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Vijayan J, Alvarez S, Naldrett MJ, Morse W, Maliva A, Wase N, Riekhof WR. Nitrogen starvation leads to TOR kinase-mediated downregulation of fatty acid synthesis in the algae Chlorella sorokiniana and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 24:753. [PMID: 39107711 PMCID: PMC11302099 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05408-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND When subject to stress conditions such as nutrient limitation microalgae accumulate triacylglycerol (TAG). Fatty acid, a substrate for TAG synthesis is derived from de novo synthesis or by membrane remodeling. The model industrial alga Chlorellasorokiniana accumulates TAG and other storage compounds under nitrogen (N)-limited growth. Molecular mechanisms underlying these processes are still to be elucidated. RESULT Previously we used transcriptomics to explore the regulation of TAG synthesis in C. sorokiniana. Surprisingly, our analysis showed that the expression of several key genes encoding enzymes involved in plastidic fatty acid synthesis are significantly repressed. Metabolic labeling with radiolabeled acetate showed that de novo fatty acid synthesis is indeed downregulated under N-limitation. Likewise, inhibition of the Target of Rapamycin kinase (TOR), a key regulator of metabolism and growth, decreased fatty acid synthesis. We compared the changes in proteins and phosphoprotein abundance using a proteomics and phosphoproteomics approach in C. sorokiniana cells under N-limitation or TOR inhibition and found extensive overlap between the N-limited and TOR-inhibited conditions. We also identified changes in the phosphorylation status of TOR complex proteins, TOR-kinase, and RAPTOR, under N-limitation. This indicates that TOR signaling is altered in a nitrogen-dependent manner. We find that TOR-mediated metabolic remodeling of fatty acid synthesis under N-limitation is conserved in the chlorophyte algae Chlorella sorokiniana and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that under N-limitation there is significant metabolic remodeling, including fatty acid synthesis, mediated by TOR signaling. This process is conserved across chlorophyte algae. Using proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis, we show that N-limitation affects TOR signaling and this in-turn affects the metabolic status of the cells. This study presents a link between N-limitation, TOR signaling and fatty acid synthesis in green-lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jithesh Vijayan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA.
- Center for Plant Science Innovation, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA.
| | - Sophie Alvarez
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Nebraska Center for Biotechnology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Michael J Naldrett
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Nebraska Center for Biotechnology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Wyatt Morse
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Amanda Maliva
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | | | - Wayne R Riekhof
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
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2
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Boland DJ, Cornejo-Corona I, Browne DR, Murphy RL, Mullet J, Okada S, Devarenne TP. Reclassification of Botryococcus braunii chemical races into separate species based on a comparative genomics analysis. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304144. [PMID: 39074348 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The colonial green microalga Botryococcus braunii is well known for producing liquid hydrocarbons that can be utilized as biofuel feedstocks. B. braunii is taxonomically classified as a single species made up of three chemical races, A, B, and L, that are mainly distinguished by the hydrocarbons produced. We previously reported a B race draft nuclear genome, and here we report the draft nuclear genomes for the A and L races. A comparative genomic study of the three B. braunii races and 14 other algal species within Chlorophyta revealed significant differences in the genomes of each race of B. braunii. Phylogenomically, there was a clear divergence of the three races with the A race diverging earlier than both the B and L races, and the B and L races diverging from a later common ancestor not shared by the A race. DNA repeat content analysis suggested the B race had more repeat content than the A or L races. Orthogroup analysis revealed the B. braunii races displayed more gene orthogroup diversity than three closely related Chlamydomonas species, with nearly 24-36% of all genes in each B. braunii race being specific to each race. This analysis suggests the three races are distinct species based on sufficient differences in their respective genomes. We propose reclassification of the three chemical races to the following species names: Botryococcus alkenealis (A race), Botryococcus braunii (B race), and Botryococcus lycopadienor (L race).
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon J Boland
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- Texas A&M Institute for Genome Sciences & Society (TIGSS), College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Ivette Cornejo-Corona
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Daniel R Browne
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- AI & Computational Biology, LanzaTech Inc., Skokie, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Rebecca L Murphy
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- Biology Department, Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - John Mullet
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Shigeru Okada
- Laboratory of Aquatic Natural Products Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Timothy P Devarenne
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
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Duenas MA, Craig RJ, Gallaher SD, Moseley JL, Merchant SS. Leaky ribosomal scanning enables tunable translation of bicistronic ORFs in green algae. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.24.605010. [PMID: 39091764 PMCID: PMC11291117 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.24.605010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Advances in sequencing technology have unveiled examples of nucleus-encoded polycistronic genes, once considered rare. Exclusively polycistronic transcripts are prevalent in green algae, although the mechanism by which multiple polypeptides are translated from a single transcript is unknown. Here, we used bioinformatic and in vivo mutational analyses to evaluate competing mechanistic models for polycistronic expression in green algae. High-confidence manually curated datasets of bicistronic loci from two divergent green algae, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Auxenochlorella protothecoides, revealed 1) a preference for weak Kozak-like sequences for ORF 1 and 2) an underrepresentation of potential initiation codons before ORF 2, which are suitable conditions for leaky scanning to allow ORF 2 translation. We used mutational analysis in Auxenochlorella protothecoides to test the mechanism. In vivo manipulation of the ORF 1 Kozak-like sequence and start codon altered reporter expression at ORF 2, with a weaker Kozak-like sequence enhancing expression and a stronger one diminishing it. A synthetic bicistronic dual reporter demonstrated inversely adjustable activity of green fluorescent protein expressed from ORF 1 and luciferase from ORF 2, depending on the strength of the ORF 1 Kozak-like sequence. Our findings demonstrate that translation of multiple ORFs in green algal bicistronic transcripts is consistent with episodic leaky ribosome scanning of ORF 1 to allow translation at ORF 2. This work has implications for the potential functionality of upstream open reading frames found across eukaryotic genomes and for transgene expression in synthetic biology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco A. Duenas
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Rory J. Craig
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Sean D. Gallaher
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jeffrey L. Moseley
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Sabeeha S. Merchant
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, CA, USA
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4
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Stanić M, Jevtović M, Kovačević S, Dimitrijević M, Danilović Luković J, McIntosh OA, Zechmann B, Lizzul AM, Spasojević I, Pittman JK. Low-dose ionizing radiation generates a hormetic response to modify lipid metabolism in Chlorella sorokiniana. Commun Biol 2024; 7:821. [PMID: 38969726 PMCID: PMC11226653 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06526-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Algal biomass is a viable source of chemicals and metabolites for various energy, nutritional, medicinal and agricultural uses. While stresses have commonly been used to induce metabolite accumulation in microalgae in attempts to enhance high-value product yields, this is often very detrimental to growth. Therefore, understanding how to modify metabolism without deleterious consequences is highly beneficial. We demonstrate that low-doses (1-5 Gy) of ionizing radiation in the X-ray range induces a non-toxic, hormetic response in microalgae to promote metabolic activation. We identify specific radiation exposure parameters that give reproducible metabolic responses in Chlorella sorokiniana caused by transcriptional changes. This includes up-regulation of >30 lipid metabolism genes, such as genes encoding an acetyl-CoA carboxylase subunit, phosphatidic acid phosphatase, lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase, and diacylglycerol acyltransferase. The outcome is an increased lipid yield in stationary phase cultures by 25% in just 24 hours, without any negative effects on cell viability or biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Stanić
- University of Belgrade-Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, Life Sciences Department, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Mima Jevtović
- University of Belgrade-Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, Life Sciences Department, Belgrade, Serbia
- Innovative Centre of the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Snežana Kovačević
- University of Belgrade-Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, Life Sciences Department, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milena Dimitrijević
- University of Belgrade-Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, Life Sciences Department, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Danilović Luković
- University of Belgrade-Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, Life Sciences Department, Belgrade, Serbia
- Institute for Application of Nuclear Energy-INEP, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Owen A McIntosh
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Bernd Zechmann
- Center for Microscopy and Imaging, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | | | - Ivan Spasojević
- University of Belgrade-Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, Life Sciences Department, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Jon K Pittman
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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5
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Wang B, Jia Y, Dang N, Yu J, Bush SJ, Gao S, He W, Wang S, Guo H, Yang X, Ma W, Ye K. Near telomere-to-telomere genome assemblies of two Chlorella species unveil the composition and evolution of centromeres in green algae. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:356. [PMID: 38600443 PMCID: PMC11005252 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10280-8] [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: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Centromeres play a crucial and conserved role in cell division, although their composition and evolutionary history in green algae, the evolutionary ancestors of land plants, remains largely unknown. RESULTS We constructed near telomere-to-telomere (T2T) assemblies for two Trebouxiophyceae species, Chlorella sorokiniana NS4-2 and Chlorella pyrenoidosa DBH, with chromosome numbers of 12 and 13, and genome sizes of 58.11 Mb and 53.41 Mb, respectively. We identified and validated their centromere sequences using CENH3 ChIP-seq and found that, similar to humans and higher plants, the centromeric CENH3 signals of green algae display a pattern of hypomethylation. Interestingly, the centromeres of both species largely comprised transposable elements, although they differed significantly in their composition. Species within the Chlorella genus display a more diverse centromere composition, with major constituents including members of the LTR/Copia, LINE/L1, and LINE/RTEX families. This is in contrast to green algae including Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Coccomyxa subellipsoidea, and Chromochloris zofingiensis, in which centromere composition instead has a pronounced single-element composition. Moreover, we observed significant differences in the composition and structure of centromeres among chromosomes with strong collinearity within the Chlorella genus, suggesting that centromeric sequence evolves more rapidly than sequence in non-centromeric regions. CONCLUSIONS This study not only provides high-quality genome data for comparative genomics of green algae but gives insight into the composition and evolutionary history of centromeres in early plants, laying an important foundation for further research on their evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wang
