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Milrad Y, Mosebach L, Buchert F. Regulation of Microalgal Photosynthetic Electron Transfer. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:2103. [PMID: 39124221 PMCID: PMC11314055 DOI: 10.3390/plants13152103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
The global ecosystem relies on the metabolism of photosynthetic organisms, featuring the ability to harness light as an energy source. The most successful type of photosynthesis utilizes a virtually inexhaustible electron pool from water, but the driver of this oxidation, sunlight, varies on time and intensity scales of several orders of magnitude. Such rapid and steep changes in energy availability are potentially devastating for biological systems. To enable a safe and efficient light-harnessing process, photosynthetic organisms tune their light capturing, the redox connections between core complexes and auxiliary electron mediators, ion passages across the membrane, and functional coupling of energy transducing organelles. Here, microalgal species are the most diverse group, featuring both unique environmental adjustment strategies and ubiquitous protective mechanisms. In this review, we explore a selection of regulatory processes of the microalgal photosynthetic apparatus supporting smooth electron flow in variable environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuval Milrad
- Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Münster, Schlossplatz 8, 48143 Münster, Germany
| | - Laura Mosebach
- Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Münster, Schlossplatz 8, 48143 Münster, Germany
| | - Felix Buchert
- Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Münster, Schlossplatz 8, 48143 Münster, Germany
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2
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Jeffers TL, Purvine SO, Nicora CD, McCombs R, Upadhyaya S, Stroumza A, Whang K, Gallaher SD, Dohnalkova A, Merchant SS, Lipton M, Niyogi KK, Roth MS. Iron rescues glucose-mediated photosynthesis repression during lipid accumulation in the green alga Chromochloris zofingiensis. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6046. [PMID: 39025848 PMCID: PMC11258321 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50170-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Energy status and nutrients regulate photosynthetic protein expression. The unicellular green alga Chromochloris zofingiensis switches off photosynthesis in the presence of exogenous glucose (+Glc) in a process that depends on hexokinase (HXK1). Here, we show that this response requires that cells lack sufficient iron (-Fe). Cells grown in -Fe+Glc accumulate triacylglycerol (TAG) while losing photosynthesis and thylakoid membranes. However, cells with an iron supplement (+Fe+Glc) maintain photosynthesis and thylakoids while still accumulating TAG. Proteomic analysis shows that known photosynthetic proteins are most depleted in heterotrophy, alongside hundreds of uncharacterized, conserved proteins. Photosynthesis repression is associated with enzyme and transporter regulation that redirects iron resources to (a) respiratory instead of photosynthetic complexes and (b) a ferredoxin-dependent desaturase pathway supporting TAG accumulation rather than thylakoid lipid synthesis. Combining insights from diverse organisms from green algae to vascular plants, we show how iron and trophic constraints on metabolism aid gene discovery for photosynthesis and biofuel production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim L Jeffers
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Samuel O Purvine
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
| | - Carrie D Nicora
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
| | - Ryan McCombs
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Shivani Upadhyaya
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Adrien Stroumza
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Ken Whang
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Sean D Gallaher
- UCLA DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Alice Dohnalkova
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
| | - Sabeeha S Merchant
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Mary Lipton
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
| | - Krishna K Niyogi
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720-3102, USA.
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
| | - Melissa S Roth
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
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3
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De Saeger J, Coulembier Vandelannoote E, Lee H, Park J, Blomme J. Genome editing in macroalgae: advances and challenges. Front Genome Ed 2024; 6:1380682. [PMID: 38516199 PMCID: PMC10955705 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2024.1380682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
This minireview examines the current state and challenges of genome editing in macroalgae. Despite the ecological and economic significance of this group of organisms, genome editing has seen limited applications. While CRISPR functionality has been established in two brown (Ectocarpus species 7 and Saccharina japonica) and one green seaweed (Ulva prolifera), these studies are limited to proof-of-concept demonstrations. All studies also (co)-targeted ADENINE PHOSPHORIBOSYL TRANSFERASE to enrich for mutants, due to the relatively low editing efficiencies. To advance the field, there should be a focus on advancing auxiliary technologies, particularly stable transformation, so that novel editing reagents can be screened for their efficiency. More work is also needed on understanding DNA repair in these organisms, as this is tightly linked with the editing outcomes. Developing efficient genome editing tools for macroalgae will unlock the ability to characterize their genes, which is largely uncharted terrain. Moreover, given their economic importance, genome editing will also impact breeding campaigns to develop strains that have better yields, produce more commercially valuable compounds, and show improved resilience to the impacts of global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas De Saeger
- Bio Environmental Science and Technology (BEST) Lab, Ghent University Global Campus, Yeonsu-gu, Republic of Korea
| | - Emma Coulembier Vandelannoote
- Department of Biology, Phycology Research Group, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hojun Lee
- Bio Environmental Science and Technology (BEST) Lab, Ghent University Global Campus, Yeonsu-gu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihae Park
- Bio Environmental Science and Technology (BEST) Lab, Ghent University Global Campus, Yeonsu-gu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jonas Blomme
- Department of Biology, Phycology Research Group, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
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4
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Wang M, Ye X, Bi H, Shen Z. Microalgae biofuels: illuminating the path to a sustainable future amidst challenges and opportunities. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2024; 17:10. [PMID: 38254224 PMCID: PMC10804497 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-024-02461-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The development of microalgal biofuels is of significant importance in advancing the energy transition, alleviating food pressure, preserving the natural environment, and addressing climate change. Numerous countries and regions across the globe have conducted extensive research and strategic planning on microalgal bioenergy, investing significant funds and manpower into this field. However, the microalgae biofuel industry has faced a downturn due to the constraints of high costs. In the past decade, with the development of new strains, technologies, and equipment, the feasibility of large-scale production of microalgae biofuel should be re-evaluated. Here, we have gathered research results from the past decade regarding microalgae biofuel production, providing insights into the opportunities and challenges faced by this industry from the perspectives of microalgae selection, modification, and cultivation. In this review, we suggest that highly adaptable microalgae are the preferred choice for large-scale biofuel production, especially strains that can utilize high concentrations of inorganic carbon sources and possess stress resistance. The use of omics technologies and genetic editing has greatly enhanced lipid accumulation in microalgae. However, the associated risks have constrained the feasibility of large-scale outdoor cultivation. Therefore, the relatively controllable cultivation method of photobioreactors (PBRs) has made it the mainstream approach for microalgae biofuel production. Moreover, adjusting the performance and parameters of PBRs can also enhance lipid accumulation in microalgae. In the future, given the relentless escalation in demand for sustainable energy sources, microalgae biofuels should be deemed a pivotal constituent of national energy planning, particularly in the case of China. The advancement of synthetic biology helps reduce the risks associated with genetically modified (GM) microalgae and enhances the economic viability of their biofuel production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Wang
- Institute of Agricultural Remote Sensing and Information, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150086, China.
| | - Xiaoxue Ye
- Sanya Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Hongwen Bi
- Institute of Agricultural Remote Sensing and Information, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Zhongbao Shen
- Grass and Science Institute of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150086, China.
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5
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Jian J, Wu Z, Silva-Núñez A, Li X, Zheng X, Luo B, Liu Y, Fang X, Workman CT, Larsen TO, Hansen PJ, Sonnenschein EC. Long-read genome sequencing provides novel insights into the harmful algal bloom species Prymnesium parvum. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168042. [PMID: 37898203 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Prymnesium parvum is a toxin-producing haptophyte that causes harmful algal blooms worldwide, which are often associated with massive fish-kills and subsequent economic losses. In here, we present nuclear and plastid genome assemblies using PacBio HiFi long reads and DNBseq short reads for the two P. parvum strains UTEX 2797 and CCMP 3037, representing producers of type A prymnesins. Our results show that the P. parvum strains have a moderate haptophyte genome size of 97.56 and 107.32 Mb. The genome assemblies present one of highest contiguous assembled contig sequences to date consisting of 463 and 362 contigs with a contig N50 of 596.99 kb and 968.39 kb for strain UTEX 2797 and CCMP 3037, respectively. The assembled contigs of UTEX 2797 and CCMP 3037 were anchored to 34 scaffolds, with a scaffold N50 of 5.35 Mb and 3.61 Mb, respectively, accounting for 93.2 % and 97.9 % of the total length. Each plastid genome comprises a circular contig. A total of 20,578 and 19,426 protein-coding genes were annotated for UTEX 2797 and CCMP 3037. The expanded gene family analysis showed that starch and sucrose metabolism, sulfur metabolism, energy metabolism and ABC transporters are involved in the evolution of P. parvum. Polyketide synthase (PKS) genes responsible for the production of secondary metabolites such as prymnesins displayed different expression patterns under nutrient limitation. Overlap with repeats and horizontal gene transfer may be two contributing factors to the high number of PKS genes found in this species. The two high quality P. parvum genomes will serve as valuable resources for ecological, genetic, and toxicological studies of haptophytes that can be used to monitor and potentially manage harmful blooms of ichthyotoxic P. parvum in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbo Jian
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark; BGI-Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | | | - Arisbe Silva-Núñez
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark; Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Science, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Xiaohui Li
- BGI-Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | | | - Bei Luo
- BGI-Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yun Liu
- BGI-Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | | | - Christopher T Workman
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Thomas Ostenfeld Larsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Per Juel Hansen
- Marine Biological Section, University of Copenhagen, Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Eva C Sonnenschein
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark; Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom.
