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Stricher M, Vigneron P, Delbecq F, Sarde CO, Egles C. The microalga Volvox carteri as a cell supportive building block for tissue engineering. Mater Today Bio 2024; 25:101013. [PMID: 38464496 PMCID: PMC10923841 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101013] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background V. carteri f. nagariensis constitutes, in its most simplified form, a cellularized spheroid built around and stabilised by a form of primitive extracellular matrix (ECM). Methods We developed a modular approach to soft tissue engineering, by compact stacking V. carteri-based building blocks. This approach is made possible by the structure and cell adhesive properties of these building blocks, which results from the composition of their algal ECM. Results A primary biocompatibility assessment demonstrated the cytocompatibility of the algal suspension, its histogenesis-promoting properties, and that it did not induce an inflammatory response in vitro. These results allowed us to consider the use of this algal suspension for soft tissue augmentation, and to initiate an in vivo biocompatibility study. V. carteri exhibited cellular fate-directing properties, causing (i) fibroblasts to take on an alkaline phosphatase+ stem-cell-like phenotype and (ii) both human adipose-derived stem cells and mouse embryonic stem cells to differentiate into preadipocytes to adipocytes. The ability of V. carteri to support histogenesis and adipogenesis was also observed in vivo by subcutaneous tissue augmentation of athymic mice, highlighting the potential of V. carteri to support or influence tissue regeneration. Conclusions We present for the first time V. carteri as an innovative and inspiring biomaterial for tissue engineering and soft tissue regeneration. Its strategies in terms of shape, structure and composition can be central in the design of a new generation of bio-inspired heterogeneous biomaterials recapitulating more appropriately the complexity of body tissues when guiding their regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Stricher
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche Royallieu, CEDEX CS 60 319, 60 203, Compiègne, France
| | - Pascale Vigneron
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche Royallieu, CEDEX CS 60 319, 60 203, Compiègne, France
| | - Frederic Delbecq
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, ESCOM, TIMR (Integrated Transformations of Renewable Matter), Centre de Recherche Royallieu, CEDEX CS 60 319, 60 203, Compiègne, France
| | - Claude-Olivier Sarde
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, ESCOM, TIMR (Integrated Transformations of Renewable Matter), Centre de Recherche Royallieu, CEDEX CS 60 319, 60 203, Compiègne, France
| | - Christophe Egles
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche Royallieu, CEDEX CS 60 319, 60 203, Compiègne, France
- Univ Rouen Normandie, INSA Rouen Normandie, CNRS, Normandie Univ, PBS UMR 6270, 55 Rue Saint-Germain, 27 000, Évreux, France
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von der Heyde B, von der Heyde EL, Hallmann A. Cell Type-Specific Promoters of Volvox carteri for Molecular Cell Biology Studies. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1389. [PMID: 37510294 PMCID: PMC10379329 DOI: 10.3390/genes14071389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The multicellular green alga Volvox carteri has emerged as a valuable model organism for investigating various aspects of multicellularity and cellular differentiation, photoreception and phototaxis, cell division, biogenesis of the extracellular matrix and morphogenetic movements. While a range of molecular tools and bioinformatics resources have been made available for exploring these topics, the establishment of cell type-specific promoters in V. carteri has not been achieved so far. Therefore, here, we conducted a thorough screening of transcriptome data from RNA sequencing analyses of V. carteri in order to identify potential cell type-specific promoters. Eventually, we chose two putative strong and cell type-specific promoters, with one exhibiting specific expression in reproductive cells (gonidia), the PCY1 promoter, and the other in somatic cells, the PFP promoter. After cloning both promoter regions, they were introduced upstream of a luciferase reporter gene. By using particle bombardment, the DNA constructs were stably integrated into the genome of V. carteri. The results of the expression analyses, which were conducted at both the transcript and protein levels, demonstrated that the two promoters drive cell type-specific expression in their respective target cell types. Transformants with considerably diverse expression levels of the chimeric genes were identifiable. In conclusion, the screening and analysis of transcriptome data from RNA sequencing allowed for the identification of potential cell type-specific promoters in V. carteri. Reporter gene constructs demonstrated the actual usability of two promoters. The investigated PCY1 and PFP promoters were proven to be potent molecular tools for genetic engineering in V. carteri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin von der Heyde
- Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology of Plants, University of Bielefeld, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Eva Laura von der Heyde
- Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology of Plants, University of Bielefeld, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Armin Hallmann
- Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology of Plants, University of Bielefeld, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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Cell Type-Specific Pherophorins of Volvox carteri Reveal Interplay of Both Cell Types in ECM Biosynthesis. Cells 2022; 12:cells12010134. [PMID: 36611928 PMCID: PMC9818292 DOI: 10.3390/cells12010134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The spheroidal green algae Volvox carteri serves as a model system to investigate the formation of a complex, multifunctional extracellular matrix (ECM) in a relatively simple, multicellular organism with cell differentiation. The V. carteri ECM is mainly composed of hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins (HRGPs) and there are diverse region-specific, anatomically distinct structures in the ECM. One large protein family with importance for ECM biosynthesis stands out: the pherophorins. The few pherophorins previously extracted from the ECM and characterized, were specifically expressed by somatic cells. However, the localization and function of most pherophorins is unknown. Here, we provide a phylogenetic analysis of 153 pherophorins of V. carteri and its unicellular relative Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Our analysis of cell type-specific mRNA expression of pherophorins in V. carteri revealed that, contrary to previous assumptions, only about half (52%) of the 102 investigated pherophorin-related genes show stronger expression in somatic cells, whereas about one-third (34%) of the genes show significant higher expression in reproductive cells (gonidia). We fused two pherophorin genes that are expressed by different cell types to yfp, stably expressed them in Volvox and studied the tagged proteins by live-cell imaging. In contrast to earlier biochemical approaches, this genetic approach also allows the in vivo analysis of non-extractable, covalently cross-linked ECM proteins. We demonstrate that the soma-specific pherophorin SSG185 is localized in the outermost ECM structures of the spheroid, the boundary zone and at the flagellar hillocks. SSG185:YFP is detectable as early as 1.5 h after completion of embryogenesis. It is then present for the rest of the life cycle. The gonidia-specific pherophorin PhG is localized in the gonidial cellular zone 1 ("gonidial vesicle") suggesting its involvement in the protection of gonidia and developing embryos until hatching. Even if somatic cells produce the main portion of the ECM of the spheroids, ECM components produced by gonidia are also required to cooperatively assemble the total ECM. Our results provide insights into the evolution of the pherophorin protein family and convey a more detailed picture of Volvox ECM synthesis.