- School of Automation Science and Engineering, Faculty of Electronic and Information Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- MOE Key Lab for Intelligent Networks & Networks Security, Faculty of Electronic and Information Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yanyan Jia
- School of Automation Science and Engineering, Faculty of Electronic and Information Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- MOE Key Lab for Intelligent Networks & Networks Security, Faculty of Electronic and Information Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ningxin Dang
- School of Automation Science and Engineering, Faculty of Electronic and Information Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Genome Institute, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jie Yu
- College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Stephen J Bush
- School of Automation Science and Engineering, Faculty of Electronic and Information Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shenghan Gao
- School of Automation Science and Engineering, Faculty of Electronic and Information Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenxi He
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Sirui Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hongtao Guo
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Faculty of Electronic and Information Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaofei Yang
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Faculty of Electronic and Information Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Weimin Ma
- College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Kai Ye
- School of Automation Science and Engineering, Faculty of Electronic and Information Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
- MOE Key Lab for Intelligent Networks & Networks Security, Faculty of Electronic and Information Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
- Genome Institute, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
- Faculty of Science, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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6
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Hoepner CM, Stewart ZK, Qiao R, Fobert EK, Prentis PJ, Colella A, Chataway T, Burke da Silva K, Abbott CA. Proteotransciptomics of the Most Popular Host Sea Anemone Entacmaea quadricolor Reveals Not All Toxin Genes Expressed by Tentacles Are Recruited into Its Venom Arsenal. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:85. [PMID: 38393163 PMCID: PMC10893224 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16020085] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
While the unique symbiotic relationship between anemonefishes and sea anemones is iconic, it is still not fully understood how anemonefishes can withstand and thrive within the venomous environment of their host sea anemone. In this study, we used a proteotranscriptomics approach to elucidate the proteinaceous toxin repertoire from the most common host sea anemone, Entacmaea quadricolor. Although 1251 different toxin or toxin-like RNA transcripts were expressed in E. quadricolor tentacles (0.05% of gene clusters, 1.8% of expression) and 5375 proteins were detected in milked venom, only 4% of proteins detected in venom were putative toxins (230), and they only represent on average 14% of the normalised protein expression in the milked venom samples. Thus, most proteins in milked venom do not appear to have a toxin function. This work raises the perils of defining a dominant venom phenotype based on transcriptomics data alone in sea anemones, as we found that the dominant venom phenotype differs between the transcriptome and proteome abundance data. E. quadricolor venom contains a mixture of toxin-like proteins of unknown and known function. A newly identified toxin protein family, Z3, rich in conserved cysteines of unknown function, was the most abundant at the RNA transcript and protein levels. The venom was also rich in toxins from the Protease S1, Kunitz-type and PLA2 toxin protein families and contains toxins from eight venom categories. Exploring the intricate venom toxin components in other host sea anemones will be crucial for improving our understanding of how anemonefish adapt to the venomous environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassie M. Hoepner
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Zachary K. Stewart
- Centre for Agriculture and Bioeconomy, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
| | - Robert Qiao
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Emily K. Fobert
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Peter J. Prentis
- Centre for Agriculture and Bioeconomy, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
| | - Alex Colella
- Flinders Proteomics Facility, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Tim Chataway
- Flinders Proteomics Facility, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Karen Burke da Silva
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Catherine A. Abbott
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
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Murik O, Geffen O, Shotland Y, Fernandez-Pozo N, Ullrich KK, Walther D, Rensing SA, Treves H. Genomic imprints of unparalleled growth. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 241:1144-1160. [PMID: 38072860 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19444] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Chlorella ohadii was isolated from desert biological soil crusts, one of the harshest habitats on Earth, and is emerging as an exciting new green model for studying growth, photosynthesis and metabolism under a wide range of conditions. Here, we compared the genome of C. ohadii, the fastest growing alga on record, to that of other green algae, to reveal the genomic imprints empowering its unparalleled growth rate and resistance to various stressors, including extreme illumination. This included the genome of its close relative, but slower growing and photodamage sensitive, C. sorokiniana UTEX 1663. A larger number of ribosome-encoding genes, high intron abundance, increased codon bias and unique genes potentially involved in metabolic flexibility and resistance to photodamage are all consistent with the faster growth of C. ohadii. Some of these characteristics highlight general trends in Chlorophyta and Chlorella spp. evolution, and others open new broad avenues for mechanistic exploration of their relationship with growth. This work entails a unique case study for the genomic adaptations and costs of exceptionally fast growth and sheds light on the genomic signatures of fast growth in photosynthetic cells. It also provides an important resource for future studies leveraging the unique properties of C. ohadii for photosynthesis and stress response research alongside their utilization for synthetic biology and biotechnology aims.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omer Murik
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904, Jerusalem, Israel
- Medical Genetics Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, 93722, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Or Geffen
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel-Aviv University, 39040, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Yoram Shotland
- Chemical Engineering, Shamoon College of Engineering, 84100, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Noe Fernandez-Pozo
- Plant Cell Biology, Department of Biology, University of Marburg, 35037, Marburg, Germany
| | - Kristian Karsten Ullrich
- Plant Cell Biology, Department of Biology, University of Marburg, 35037, Marburg, Germany
- Max-Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, 24306, Plön, Germany
| | - Dirk Walther
- Max-Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Stefan Andreas Rensing
- Plant Cell Biology, Department of Biology, University of Marburg, 35037, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Biological Signaling Studies (BIOSS), University of Freiburg, 79098, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Haim Treves
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel-Aviv University, 39040, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany
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8
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Dietz BR, Olszewski NE, Barney BM. Enhanced extracellular ammonium release in the plant endophyte Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus through genome editing. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0247823. [PMID: 38038458 PMCID: PMC10783055 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02478-23] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Our results demonstrate increased extracellular ammonium release in the endophyte plant growth-promoting bacterium Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus. Strains were constructed in a manner that leaves no antibiotic markers behind, such that these strains contain no transgenes. Levels of ammonium achieved by cultures of modified G. diazotrophicus strains reached concentrations of approximately 18 mM ammonium, while wild-type G. diazotrophicus remained much lower (below 50 µM). These findings demonstrate a strong potential for further improving the biofertilizer potential of this important microbe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin R. Dietz
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Neil E. Olszewski
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Brett M. Barney
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
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9
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Domozych DS, LoRicco JG. The extracellular matrix of green algae. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 194:15-32. [PMID: 37399237 PMCID: PMC10762512 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Green algae display a wide range of extracellular matrix (ECM) components that include various types of cell walls (CW), scales, crystalline glycoprotein coverings, hydrophobic compounds, and complex gels or mucilage. Recently, new information derived from genomic/transcriptomic screening, advanced biochemical analyses, immunocytochemical studies, and ecophysiology has significantly enhanced and refined our understanding of the green algal ECM. In the later diverging charophyte group of green algae, the CW and other ECM components provide insight into the evolution of plants and the ways the ECM modulates during environmental stress. Chlorophytes produce diverse ECM components, many of which have been exploited for various uses in medicine, food, and biofuel production. This review highlights major advances in ECM studies of green algae.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Domozych
- Department of Biology, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA
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10
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Groussman RD, Blaskowski S, Coesel SN, Armbrust EV. MarFERReT, an open-source, version-controlled reference library of marine microbial eukaryote functional genes. Sci Data 2023; 10:926. [PMID: 38129449 PMCID: PMC10739892 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02842-4] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Metatranscriptomics generates large volumes of sequence data about transcribed genes in natural environments. Taxonomic annotation of these datasets depends on availability of curated reference sequences. For marine microbial eukaryotes, current reference libraries are limited by gaps in sequenced organism diversity and barriers to updating libraries with new sequence data, resulting in taxonomic annotation of about half of eukaryotic environmental transcripts. Here, we introduce Marine Functional EukaRyotic Reference Taxa (MarFERReT), a marine microbial eukaryotic sequence library designed for use with taxonomic annotation of eukaryotic metatranscriptomes. We gathered 902 publicly accessible marine eukaryote genomes and transcriptomes and assessed their sequence quality and cross-contamination issues, selecting 800 validated entries for inclusion in MarFERReT. Version 1.1 of MarFERReT contains reference sequences from 800 marine eukaryotic genomes and transcriptomes, covering 453 species- and strain-level taxa, totaling nearly 28 million protein sequences with associated NCBI and PR2 Taxonomy identifiers and Pfam functional annotations. The MarFERReT project repository hosts containerized build scripts, documentation on installation and use case examples, and information on new versions of MarFERReT.
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Affiliation(s)
- R D Groussman
- School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Benjamin Hall IRB, Room 306 616 NE Northlake Place, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.
| | - S Blaskowski
- School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Benjamin Hall IRB, Room 306 616 NE Northlake Place, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
- Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Molecular Engineering & Sciences Building 3946 W Stevens Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - S N Coesel
- School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Benjamin Hall IRB, Room 306 616 NE Northlake Place, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - E V Armbrust
- School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Benjamin Hall IRB, Room 306 616 NE Northlake Place, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.
