. Here, we briefly describe carotenoid biosynthesis and highlight the latest advances and discoveries related to synthetic carotenoid metabolism in plants and microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Stra
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lamyaa O. Almarwaey
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yagiz Alagoz
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Juan C. Moreno
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salim Al-Babili
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
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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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Sun JP, Wei XH, Cong XM, Zhang WH, Qiu LX, Zang XN. Expression of fatty acid related gene promotes astaxanthin heterologous production in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1130065. [PMID: 37020810 PMCID: PMC10067919 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1130065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural astaxanthin is a high-value ketone carotenoid mainly derived from Haematococcus pluvialis, which is an excellent antioxidant for human consumption. To study the role of lipids in accumulation of astaxanthin, the H. pluvialis-derived astaxanthin synthesis pathway genes (β-carotene ketolase gene, BKT and β-carotene hydroxylase gene, BCH) and fatty acid elongation gene (mitochondrial trans-2-enoyl-coa reductase gene, MECR) were heterologously co-expressed in C. reinhardtii. Zeaxanthin, the precursor of astaxanthin synthesis, was significantly increased after BKT and BCH were expressed. In contrast, the α-carotene that competes with astaxanthin synthesis for lycopene decreased significantly. This redistribution of carbon flow was conducive to the synthesis of astaxanthin. In addition, the transformant only expressed astaxanthin metabolism related genes (BKT, BCH) would lead to an increase in total lipid, a decrease in monounsaturated fatty acids and an increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids. On this basis, the expression of MECR gene further increased the total lipid, and the relative content of different fatty acids also changed. The astaxanthin content of algal strains transformed with BKT and BCH genes was nearly 50% higher than that of the wild type. On this basis, the astaxanthin content of transformants expressing MECR gene related to long-chain fatty acid synthesis was increased by 227.5%. In this study, an astaxanthin production model similar to H. pluvialis by combining carotenoid metabolism and fatty acid metabolism was constructed in C. reinhardtii. The results suggest that the increase in astaxanthin is indeed linked to the regulation of fatty acid metabolism, and this link may involve the type of fatty acids and the dynamics of astaxanthin ester in cells. The strategy of promoting the synthesis of fatty acids has potential to achieve efficient production of astaxanthin in C. reinhardtii.
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Cazzaniga S, Perozeni F, Baier T, Ballottari M. Engineering astaxanthin accumulation reduces photoinhibition and increases biomass productivity under high light in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2022; 15:77. [PMID: 35820961 PMCID: PMC9277849 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-022-02173-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background Astaxanthin is a highly valuable ketocarotenoid with strong antioxidative activity and is natively accumulated upon environmental stress exposure in selected microorganisms. Green microalgae are photosynthetic, unicellular organisms cultivated in artificial systems to produce biomass and industrially relevant bioproducts. While light is required for photosynthesis, fueling carbon fixation processes, application of high irradiance causes photoinhibition and limits biomass productivity. Results Here, we demonstrate that engineered astaxanthin accumulation in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii conferred high light tolerance, reduced photoinhibition and improved biomass productivity at high irradiances, likely due to strong antioxidant properties of constitutively accumulating astaxanthin. In competitive co-cultivation experiments, astaxanthin-rich Chlamydomonas reinhardtii outcompeted its corresponding parental background strain and even the fast-growing green alga Chlorella vulgaris. Conclusions Metabolic engineering inducing astaxanthin and ketocarotenoids accumulation caused improved high light tolerance and increased biomass productivity in the model species for microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Thus, engineering microalgal pigment composition represents a powerful strategy to improve biomass productivities in customized photobioreactors setups. Moreover, engineered astaxanthin accumulation in selected strains could be proposed as a novel strategy to outperform growth of other competing microalgal strains. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13068-022-02173-3.