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6
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Knoshaug EP, Sun P, Nag A, Nguyen H, Mattoon EM, Zhang N, Liu J, Chen C, Cheng J, Zhang R, St. John P, Umen J. Identification and preliminary characterization of conserved uncharacterized proteins from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Setaria viridis. PLANT DIRECT 2023; 7:e527. [PMID: 38044962 PMCID: PMC10690477 DOI: 10.1002/pld3.527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The rapid accumulation of sequenced plant genomes in the past decade has outpaced the still difficult problem of genome-wide protein-coding gene annotation. A substantial fraction of protein-coding genes in all plant genomes are poorly annotated or unannotated and remain functionally uncharacterized. We identified unannotated proteins in three model organisms representing distinct branches of the green lineage (Viridiplantae): Arabidopsis thaliana (eudicot), Setaria viridis (monocot), and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Chlorophyte alga). Using similarity searching, we identified a subset of unannotated proteins that were conserved between these species and defined them as Deep Green proteins. Bioinformatic, genomic, and structural predictions were performed to begin classifying Deep Green genes and proteins. Compared to whole proteomes for each species, the Deep Green set was enriched for proteins with predicted chloroplast targeting signals predictive of photosynthetic or plastid functions, a result that was consistent with enrichment for daylight phase diurnal expression patterning. Structural predictions using AlphaFold and comparisons to known structures showed that a significant proportion of Deep Green proteins may possess novel folds. Though only available for three organisms, the Deep Green genes and proteins provide a starting resource of high-value targets for further investigation of potentially new protein structures and functions conserved across the green lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric P. Knoshaug
- Biosciences CenterNational Renewable Energy LaboratoryGoldenColoradoUSA
| | - Peipei Sun
- Donald Danforth Plant Science CenterSt. LouisMOUSA
| | - Ambarish Nag
- Computational Sciences CenterNational Renewable Energy LaboratoryGoldenColoradoUSA
| | - Huong Nguyen
- Donald Danforth Plant Science CenterSt. LouisMOUSA
- Institute of Genomics for Crop Abiotic Stress Tolerance, Department of Plant and Soil ScienceTexas Tech UniversityLubbockTexasUSA
| | - Erin M. Mattoon
- Donald Danforth Plant Science CenterSt. LouisMOUSA
- Plant and Microbial Biosciences Program, Division of Biology and Biomedical SciencesWashington University in Saint LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | | | - Jian Liu
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer ScienceUniversity of MissouriColumbiaMissouriUSA
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer ScienceUniversity of MissouriColumbiaMissouriUSA
| | - Jianlin Cheng
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer ScienceUniversity of MissouriColumbiaMissouriUSA
| | - Ru Zhang
- Donald Danforth Plant Science CenterSt. LouisMOUSA
| | - Peter St. John
- Biosciences CenterNational Renewable Energy LaboratoryGoldenColoradoUSA
| | - James Umen
- Donald Danforth Plant Science CenterSt. LouisMOUSA
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7
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Lampe RH, Coale TH, Forsch KO, Jabre LJ, Kekuewa S, Bertrand EM, Horák A, Oborník M, Rabines AJ, Rowland E, Zheng H, Andersson AJ, Barbeau KA, Allen AE. Short-term acidification promotes diverse iron acquisition and conservation mechanisms in upwelling-associated phytoplankton. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7215. [PMID: 37940668 PMCID: PMC10632500 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42949-1] [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: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Coastal upwelling regions are among the most productive marine ecosystems but may be threatened by amplified ocean acidification. Increased acidification is hypothesized to reduce iron bioavailability for phytoplankton thereby expanding iron limitation and impacting primary production. Here we show from community to molecular levels that phytoplankton in an upwelling region respond to short-term acidification exposure with iron uptake pathways and strategies that reduce cellular iron demand. A combined physiological and multi-omics approach was applied to trace metal clean incubations that introduced 1200 ppm CO2 for up to four days. Although variable, molecular-level responses indicate a prioritization of iron uptake pathways that are less hindered by acidification and reductions in iron utilization. Growth, nutrient uptake, and community compositions remained largely unaffected suggesting that these mechanisms may confer short-term resistance to acidification; however, we speculate that cellular iron demand is only temporarily satisfied, and longer-term acidification exposure without increased iron inputs may result in increased iron stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert H Lampe
- Integrative Oceanography Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics, J. Craig Venter Institute, 4120 Capricorn Lane, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Tyler H Coale
- Integrative Oceanography Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics, J. Craig Venter Institute, 4120 Capricorn Lane, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Kiefer O Forsch
- Geosciences Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Loay J Jabre
- Department of Biology and Institute for Comparative Genomics, Dalhousie University, 1355 Oxford St, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Samuel Kekuewa
- Geosciences Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Erin M Bertrand
- Department of Biology and Institute for Comparative Genomics, Dalhousie University, 1355 Oxford St, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Aleš Horák
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05, České Budějovice, CZ, Czechia
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05, České Budějovice, CZ, Czechia
| | - Miroslav Oborník
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05, České Budějovice, CZ, Czechia
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05, České Budějovice, CZ, Czechia
| | - Ariel J Rabines
- Integrative Oceanography Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics, J. Craig Venter Institute, 4120 Capricorn Lane, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Elden Rowland
- Department of Biology and Institute for Comparative Genomics, Dalhousie University, 1355 Oxford St, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Hong Zheng
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics, J. Craig Venter Institute, 4120 Capricorn Lane, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Andreas J Andersson
- Geosciences Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Katherine A Barbeau
- Geosciences Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Andrew E Allen
- Integrative Oceanography Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics, J. Craig Venter Institute, 4120 Capricorn Lane, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
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Kadri MS, Singhania RR, Haldar D, Patel AK, Bhatia SK, Saratale G, Parameswaran B, Chang JS. Advances in Algomics technology: Application in wastewater treatment and biofuel production. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 387:129636. [PMID: 37544548 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129636] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Advanced sustainable bioremediation is gaining importance with rising global pollution. This review examines microalgae's potential for sustainable bioremediation and process enhancement using multi-omics approaches. Recently, microalgae-bacterial consortia have emerged for synergistic nutrient removal, allowing complex metabolite exchanges. Advanced bioremediation requires effective consortium design or pure culture based on the treatment stage and specific roles. The strain potential must be screened using modern omics approaches aligning wastewater composition. The review highlights crucial research gaps in microalgal bioremediation. It discusses multi-omics advantages for understanding microalgal fitness concerning wastewater composition and facilitating the design of microalgal consortia based on bioremediation skills. Metagenomics enables strain identification, thereby monitoring microbial dynamics during the treatment process. Transcriptomics and metabolomics encourage the algal cell response toward nutrients and pollutants in wastewater. Multi-omics role is also summarized for product enhancement to make algal treatment sustainable and fit for sustainable development goals and growing circular bioeconomy scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Sibtain Kadri
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung City 804201, Taiwan
| | - Reeta Rani Singhania
- Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan; Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Lucknow 226 029, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Dibyajyoti Haldar
- Department of Biotechnology, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore 641114, India
| | - Anil Kumar Patel
- Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan; Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Lucknow 226 029, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Shashi Kant Bhatia
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 805029, Republic of Korea
| | - Ganesh Saratale
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Dongguk University-Seoul, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Binod Parameswaran
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Trivandrum 695 019, Kerala, India
| | - Jo-Shu Chang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan; Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Tunghai University, Taiwan; Research Center for Smart Sustainable Circular Economy, Tunghai University, Taiwan.
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9
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Sanyal SK, Awasthi M, Ranjan P, Sharma S, Pandey GK, Kateriya S. Characterization of Chlamydomonas voltage-gated calcium channel and its interaction with photoreceptor support VGCC modulated photobehavioral response in the green alga. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 245:125492. [PMID: 37343610 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Calcium (Ca2+) signaling plays a major role in regulating multiple processes in living cells. The photoreceptor potential in Chlamydomonas triggers the generation of all or no flagellar Ca2+ currents that cause membrane depolarization across the eyespot and flagella. Modulation in membrane potential causes changes in the flagellar waveform, and hence, alters the beating patterns of Chlamydomonas flagella. The rhodopsin-mediated eyespot membrane potential is generated by the photoreceptor Ca2+ current or P-current however, the flagellar Ca2+ currents are mediated by unidentified voltage-gated calcium (VGCC or CaV) and potassium channels (VGKC). The voltage-gated ion channel that associates with ChRs to generate Ca2+ influx across the flagella and its cellular distribution has not yet been identified. Here, we identified putative VGCCs from algae and predicted their novel properties through insilico analysis. We further present experimental evidence on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii VGCCs to predict their novel physiological roles. Our experimental evidences showed that CrVGCC4 localizes to the eyespot and flagella of Chlamydomonas and associates with channelrhodopsins (ChRs). Further in silico interactome analysis of CrVGCCs suggested that they putatively interact with photoreceptor proteins, calcium signaling, and intraflagellar transport components. Expression analysis indicated that these VGCCs and their putative interactors can be perturbed by light stimuli. Collectively, our data suggest that VGCCs in general, and VGCC4 in particular, might be involved in the regulation of the photobehavioral response of Chlamydomonas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibaji K Sanyal
- Laboratory of Optobiotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Mayanka Awasthi
- Department of Biochemistry, the University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi 110021, India
| | - Peeyush Ranjan
- Department of Biochemistry, the University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi 110021, India
| | - Sunita Sharma
- Laboratory of Optobiotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Girdhar K Pandey
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, the University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi 110021, India.
| | - Suneel Kateriya
- Laboratory of Optobiotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India; Department of Biochemistry, the University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi 110021, India.