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11
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Ishii Y, Ishii H, Kuroha T, Yokoyama R, Deguchi R, Nishitani K, Minagawa J, Kawata M, Takahashi S, Maruyama S. Environmental pH signals the release of monosaccharides from cell wall in coral symbiotic alga. eLife 2023; 12:e80628. [PMID: 37594171 PMCID: PMC10438907 DOI: 10.7554/elife.80628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Reef-building corals thrive in oligotrophic environments due to their possession of endosymbiotic algae. Confined to the low pH interior of the symbiosome within the cell, the algal symbiont provides the coral host with photosynthetically fixed carbon. However, it remains unknown how carbon is released from the algal symbiont for uptake by the host. Here we show, using cultured symbiotic dinoflagellate, Breviolum sp., that decreases in pH directly accelerates the release of monosaccharides, that is, glucose and galactose, into the ambient environment. Under low pH conditions, the cell surface structures were deformed and genes related to cellulase were significantly upregulated in Breviolum. Importantly, the release of monosaccharides was suppressed by the cellulase inhibitor, glucopyranoside, linking the release of carbon to degradation of the agal cell wall. Our results suggest that the low pH signals the cellulase-mediated release of monosaccharides from the algal cell wall as an environmental response in coral reef ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuu Ishii
- Department of Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
- Department of Biology, Miyagi University of EducationSendaiJapan
| | - Hironori Ishii
- Department of Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Takeshi Kuroha
- Department of Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Ryusuke Yokoyama
- Department of Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Ryusaku Deguchi
- Department of Biology, Miyagi University of EducationSendaiJapan
| | - Kazuhiko Nishitani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kanagawa UniversityYokohamaJapan
| | - Jun Minagawa
- Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies)OkazakiJapan
- Division of Environmental Photobiology, National Institute for Basic BiologyOkazakiJapan
| | - Masakado Kawata
- Department of Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Shunichi Takahashi
- Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the RyukyusOkinawaJapan
| | - Shinichiro Maruyama
- Department of Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
- Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu UniversityTokyoJapan
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12
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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: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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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13
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Lobakova E, Gorelova O, Selyakh I, Semenova L, Scherbakov P, Vasilieva S, Zaytsev P, Shibzukhova K, Chivkunova O, Baulina O, Solovchenko A. Failure of Micractinium simplicissimum Phosphate Resilience upon Abrupt Re-Feeding of Its Phosphorus-Starved Cultures. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108484. [PMID: 37239835 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108484] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Microalgae are naturally adapted to the fluctuating availability of phosphorus (P) to opportunistically uptake large amounts of inorganic phosphate (Pi) and safely store it in the cell as polyphosphate. Hence, many microalgal species are remarkably resilient to high concentrations of external Pi. Here, we report on an exception from this pattern comprised by a failure of the high Pi-resilience in strain Micractinium simplicissimum IPPAS C-2056 normally coping with very high Pi concentrations. This phenomenon occurred after the abrupt re-supplementation of Pi to the M. simplicissimum culture pre-starved of P. This was the case even if Pi was re-supplemented in a concentration far below the level toxic to the P-sufficient culture. We hypothesize that this effect can be mediated by a rapid formation of the potentially toxic short-chain polyphosphate following the mass influx of Pi into the P-starved cell. A possible reason for this is that the preceding P starvation impairs the capacity of the cell to convert the newly absorbed Pi into a "safe" storage form of long-chain polyphosphate. We believe that the findings of this study can help to avoid sudden culture crashes, and they are also of potential significance for the development of algae-based technologies for the efficient bioremoval of P from P-rich waste streams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Lobakova
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1-12 Leninskie Gory, 119234 Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Natural Sciences, Derzhavin Tambov State University, Komsomolskaya Square 5, 392008 Tambov, Russia
| | - Olga Gorelova
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1-12 Leninskie Gory, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina Selyakh
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1-12 Leninskie Gory, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Larisa Semenova
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1-12 Leninskie Gory, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Pavel Scherbakov
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1-12 Leninskie Gory, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Svetlana Vasilieva
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1-12 Leninskie Gory, 119234 Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Natural Sciences, Derzhavin Tambov State University, Komsomolskaya Square 5, 392008 Tambov, Russia
| | - Petr Zaytsev
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1-12 Leninskie Gory, 119234 Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Natural Sciences, Derzhavin Tambov State University, Komsomolskaya Square 5, 392008 Tambov, Russia
| | - Karina Shibzukhova
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1-12 Leninskie Gory, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga Chivkunova
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1-12 Leninskie Gory, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga Baulina
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1-12 Leninskie Gory, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexei Solovchenko
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1-12 Leninskie Gory, 119234 Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Natural Sciences, Derzhavin Tambov State University, Komsomolskaya Square 5, 392008 Tambov, Russia
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14
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Mutual supply of carbon and nitrogen sources in the co-culture of aerial microalgae and nitrogen-fixing bacteria. ALGAL RES 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2023.103001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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15
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Quintas-Nunes F, Brandão PR, Barreto Crespo MT, Glick BR, Nascimento FX. Plant Growth Promotion, Phytohormone Production and Genomics of the Rhizosphere-Associated Microalga, Micractinium rhizosphaerae sp. nov. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:651. [PMID: 36771735 PMCID: PMC9922002 DOI: 10.3390/plants12030651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae are important members of the soil and plant microbiomes, playing key roles in the maintenance of soil and plant health as well as in the promotion of plant growth. However, not much is understood regarding the potential of different microalgae strains in augmenting plant growth, or the mechanisms involved in such activities. In this work, the functional and genomic characterization of strain NFX-FRZ, a eukaryotic microalga belonging to the Micractinium genus that was isolated from the rhizosphere of a plant growing in a natural environment in Portugal, is presented and analyzed. The results obtained demonstrate that strain NFX-FRZ (i) belongs to a novel species, termed Micractinium rhizosphaerae sp. nov.; (ii) can effectively bind to tomato plant tissues and promote its growth; (iii) can synthesize a wide range of plant growth-promoting compounds, including phytohormones such as indole-3-acetic acid, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid and abscisic acid; and (iv) contains multiple genes involved in phytohormone biosynthesis and signaling. This study provides new insights regarding the relevance of eukaryotic microalgae as plant growth-promoting agents and helps to build a foundation for future studies regarding the origin and evolution of phytohormone biosynthesis and signaling, as well as other plant colonization and plant growth-promoting mechanisms in soil/plant-associated Micractinium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Quintas-Nunes
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Pedro R. Brandão
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Maria T. Barreto Crespo
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Bernard R. Glick
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Francisco X. Nascimento
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
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16
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Ashley IA, Kitchen SA, Gorman LM, Grossman AR, Oakley CA, Suggett DJ, Weis VM, Rosset SL, Davy SK. Genomic conservation and putative downstream functionality of the phosphatidylinositol signalling pathway in the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1094255. [PMID: 36777026 PMCID: PMC9909359 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1094255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The mutualistic cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis underpins the evolutionary success of stony corals and the persistence of coral reefs. However, a molecular understanding of the signalling events that lead to the successful establishment and maintenance of this symbiosis remains unresolved. For example, the phosphatidylinositol (PI) signalling pathway has been implicated during the establishment of multiple mutualistic and parasitic interactions across the kingdoms of life, yet its role within the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis remains unexplored. Here, we aimed to confirm the presence and assess the specific enzymatic composition of the PI signalling pathway across cnidaria and dinoflagellates by compiling 21 symbiotic anthozoan (corals and sea anemones) and 28 symbiotic dinoflagellate (Symbiodiniaceae) transcriptomic and genomic datasets and querying genes related to this pathway. Presence or absence of PI-kinase and PI-phosphatase orthologs were also compared between a broad sampling of taxonomically related symbiotic and non-symbiotic species. Across the symbiotic anthozoans analysed, there was a complete and highly conserved PI pathway, analogous to the pathway found in model eukaryotes. The Symbiodiniaceae pathway showed similarities to its sister taxon, the Apicomplexa, with the absence of PI 4-phosphatases. However, conversely to Apicomplexa, there was also an expansion of homologs present in the PI5-phosphatase and PI5-kinase groups, with unique Symbiodiniaceae proteins identified that are unknown from non-symbiotic unicellular organisms. Additionally, we aimed to unravel the putative functionalities of the PI signalling pathway in this symbiosis by analysing phosphoinositide (PIP)-binding proteins. Analysis of phosphoinositide (PIP)-binding proteins showed that, on average, 2.23 and 1.29% of the total assemblies of anthozoan and Symbiodiniaceae, respectively, have the potential to bind to PIPs. Enrichment of Gene Ontology (GO) terms associated with predicted PIP-binding proteins within each taxon revealed a broad range of functions, including compelling links to processes putatively involved in symbiosis regulation. This analysis establishes a baseline for current understanding of the PI pathway across anthozoans and Symbiodiniaceae, and thus a framework to target future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Immy A. Ashley
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Sheila A. Kitchen
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Lucy M. Gorman
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Arthur R. Grossman
- Department of Plant Biology, The Carnegie Institution, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Clinton A. Oakley
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - David J. Suggett
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW, Australia
| | - Virginia M. Weis
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Sabrina L. Rosset
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Simon K. Davy
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand,*Correspondence: Simon K. Davy,
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17
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Kato S, Misumi O, Maruyama S, Nozaki H, Tsujimoto-Inui Y, Takusagawa M, Suzuki S, Kuwata K, Noda S, Ito N, Okabe Y, Sakamoto T, Yagisawa F, Matsunaga TM, Matsubayashi Y, Yamaguchi H, Kawachi M, Kuroiwa H, Kuroiwa T, Matsunaga S. Genomic analysis of an ultrasmall freshwater green alga, Medakamo hakoo. Commun Biol 2023; 6:89. [PMID: 36690657 PMCID: PMC9871001 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04367-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Ultrasmall algae have attracted the attention of biologists investigating the basic mechanisms underlying living systems. Their potential as effective organisms for producing useful substances is also of interest in bioindustry. Although genomic information is indispensable for elucidating metabolism and promoting molecular breeding, many ultrasmall algae remain genetically uncharacterized. Here, we present the nuclear genome sequence of an ultrasmall green alga of freshwater habitats, Medakamo hakoo. Evolutionary analyses suggest that this species belongs to a new genus within the class Trebouxiophyceae. Sequencing analyses revealed that its genome, comprising 15.8 Mbp and 7629 genes, is among the smallest known genomes in the Viridiplantae. Its genome has relatively few genes associated with genetic information processing, basal transcription factors, and RNA transport. Comparative analyses revealed that 1263 orthogroups were shared among 15 ultrasmall algae from distinct phylogenetic lineages. The shared gene sets will enable identification of genes essential for algal metabolism and cellular functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoichi Kato
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, 278-8510, Japan
| | - Osami Misumi
- Department of Biological Science and Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi, 753-8512, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Maruyama
- Department of Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Aobaku, Sendai, 980-8578, Japan
- Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University, Tokyo, 112-8610, Japan
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan
| | - Hisayoshi Nozaki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
- Biodiversity Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Yayoi Tsujimoto-Inui
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan
| | - Mari Takusagawa
- Department of Botany, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Shigekatsu Suzuki
- Biodiversity Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Keiko Kuwata
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Saki Noda
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Nanami Ito
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan
| | - Yoji Okabe
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan
| | - Takuya Sakamoto
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, 278-8510, Japan
| | - Fumi Yagisawa
- Center for Research Advancement and Collaboration, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan
- Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan
| | - Tomoko M Matsunaga
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan
| | - Yoshikatsu Matsubayashi
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Haruyo Yamaguchi
- Biodiversity Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Masanobu Kawachi
- Biodiversity Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Haruko Kuroiwa
- Department of Chemical and Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Japan Women's University, Tokyo, 112-8681, Japan
| | - Tsuneyoshi Kuroiwa
- Department of Chemical and Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Japan Women's University, Tokyo, 112-8681, Japan.