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Chen F, Xu N, Liu K, Lv R, Shi J, Liu J, Sun X, Hu C. Increasing production and bio-accessibility of natural astaxanthin in Haematococcus pluvialis by screening and culturing red motile cells under high light condition. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 364:128067. [PMID: 36202281 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.128067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The thick cell wall and low astaxanthin productivity were two important bottlenecks limiting industrial production of astaxanthin via Haematococcus pluvialis. This study reports a strategy for increasing production and bio-accessibility of astaxanthin in H. pluvialis by screening and culturing red motile cells under high light condition. Compared with the original strain NBU489, the biomass of the novel isolated strain RMS10 increased by 31.9% under low light condition, and the astaxanthin content (44.6 mg/g) increased by 53.3% after 9-day high light induction, which were readily extracted and digested without cell disruption. Subsequent transcriptomic analysis confirmed the accumulation of astaxanthin and lipids in RMS10 cells as expression of genes associated with biosynthesis of fatty acid and astaxanthin were up-regulated, while those involved in thick cell wall biosynthesis and reactive oxygen species scavenging were down-regulated in RMS10. Collectively, this study provides a simple and effective method for economical production of natural astaxanthin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China; CAS and Shandong Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Nianjun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Kai Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Rongrong Lv
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Jianxin Shi
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Yazhou Bay Institute of Deepsea Sci-Tech, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jianguo Liu
- CAS and Shandong Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xue Sun
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Chaoyang Hu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China.
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Li X, Lan C, Li X, Hu Z, Jia B. A review on design-build-test-learn cycle to potentiate progress in isoprenoid engineering of photosynthetic microalgae. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 363:127981. [PMID: 36130687 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Currently, the generation of isoprenoid factories in microalgae relies on two strategies: 1) enhanced production of endogenous isoprenoids; or 2) production of heterologous terpenes by metabolic engineering. Nevertheless, low titers and productivity are still a feature of isoprenoid biotechnology and need to be addressed. In this context, the mechanisms underlying isoprenoid biosynthesis in microalgae and its relationship with central carbon metabolism are reviewed. Developments in microalgal biotechnology are discussed, and a new approach of integrated "design-build-test-learn" cycle is advocated to the trends, challenges and prospects involved in isoprenoid engineering. The emerging and promising strategies and tools are discussed for microalgal engineering in the future. This review encourages a systematic engineering perspective aimed at potentiating progress in isoprenoid engineering of photosynthetic microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Li
- Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Chengxiang Lan
- Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Xinyi Li
- Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Zhangli Hu
- Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Bin Jia
- Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
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The Role of Astaxanthin as a Nutraceutical in Health and Age-Related Conditions. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27217167. [PMID: 36363994 PMCID: PMC9655540 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27217167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The current review provides an up-to-date analysis of scientific data on astaxanthin (ASX) sources and experimental studies on its health benefits as a potent antioxidant in the aging process. ASX is a liposoluble carotenoid nutrient and reddish-orange pigment, naturally synthesized by numerous microalgae, yeasts, and bacteria as secondary metabolites. Provides a reddish hue to redfish and shellfish flesh that feed on ASX-producing microorganisms. The microalga Haematococcus pluvialis is the most important source for its industrial bioproduction. Due to its strong antioxidant properties, numerous investigations reported that natural ASX is a more significant antioxidant agent than other antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and β-carotene. Furthermore, several data show that ASX possesses important nutraceutical applications and health benefits, especially in healthy aging processes. However, further studies are needed for a deeper understanding of the potential mechanisms through which ASX could lead to its effective role in the healthy aging process, such as supporting brain health and skin homeostasis. This review highlights the current investigations on the effective role of ASX in oxidative stress, aging mechanisms, skin physiology, and central nervous system functioning, and shows the potential clinical implications related to its consumption.
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Xu R, Zhang L, Yu W, Liu J. A strategy for interfering with the formation of thick cell walls in Haematococcus pluvialis by down-regulating the mannan synthesis pathway. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 362:127783. [PMID: 35970497 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The challenges associated with effective cell wall disruption remain an important bottleneck that has restricted efforts to extract astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis. Here, available transcriptomic data and an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation system were used to establish an H. pluvialis strain in which the key cell wall formation-related enzyme α-1,6-mannosyltransferase (HpOCH1) was downregulated in an effort to thin cell walls and thereby simplify the astaxanthin extraction process. The cell wall remodeling activity observed in these HpOch1 knockdown H. pluvialis cells resulted in dramatic reductions in the mannan organization and protective ability of the established cell walls. The cell fragmentation rate increased by 58% in HpOch1- group relative to the control group. Critically, astaxanthin synthesis was not altered in the HpOch1 knockdown cells. Overall, this study highlights a novel technical approach to artificial cell wall thinning, offering a foundation for further efforts to more effectively leverage the astaxanthin resources of H. pluvialis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Xu
- CAS and Shandong Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Litao Zhang
- CAS and Shandong Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Wenjie Yu
- CAS and Shandong Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 10049, China
| | - Jianguo Liu
- CAS and Shandong Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China; Shandong Engineering Technology Collaborative Innovation Center of Edible Microalgae, Qingdao Langyatai Group Co., Ltd., Qingdao 266400, China.