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10
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Craig RJ, Gallaher SD, Shu S, Salomé PA, Jenkins JW, Blaby-Haas CE, Purvine SO, O’Donnell S, Barry K, Grimwood J, Strenkert D, Kropat J, Daum C, Yoshinaga Y, Goodstein DM, Vallon O, Schmutz J, Merchant SS. The Chlamydomonas Genome Project, version 6: Reference assemblies for mating-type plus and minus strains reveal extensive structural mutation in the laboratory. THE PLANT CELL 2023; 35:644-672. [PMID: 36562730 PMCID: PMC9940879 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koac347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Five versions of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii reference genome have been produced over the last two decades. Here we present version 6, bringing significant advances in assembly quality and structural annotations. PacBio-based chromosome-level assemblies for two laboratory strains, CC-503 and CC-4532, provide resources for the plus and minus mating-type alleles. We corrected major misassemblies in previous versions and validated our assemblies via linkage analyses. Contiguity increased over ten-fold and >80% of filled gaps are within genes. We used Iso-Seq and deep RNA-seq datasets to improve structural annotations, and updated gene symbols and textual annotation of functionally characterized genes via extensive manual curation. We discovered that the cell wall-less classical reference strain CC-503 exhibits genomic instability potentially caused by deletion of the helicase RECQ3, with major structural mutations identified that affect >100 genes. We therefore present the CC-4532 assembly as the primary reference, although this strain also carries unique structural mutations and is experiencing rapid proliferation of a Gypsy retrotransposon. We expect all laboratory strains to harbor gene-disrupting mutations, which should be considered when interpreting and comparing experimental results. Collectively, the resources presented here herald a new era of Chlamydomonas genomics and will provide the foundation for continued research in this important reference organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rory J Craig
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Sean D Gallaher
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Shengqiang Shu
- United States Department of Energy, Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Patrice A Salomé
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
- Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Jerry W Jenkins
- HudsonAlpha Genome Sequencing Center, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, Alabama 35806, USA
| | - Crysten E Blaby-Haas
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Samuel O Purvine
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, USA
| | - Samuel O’Donnell
- Laboratory of Computational and Quantitative Biology, UMR 7238, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Sorbonne Université, Paris 75005, France
| | - Kerrie Barry
- United States Department of Energy, Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Jane Grimwood
- HudsonAlpha Genome Sequencing Center, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, Alabama 35806, USA
| | - Daniela Strenkert
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Janette Kropat
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Chris Daum
- United States Department of Energy, Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Yuko Yoshinaga
- United States Department of Energy, Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - David M Goodstein
- United States Department of Energy, Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Olivier Vallon
- Unité Mixte de Recherche 7141, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Sorbonne Université, Paris 75005, France
| | - Jeremy Schmutz
- United States Department of Energy, Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- HudsonAlpha Genome Sequencing Center, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, Alabama 35806, USA
| | - Sabeeha S Merchant
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- Division of Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
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11
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Häfker NS, Andreatta G, Manzotti A, Falciatore A, Raible F, Tessmar-Raible K. Rhythms and Clocks in Marine Organisms. ANNUAL REVIEW OF MARINE SCIENCE 2023; 15:509-538. [PMID: 36028229 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-marine-030422-113038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The regular movements of waves and tides are obvious representations of the oceans' rhythmicity. But the rhythms of marine life span across ecological niches and timescales, including short (in the range of hours) and long (in the range of days and months) periods. These rhythms regulate the physiology and behavior of individuals, as well as their interactions with each other and with the environment. This review highlights examples of rhythmicity in marine animals and algae that represent important groups of marine life across different habitats. The examples cover ecologically highly relevant species and a growing number of laboratory model systems that are used to disentangle key mechanistic principles. The review introduces fundamental concepts of chronobiology, such as the distinction between rhythmic and endogenous oscillator-driven processes. It also addresses the relevance of studying diverse rhythms and oscillators, as well as their interconnection, for making better predictions of how species will respond to environmental perturbations, including climate change. As the review aims to address scientists from the diverse fields of marine biology, ecology, and molecular chronobiology, all of which have their own scientific terms, we provide definitions of key terms throughout the article.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Sören Häfker
- Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria; ,
- Research Platform "Rhythms of Life," University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gabriele Andreatta
- Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria; ,
- Research Platform "Rhythms of Life," University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alessandro Manzotti
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Chloroplaste et Perception de la Lumière chez les Microalgues, UMR 7141, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France;
| | - Angela Falciatore
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Chloroplaste et Perception de la Lumière chez les Microalgues, UMR 7141, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France;
| | - Florian Raible
- Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria; ,
- Research Platform "Rhythms of Life," University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kristin Tessmar-Raible
- Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria; ,
- Research Platform "Rhythms of Life," University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
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12
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Oh ZG, Askey B, Gunn LH. Red Rubiscos and opportunities for engineering green plants. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:520-542. [PMID: 36055563 PMCID: PMC9833100 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nature's vital, but notoriously inefficient, CO2-fixing enzyme Rubisco often limits the growth of photosynthetic organisms including crop species. Form I Rubiscos comprise eight catalytic large subunits and eight auxiliary small subunits and can be classified into two distinct lineages-'red' and 'green'. While red-type Rubiscos (Form IC and ID) are found in rhodophytes, their secondary symbionts, and certain proteobacteria, green-type Rubiscos (Form IA and IB) exist in terrestrial plants, chlorophytes, cyanobacteria, and other proteobacteria. Eukaryotic red-type Rubiscos exhibit desirable kinetic properties, namely high specificity and high catalytic efficiency, with certain isoforms outperforming green-type Rubiscos. However, it is not yet possible to functionally express a high-performing red-type Rubisco in chloroplasts to boost photosynthetic carbon assimilation in green plants. Understanding the molecular and evolutionary basis for divergence between red- and green-type Rubiscos could help us to harness the superior CO2-fixing power of red-type Rubiscos. Here we review our current understanding about red-type Rubisco distribution, biogenesis, and sequence-structure, and present opportunities and challenges for utilizing red-type Rubisco kinetics towards crop improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Guo Oh
- Plant Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Bryce Askey
- Plant Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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13
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Falciatore A, Bailleul B, Boulouis A, Bouly JP, Bujaldon S, Cheminant-Navarro S, Choquet Y, de Vitry C, Eberhard S, Jaubert M, Kuras R, Lafontaine I, Landier S, Selles J, Vallon O, Wostrikoff K. Light-driven processes: key players of the functional biodiversity in microalgae. C R Biol 2022; 345:15-38. [PMID: 36847462 DOI: 10.5802/crbiol.80] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Microalgae are prominent aquatic organisms, responsible for about half of the photosynthetic activity on Earth. Over the past two decades, breakthroughs in genomics and ecosystem biology, as well as the development of genetic resources in model species, have redrawn the boundaries of our knowledge on the relevance of these microbes in global ecosystems. However, considering their vast biodiversity and complex evolutionary history, our comprehension of algal biology remains limited. As algae rely on light, both as their main source of energy and for information about their environment, we focus here on photosynthesis, photoperception, and chloroplast biogenesis in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and marine diatoms. We describe how the studies of light-driven processes are key to assessing functional biodiversity in evolutionary distant microalgae. We also emphasize that integration of laboratory and environmental studies, and dialogues between different scientific communities are both timely and essential to understand the life of phototrophs in complex ecosystems and to properly assess the consequences of environmental changes on aquatic environments globally.
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14
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Ruffing AM, Davis RW, Lane TW. Advances in engineering algae for biofuel production. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2022; 78:102830. [PMID: 36332347 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
While algae demonstrate potential as a sustainable fuel source, low productivities limit the economic realization of algal biofuels. High-throughput strain engineering, omics-informed genome-scale modeling, and microbiome engineering are key technologies for enabling algal biofuels. High-throughput strain engineering efforts generate improved traits, including high biomass productivity and lipid content, in diverse algal species. Genome-scale models, constructed with the aid of omics data, provide insight into metabolic limitations and guide rational algal strain engineering efforts. As outdoor cultivation systems introduce exogenous organisms, microbiome engineering seeks to eliminate harmful organisms and introduce beneficial species. Optimizing algal biomass production and lipid content using these technologies may overcome the productivity barrier for the commercialization of algal biofuels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M Ruffing
- Sandia National Laboratories, Molecular and Microbiology, P.O. Box 5800, MS 1413, Albuquerque, NM 87185, USA.