| | - Sachihiro Matsunaga
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, 278-8510, Japan.
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan.
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18
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Goemann CL, Wilkinson R, Henriques W, Bui H, Goemann HM, Carlson RP, Viamajala S, Gerlach R, Wiedenheft B. Genome sequence, phylogenetic analysis, and structure-based annotation reveal metabolic potential of Chlorella sp. SLA-04. ALGAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2022.102943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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19
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Barten R, van Workum DJM, de Bakker E, Risse J, Kleisman M, Navalho S, Smit S, Wijffels RH, Nijveen H, Barbosa MJ. Genetic mechanisms underlying increased microalgal thermotolerance, maximal growth rate, and yield on light following adaptive laboratory evolution. BMC Biol 2022; 20:242. [PMID: 36303154 PMCID: PMC9615354 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01431-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) is a powerful method for strain optimization towards abiotic stress factors and for identifying adaptation mechanisms. In this study, the green microalga Picochlorum sp. BPE23 was cultured under supra-optimal temperature to force genetic adaptation. The robustness and adaptive capacity of Picochlorum strains turned them into an emerging model for evolutionary studies on abiotic stressors such as temperature, salinity, and light. RESULTS Mutant strains showed an expanded maximal growth temperature of 44.6 °C, whereas the maximal growth temperature of the wild-type strain was 42 °C. Moreover, at the optimal growth temperature of 38 °C, the biomass yield on light was 22.3% higher, and the maximal growth rate was 70.5% higher than the wild type. Genome sequencing and transcriptome analysis were performed to elucidate the mechanisms behind the improved phenotype. A de novo assembled phased reference genome allowed the identification of 21 genic mutations involved in various processes. Moreover, approximately half of the genome contigs were found to be duplicated or even triplicated in all mutants, suggesting a causal role in adaptation. CONCLUSIONS The developed tools and mutant strains provide a strong framework from whereupon Picochlorum sp. BPE23 can be further developed. Moreover, the extensive strain characterization provides evidence of how microalgae evolve to supra-optimal temperature and to photobioreactor growth conditions. With this study, microalgal evolutionary mechanisms were identified by combining ALE with genome sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Barten
- Bioprocess Engineering & AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, Wageningen, 6700 AA, The Netherlands.
| | - Dirk-Jan M van Workum
- Bioinformatics Group, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 633, Wageningen, 6700 AP, The Netherlands
| | - Emma de Bakker
- Bioprocess Engineering & AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, Wageningen, 6700 AA, The Netherlands
| | - Judith Risse
- Bioinformatics Group, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 633, Wageningen, 6700 AP, The Netherlands
| | - Michelle Kleisman
- Bioinformatics Group, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 633, Wageningen, 6700 AP, The Netherlands
| | - Sofia Navalho
- Bioprocess Engineering & AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, Wageningen, 6700 AA, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Smit
- Bioinformatics Group, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 633, Wageningen, 6700 AP, The Netherlands
| | - Rene H Wijffels
- Bioprocess Engineering & AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, Wageningen, 6700 AA, The Netherlands.,Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, N-8049, Bodø, Norway
| | - Harm Nijveen
- Bioinformatics Group, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 633, Wageningen, 6700 AP, The Netherlands
| | - Maria J Barbosa
- Bioprocess Engineering & AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, Wageningen, 6700 AA, The Netherlands
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20
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Zou S, Huang Z, Wu X, Yu X. Physiological and Genetic Regulation for High Lipid Accumulation by Chlorella sorokiniana Strains from Different Environments of an Arctic Glacier, Desert, and Temperate Lake under Nitrogen Deprivation Conditions. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0039422. [PMID: 36200894 PMCID: PMC9603131 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00394-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Microalgae can adapt to extreme environments with specialized metabolic mechanisms. Here, we report comparative physiological and genetic regulation analyses of Chlorella sorokiniana from different environmental regions of an arctic glacier, desert, and temperate native lake in response to N deprivation, for screening the optimal strain with high lipid accumulation. Strains from the three regions showed different growth and biochemical compositions under N deprivation. The arctic glacier and desert strains produced higher soluble sugar content than strains from the native lake. The arctic glacier strains produced the highest levels of lipid content and neutral lipids under N deprivation compared with strains from desert and native lake. At a molecular level, the arctic strain produced more differentially expressed genes related to fatty acid biosynthesis, glycolysis gluconeogenesis, and glycerolipid metabolism. The important functional genes acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) carboxylase (ACCase), fatty acid synthase complex, pyruvate dehydrogenase component, and fatty acyl-acyl carrier protein (acyl-ACP) thioesterase were highly expressed in arctic strains. More acetyl-CoA was produced from glycolysis gluconeogenesis and glycerolipid metabolism, which then produced more fatty acid with the catalytic function of ACCase and acyl-ACP thioesterase in fatty acid biosynthesis. Our results indicated that the C. sorokiniana strains from the arctic region had the fullest potential for biodiesel production due to special genetic regulation related to fatty acid synthesis, glycolysis gluconeogenesis, and glycerolipid metabolism. IMPORTANCE It is important to reveal the physiological and genetic regulation mechanisms of microalgae for screening potential strains with high lipid production. Our results showed that Chlorella sorokiniana strains from arctic glacier, desert, and temperate native lake had different growth, biochemical composition, and genetic expression under N deprivation. The strains from an arctic glacier produced the highest lipid content (including neutral lipid), which was related to the genetic regulation of fatty acid biosynthesis, glycolysis gluconeogenesis, and glycerolipid metabolism. The functional genes for acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase complex, pyruvate dehydrogenase component, and fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase in the three pathways were highly expressed in arctic strains. The revelation of physiological and genetic regulation of strains from different environmental regions will contribute to the microalgae selection for high lipid accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanmei Zou
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biology, College of Resources and Environmental Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Zheng Huang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biology, College of Resources and Environmental Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Xuemin Wu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biology, College of Resources and Environmental Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Xinke Yu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biology, College of Resources and Environmental Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P. R. China
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Durdakova M, Kolackova M, Janova A, Krystofova O, Adam V, Huska D. Microalgae/cyanobacteria: the potential green future of vitamin B 12 production. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2022; 64:3091-3102. [PMID: 36222060 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2130156] [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] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
This review summarizes the available information about potential sources of vitamin B12, especially for people who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet and inhabitants of poor countries in the developing world. Cyanobacteria and microalgae approved for food purposes can play a critical role as promising and innovative sources of this vitamin. This work involves a discussion of whether the form of vitamin B12 extracted from microalgae/cyanobacteria is biologically available to humans, specifically focusing on the genera Arthrospira and Chlorella. It describes analyses of their biomass composition, cultivation requirements, and genetic properties in B12 production. Furthermore, this review discusses the function of cobalamin in microalgae and cyanobacteria themselves and the possibility of modification and cocultivation to increase the content of B12 in their biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Durdakova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Kolackova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Janova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Olga Krystofova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtech Adam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Dalibor Huska
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic
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Fleet J, Ansari M, Pittman JK. Phylogenetic analysis and structural prediction reveal the potential functional diversity between green algae SWEET transporters. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:960133. [PMID: 36186040 PMCID: PMC9520054 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.960133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Sugar-Will-Eventually-be-Exported-Transporters (SWEETs) are an important family of sugar transporters that appear to be ubiquitous in all organisms. Recent research has determined the structure of SWEETs in higher plants, identified specific residues required for monosaccharide or disaccharide transport, and begun to understand the specific functions of individual plant SWEET proteins. However, in green algae (Chlorophyta) these transporters are poorly characterised. This study identified SWEET proteins from across representative Chlorophyta with the aim to characterise their phylogenetic relationships and perform protein structure modelling in order to inform functional prediction. The algal genomes analysed encoded between one and six SWEET proteins, which is much less than a typical higher plant. Phylogenetic analysis identified distinct clusters of over 70 SWEET protein sequences, taken from almost 30 algal genomes. These clusters remain separate from representative higher or non-vascular plant SWEETs, but are close to fungi SWEETs. Subcellular localisation predictions and analysis of conserved amino acid residues revealed variation between SWEET proteins of different clusters, suggesting different functionality. These findings also showed conservation of key residues at the substrate-binding site, indicating a similar mechanism of substrate selectivity and transport to previously characterised higher plant monosaccharide-transporting SWEET proteins. Future work is now required to confirm the predicted sugar transport specificity and determine the functional role of these algal SWEET proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Fleet
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Mujtaba Ansari
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jon K. Pittman
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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Li L, Zhu T, Huang L, Ren M. Target of Rapamycin Signaling Involved in the Regulation of Photosynthesis and Cellular Metabolism in Chlorella sorokiniana. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137451. [PMID: 35806454 PMCID: PMC9266951 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Target of rapamycin (TOR) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that plays a central regulating role in cell proliferation, growth, and metabolism, but little is known about the TOR signaling pathway in Chlorella sorokiniana. In this study, a Chlorella sorokiniana DP-1 strain was isolated and identified, and its nutritional compositions were analyzed. Based on homologous sequence analysis, the conserved CsTOR protein was found in the genome of Chlorella sorokiniana. In addition, the key components of TOR complex 1 (TORC1) were present, but the components of TORC2 (RICTOR and SIN1) were absent in Chlorella sorokiniana. Pharmacological assays showed that Chlorella sorokiniana DP-1 was insensitive to rapamycin, Torin1 and KU0063794, whereas AZD8055 could significantly inhibit the growth of Chlorella sorokiniana. RNA-seq analysis showed that CsTOR regulated various metabolic processes and signal transduction pathways in AZD8055-treated Chlorella sorokiniana DP-1. Most genes involved in photosynthesis and carbon fixation in Chlorella sorokiniana DP-1 were significantly downregulated under CsTOR inhibition, indicating that CsTOR positively regulated the photosynthesis in Chlorella sorokiniana. Furthermore, CsTOR controlled protein synthesis and degradation by positively regulating ribosome synthesis and negatively regulating autophagy. These observations suggested that CsTOR plays an important role in photosynthesis and cellular metabolism, and provide new insights into the function of CsTOR in Chlorella sorokiniana.