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Barolo L, Commault AS, Abbriano RM, Padula MP, Kim M, Kuzhiumparambil U, Ralph PJ, Pernice M. Unassembled cell wall proteins form aggregates in the extracellular space of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii strain UVM4. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:4145-4156. [PMID: 35599258 PMCID: PMC9200674 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-11960-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is emerging as a promising cell biofactory for secreted recombinant protein (RP) production. In recent years, the generation of the broadly used cell wall–deficient mutant strain UVM4 has allowed for a drastic increase in secreted RP yields. However, purification of secreted RPs from the extracellular space of C. reinhardtii strain UVM4 is challenging. Previous studies suggest that secreted RPs are trapped in a matrix of cell wall protein aggregates populating the secretome of strain UVM4, making it difficult to isolate and purify the RPs. To better understand the nature and behaviour of these extracellular protein aggregates, we analysed and compared the extracellular proteome of the strain UVM4 to its cell-walled ancestor, C. reinhardtii strain 137c. When grown under the same conditions, strain UVM4 produced a unique extracellular proteomic profile, including a higher abundance of secreted cell wall glycoproteins. Further characterization of high molecular weight extracellular protein aggregates in strain UVM4 revealed that they are largely comprised of pherophorins, a specific class of cell wall glycoproteins. Our results offer important new insights into the extracellular space of strain UVM4, including strain-specific secreted cell wall proteins and the composition of the aggregates possibly related to impaired RP purification. The discovery of pherophorins as a major component of extracellular protein aggregates will inform future strategies to remove or prevent aggregate formation, enhance purification of secreted RPs, and improve yields of recombinant biopharmaceuticals in this emerging cell biofactory. Key points • Extracellular protein aggregates hinder purification of recombinant proteins in C. reinhardtii • Unassembled cell wall pherophorins are major components of extracellular protein aggregates • Known aggregate composition informs future strategies for recombinant protein purification Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00253-022-11960-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Barolo
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | - Audrey S Commault
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Raffaela M Abbriano
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Matthew P Padula
- School of Life Sciences and Proteomics Core Facility, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Mikael Kim
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | | | - Peter J Ralph
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Mathieu Pernice
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
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Lin YT, Takeuchi T, Youk B, Umen J, Sears BB, Benning C. Chlamydomonas CHT7 is involved in repressing DNA replication and mitotic genes during synchronous growth. G3 GENES|GENOMES|GENETICS 2022; 12:6523978. [PMID: 35137070 PMCID: PMC8895990 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
In the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, regulation of the cell cycle in response to external cues is critical for survival in a changing environment. The loss of the nuclear COMPROMISED HYDROLYSIS OF TRIACYLGLYCEROLS 7 (CHT7) protein affects the expression of many genes especially in response to nitrogen availability. Cells lacking CHT7 exhibit abnormal cell morphology following nitrogen deprivation and fail to resume normal cell division after N resupply. To investigate the function of CHT7 in the regulation of cell cycle-related pathways, cells were synchronized, and RNA-seq analysis was performed during various stages of the cell cycle. In the cht7 mutant following nitrogen deprivation, the cells were not dividing, but a subset of cell cycle genes involved in DNA replication and mitosis were found to be derepressed, suggesting that the CHT7 protein plays a role in cell cycle regulation that is opposite to that of the mitotic cyclin-dependent kinases. Furthermore, genes for cell wall synthesis and remodeling were found to be abnormally induced in nondividing cht7 cells; this misregulation may deplete cellular resources and thus contribute to cell death following nitrogen deprivation. Lastly, 43 minimally characterized kinases were found to be highly misregulated in cht7. Further analysis suggested that some of these CHT7-regulated kinases may be related to the MAP3K and Aurora-like kinases, while others are unique. Together, these results suggest a role of CHT7 in transcriptional regulation of the cell cycle and reveal several pathways and genes whose expression appears to be subject to a CHT7-mediated regulatory network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang-Tsung Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Energy-Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Tomomi Takeuchi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Energy-Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Brian Youk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - James Umen
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO 63132, USA
| | - Barbara B Sears
- Department of Energy-Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Christoph Benning
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Energy-Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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