| | - Ryan W Davis
- Sandia National Laboratories, Bioresource and Environmental Security, P.O. Box 969, MS 9292, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
| | - Todd W Lane
- Sandia National Laboratories, Bioresource and Environmental Security, P.O. Box 969, MS 9292, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
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15
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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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16
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de Crécy-lagard V, Amorin de Hegedus R, Arighi C, Babor J, Bateman A, Blaby I, Blaby-Haas C, Bridge AJ, Burley SK, Cleveland S, Colwell LJ, Conesa A, Dallago C, Danchin A, de Waard A, Deutschbauer A, Dias R, Ding Y, Fang G, Friedberg I, Gerlt J, Goldford J, Gorelik M, Gyori BM, Henry C, Hutinet G, Jaroch M, Karp PD, Kondratova L, Lu Z, Marchler-Bauer A, Martin MJ, McWhite C, Moghe GD, Monaghan P, Morgat A, Mungall CJ, Natale DA, Nelson WC, O’Donoghue S, Orengo C, O’Toole KH, Radivojac P, Reed C, Roberts RJ, Rodionov D, Rodionova IA, Rudolf JD, Saleh L, Sheynkman G, Thibaud-Nissen F, Thomas PD, Uetz P, Vallenet D, Carter EW, Weigele PR, Wood V, Wood-Charlson EM, Xu J. A roadmap for the functional annotation of protein families: a community perspective. Database (Oxford) 2022; 2022:baac062. [PMID: 35961013 PMCID: PMC9374478 DOI: 10.1093/database/baac062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Over the last 25 years, biology has entered the genomic era and is becoming a science of 'big data'. Most interpretations of genomic analyses rely on accurate functional annotations of the proteins encoded by more than 500 000 genomes sequenced to date. By different estimates, only half the predicted sequenced proteins carry an accurate functional annotation, and this percentage varies drastically between different organismal lineages. Such a large gap in knowledge hampers all aspects of biological enterprise and, thereby, is standing in the way of genomic biology reaching its full potential. A brainstorming meeting to address this issue funded by the National Science Foundation was held during 3-4 February 2022. Bringing together data scientists, biocurators, computational biologists and experimentalists within the same venue allowed for a comprehensive assessment of the current state of functional annotations of protein families. Further, major issues that were obstructing the field were identified and discussed, which ultimately allowed for the proposal of solutions on how to move forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie de Crécy-lagard
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | | | - Cecilia Arighi
- Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19713, USA
| | - Jill Babor
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Alex Bateman
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Ian Blaby
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Crysten Blaby-Haas
- Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA
| | - Alan J Bridge
- Swiss-Prot group, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Centre Medical Universitaire, Geneva 4 CH-1211, Switzerland
| | - Stephen K Burley
- RCSB Protein Data Bank, Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Stacey Cleveland
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Lucy J Colwell
- Departmenf of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Ana Conesa
- Spanish National Research Council, Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, Paterna, Valencia 46980, Spain
| | - Christian Dallago
- TUM (Technical University of Munich) Department of Informatics, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, i12, Boltzmannstr. 3, Garching/Munich 85748, Germany
| | - Antoine Danchin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li KaShing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, SAR Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Anita de Waard
- Research Collaboration Unit, Elsevier, Jericho, VT 05465, USA
| | - Adam Deutschbauer
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Raquel Dias
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Yousong Ding
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Gang Fang
- NYU-Shanghai, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Iddo Friedberg
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - John Gerlt
- Institute for Genomic Biology and Departments of Biochemistry and Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Joshua Goldford
- Physics of Living Systems, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Mark Gorelik
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Benjamin M Gyori
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Christopher Henry
- Mathematics and Computer Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
| | - Geoffrey Hutinet
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Marshall Jaroch
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Peter D Karp
- Bioinformatics Research Group, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | | | - Zhiyong Lu
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
| | - Aron Marchler-Bauer
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
| | - Maria-Jesus Martin
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Claire McWhite
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
| | - Gaurav D Moghe
- Plant Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Paul Monaghan
- Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Anne Morgat
- Swiss-Prot group, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Centre Medical Universitaire, Geneva 4 CH-1211, Switzerland
| | - Christopher J Mungall
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Darren A Natale
- Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA
| | - William C Nelson
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratories, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Seán O’Donoghue
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Christine Orengo
- Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | | | - Predrag Radivojac
- Khoury College of Computer Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Colbie Reed
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | | | - Dmitri Rodionov
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Irina A Rodionova
- Department of Bioengineering, Division of Engineering, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0412, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Rudolf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Lana Saleh
- New England Biolabs, Ipswich, MA 01938, USA
| | - Gloria Sheynkman
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Francoise Thibaud-Nissen
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
| | - Paul D Thomas
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Peter Uetz
- Center for Biological Data Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| | - David Vallenet
- LABGeM, Génomique Métabolique, CEA, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, Université d’Évry, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Evry 91057, France
| | - Erica Watson Carter
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida Citrus Research and Education Center, 700 Experiment Station Rd., Lake Alfred, FL 33850, USA
| | | | - Valerie Wood
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK
| | - Elisha M Wood-Charlson
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida Citrus Research and Education Center, 700 Experiment Station Rd., Lake Alfred, FL 33850, USA
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17
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Pazos Obregón F, Silvera D, Soto P, Yankilevich P, Guerberoff G, Cantera R. Gene function prediction in five model eukaryotes exclusively based on gene relative location through machine learning. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11655. [PMID: 35803984 PMCID: PMC9270439 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15329-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The function of most genes is unknown. The best results in automated function prediction are obtained with machine learning-based methods that combine multiple data sources, typically sequence derived features, protein structure and interaction data. Even though there is ample evidence showing that a gene's function is not independent of its location, the few available examples of gene function prediction based on gene location rely on sequence identity between genes of different organisms and are thus subjected to the limitations of the relationship between sequence and function. Here we predict thousands of gene functions in five model eukaryotes (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, Mus musculus and Homo sapiens) using machine learning models exclusively trained with features derived from the location of genes in the genomes to which they belong. Our aim was not to obtain the best performing method to automated function prediction but to explore the extent to which a gene's location can predict its function in eukaryotes. We found that our models outperform BLAST when predicting terms from Biological Process and Cellular Component Ontologies, showing that, at least in some cases, gene location alone can be more useful than sequence to infer gene function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavio Pazos Obregón
- Departamento de Biología del Neurodesarrollo, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Av. Italia 3318, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay. .,Unidad de Bioquímica y Proteómica Analíticas, Instituto Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Diego Silvera
- Departamento de Biología del Neurodesarrollo, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Av. Italia 3318, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pablo Soto
- Departamento de Biología del Neurodesarrollo, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Av. Italia 3318, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Patricio Yankilevich
- Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina de Buenos Aires (IBioBA), CONICET-Partner Institute of the Max Planck Society, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gustavo Guerberoff
- Instituto de Matemática y Estadística "Prof. Ing. Rafael Laguardia", Facultad de Ingeniería, UDELAR, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Rafael Cantera
- Departamento de Biología del Neurodesarrollo, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Av. Italia 3318, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
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18
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Díaz S, Aguilera Á, de Figueras CG, de Francisco P, Olsson S, Puente-Sánchez F, González-Pastor JE. Heterologous Expression of the Phytochelatin Synthase CaPCS2 from Chlamydomonas acidophila and Its Effect on Different Stress Factors in Escherichia coli. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19137692. [PMID: 35805349 PMCID: PMC9265389 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Phytochelatins (PCs) are cysteine-rich small peptides, enzymatically synthesized from reduced glutathione (GSH) by cytosolic enzyme phytochelatin synthase (PCS). The open reading frame (ORF) of the phytochelatin synthase CaPCS2 gene from the microalgae Chlamydomonas acidophila was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli strain DH5α, to analyze its role in protection against various abiotic agents that cause cellular stress. The transformed E. coli strain showed increased tolerance to exposure to different heavy metals (HMs) and arsenic (As), as well as to acidic pH and exposure to UVB, salt, or perchlorate. In addition to metal detoxification activity, new functions have also been reported for PCS and PCs. According to the results obtained in this work, the heterologous expression of CaPCS2 in E. coli provides protection against oxidative stress produced by metals and exposure to different ROS-inducing agents. However, the function of this PCS is not related to HM bioaccumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Díaz
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, C. José Antonio Novais, 12, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Ángeles Aguilera
- Department of Molecular Biology, Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA), Carretera de Ajalvir, km 4, Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850 Madrid, Spain; (Á.A.); (C.G.d.F.); (P.d.F.); (J.E.G.-P.)
| | - Carolina G. de Figueras
- Department of Molecular Biology, Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA), Carretera de Ajalvir, km 4, Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850 Madrid, Spain; (Á.A.); (C.G.d.F.); (P.d.F.); (J.E.G.-P.)
| | - Patricia de Francisco
- Department of Molecular Biology, Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA), Carretera de Ajalvir, km 4, Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850 Madrid, Spain; (Á.A.); (C.G.d.F.); (P.d.F.); (J.E.G.-P.)
| | - Sanna Olsson
- Department of Forest Ecology and Genetics, Forest Research Centre (INIA, CSIC), Carretera de La Coruña, km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Fernando Puente-Sánchez
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lennart Hjelms väg 9, 756 51 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - José Eduardo González-Pastor
- Department of Molecular Biology, Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA), Carretera de Ajalvir, km 4, Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850 Madrid, Spain; (Á.A.); (C.G.d.F.); (P.d.F.); (J.E.G.-P.)
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19
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The role of zinc in the adaptive evolution of polar phytoplankton. Nat Ecol Evol 2022; 6:965-978. [PMID: 35654896 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-022-01750-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Zinc is an essential trace metal for oceanic primary producers with the highest concentrations in polar oceans. However, its role in the biological functioning and adaptive evolution of polar phytoplankton remains enigmatic. Here, we have applied a combination of evolutionary genomics, quantitative proteomics, co-expression analyses and cellular physiology to suggest that model polar phytoplankton species have a higher demand for zinc because of elevated cellular levels of zinc-binding proteins. We propose that adaptive expansion of regulatory zinc-finger protein families, co-expanded and co-expressed zinc-binding proteins families involved in photosynthesis and growth in these microalgal species and their natural communities were identified to be responsible for the higher zinc demand. The expression of their encoding genes in eukaryotic phytoplankton metatranscriptomes from pole-to-pole was identified to correlate not only with dissolved zinc concentrations in the upper ocean but also with temperature, suggesting that environmental conditions of polar oceans are responsible for an increased demand of zinc. These results suggest that zinc plays an important role in supporting photosynthetic growth in eukaryotic polar phytoplankton and that this has been critical for algal colonization of low-temperature polar oceans.