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Wang X, Zhou Y, Peng Q, Han Y, Yang J, Xu H, Li C, Li L, Dou S, Yang M, Liu G. Development of plastic flatbed-based algal culture system deployable on non-arable land. ALGAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2022.102814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Ma H, Cao L, Wei Z, Zheng J, Zou S, Zhao L, Li Y, Hu Q, Han D. Type I diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT1) from the unicellular green alga Haematococcus pluvialis is a xanthophyll acyltransferase. ALGAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2022.102720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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26
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Repetti SI, Iha C, Uthanumallian K, Jackson CJ, Chen Y, Chan CX, Verbruggen H. Nuclear genome of a pedinophyte pinpoints genomic innovation and streamlining in the green algae. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 233:2144-2154. [PMID: 34923642 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17926] [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: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The genomic diversity underpinning high ecological and species diversity in the green algae (Chlorophyta) remains little known. Here, we aimed to track genome evolution in the Chlorophyta, focusing on loss and gain of homologous genes, and lineage-specific innovations of the core Chlorophyta. We generated a high-quality nuclear genome for pedinophyte YPF701, a sister lineage to others in the core Chlorophyta and incorporated this genome in a comparative analysis with 25 other genomes from diverse Viridiplantae taxa. The nuclear genome of pedinophyte YPF701 has an intermediate size and gene number between those of most prasinophytes and the remainder of the core Chlorophyta. Our results suggest positive selection for genome streamlining in the Pedinophyceae, independent from genome minimisation observed among prasinophyte lineages. Genome expansion was predicted along the branch leading to the UTC clade (classes Ulvophyceae, Trebouxiophyceae and Chlorophyceae) after divergence from their last common ancestor with pedinophytes, with genomic novelty implicated in a range of basic biological functions. Results emphasise multiple independent signals of genome minimisation within the Chlorophyta, as well as the genomic novelty arising before diversification in the UTC clade, which may underpin the success of this species-rich clade in a diversity of habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja I Repetti
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, 3010, Australia
| | - Cintia Iha
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, 3010, Australia
| | | | | | - Yibi Chen
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Cheong Xin Chan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Heroen Verbruggen
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, 3010, Australia
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Cvetkovska M, Zhang X, Vakulenko G, Benzaquen S, Szyszka-Mroz B, Malczewski N, Smith DR, Hüner NPA. A constitutive stress response is a result of low temperature growth in the Antarctic green alga Chlamydomonas sp. UWO241. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2022; 45:156-177. [PMID: 34664276 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The Antarctic green alga Chlamydomonas sp. UWO241 is an obligate psychrophile that thrives in the cold (4-6°C) but is unable to survive at temperatures ≥18°C. Little is known how exposure to heat affects its physiology or whether it mounts a heat stress response in a manner comparable to mesophiles. Here, we dissect the responses of UWO241 to temperature stress by examining its growth, primary metabolome and transcriptome under steady-state low temperature and heat stress conditions. In comparison with Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, UWO241 constitutively accumulates metabolites and proteins commonly considered as stress markers, including soluble sugars, antioxidants, polyamines, and heat shock proteins to ensure efficient protein folding at low temperatures. We propose that this results from life at extreme conditions. A shift from 4°C to a non-permissive temperature of 24°C alters the UWO241 primary metabolome and transcriptome, but growth of UWO241 at higher permissive temperatures (10 and 15°C) does not provide enhanced heat protection. UWO241 also fails to induce the accumulation of HSPs when exposed to heat, suggesting that it has lost the ability to fine-tune its heat stress response. Our work adds to the growing body of research on temperature stress in psychrophiles, many of which are threatened by climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Cvetkovska
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Biology and the Biotron Centre for Experimental Climate Change Research, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Galyna Vakulenko
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samuel Benzaquen
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Beth Szyszka-Mroz
- Department of Biology and the Biotron Centre for Experimental Climate Change Research, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nina Malczewski
- Department of Biology and the Biotron Centre for Experimental Climate Change Research, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - David R Smith
- Department of Biology and the Biotron Centre for Experimental Climate Change Research, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Norman P A Hüner
- Department of Biology and the Biotron Centre for Experimental Climate Change Research, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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Martini F, Beghini G, Zanin L, Varanini Z, Zamboni A, Ballottari M. The potential use of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Chlorella sorokiniana as biostimulants on maize plants. ALGAL RES 2021; 60. [PMID: 34745855 DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2021.102515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nitrogen deficiency and drought stress are among the major stresses faced by plants with negative consequence on crop production. The use of plant biostimulants is a very promising application in agriculture to improve crop yield, but especially to prevent the effect of abiotic stresses. Algae-derived biostimulants represent an efficient tool to stimulate the root development: while macroalgae have already been widely adopted as a source of biostimulants to improve plants growth and resilience, far less information is available for microalgae. The objective of this work is to investigate the stimulant ability on maize roots of two green algae species, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Chlorella sorokiniana, being respectively the model organism for Chlorophyta and one of the most promising species for microalgae cultivation at industrial scale. The results obtained demonstrate that both C. reinhardtii and C. sorokiniana cells promoted the development of maize root system compared to the untreated negative control. C. sorokiniana specifically increased the number of secondary roots, while improved micro-nutrients accumulation on roots and shoots was measured in the case of C. reinhardtii treated plants. When these microalgae-derived biostimulants were applied on plants grown in stress conditions as nitrogen deficiency, improved development of the root system was measured in the case of plants treated with C. sorokiniana biomass. Microalgae cultivation for biostimulant production can thus be considered as a bio-based process providing solutions for improving plant resilience toward stress conditions.