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Gutiérrez S, Wellman GB, Lauersen KJ. Teaching an old ‘doc’ new tricks for algal biotechnology: Strategic filter use enables multi-scale fluorescent protein signal detection. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:979607. [PMID: 36213064 PMCID: PMC9540369 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.979607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorescent proteins (FPs) are powerful reporters with a broad range of applications in gene expression and subcellular localization. High-throughput screening is often required to identify individual transformed cell lines in organisms that favor non-homologous-end-joining integration of transgenes into genomes, like in the model green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Strategic transgene design, including genetic fusion of transgenes to FPs, and strain domestication have aided engineering efforts in this host but have not removed the need for screening large numbers of transformants to identify those with robust transgene expression levels. FPs facilitate transformant screening by providing a visual signal indicating transgene expression. However, limited combinations of FPs have been described in alga and inherent background fluorescence from cell pigments can hinder FP detection efforts depending on available infrastructure. Here, an updated set of algal nuclear genome-domesticated plasmid parts for seven FPs and six epitope tags were generated and tested in C. reinhardtii. Strategic filter selection was found to enable detection of up to five independent FPs signals from cyan to far-red separately from inherent chlorophyll fluorescence in live algae at the agar plate-level and also in protein electrophoresis gels. This work presents technical advances for algal engineering that can assist reporter detection efforts in other photosynthetic host cells or organisms with inherent background fluorescence.
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Wichmann J, Eggert A, Elbourne LDH, Paulsen IT, Lauersen KJ, Kruse O. Farnesyl pyrophosphate compartmentalization in the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii during heterologous (E)-α-bisabolene production. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:190. [PMID: 36104783 PMCID: PMC9472337 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01910-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Eukaryotic algae have recently emerged as hosts for metabolic engineering efforts to generate heterologous isoprenoids. Isoprenoid metabolic architectures, flux, subcellular localization, and transport dynamics have not yet been fully elucidated in algal hosts. Results In this study, we investigated the accessibility of different isoprenoid precursor pools for C15 sesquiterpenoid generation in the cytoplasm and chloroplast of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii using the Abies grandis bisabolene synthase (AgBS) as a reporter. The abundance of the C15 sesquiterpene precursor farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) was not increased in the cytosol by co-expression and fusion of AgBS with different FPP synthases (FPPSs), indicating limited C5 precursor availability in the cytoplasm. However, FPP was shown to be available in the plastid stroma, where bisabolene titers could be improved several-fold by FPPSs. Sesquiterpene production was greatest when AgBS-FPPS fusions were directed to the plastid and could further be improved by increasing the gene dosage. During scale-up cultivation with different carbon sources and light regimes, specific sesquiterpene productivities from the plastid were highest with CO2 as the only carbon source and light:dark illumination cycles. Potential prenyl unit transporters are proposed based on bioinformatic analyses, which may be in part responsible for our observations. Conclusions Our findings indicate that the algal chloroplast can be harnessed in addition to the cytosol to exploit the full potential of algae as green cell factories for non-native sesquiterpenoid generation. Identification of a prenyl transporter may be leveraged for further extending this capacity. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12934-022-01910-5.