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20
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Bachy C, Wittmers F, Muschiol J, Hamilton M, Henrissat B, Worden AZ. The Land-Sea Connection: Insights Into the Plant Lineage from a Green Algal Perspective. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 73:585-616. [PMID: 35259927 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-arplant-071921-100530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The colonization of land by plants generated opportunities for the rise of new heterotrophic life forms, including humankind. A unique event underpinned this massive change to earth ecosystems-the advent of eukaryotic green algae. Today, an abundant marine green algal group, the prasinophytes, alongside prasinodermophytes and nonmarine chlorophyte algae, is facilitating insights into plant developments. Genome-level data allow identification of conserved proteins and protein families with extensive modifications, losses, or gains and expansion patterns that connect to niche specialization and diversification. Here, we contextualize attributes according to Viridiplantae evolutionary relationships, starting with orthologous protein families, and then focusing on key elements with marked differentiation, resulting in patchy distributions across green algae and plants. We place attention on peptidoglycan biosynthesis, important for plastid division and walls; phytochrome photosensors that are master regulators in plants; and carbohydrate-active enzymes, essential to all manner of carbohydratebiotransformations. Together with advances in algal model systems, these areas are ripe for discovering molecular roles and innovations within and across plant and algal lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Bachy
- Ocean EcoSystems Biology Unit, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Fabian Wittmers
- Ocean EcoSystems Biology Unit, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jan Muschiol
- Ocean EcoSystems Biology Unit, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Maria Hamilton
- Ocean EcoSystems Biology Unit, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Bernard Henrissat
- Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, CNRS UMR 7257, Aix-Marseille Université (AMU), Marseille, France
- Department of Biological Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- DTU Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Alexandra Z Worden
- Ocean EcoSystems Biology Unit, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
- Marine Biological Laboratories, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany
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21
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Balzano S, Sardo A. Bioinformatic prediction of putative metallothioneins in non-ciliate protists. Biol Lett 2022; 18:20220039. [PMID: 35414221 PMCID: PMC9006003 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular ligands that bind heavy metals (HMs) and thereby minimize their detrimental effects to cellular metabolism are attracting great interest for a number of applications including bioremediation and development of HM-biosensors. Metallothioneins (MTs) are short, cysteine-rich, genetically encoded proteins involved in intracellular metal-binding and play a key role in detoxification of HMs. We searched approximately 700 genomes and transcriptomes of non-ciliate protists for novel putative MTs by similarity and structural analyses and found 21 unique proteins playing a potential role as MTs. Most putative MTs derive from heterokonts and dinoflagellates and share common features such as (i) a putative metal-binding domain in proximity of the N-terminus, (ii) two putative MT-specific domains near the C-terminus and (iii) one to three CTCGXXCXCGXXCXCXXC patterns. Although the biological function of these proteins has not been experimentally proven, knowledge of their genetic sequences adds useful information on proteins that are potentially involved in HM-binding and can contribute to the design of future biomolecular assays on HM-microbe interactions and MT-based biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Balzano
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Napoli (SZN), Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, via Ammiraglio Ferdinando Acton 55, 80133, Naples, Italy.,NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, 1790AB Den Burg, The Netherlands
| | - Angela Sardo
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Napoli (SZN), Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, via Ammiraglio Ferdinando Acton 55, 80133, Naples, Italy.,Istituto di Scienze Applicate e Sistemi Intelligenti - CNR, via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
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22
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Kwantes M, Wichard T. The APAF1_C/WD40 repeat domain-encoding gene from the sea lettuce Ulva mutabilis sheds light on the evolution of NB-ARC domain-containing proteins in green plants. PLANTA 2022; 255:76. [PMID: 35235070 PMCID: PMC8891106 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-022-03851-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We advance Ulva's genetic tractability and highlight its value as a model organism by characterizing its APAF1_C/WD40 domain-encoding gene, which belongs to a family that bears homology to R genes. The multicellular chlorophyte alga Ulva mutabilis (Ulvophyceae, Ulvales) is native to coastal ecosystems worldwide and attracts both high socio-economic and scientific interest. To further understand the genetic mechanisms that guide its biology, we present a protocol, based on adapter ligation-mediated PCR, for retrieving flanking sequences in U. mutabilis vector-insertion mutants. In the created insertional library, we identified a null mutant with an insertion in an apoptotic protease activating factor 1 helical domain (APAF1_C)/WD40 repeat domain-encoding gene. Protein domain architecture analysis combined with phylogenetic analysis revealed that this gene is a member of a subfamily that arose early in the evolution of green plants (Viridiplantae) through the acquisition of a gene that also encoded N-terminal nucleotide-binding adaptor shared by APAF-1, certain R-gene products and CED-4 (NB-ARC) and winged helix-like (WH-like) DNA-binding domains. Although phenotypic analysis revealed no mutant phenotype, gene expression levels in control plants correlated to the presence of bacterial symbionts, which U. mutabilis requires for proper morphogenesis. In addition, our analysis led to the discovery of a putative Ulva nucleotide-binding site and leucine-rich repeat (NBS-LRR) Resistance protein (R-protein), and we discuss how the emergence of these R proteins in green plants may be linked to the evolution of the APAF1_C/WD40 protein subfamily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel Kwantes
- Institute for Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Lessingstr. 8, 07743, Jena, Germany.
| | - Thomas Wichard
- Institute for Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Lessingstr. 8, 07743, Jena, Germany.
- Jena School for Microbial Communication, 07743, Jena, Germany.
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23
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Pucker B, Irisarri I, de Vries J, Xu B. Plant genome sequence assembly in the era of long reads: Progress, challenges and future directions. QUANTITATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 3:e5. [PMID: 37077982 PMCID: PMC10095996 DOI: 10.1017/qpb.2021.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Third-generation long-read sequencing is transforming plant genomics. Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Pacific Biosciences are offering competing long-read sequencing technologies and enable plant scientists to investigate even large and complex plant genomes. Sequencing projects can be conducted by single research groups and sequences of smaller plant genomes can be completed within days. This also resulted in an increased investigation of genomes from multiple species in large scale to address fundamental questions associated with the origin and evolution of land plants. Increased accessibility of sequencing devices and user-friendly software allows more researchers to get involved in genomics. Current challenges are accurately resolving diploid or polyploid genome sequences and better accounting for the intra-specific diversity by switching from the use of single reference genome sequences to a pangenome graph.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boas Pucker
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Institute of Plant Biology & Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), TU Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
- Author for correspondence: Boas Pucker E-mail:
| | - Iker Irisarri
- Department of Applied Bioinformatics, Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, University of Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Campus Institute Data Science (CIDAS), University of Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jan de Vries
- Department of Applied Bioinformatics, Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, University of Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Campus Institute Data Science (CIDAS), University of Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Applied Bioinformatics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Bo Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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24
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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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25
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Vavitsas K, Kugler A, Satta A, Hatzinikolaou DG, Lindblad P, Fewer DP, Lindberg P, Toivari M, Stensjö K. Doing synthetic biology with photosynthetic microorganisms. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2021; 173:624-638. [PMID: 33963557 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The use of photosynthetic microbes as synthetic biology hosts for the sustainable production of commodity chemicals and even fuels has received increasing attention over the last decade. The number of studies published, tools implemented, and resources made available for microalgae have increased beyond expectations during the last few years. However, the tools available for genetic engineering in these organisms still lag those available for the more commonly used heterotrophic host organisms. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of the photosynthetic microbes most commonly used in synthetic biology studies, namely cyanobacteria, chlorophytes, eustigmatophytes and diatoms. We provide basic information on the techniques and tools available for each model group of organisms, we outline the state-of-the-art, and we list the synthetic biology tools that have been successfully used. We specifically focus on the latest CRISPR developments, as we believe that precision editing and advanced genetic engineering tools will be pivotal to the advancement of the field. Finally, we discuss the relative strengths and weaknesses of each group of organisms and examine the challenges that need to be overcome to achieve their synthetic biology potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Vavitsas
- Enzyme and Microbial Biotechnology Unit, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou Campus, Athens, Greece
| | - Amit Kugler
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry-Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Alessandro Satta
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- CSIRO Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Dimitris G Hatzinikolaou
- Enzyme and Microbial Biotechnology Unit, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou Campus, Athens, Greece
| | - Peter Lindblad
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry-Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - David P Fewer
- Department of Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pia Lindberg
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry-Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mervi Toivari
- VTT, Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, Espoo, Finland
| | - Karin Stensjö
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry-Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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26
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Blasio M, Balzano S. Fatty Acids Derivatives From Eukaryotic Microalgae, Pathways and Potential Applications. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:718933. [PMID: 34659147 PMCID: PMC8511707 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.718933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The exploitation of petrochemical hydrocarbons is compromising ecosystem and human health and biotechnological research is increasingly focusing on sustainable materials from plants and, to a lesser extent, microalgae. Fatty acid derivatives include, among others, oxylipins, hydroxy fatty acids, diols, alkenones, and wax esters. They can occur as storage lipids or cell wall components and possess, in some cases, striking cosmeceutical, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical properties. In addition, long chain (>20) fatty acid derivatives mostly contain highly reduced methylenic carbons and exhibit a combustion enthalpy higher than that of C14 - 20 fatty acids, being potentially suitable as biofuel candidates. Finally, being the building blocks of cell wall components, some fatty acid derivatives might also be used as starters for the industrial synthesis of different polymers. Within this context, microalgae can be a promising source of fatty acid derivatives and, in contrast with terrestrial plants, do not require arable land neither clean water for their growth. Microalgal mass culturing for the extraction and the exploitation of fatty acid derivatives, along with products that are relevant in nutraceutics (e.g., polyunsaturated fatty acids), might contribute in increasing the viability of microalgal biotechnologies. This review explores fatty acids derivatives from microalgae with applications in the field of renewable energies, biomaterials and pharmaceuticals. Nannochloropsis spp. (Eustigmatophyceae, Heterokontophyta) are particularly interesting for biotechnological applications since they grow at faster rates than many other species and possess hydroxy fatty acids and aliphatic cell wall polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Blasio
- Department of Marine Biotechnologies, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Napoli (SZN), Naples, Italy
| | - Sergio Balzano
- Department of Marine Biotechnologies, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Napoli (SZN), Naples, Italy