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29
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Lin JY, Lin WR, Ng IS. CRISPRa/i with Adaptive Single Guide Assisted Regulation DNA (ASGARD) mediated control of Chlorella sorokiniana to enhance lipid and protein production. Biotechnol J 2021; 17:e2100514. [PMID: 34800080 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202100514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Chlorella species are indispensable microalgae for biorefinery but are hardly in DNA manipulation due to the high guanine-cytosine (GC) contents of DNA. In this study, we established a new approach via 20 guanines for sgRNA design, which is annotated as "Adaptive Single Guide Assisted Regulation DNA (ASGARD)" and coupling with CRISPR interference associated dCas9 system to overcome the difficulties. At first, C. sorokiniana was predominate as its faster growth rate when compared to C. vulgaris and C. variabilis in the culture using Tris-acetate-phosphate (TAP) medium. Among all the genetic transformants, gene regulation via CRISPRa-VP64 (CRISPRa) enhanced the protein contents up to 60% (w/w) of dry cell weight, where the highest concentration was 570 mg L-1 . Meanwhile, CRISPRi-KRAB (CRISPRi) with ASGARD increased protein content to 65% and lipid formed in the range of 150-250 mg L-1 . From the transcriptome analysis, we deciphered 468 genes down-regulated and 313 genes up-regulated via CRISPRi, while less difference existed in CRISPRa. This novel design and technology reveal a high potential of gene-regulating approach to other species for the biorefinery and bio-industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Yi Lin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Way-Rong Lin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - I-Son Ng
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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30
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Calixto Mancipe N, McLaughlin EM, Barney BM. Genomic analysis and characterization of Scenedesmus glucoliberatum PABB004: An unconventional sugar-secreting green alga. J Appl Microbiol 2021; 132:2004-2019. [PMID: 34599635 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS In this report, we present Scenedesmus glucoliberatum PABB004, a microalga that was isolated from an association with Paramecium bursaria with the potential for application in fermentative processes and co-culture schemes due to its advantageous high sugar secretion phenotype. METHODS AND RESULTS We sequenced, assembled and annotated the draft genome and transcriptome for this newly reported strain. The nuclear genome has an exceptionally high GC content of 78%. Our results revealed significant sugar accumulation over a range from 6.2 to 7.8 pH units. The predicted proteome was compared with other green algae that show different sugar secretion phenotypes aiming to help uncover their common features for simple sugar secretion and those unique to S. glucoliberatum PABB004. CONCLUSIONS The evolutionary history of this organism, inferred from its genomic traits, expands our current understanding of algal mutualistic relationships involving photosynthate exchanges. S. glucoliberatum PABB004 secreted ready-to-use fermentable sugars (glucose and maltose) directly to the extracellular media achieving concentrations greater than 2.7 g/L of free glucose and 1.2 g/L of maltose in batch cultures. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY A draft genome is provided for a new member of an important class of green algae. Scenedesmus glucoliberatum PABB004 secretes high levels of simple sugars over a broad pH range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Calixto Mancipe
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Evelyn M McLaughlin
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Brett M Barney
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.,BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
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León-Vaz A, León R, Giráldez I, Vega JM, Vigara J. Impact of heavy metals in the microalga Chlorella sorokiniana and assessment of its potential use in cadmium bioremediation. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2021; 239:105941. [PMID: 34469852 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2021.105941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The chlorophyte microalga Chlorella sorokiniana was tested for the bioremediation of heavy metals pollution. It was cultured with different concentrations of Cu2+, Cd2+, As (III) and As (V), showing a significant inhibition on its growth at concentrations of 500 µM Cu2+, 250 µM Cd2+, 750 µM AsO33- and 5 mM AsO43- or higher. Moreover, the consumption of ammonium was also studied, showing significant differences for concentrations higher than 1 mM of Cu2+ and As (III), and 5 mM of As (V). The determination of intracellular heavy metals concentration revealed that Chlorella sorokiniana is an outstanding Cd accumulator organism, able to accumulate 11,232 mg kg-1 of Cd, and removing 65% of initial concentration of this heavy metal. Finally, antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and enzymes involved in the production of glutamate and cysteine, such as glutamine syntethase (GS), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), O-acetylserine (thiol) lyase (OASTL) and NAD-isocitrate dehydrogenase (NAD-IDH) were studied both at gene expression and enzymatic activity levels. These enzymes exhibited different grades of upregulation, especially in response to Cd and As stress. However, GS expression was downregulated when Chlorella sorokiniana was cultured in the presence of these heavy metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio León-Vaz
- Laboratory of Biochemistry. Faculty of Experimental Sciences. Marine International Campus of Excellence and REMSMA. University of Huelva, 210071 Huelva, Spain
| | - Rosa León
- Laboratory of Biochemistry. Faculty of Experimental Sciences. Marine International Campus of Excellence and REMSMA. University of Huelva, 210071 Huelva, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Giráldez
- Department of Chemistry. Research Center in Technology of Products and Chemical Processes, PRO2TECS. University of Huelva. Campus el Carmen s/n 210071, Huelva, Spain
| | - José María Vega
- Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Seville, 41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Javier Vigara
- Laboratory of Biochemistry. Faculty of Experimental Sciences. Marine International Campus of Excellence and REMSMA. University of Huelva, 210071 Huelva, Spain.
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Emergent RNA-RNA interactions can promote stability in a facultative phototrophic endosymbiosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2108874118. [PMID: 34521754 PMCID: PMC8463893 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2108874118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Stable endosymbiosis between eukaryotic microbes has driven the evolution of further cellular complexity. Yet the mechanisms that can act to stabilize an emergent eukaryote–eukaryote endosymbiosis are unclear. Using the model facultative endosymbiotic system, Paramecium bursaria, we demonstrate that endosymbiont–host RNA–RNA interactions can drive a cost to host growth upon endosymbiont digestion. These RNA–RNA interactions are facilitated by the host RNA-interference system. For endosymbiont messenger RNA sharing a high level of sequence identity with host transcripts, this process can result in host gene knockdown. We propose that these endosymbiont–host RNA–RNA interactions—“RNA-interference collisions”—represent an emergent mechanism to sanction the host for breakdown of the endosymbiosis, promoting the stability of the facultative endosymbiotic interaction. Eukaryote–eukaryote endosymbiosis was responsible for the spread of chloroplast (plastid) organelles. Stability is required for the metabolic and genetic integration that drives the establishment of new organelles, yet the mechanisms that act to stabilize emergent endosymbioses—between two fundamentally selfish biological organisms—are unclear. Theory suggests that enforcement mechanisms, which punish misbehavior, may act to stabilize such interactions by resolving conflict. However, how such mechanisms can emerge in a facultative endosymbiosis has yet to be explored. Here, we propose that endosymbiont–host RNA–RNA interactions, arising from digestion of the endosymbiont population, can result in a cost to host growth for breakdown of the endosymbiosis. Using the model facultative endosymbiosis between Paramecium bursaria and Chlorella spp., we demonstrate that this mechanism is dependent on the host RNA-interference (RNAi) system. We reveal through small RNA (sRNA) sequencing that endosymbiont-derived messenger RNA (mRNA) released upon endosymbiont digestion can be processed by the host RNAi system into 23-nt sRNA. We predict multiple regions of shared sequence identity between endosymbiont and host mRNA, and demonstrate through delivery of synthetic endosymbiont sRNA that exposure to these regions can knock down expression of complementary host genes, resulting in a cost to host growth. This process of host gene knockdown in response to endosymbiont-derived RNA processing by host RNAi factors, which we term “RNAi collisions,” represents a mechanism that can promote stability in a facultative eukaryote–eukaryote endosymbiosis. Specifically, by imposing a cost for breakdown of the endosymbiosis, endosymbiont–host RNA–RNA interactions may drive maintenance of the symbiosis across fluctuating ecological conditions.
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Mochdia K, Tamaki S. Transcription Factor-Based Genetic Engineering in Microalgae. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10081602. [PMID: 34451646 PMCID: PMC8399792 DOI: 10.3390/plants10081602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factors (TFs) are key components of gene regulatory networks. Advances in high-throughput sequencing have facilitated the rapid acquisition of whole genome assembly and TF repertoires in microalgal species. In this review, we summarize recent advances in gene discovery and functional analyses, especially for transcription factors in microalgal species. Specifically, we provide examples of the genome-scale identification of transcription factors in genome-sequenced microalgal species and showcase their application in the discovery of regulators involved in various cellular functions. Herein, we highlight TF-based genetic engineering as a promising framework for designing microalgal strains for microalgal-based bioproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Mochdia
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
- Kihara Institute for Biological Research, Yokohama City University, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-0813, Japan
- RIKEN Baton Zone Program, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan;
- School of Information and Data Sciences, Nagasaki University, Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-045-503-9111
| | - Shun Tamaki
- RIKEN Baton Zone Program, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan;
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Levin G, Kulikovsky S, Liveanu V, Eichenbaum B, Meir A, Isaacson T, Tadmor Y, Adir N, Schuster G. The desert green algae Chlorella ohadii thrives at excessively high light intensities by exceptionally enhancing the mechanisms that protect photosynthesis from photoinhibition. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 106:1260-1277. [PMID: 33725388 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Although light is the driving force of photosynthesis, excessive light can be harmful. One of the main processes that limits photosynthesis is photoinhibition, the process of light-induced photodamage. When the absorbed light exceeds the amount that is dissipated by photosynthetic electron flow and other processes, damaging radicals are formed that mostly inactivate photosystem II (PSII). Damaged PSII must be replaced by a newly repaired complex in order to preserve full photosynthetic activity. Chlorella ohadii is a green microalga, isolated from biological desert soil crusts, that thrives under extreme high light and is highly resistant to photoinhibition. Therefore, C. ohadii is an ideal model for studying the molecular mechanisms underlying protection against photoinhibition. Comparison of the thylakoids of C. ohadii cells that were grown under low light versus extreme high light intensities found that the alga employs all three known photoinhibition protection mechanisms: (i) massive reduction of the PSII antenna size; (ii) accumulation of protective carotenoids; and (iii) very rapid repair of photodamaged reaction center proteins. This work elucidated the molecular mechanisms of photoinhibition resistance in one of the most light-tolerant photosynthetic organisms, and shows how photoinhibition protection mechanisms evolved to marginal conditions, enabling photosynthesis-dependent life in severe habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Levin
- Faculty of Biology, Technion, Haifa, 32000, Israel
| | | | | | | | - Ayala Meir
- Department of Vegetable Research, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe Ya'ar Research Center, Ramat Yishay, Israel
| | - Tal Isaacson
- Department of Vegetable Research, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe Ya'ar Research Center, Ramat Yishay, Israel
| | - Yaakov Tadmor
- Department of Vegetable Research, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe Ya'ar Research Center, Ramat Yishay, Israel
| | - Noam Adir
- Grand Technion Energy Program, Technion, Haifa, 32000, Israel
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion, Haifa, 32000, Israel
| | - Gadi Schuster
- Faculty of Biology, Technion, Haifa, 32000, Israel
- Grand Technion Energy Program, Technion, Haifa, 32000, Israel
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Identification of a Chlorovirus PBCV-1 Protein Involved in Degrading the Host Cell Wall during Virus Infection. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050782. [PMID: 33924931 PMCID: PMC8145301 DOI: 10.3390/v13050782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chloroviruses are unusual among viruses infecting eukaryotic organisms in that they must, like bacteriophages, penetrate a rigid cell wall to initiate infection. Chlorovirus PBCV-1 infects its host, Chlorella variabilis NC64A by specifically binding to and degrading the cell wall of the host at the point of contact by a virus-packaged enzyme(s). However, PBCV-1 does not use any of the five previously characterized virus-encoded polysaccharide degrading enzymes to digest the Chlorella host cell wall during virus entry because none of the enzymes are packaged in the virion. A search for another PBCV-1-encoded and virion-associated protein identified protein A561L. The fourth domain of A561L is a 242 amino acid C-terminal domain, named A561LD4, with cell wall degrading activity. An A561LD4 homolog was present in all 52 genomically sequenced chloroviruses, infecting four different algal hosts. A561LD4 degraded the cell walls of all four chlorovirus hosts, as well as several non-host Chlorella spp. Thus, A561LD4 was not cell-type specific. Finally, we discovered that exposure of highly purified PBCV-1 virions to A561LD4 increased the specific infectivity of PBCV-1 from about 25–30% of the particles forming plaques to almost 50%. We attribute this increase to removal of residual host receptor that attached to newly replicated viruses in the cell lysates.