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Liu M, Ding W, Yu L, Shi Y, Liu J. Functional characterization of carotenogenic genes provides implications into carotenoid biosynthesis and engineering in the marine alga Nannochloropsis oceanica. ALGAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2022.102853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Guan X, Zhang J, Xu N, Cai C, Lu Y, Liu Y, Dai W, Wang X, Nan B, Li X, Wang Y. Optimization of culture medium and scale-up production of astaxanthin using corn steep liquor as substrate by response surface methodology. Prep Biochem Biotechnol 2022; 53:443-453. [PMID: 35838518 DOI: 10.1080/10826068.2022.2098324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Astaxanthin is a natural carotenoid with strong antioxidant activity. In this paper, the effects of carbon source, corn steep liquor, distiller grains, and initial pH on the growth and astaxanthin production of Phaffia rhodozyma D3 were evaluated. The optimal medium composition was 32 g/L glucose, 12 g/L corn steep liquor as nitrogen source, and the initial pH was 6.7. Phaffia rhodozyma D3 was cultured in a shake flask under these optimized conditions, the biomass was 6.47 g/L, the astaxanthin/OD475 was 15.16, and the astaxanthin content was 1.41 mg/g. The astaxanthin content was further increased to 4.70 mg/g by the combination of TiO2 stimulation and the expanding cultivation of P. rhodozyma D3 in a 5 L fermenter, which was 2.81 times that of the control group. Expanding fermentation implies the possibility of large-scale production in the astaxanthin industry. Corn steep liquor was used as an alternative nitrogen source to culture P. rhodozyma D3, which could both reduce the production cost of astaxanthin and increased the by-products utilization rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Guan
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China.,Jilin Province Innovation Center for Food Biological Manufacture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China.,Jilin Province Innovation Center for Food Biological Manufacture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Na Xu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China.,Jilin Province Innovation Center for Food Biological Manufacture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Chunyu Cai
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China.,Jilin Province Innovation Center for Food Biological Manufacture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Yanhong Lu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China.,Jilin Province Innovation Center for Food Biological Manufacture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Yankai Liu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China.,Jilin Province Innovation Center for Food Biological Manufacture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Weichang Dai
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China.,Jilin Province Innovation Center for Food Biological Manufacture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiujuan Wang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China.,Jilin Province Innovation Center for Food Biological Manufacture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Bo Nan
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China.,Jilin Province Innovation Center for Food Biological Manufacture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Xia Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China.,Jilin Province Innovation Center for Food Biological Manufacture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuhua Wang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China.,Jilin Province Innovation Center for Food Biological Manufacture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China.,National Processing Laboratory for Soybean Industry and Technology, Changchun, China.,National Engineering Laboratory for Wheat and Corn Deep Processing, Changchun, China
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46
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Einhaus A, Steube J, Freudenberg RA, Barczyk J, Baier T, Kruse O. Engineering a powerful green cell factory for robust photoautotrophic diterpenoid production. Metab Eng 2022; 73:82-90. [PMID: 35717002 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2022.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Diterpenoids display a large and structurally diverse class of natural compounds mainly found as specialized plant metabolites. Due to their diverse biological functions they represent an essential source for various industrially relevant applications as biopharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and fragrances. However, commercial production utilizing their native hosts is inhibited by low abundances, limited cultivability, and challenging extraction, while the precise stereochemistry displays a particular challenge for chemical synthesis. Due to a high carbon flux through their native 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway towards photosynthetically active pigments, green microalgae hold great potential as efficient and sustainable heterologous chassis for sustainable biosynthesis of plant-derived diterpenoids. In this study, innovative synthetic biology and efficient metabolic engineering strategies were systematically combined to re-direct the metabolic flux through the MEP pathway for efficient heterologous diterpenoid synthesis in C. reinhardtii. Engineering of the 1-Deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXS) as the main rate-limiting enzyme of the MEP pathway and overexpression of diterpene synthase fusion proteins increased the production of high-value diterpenoids. Applying fully photoautotrophic high cell density cultivations demonstrate potent and sustainable production of the high-value diterpenoid sclareol up to 656 mg L-1 with a maximal productivity of 78 mg L-1 day-1 in a 2.5 L scale photobioreactor, which is comparable to sclareol titers reached by highly engineered yeast. Consequently, this work represents a breakthrough in establishing a powerful phototrophic green cell factory for the competetive use in industrial biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Einhaus
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Jasmin Steube
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Robert Ansgar Freudenberg
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Jonas Barczyk
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Thomas Baier
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Olaf Kruse
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany.