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Den Burg (Texel), Netherlands
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27
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Sirohi R, Joun J, Choi HI, Gaur VK, Sim SJ. Algal glycobiotechnology: omics approaches for strain improvement. Microb Cell Fact 2021; 20:163. [PMID: 34419059 PMCID: PMC8379821 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-021-01656-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Microalgae has the capability to replace petroleum-based fuels and is a promising option as an energy feedstock because of its fast growth, high photosynthetic capacity and remarkable ability to store energy reserve molecules in the form of lipids and starch. But the commercialization of microalgae based product is difficult due to its high processing cost and low productivity. Higher accumulation of these molecules may help to cut the processing cost. There are several reports on the use of various omics techniques to improve the strains of microalgae for increasing the productivity of desired products. To effectively use these techniques, it is important that the glycobiology of microalgae is associated to omics approaches to essentially give rise to the field of algal glycobiotechnology. In the past few decades, lot of work has been done to improve the strain of various microalgae such as Chlorella, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Botryococcus braunii etc., through genome sequencing and metabolic engineering with major focus on significantly increasing the productivity of biofuels, biopolymers, pigments and other products. The advancements in algae glycobiotechnology have highly significant role to play in innovation and new developments for the production algae-derived products as above. It would be highly desirable to understand the basic biology of the products derived using -omics technology together with biochemistry and biotechnology. This review discusses the potential of different omic techniques (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) to improve the yield of desired products through algal strain manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjna Sirohi
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 136713, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaemin Joun
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 136713, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Ii Choi
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 136713, Republic of Korea
| | - Vivek Kumar Gaur
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Lucknow, 226 001, India
| | - Sang Jun Sim
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 136713, Republic of Korea.
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28
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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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29
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Abstract
Historically, it has been understood that for gene expression in eukaryotes, each messenger RNA encodes a single protein. With the recent development of technologies to sequence full-length transcripts en masse, we have discovered hundreds of examples in two species of green algae where two, three, or more proteins are translated from a single transcript. These “polycistronic” transcripts are found in diverse species throughout the green algal lineage, which highlights their biological importance. We have leveraged these findings to coexpress pairs of genes on polycistronic transcripts in vitro, which should facilitate efforts to engineer algae for research and industrial applications. Polycistronic gene expression, common in prokaryotes, was thought to be extremely rare in eukaryotes. The development of long-read sequencing of full-length transcript isomers (Iso-Seq) has facilitated a reexamination of that dogma. Using Iso-Seq, we discovered hundreds of examples of polycistronic expression of nuclear genes in two divergent species of green algae: Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Chromochloris zofingiensis. Here, we employ a range of independent approaches to validate that multiple proteins are translated from a common transcript for hundreds of loci. A chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis using trimethylation of lysine 4 on histone H3 marks confirmed that transcription begins exclusively at the upstream gene. Quantification of polyadenylated [poly(A)] tails and poly(A) signal sequences confirmed that transcription ends exclusively after the downstream gene. Coexpression analysis found nearly perfect correlation for open reading frames (ORFs) within polycistronic loci, consistent with expression in a shared transcript. For many polycistronic loci, terminal peptides from both ORFs were identified from proteomics datasets, consistent with independent translation. Synthetic polycistronic gene pairs were transcribed and translated in vitro to recapitulate the production of two distinct proteins from a common transcript. The relative abundance of these two proteins can be modified by altering the Kozak-like sequence of the upstream gene. Replacement of the ORFs with selectable markers or reporters allows production of such heterologous proteins, speaking to utility in synthetic biology approaches. Conservation of a significant number of polycistronic gene pairs between C. reinhardtii, C. zofingiensis, and five other species suggests that this mechanism may be evolutionarily ancient and biologically important in the green algal lineage.
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30
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Blomme J, Liu X, Jacobs TB, De Clerck O. A molecular toolkit for the green seaweed Ulva mutabilis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 186:1442-1454. [PMID: 33905515 PMCID: PMC8260120 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The green seaweed Ulva mutabilis is an ecologically important marine primary producer as well as a promising cash crop cultivated for multiple uses. Despite its importance, several molecular tools are still needed to better understand seaweed biology. Here, we report the development of a flexible and modular molecular cloning toolkit for the green seaweed U. mutabilis based on a Golden Gate cloning system. The toolkit presently contains 125 entry vectors, 26 destination vectors, and 107 functionally validated expression vectors. We demonstrate the importance of endogenous regulatory sequences for transgene expression and characterize three endogenous promoters suitable to drive transgene expression. We describe two vector architectures to express transgenes via two expression cassettes or a bicistronic approach. The majority of selected transformants (50%-80%) consistently give clear visual transgene expression. Furthermore, we made different marker lines for intracellular compartments after evaluating 13 transit peptides and 11 tagged endogenous Ulva genes. Our molecular toolkit enables the study of Ulva gain-of-function lines and paves the way for gene characterization and large-scale functional genomics studies in a green seaweed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Blomme
- Department of Biology, Phycology Research Group, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
- VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent 9052, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent 9052, Belgium
| | - Xiaojie Liu
- Department of Biology, Phycology Research Group, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Thomas B Jacobs
- VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent 9052, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent 9052, Belgium
| | - Olivier De Clerck
- Department of Biology, Phycology Research Group, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
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31
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Moulin SLY, Beyly-Adriano A, Cuiné S, Blangy S, Légeret B, Floriani M, Burlacot A, Sorigué D, Samire PP, Li-Beisson Y, Peltier G, Beisson F. Fatty acid photodecarboxylase is an ancient photoenzyme that forms hydrocarbons in the thylakoids of algae. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 186:1455-1472. [PMID: 33856460 PMCID: PMC8260138 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Fatty acid photodecarboxylase (FAP) is one of the few enzymes that require light for their catalytic cycle (photoenzymes). FAP was first identified in the microalga Chlorella variabilis NC64A, and belongs to an algae-specific subgroup of the glucose-methanol-choline oxidoreductase family. While the FAP from C. variabilis and its Chlamydomonas reinhardtii homolog CrFAP have demonstrated in vitro activities, their activities and physiological functions have not been studied in vivo. Furthermore, the conservation of FAP activity beyond green microalgae remains hypothetical. Here, using a C. reinhardtii FAP knockout line (fap), we showed that CrFAP is responsible for the formation of 7-heptadecene, the only hydrocarbon of this alga. We further showed that CrFAP was predominantly membrane-associated and that >90% of 7-heptadecene was recovered in the thylakoid fraction. In the fap mutant, photosynthetic activity was not affected under standard growth conditions, but was reduced after cold acclimation when light intensity varied. A phylogenetic analysis that included sequences from Tara Ocean identified almost 200 putative FAPs and indicated that FAP was acquired early after primary endosymbiosis. Within Bikonta, FAP was retained in secondary photosynthetic endosymbiosis lineages but absent from those that lost the plastid. Characterization of recombinant FAPs from various algal genera (Nannochloropsis, Ectocarpus, Galdieria, Chondrus) provided experimental evidence that FAP photochemical activity was present in red and brown algae, and was not limited to unicellular species. These results thus indicate that FAP was conserved during the evolution of most algal lineages where photosynthesis was retained, and suggest that its function is linked to photosynthetic membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solène L Y Moulin
- CEA, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix-Marseille (BIAM), UMR7265, CEA Cadarache, 13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
- Present address: Stanford University, 279 Campus Dr, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Audrey Beyly-Adriano
- CEA, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix-Marseille (BIAM), UMR7265, CEA Cadarache, 13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - Stéphan Cuiné
- CEA, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix-Marseille (BIAM), UMR7265, CEA Cadarache, 13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - Stéphanie Blangy
- CEA, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix-Marseille (BIAM), UMR7265, CEA Cadarache, 13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - Bertrand Légeret
- CEA, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix-Marseille (BIAM), UMR7265, CEA Cadarache, 13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - Magali Floriani
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV/SRTE/LECO, Cadarache, 13108 Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
| | - Adrien Burlacot
- CEA, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix-Marseille (BIAM), UMR7265, CEA Cadarache, 13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
- Present address: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, 111 Koshland Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-3102, USA
| | - Damien Sorigué
- CEA, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix-Marseille (BIAM), UMR7265, CEA Cadarache, 13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - Poutoum-Palakiyem Samire
- CEA, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix-Marseille (BIAM), UMR7265, CEA Cadarache, 13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - Yonghua Li-Beisson
- CEA, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix-Marseille (BIAM), UMR7265, CEA Cadarache, 13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - Gilles Peltier
- CEA, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix-Marseille (BIAM), UMR7265, CEA Cadarache, 13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - Fred Beisson
- CEA, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix-Marseille (BIAM), UMR7265, CEA Cadarache, 13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
- Author for communication:
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Foflonker F, Blaby-Haas CE. Colocality to Cofunctionality: Eukaryotic Gene Neighborhoods as a Resource for Function Discovery. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:650-662. [PMID: 32886760 PMCID: PMC7826186 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msaa221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Diverging from the classic paradigm of random gene order in eukaryotes, gene proximity can be leveraged to systematically identify functionally related gene neighborhoods in eukaryotes, utilizing techniques pioneered in bacteria. Current methods of identifying gene neighborhoods typically rely on sequence similarity to characterized gene products. However, this approach is not robust for nonmodel organisms like algae, which are evolutionarily distant from well-characterized model organisms. Here, we utilize a comparative genomic approach to identify evolutionarily conserved proximal orthologous gene pairs conserved across at least two taxonomic classes of green algae. A total of 317 gene neighborhoods were identified. In some cases, gene proximity appears to have been conserved since before the streptophyte–chlorophyte split, 1,000 Ma. Using functional inferences derived from reconstructed evolutionary relationships, we identified several novel functional clusters. A putative mycosporine-like amino acid, “sunscreen,” neighborhood contains genes similar to either vertebrate or cyanobacterial pathways, suggesting a novel mosaic biosynthetic pathway in green algae. One of two putative arsenic-detoxification neighborhoods includes an organoarsenical transporter (ArsJ), a glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase-like gene, homologs of which are involved in arsenic detoxification in bacteria, and a novel algal-specific phosphoglycerate kinase-like gene. Mutants of the ArsJ-like transporter and phosphoglycerate kinase-like genes in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were found to be sensitive to arsenate, providing experimental support for the role of these identified neighbors in resistance to arsenate. Potential evolutionary origins of neighborhoods are discussed, and updated annotations for formerly poorly annotated genes are presented, highlighting the potential of this strategy for functional annotation.