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Chakdar H, Hasan M, Pabbi S, Nevalainen H, Shukla P. High-throughput proteomics and metabolomic studies guide re-engineering of metabolic pathways in eukaryotic microalgae: A review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 321:124495. [PMID: 33307484 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryotic microalgae are a rich source of commercially important metabolites including lipids, pigments, sugars, amino acids and enzymes. However, their inherent genetic potential is usually not enough to support high level production of metabolites of interest. In order to move on from the traditional approach of improving product yields by modification of the cultivation conditions, understanding the metabolic pathways leading to the synthesis of the bioproducts of interest is crucial. Identification of new targets for strain engineering has been greatly facilitated by the rapid development of high-throughput sequencing and spectroscopic techniques discussed in this review. Despite the availability of high throughput analytical tools, examples of gathering and application of proteomic and metabolomic data for metabolic engineering of microalgae are few and mainly limited to lipid production. The present review highlights the application of contemporary proteomic and metabolomic techniques in eukaryotic microalgae for redesigning pathways for enhanced production of algal metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hillol Chakdar
- ICAR-National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Microorganisms (NBAIM), Maunath Bhanjan, Uttar Pradesh 275103, India
| | - Mafruha Hasan
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Sunil Pabbi
- Centre for Conservation and Utilisation of Blue Green Algae (CCUBGA), Division of Microbiology, ICAR - Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012
| | - Helena Nevalainen
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia; Biomolecular Discovery and Design Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Pratyoosh Shukla
- Enzyme Technology and Protein Bioinformatics Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak 124001, Haryana, India; School of Biotechnology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India.
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Deka D, Sonowal S, Chikkaputtaiah C, Velmurugan N. Symbiotic Associations: Key Factors That Determine Physiology and Lipid Accumulation in Oleaginous Microorganisms. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:555312. [PMID: 33391195 PMCID: PMC7772188 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.555312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Symbiosis naturally provides an opportunity for microorganisms to live together by mutual or one-way benefit. In symbiotic relationships, the microorganisms usually overcome the limitations of being free-living. Understanding the symbiotic relationships of oleaginous microorganisms provides potential route for the sustainable production of microbial-based alternative fuels. So far, several studies have been conducted in oleaginous microorganisms for the production of alternative fuels. However, some oleaginous microorganisms require high quantity of nutrients for their growth, and high level of energy and chemicals for harvest and separation of lipid bodies. Symbiotic associations can successfully be applied to address these issues. Of symbiotic associations, lichens and selective species of oleaginous endosymbiotic mucoromycotina have received substantial interest as better models to study the evolutionary relationships as well as single-cell oil production. Construction of artificial lichen system composed of cyanobacteria and oleaginous yeast has been achieved for sustainable production of lipids with minimum energy demand. Recently, endosymbiotic mucoromycotina species have been recognized as potential sources for biofuels. Studies found that endohyphal bacterium influences lipid profiling in endosymbiotic mucoromycotina species. Studies on the genetic factors related to oleaginous characteristics of endosymbiotic mucoromycotina species are scarce. In this regard, this review summarizes the different forms of symbiotic associations of oleaginous microorganisms and how symbiotic relationships are impacting the lipid formation in microorganisms. Further, the review also highlights the importance of evolutionary relationships and benefits of co-culturing (artificial symbiosis) approaches for sustainable production of biofuels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepi Deka
- Biological Sciences Division, Branch Laboratory-Itanagar, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Naharlagun, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat, India
| | - Shashanka Sonowal
- Biological Sciences Division, Branch Laboratory-Itanagar, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Naharlagun, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat, India
| | - Channakeshavaiah Chikkaputtaiah
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat, India
- Biological Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, India
| | - Natarajan Velmurugan
- Biological Sciences Division, Branch Laboratory-Itanagar, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Naharlagun, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat, India
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Isolation, Identification, and Biochemical Characteristics of a Cold-Tolerant Chlorella vulgaris KNUA007 Isolated from King George Island, Antarctica. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse8110935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A cold-tolerant unicellular green alga was isolated from a meltwater stream on King George Island, Antarctica. Morphological, molecular, and biochemical analyses revealed that the isolate belonged to the species Chlorella vulgaris. We tentatively named this algal strain C.vulgaris KNUA007 and investigated its growth and lipid composition. We found that the strain was able to thrive in a wide range of temperatures, from 5 to 30 °C; however, it did not survive at 35 °C. Ultimate analysis confirmed high gross calorific values only at low temperatures (10 °C), with comparable values to land plants for biomass fuel. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the isolate was rich in nutritionally important polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The major fatty acid components were hexadecatrienoic acid (C16:3 ω3, 17.31%), linoleic acid (C18:2 ω6, 8.52%), and α-linolenic acid (C18:3 ω3, 43.35%) at 10 °C. The microalga was tolerant to low temperatures, making it an attractive candidate for the production of biochemicals under cold weather conditions. Therefore, this Antarctic microalga may have potential as an alternative to fish and/or plant oils as a source of omega-3 PUFA. The temperature tolerance and composition of C.vulgaris KNUA007 also make the isolate desirable for commercial applications in the pharmaceutical industry.
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Duncan GA, Dunigan DD, Van Etten JL. Diversity of tRNA Clusters in the Chloroviruses. Viruses 2020; 12:v12101173. [PMID: 33081353 PMCID: PMC7589089 DOI: 10.3390/v12101173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses rely on their host’s translation machinery for the synthesis of their own proteins. Problems belie viral translation when the host has a codon usage bias (CUB) that is different from an infecting virus due to differences in the GC content between the host and virus genomes. Here, we examine the hypothesis that chloroviruses adapted to host CUB by acquisition and selection of tRNAs that at least partially favor their own CUB. The genomes of 41 chloroviruses comprising three clades, each infecting a different algal host, have been sequenced, assembled and annotated. All 41 viruses not only encode tRNAs, but their tRNA genes are located in clusters. While differences were observed between clades and even within clades, seven tRNA genes were common to all three clades of chloroviruses, including the tRNAArg gene, which was found in all 41 chloroviruses. By comparing the codon usage of one chlorovirus algal host, in which the genome has been sequenced and annotated (67% GC content), to that of two of its viruses (40% GC content), we found that the viruses were able to at least partially overcome the host’s CUB by encoding tRNAs that recognize AU-rich codons. Evidence presented herein supports the hypothesis that a chlorovirus tRNA cluster was present in the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) prior to divergence into three clades. In addition, the MRCA encoded a putative isoleucine lysidine synthase (TilS) that remains in 39/41 chloroviruses examined herein, suggesting a strong evolutionary pressure to retain the gene. TilS alters the anticodon of tRNAMet that normally recognizes AUG to then recognize AUA, a codon for isoleucine. This is advantageous to the chloroviruses because the AUA codon is 12–13 times more common in the chloroviruses than their host, further helping the chloroviruses to overcome CUB. Among large DNA viruses infecting eukaryotes, the presence of tRNA genes and tRNA clusters appear to be most common in the Phycodnaviridae and, to a lesser extent, in the Mimiviridae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garry A. Duncan
- Nebraska Center for Virology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0900, USA; (G.A.D.); (D.D.D.)
| | - David D. Dunigan
- Nebraska Center for Virology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0900, USA; (G.A.D.); (D.D.D.)
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0833, USA
| | - James L. Van Etten
- Nebraska Center for Virology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0900, USA; (G.A.D.); (D.D.D.)
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0833, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-402-472-3168
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Deka D, Marwein R, Chikkaputtaiah C, Kaki SS, Azmeera T, Boruah HPD, Velmurugan N. Strain improvement of long-chain fatty acids producing Micractinium sp. by flow cytometry. Process Biochem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2020.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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High light induces species specific changes in the membrane lipid composition of Chlorella. Biochem J 2020; 477:2543-2559. [PMID: 32556082 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20200160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Algae have evolved several mechanisms to adjust to changing environmental conditions. To separate from their surroundings, algal cell membranes form a hydrophobic barrier that is critical for life. Thus, it is important to maintain or adjust the physical and biochemical properties of cell membranes which are exposed to environmental factors. Especially glycerolipids of thylakoid membranes, the site of photosynthesis and photoprotection within chloroplasts, are affected by different light conditions. Since little is known about membrane lipid remodeling upon different light treatments, we examined light induced alterations in the glycerolipid composition of the two Chlorella species, C. vulgaris and C. sorokiniana, which differ strongly in their ability to cope with different light intensities. Lipidomic analysis and isotopic labeling experiments revealed differences in the composition of their galactolipid species, although both species likely utilize galactolipid precursors originated from the endoplasmic reticulum. However, in silico research of de novo sequenced genomes and ortholog mapping of proteins putatively involved in lipid metabolism showed largely conserved lipid biosynthesis pathways suggesting species specific lipid remodeling mechanisms, which possibly have an impact on the response to different light conditions.