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47
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Cecchin M, Cazzaniga S, Martini F, Paltrinieri S, Bossi S, Maffei ME, Ballottari M. Astaxanthin and eicosapentaenoic acid production by S4, a new mutant strain of Nannochloropsis gaditana. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:117. [PMID: 35710482 PMCID: PMC9204945 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01847-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Astaxanthin is a ketocarotenoid with high antioxidant power used in different fields as healthcare, food/feed supplementation and as pigmenting agent in aquaculture. Primary producers of astaxanthin are some species of microalgae, unicellular photosynthetic organisms, as Haematococcus lacustris. Astaxanthin production by cultivation of Haematococcus lacustris is costly due to low biomass productivity, high risk of contamination and the requirement of downstream extraction processes, causing an extremely high price on the market. Some microalgae species are also primary producers of omega-3 fatty acids, essential nutrients for humans, being related to cardiovascular wellness, and required for visual and cognitive development. One of the main well-known producers of omega-3 fatty eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is the marine microalga Nannochloropsis gaditana (named also Microchloropsis gaditana): this species has been already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for human consumption and it is characterized by a fast grow phenotype. RESULTS Here we obtained by chemical mutagenesis a Nannochloropsis gaditana mutant strain, called S4, characterized by increased carotenoid to chlorophyll ratio. S4 strain showed improved photosynthetic activity, increased lipid productivity and increased ketocarotenoids accumulation, producing not only canthaxanthin but also astaxanthin, usually found only in traces in the WT strain. Ketocarotenoids produced in S4 strain were extractible in different organic solvents, with the highest efficiency observed upon microwaves pre-treatment followed by methanol extraction. By cultivation of S4 strain at different irradiances it was possible to produce up to 1.3 and 5.2 mgL-1 day-1 of ketocarotenoids and EPA respectively, in a single cultivation phase, even in absence of stressing conditions. Genome sequencing of S4 strain allowed to identify 199 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP): among the mutated genes, mutations in a carotenoid oxygenase gene and in a glutamate synthase gene could explain the different carotenoids content and the lower chlorophylls content, respectively. CONCLUSIONS By chemical mutagenesis and selection of strain with increased carotenoids to chlorophyll ratio it was possible to isolate a new Nannochloropsis gaditana strain, called S4 strain, characterized by increased lipids and ketocarotenoids accumulation. S4 strain can thus be considered as novel platform for ketocarotenoids and EPA production for different industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Cecchin
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Cazzaniga
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Flavio Martini
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefania Paltrinieri
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Simone Bossi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi, Unità di Fisiologia Vegetale, Università di Torino, Via Quarello 15/a, 10135, Turin, Italy
| | - Massimo E Maffei
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi, Unità di Fisiologia Vegetale, Università di Torino, Via Quarello 15/a, 10135, Turin, Italy
| | - Matteo Ballottari
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134, Verona, Italy.
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48
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Zhu X, Meng C, Sun F, Wei Z, Chen L, Chen W, Tong S, Du H, Gao J, Ren J, Li D, Gao Z. Sustainable production of astaxanthin in microorganisms: the past, present, and future. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2022; 63:10239-10255. [PMID: 35694786 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2080176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Astaxanthin (3,3'-dihydroxy-4,4'-diketo-β-carotene) is a type of C40 carotenoid with remarkable antioxidant characteristics, showing significant application prospects in many fields. Traditionally, the astaxanthin is mainly obtained from chemical synthesis and natural acquisition, with both approaches having many limitations and not capable of meeting the growing market demand. In order to cope with these challenges, novel techniques, e.g., the innovative cell engineering strategies, have been developed to increase the astaxanthin production. In this review, we first elaborated the biosynthetic pathway of astaxanthin, with the key enzymes and their functions discussed in the metabolic process. Then, we summarized the conventional, non-genetic strategies to promote the production of astaxanthin, including the methods of exogenous additives, mutagenesis, and adaptive evolution. Lastly, we reviewed comprehensively the latest studies on the synthesis of astaxanthin in various recombinant microorganisms based on the concept of microbial cell factory. Furthermore, we have proposed several novel technologies for improving the astaxanthin accumulation in several model species of microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Industrial Biological Systems and Bioprocessing Engineering, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- School of Life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, China
- National Innovation Centre for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Chunxiao Meng
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
- School of Life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, China
| | - Fengjie Sun
- School of Science and Technology, Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville, GA, USA
| | - Zuoxi Wei
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Industrial Biological Systems and Bioprocessing Engineering, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- School of Life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, China
- National Innovation Centre for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Limei Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Industrial Biological Systems and Bioprocessing Engineering, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- National Innovation Centre for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Wuxi Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Industrial Biological Systems and Bioprocessing Engineering, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- National Innovation Centre for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Sheng Tong
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Industrial Biological Systems and Bioprocessing Engineering, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- National Innovation Centre for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Huanmin Du
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Industrial Biological Systems and Bioprocessing Engineering, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- National Innovation Centre for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Jinshan Gao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Industrial Biological Systems and Bioprocessing Engineering, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- National Innovation Centre for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiali Ren
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Industrial Biological Systems and Bioprocessing Engineering, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Demao Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Industrial Biological Systems and Bioprocessing Engineering, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- National Innovation Centre for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhengquan Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
- School of Life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, China
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49
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Piccinini L, Iacopino S, Cazzaniga S, Ballottari M, Giuntoli B, Licausi F. A synthetic switch based on orange carotenoid protein to control blue-green light responses in chloroplasts. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022. [PMID: 35289909 DOI: 10.1101/2021.01.27.428448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology approaches to engineer light-responsive systems are widely used, but their applications in plants are still limited due to the interference with endogenous photoreceptors and the intrinsic requirement of light for photosynthesis. Cyanobacteria possess a family of soluble carotenoid-associated proteins named orange carotenoid proteins (OCPs) that, when activated by blue-green light, undergo a reversible conformational change that enables the photoprotection mechanism that occurs on the phycobilisome. Exploiting this system, we developed a chloroplast-localized synthetic photoswitch based on a protein complementation assay where two nanoluciferase fragments were fused to separate polypeptides corresponding to the OCP2 domains. Since Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) does not possess the prosthetic group needed for the assembly of the OCP2 complex, we first implemented the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway with a bacterial β-carotene ketolase enzyme (crtW) to generate keto-carotenoid-producing plants. The photoswitch was tested and characterized in Arabidopsis protoplasts and stably transformed plants with experiments aimed to uncover its regulation by a range of light intensities, wavelengths, and its conversion dynamics. Finally, we applied the OCP-based photoswitch to control transcriptional responses in chloroplasts in response to green light illumination by fusing the two OCP fragments with the plastidial SIGMA FACTOR 2 and bacteriophage T4 anti-sigma factor AsiA. This pioneering study establishes the basis for future implementation of plastid optogenetics to regulate organelle responses upon exposure to specific light spectra.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Piccinini
- Plantlab, Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Sergio Iacopino
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK
| | - Stefano Cazzaniga
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Matteo Ballottari
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Beatrice Giuntoli
- Plantlab, Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa 56127, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Francesco Licausi
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa 56126, Italy
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50
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Piccinini L, Iacopino S, Cazzaniga S, Ballottari M, Giuntoli B, Licausi F. A synthetic switch based on orange carotenoid protein to control blue-green light responses in chloroplasts. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 189:1153-1168. [PMID: 35289909 PMCID: PMC9157063 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology approaches to engineer light-responsive systems are widely used, but their applications in plants are still limited due to the interference with endogenous photoreceptors and the intrinsic requirement of light for photosynthesis. Cyanobacteria possess a family of soluble carotenoid-associated proteins named orange carotenoid proteins (OCPs) that, when activated by blue-green light, undergo a reversible conformational change that enables the photoprotection mechanism that occurs on the phycobilisome. Exploiting this system, we developed a chloroplast-localized synthetic photoswitch based on a protein complementation assay where two nanoluciferase fragments were fused to separate polypeptides corresponding to the OCP2 domains. Since Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) does not possess the prosthetic group needed for the assembly of the OCP2 complex, we first implemented the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway with a bacterial β-carotene ketolase enzyme (crtW) to generate keto-carotenoid-producing plants. The photoswitch was tested and characterized in Arabidopsis protoplasts and stably transformed plants with experiments aimed to uncover its regulation by a range of light intensities, wavelengths, and its conversion dynamics. Finally, we applied the OCP-based photoswitch to control transcriptional responses in chloroplasts in response to green light illumination by fusing the two OCP fragments with the plastidial SIGMA FACTOR 2 and bacteriophage T4 anti-sigma factor AsiA. This pioneering study establishes the basis for future implementation of plastid optogenetics to regulate organelle responses upon exposure to specific light spectra.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Piccinini
- Plantlab, Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Sergio Iacopino
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK
| | - Stefano Cazzaniga
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Matteo Ballottari
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Beatrice Giuntoli
- Plantlab, Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa 56127, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Francesco Licausi
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa 56126, Italy
- Author for correspondence:
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