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Caspy I, Malavath T, Klaiman D, Fadeeva M, Shkolnisky Y, Nelson N. Structure and energy transfer pathways of the Dunaliella Salina photosystem I supercomplex. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2020; 1861:148253. [PMID: 32569661 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2020.148253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Oxygenic photosynthesis evolved more than 3 billion years ago in cyanobacteria. The increased complexity of photosystem I (PSI) became apparent from the high-resolution structures that were obtained for the complexes that were isolated from various organisms, ranging from cyanobacteria to plants. These complexes are all evolutionarily linked. In this paper, the researchers have uncovered the increased complexity of PSI in a single organism demonstrated by the coexistance of two distinct PSI compositions. The Large Dunaliella PSI contains eight additional subunits, six in PSI core and two light harvesting complexes. Two additional chlorophyll a molecules pertinent for efficient excitation energy transfer in state II transition were identified in PsaL and PsaO. Short distances between these newly identified chlorophylls correspond with fast excitation transfer rates previously reported during state II transition. The apparent PSI conformations could be a coping mechanism for the high salinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ido Caspy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Tirupathi Malavath
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Daniel Klaiman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Maria Fadeeva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Yoel Shkolnisky
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Nathan Nelson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
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Endosymbiotic Green Algae in Paramecium bursaria: A New Isolation Method and a Simple Diagnostic PCR Approach for the Identification. DIVERSITY-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/d12060240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Paramecium bursaria is a single-celled model organism for studying endosymbiosis among ciliates and green algae. Most strains of P. bursaria bear either Chlorella variabilis or Micractinium conductrix as endosymbionts. Both algal genera are unicellular green algae characterized by cup-shaped chloroplasts containing a single pyrenoid and reproduction by autospores. Due to their size and only few morphological characteristics, these green algae are very difficult to discriminate by microscopy only. Their cultivation is laborious and often unsuccessful, but we developed a three-step isolation method, which provided axenic cultures of endosymbionts. In addition to the time-consuming isolation, we developed a simple diagnostic PCR identification method using specific primers for C. variabilis and M. conductrix that provided reliable results. One advantage of this approach was that the algae do not have to be isolated from their host. For a comparative study, we investigated 19 strains of P. bursaria from all over the world (new isolates and available laboratory strains) belonging to the five known syngens (R1–R5). Six European ciliate strains belonging to syngens R1 and R2 bore M. conductrix as endosymbiont whereas C. variabilis was discovered in syngens R1–R5 having worldwide origins. Our results reveal the first evidence of C. variabilis as endosymbiont in P. bursaria in Europe.
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Ng I, Keskin BB, Tan S. A Critical Review of Genome Editing and Synthetic Biology Applications in Metabolic Engineering of Microalgae and Cyanobacteria. Biotechnol J 2020; 15:e1900228. [DOI: 10.1002/biot.201900228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- I‐Son Ng
- Department of Chemical EngineeringNational Cheng Kung University Tainan 701 Taiwan
| | - Batuhan Birol Keskin
- Department of Chemical EngineeringNational Cheng Kung University Tainan 701 Taiwan
| | - Shih‐I Tan
- Department of Chemical EngineeringNational Cheng Kung University Tainan 701 Taiwan
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Ren L, Sun X, Zhang L, Zhao Q, Huang H. Identification of active pathways of Chlorella protothecoides by elementary mode analysis integrated with fluxomic data. ALGAL RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2019.101767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Van Etten JL, Agarkova IV, Dunigan DD. Chloroviruses. Viruses 2019; 12:E20. [PMID: 31878033 PMCID: PMC7019647 DOI: 10.3390/v12010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chloroviruses are large dsDNA, plaque-forming viruses that infect certain chlorella-like green algae; the algae are normally mutualistic endosymbionts of protists and metazoans and are often referred to as zoochlorellae. The viruses are ubiquitous in inland aqueous environments throughout the world and occasionally single types reach titers of thousands of plaque-forming units per ml of native water. The viruses are icosahedral in shape with a spike structure located at one of the vertices. They contain an internal membrane that is required for infectivity. The viral genomes are 290 to 370 kb in size, which encode up to 16 tRNAs and 330 to ~415 proteins, including many not previously seen in viruses. Examples include genes encoding DNA restriction and modification enzymes, hyaluronan and chitin biosynthetic enzymes, polyamine biosynthetic enzymes, ion channel and transport proteins, and enzymes involved in the glycan synthesis of the virus major capsid glycoproteins. The proteins encoded by many of these viruses are often the smallest or among the smallest proteins of their class. Consequently, some of the viral proteins are the subject of intensive biochemical and structural investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- James L. Van Etten
- Department of Plant Pathology, Nebraska Center for Virology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0900, USA; (I.V.A.); (D.D.D.)
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Cecchin M, Marcolungo L, Rossato M, Girolomoni L, Cosentino E, Cuine S, Li‐Beisson Y, Delledonne M, Ballottari M. Chlorella vulgaris genome assembly and annotation reveals the molecular basis for metabolic acclimation to high light conditions. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 100:1289-1305. [PMID: 31437318 PMCID: PMC6972661 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.14508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Chlorella vulgaris is a fast-growing fresh-water microalga cultivated on the industrial scale for applications ranging from food to biofuel production. To advance our understanding of its biology and to establish genetics tools for biotechnological manipulation, we sequenced the nuclear and organelle genomes of Chlorella vulgaris 211/11P by combining next generation sequencing and optical mapping of isolated DNA molecules. This hybrid approach allowed us to assemble the nuclear genome in 14 pseudo-molecules with an N50 of 2.8 Mb and 98.9% of scaffolded genome. The integration of RNA-seq data obtained at two different irradiances of growth (high light, HL versus low light, LL) enabled us to identify 10 724 nuclear genes, coding for 11 082 transcripts. Moreover, 121 and 48 genes, respectively, were found in the chloroplast and mitochondrial genome. Functional annotation and expression analysis of nuclear, chloroplast and mitochondrial genome sequences revealed particular features of Chlorella vulgaris. Evidence of horizontal gene transfers from chloroplast to mitochondrial genome was observed. Furthermore, comparative transcriptomic analyses of LL versus HL provided insights into the molecular basis for metabolic rearrangement under HL versus LL conditions leading to enhanced de novo fatty acid biosynthesis and triacylglycerol accumulation. The occurrence of a cytosolic fatty acid biosynthetic pathway could be predicted and its upregulation upon HL exposure was observed, consistent with the increased lipid amount under HL conditions. These data provide a rich genetic resource for future genome editing studies, and potential targets for biotechnological manipulation of Chlorella vulgaris or other microalgae species to improve biomass and lipid productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Cecchin
- Dipartimento di BiotecnologieUniversità di VeronaStrada Le Grazie 1537134Verona, Italy
| | - Luca Marcolungo
- Dipartimento di BiotecnologieUniversità di VeronaStrada Le Grazie 1537134Verona, Italy
| | - Marzia Rossato
- Dipartimento di BiotecnologieUniversità di VeronaStrada Le Grazie 1537134Verona, Italy
| | - Laura Girolomoni
- Dipartimento di BiotecnologieUniversità di VeronaStrada Le Grazie 1537134Verona, Italy
| | - Emanuela Cosentino
- Dipartimento di BiotecnologieUniversità di VeronaStrada Le Grazie 1537134Verona, Italy
| | - Stephan Cuine
- Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix‐Marseille, UMR7265Aix‐Marseille UniversityCEACNRSCEA CadaracheSaint‐Paul‐lez DuranceF‐13108France
| | - Yonghua Li‐Beisson
- Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix‐Marseille, UMR7265Aix‐Marseille UniversityCEACNRSCEA CadaracheSaint‐Paul‐lez DuranceF‐13108France
| | - Massimo Delledonne
- Dipartimento di BiotecnologieUniversità di VeronaStrada Le Grazie 1537134Verona, Italy
| | - Matteo Ballottari
- Dipartimento di BiotecnologieUniversità di VeronaStrada Le Grazie 1537134Verona, Italy
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Lin WR, Tan SI, Hsiang CC, Sung PK, Ng IS. Challenges and opportunity of recent genome editing and multi-omics in cyanobacteria and microalgae for biorefinery. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2019; 291:121932. [PMID: 31387837 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae and cyanobacteria are easy to culture, with higher growth rates and photosynthetic efficiencies compared to terrestrial plants, and thus generating higher productivity. The concept of microalgal biorefinery is to assimilate carbon dioxide and convert it to chemical energy/value-added products, such as vitamins, carotenoids, fatty acids, proteins and nucleic acids, to be applied in bioenergy, health foods, aquaculture feed, pharmaceutical and medical fields. Therefore, microalgae are annotated as the third generation feedstock in bioenergy and biorefinery. In past decades, many studies thrived to improve the carbon sequestration efficiency as well as enhance value-added compounds from different algae, especially via genetic engineering, synthetic biology, metabolic design and regulation. From the traditional Agrobacterium-mediated transformation DNA to novel CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) technology applied in microalgae and cyanobacteria, this review has highlighted the genome editing technology for biorefinery that is a highly environmental friendly trend to sustainable and renewable development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Way-Rong Lin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shih-I Tan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chuan-Chieh Hsiang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Po-Kuei Sung
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan, ROC
| | - I-Son Ng
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan, ROC.
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A streamlined and predominantly diploid genome in the tiny marine green alga Chloropicon primus. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4061. [PMID: 31492891 PMCID: PMC6731263 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12014-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tiny marine green algae issued from two deep branches of the Chlorophyta, the Mamiellophyceae and Chloropicophyceae, dominate different regions of the oceans and play key roles in planktonic communities. Considering that the Mamiellophyceae is the sole lineage of prasinophyte algae that has been intensively investigated, the extent to which these two algal groups differ in their metabolic capacities and cellular processes is currently unknown. To address this gap of knowledge, we investigate here the nuclear genome sequence of a member of the Chloropicophyceae, Chloropicon primus. Among the main biological insights that emerge from this 17.4 Mb genome, we find an unexpected diploid structure for most chromosomes and a propionate detoxification pathway in green algae. Our results support the notion that separate events of genome minimization, which entailed differential losses of genes/pathways, have occurred in the Chloropicophyceae and Mamiellophyceae, suggesting different strategies of adaptation to oceanic environments.
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