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Craig RJ, Hasan AR, Ness RW, Keightley PD. Comparative genomics of Chlamydomonas. THE PLANT CELL 2021; 33:1016-1041. [PMID: 33793842 PMCID: PMC8226300 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koab026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite its role as a reference organism in the plant sciences, the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii entirely lacks genomic resources from closely related species. We present highly contiguous and well-annotated genome assemblies for three unicellular C. reinhardtii relatives: Chlamydomonas incerta, Chlamydomonas schloesseri, and the more distantly related Edaphochlamys debaryana. The three Chlamydomonas genomes are highly syntenous with similar gene contents, although the 129.2 Mb C. incerta and 130.2 Mb C. schloesseri assemblies are more repeat-rich than the 111.1 Mb C. reinhardtii genome. We identify the major centromeric repeat in C. reinhardtii as a LINE transposable element homologous to Zepp (the centromeric repeat in Coccomyxa subellipsoidea) and infer that centromere locations and structure are likely conserved in C. incerta and C. schloesseri. We report extensive rearrangements, but limited gene turnover, between the minus mating type loci of these Chlamydomonas species. We produce an eight-species core-Reinhardtinia whole-genome alignment, which we use to identify several hundred false positive and missing genes in the C. reinhardtii annotation and >260,000 evolutionarily conserved elements in the C. reinhardtii genome. In summary, these resources will enable comparative genomics analyses for C. reinhardtii, significantly extending the analytical toolkit for this emerging model system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ahmed R Hasan
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Onatrio, Canada L5L 1C6
| | - Rob W Ness
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Onatrio, Canada L5L 1C6
| | - Peter D Keightley
- School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3FL Edinburgh, UK
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Van Vlierberghe M, Philippe H, Baurain D. Broadly sampled orthologous groups of eukaryotic proteins for the phylogenetic study of plastid-bearing lineages. BMC Res Notes 2021; 14:143. [PMID: 33865444 PMCID: PMC8052839 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-021-05553-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Identifying orthology relationships among sequences is essential to understand evolution, diversity of life and ancestry among organisms. To build alignments of orthologous sequences, phylogenomic pipelines often start with all-vs-all similarity searches, followed by a clustering step. For the protein clusters (orthogroups) to be as accurate as possible, proteomes of good quality are needed. Here, our objective is to assemble a data set especially suited for the phylogenomic study of algae and formerly photosynthetic eukaryotes, which implies the proper integration of organellar data, to enable distinguishing between several copies of one gene (paralogs), taking into account their cellular compartment, if necessary. DATA DESCRIPTION We submitted 73 top-quality and taxonomically diverse proteomes to OrthoFinder. We obtained 47,266 orthogroups and identified 11,775 orthogroups with at least two algae. Whenever possible, sequences were functionally annotated with eggNOG and tagged after their genomic and target compartment(s). Then we aligned and computed phylogenetic trees for the orthogroups with IQ-TREE. Finally, these trees were further processed by identifying and pruning the subtrees exclusively composed of plastid-bearing organisms to yield a set of 31,784 clans suitable for studying photosynthetic organism genome evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mick Van Vlierberghe
- InBioS - PhytoSYSTEMS, Eukaryotic Phylogenomics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Hervé Philippe
- Station D'Ecologie Théorique Et Expérimentale de Moulis, UMR CNRS 5321, Moulis, France.,Département de Biochimie, Centre Robert-Cedergren, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Denis Baurain
- InBioS - PhytoSYSTEMS, Eukaryotic Phylogenomics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
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Bhattacharjya R, Tiwari A, Marella TK, Bansal H, Srivastava S. New paradigm in diatom omics and genetic manipulation. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 325:124708. [PMID: 33487514 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.124708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Diatoms are one of the most heterogeneous eukaryotic plankton known for regulating earth's biogeochemical cycles and maintaining the marine ecosystems ever since the late Eocene epoch. The advent of multidisciplinary omics approach has both epitomized and revolutionized the nature of their chimeric genetic toolkit, ecophysiology, and metabolic adaptability as well as their interaction with other communities. In addition, advanced functional annotation of transcriptomic and proteomic data using cutting edge bioinformatics tools together with high-resolution genome-scale mathematical modeling has effectively proven as the catapult in solving genetic bottlenecks in microbial as well as diatom exploration. In this review, a corroborative summation of the robust work done in manipulating, engineering, and sequencing of the diatom genomes besides underpinning the holistic application of omics in transcription and translation has been discussed in order to shrewd their multifarious novel potential in the field of biotechnology and provide an insight into their dynamic evolutionary relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raya Bhattacharjya
- Diatom Research Laboratory, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201313, India
| | - Archana Tiwari
- Diatom Research Laboratory, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201313, India.
| | - Thomas Kiran Marella
- Algae Biomass Energy System Development Research Center (ABES), Tennodai, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
| | - Hina Bansal
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201313, India
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van Lis R, Couté Y, Brugière S, Tourasse NJ, Laurent B, Nitschke W, Vallon O, Atteia A. Phylogenetic and functional diversity of aldehyde-alcohol dehydrogenases in microalgae. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 105:497-511. [PMID: 33415608 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-020-01105-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The study shows the biochemical and enzymatic divergence between the two aldehyde-alcohol dehydrogenases of the alga Polytomella sp., shedding light on novel aspects of the enzyme evolution amid unicellular eukaryotes. Aldehyde-alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHEs) are large metalloenzymes that typically perform the two-step reduction of acetyl-CoA into ethanol. These enzymes consist of an N-terminal acetylating aldehyde dehydrogenase domain (ALDH) and a C-terminal alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) domain. ADHEs are present in various bacterial phyla as well as in some unicellular eukaryotes. Here we focus on ADHEs in microalgae, a diverse and polyphyletic group of plastid-bearing unicellular eukaryotes. Genome survey shows the uneven distribution of the ADHE gene among free-living algae, and the presence of two distinct genes in various species. We show that the non-photosynthetic Chlorophyte alga Polytomella sp. SAG 198.80 harbors two genes for ADHE-like enzymes with divergent C-terminal ADH domains. Immunoblots indicate that both ADHEs accumulate in Polytomella cells growing aerobically on acetate or ethanol. ADHE1 of ~ 105-kDa is found in particulate fractions, whereas ADHE2 of ~ 95-kDa is mostly soluble. The study of the recombinant enzymes revealed that ADHE1 has both the ALDH and ADH activities, while ADHE2 has only the ALDH activity. Phylogeny shows that the divergence occurred close to the root of the Polytomella genus within a clade formed by the majority of the Chlorophyte ADHE sequences, next to the cyanobacterial clade. The potential diversification of function in Polytomella spp. unveiled here likely took place after the loss of photosynthesis. Overall, our study provides a glimpse at the complex evolutionary history of the ADHE in microalgae which includes (i) acquisition via different gene donors, (ii) gene duplication and (iii) independent evolution of one of the two enzymatic domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert van Lis
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, BIP UMR 7281, Marseille, France
- LBE, Univ Montpellier, INRAE, Narbonne, France
| | - Yohann Couté
- Univ Grenoble Alpes, CEA, INSERM, IRIG, Grenoble, BGE, France
| | - Sabine Brugière
- Univ Grenoble Alpes, CEA, INSERM, IRIG, Grenoble, BGE, France
| | - Nicolas J Tourasse
- UMR7141 CNRS-Sorbonne Université, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France
| | - Benoist Laurent
- FR 550 CNRS, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France
| | | | - Olivier Vallon
- UMR7141 CNRS-Sorbonne Université, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France
| | - Ariane Atteia
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, BIP UMR 7281, Marseille, France.
- MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Sète, France.
- MARBEC, Station Ifremer, Avenue Jean Monnet, Sète, France.
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Lee SM, Ryu CM. Algae as New Kids in the Beneficial Plant Microbiome. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:599742. [PMID: 33613596 PMCID: PMC7889962 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.599742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Previously, algae were recognized as small prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms found only in aquatic habitats. However, according to a recent paradigm shift, algae are considered ubiquitous organisms, occurring in plant tissues as well as in soil. Accumulating evidence suggests that algae represent a member of the plant microbiome. New results indicate that plants respond to algae and activate related downstream signaling pathways. Application of algae has beneficial effects on plant health, such as plant growth promotion and disease control. Although accumulating evidence suggests that secreted compounds and cell wall components of algae induce physiological and structural changes in plants that protect against biotic and abiotic stresses, knowledge of the underlying mechanisms and algal determinants is limited. In this review, we discuss recent studies on this topic, and highlight the bioprotectant and biostimulant roles of algae as a new member of the plant beneficial microbiome for crop improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Moo Lee
- Molecular Phytobacteriology Laboratory, Infectious Disease Research Center, KRIBB, Daejeon, South Korea
- Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
- Department of Applied Bioscience, Dong-A University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Choong-Min Ryu
- Molecular Phytobacteriology Laboratory, Infectious Disease Research Center, KRIBB, Daejeon, South Korea
- Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
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Grosjean N, Blaby-Haas CE. Leveraging computational genomics to understand the molecular basis of metal homeostasis. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 228:1472-1489. [PMID: 32696981 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Genome-based data is helping to reveal the diverse strategies plants and algae use to maintain metal homeostasis. In addition to acquisition, distribution and storage of metals, acclimating to feast or famine can involve a wealth of genes that we are just now starting to understand. The fast-paced acquisition of genome-based data, however, is far outpacing our ability to experimentally characterize protein function. Computational genomic approaches are needed to fill the gap between what is known and unknown. To avoid misconstruing bioinformatically derived data, which is the root cause of the inaccurate functional annotations that plague databases, functional inferences from diverse sources and contextualization of that evidence with a robust understanding of protein family evolution is needed. Phylogenomic- and comparative-genomic-based studies can aid in the interpretation of experimental data or provide a spark for the discovery of a new function. These analyses not only lead to novel insight into a target protein's function but can generate thought-provoking insights across protein families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Grosjean
- Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, 11973, USA
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Biswal DP, Panigrahi KCS. Light- and hormone-mediated development in non-flowering plants: An overview. PLANTA 2020; 253:1. [PMID: 33245411 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-020-03501-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Light, hormones and their interaction regulate different aspects of development in non-flowering plants. They might have played a role in the evolution of different plant groups by conferring specific adaptive evolutionary changes. Plants are sessile organisms. Unlike animals, they lack the opportunity to abandon their habitat in unfavorable conditions. They respond to different environmental cues and adapt accordingly to control their growth and developmental pattern. While phytohormones are known to be internal regulators of plant development, light is a major environmental signal that shapes plant processes. It is plausible that light-hormone crosstalk might have played an important role in plant evolution. But how the crosstalk between light and phytohormone signaling pathways might have shaped the plant evolution is unclear. One of the possible reasons is that flowering plants have been studied extensively in context of plant development, which cannot serve the purpose of evolutionary comparisons. In order to elucidate the role of light, hormone and their crosstalk in the evolutionary adaptation in plant kingdom, one needs to understand various light- and hormone-mediated processes in diverse non-flowering plants. This review is an attempt to outline major light- and phytohormone-mediated responses in non-flowering plant groups such as algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes and gymnosperms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Durga Prasad Biswal
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Kishore Chandra Sekhar Panigrahi
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
- Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, 400094, India.
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Steadman CR, Banerjee S, Kunde YA, Sanders CK, Marrone BL, Twary SN. Inhibition of DNA Methylation in Picochlorum soloecismus Alters Algae Productivity. Front Genet 2020; 11:560444. [PMID: 33193644 PMCID: PMC7593850 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.560444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic organisms regulate the organization, structure, and accessibility of their genomes through chromatin remodeling that can be inherited as epigenetic modifications. These DNA and histone protein modifications are ultimately responsible for an organism's molecular adaptation to the environment, resulting in distinctive phenotypes. Epigenetic manipulation of algae holds yet untapped potential for the optimization of biofuel production and bioproduct formation; however, epigenetic machinery and modes-of-action have not been well characterized in algae. We sought to determine the extent to which the biofuel platform species Picochlorum soloecismus utilizes DNA methylation to regulate its genome. We found candidate genes with domains for DNA methylation in the P. soloecismus genome. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing revealed DNA methylation in all three cytosine contexts (CpG, CHH, and CHG). While global DNA methylation is low overall (∼1.15%), it occurs in appreciable quantities (12.1%) in CpG dinucleotides in a bimodal distribution in all genomic contexts, though terminators contain the greatest number of CpG sites per kilobase. The P. soloecismus genome becomes hypomethylated during the growth cycle in response to nitrogen starvation. Algae cultures were treated daily across the growth cycle with 20 μM 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5AZA) to inhibit propagation of DNA methylation in daughter cells. 5AZA treatment significantly increased optical density and forward and side scatter of cells across the growth cycle (16 days). This increase in cell size and complexity correlated with a significant increase (∼66%) in lipid accumulation. Site specific CpG DNA methylation was significantly altered with 5AZA treatment over the time course, though nitrogen starvation itself induced significant hypomethylation in CpG contexts. Genes involved in several biological processes, including fatty acid synthesis, had altered methylation ratios in response to 5AZA; we hypothesize that these changes are potentially responsible for the phenotype of early induction of carbon storage as lipids. This is the first report to utilize epigenetic manipulation strategies to alter algal physiology and phenotype. Collectively, these data suggest these strategies can be utilized to fine-tune metabolic responses, alter growth, and enhance environmental adaption of microalgae for desired outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina R Steadman
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Bioenergy and Biome Sciences, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - Shounak Banerjee
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Bioenergy and Biome Sciences, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - Yuliya A Kunde
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Bioenergy and Biome Sciences, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - Claire K Sanders
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Bioenergy and Biome Sciences, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - Babetta L Marrone
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Bioenergy and Biome Sciences, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - Scott N Twary
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Bioenergy and Biome Sciences, Los Alamos, NM, United States
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Khan AK, Kausar H, Jaferi SS, Drouet S, Hano C, Abbasi BH, Anjum S. An Insight into the Algal Evolution and Genomics. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E1524. [PMID: 33172219 PMCID: PMC7694994 DOI: 10.3390/biom10111524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
With the increase in biotechnological, environmental, and nutraceutical importance of algae, about 100 whole genomic sequences of algae have been published, and this figure is expected to double in the coming years. The phenotypic and ecological diversity among algae hints at the range of functional capabilities encoded by algal genomes. In order to explore the biodiversity of algae and fully exploit their commercial potential, understanding their evolutionary, structural, functional, and developmental aspects at genomic level is a pre-requisite. So forth, the algal genomic analysis revealed us that algae evolved through endosymbiotic gene transfer, giving rise to around eight phyla. Amongst the diverse algal species, the unicellular green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has attained the status of model organism as it is an ideal organism to elucidate the biological processes critical to plants and animals, as well as commercialized to produce range of bio-products. For this review, an overview of evolutionary process of algae through endosymbiosis in the light of genomics, as well as the phylogenomic, studies supporting the evolutionary process of algae was reviewed. Algal genomics not only helped us to understand the evolutionary history of algae but also may have an impact on our future by helping to create algae-based products and future biotechnological approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amna Komal Khan
- Department of Biotechnology, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore 54000, Pakistan; (A.K.K.); (H.K.); (S.S.J.)
| | - Humera Kausar
- Department of Biotechnology, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore 54000, Pakistan; (A.K.K.); (H.K.); (S.S.J.)
| | - Syyada Samra Jaferi
- Department of Biotechnology, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore 54000, Pakistan; (A.K.K.); (H.K.); (S.S.J.)
| | - Samantha Drouet
- Laboratoire de Biologie des Ligneux et des Grandes Cultures (LBLGC), INRAE USC1328, Université d’Orléans, 28000 Chartres, France; (S.D.); (C.H.)
| | - Christophe Hano
- Laboratoire de Biologie des Ligneux et des Grandes Cultures (LBLGC), INRAE USC1328, Université d’Orléans, 28000 Chartres, France; (S.D.); (C.H.)
| | - Bilal Haider Abbasi
- Department of Biotechnology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan;
| | - Sumaira Anjum
- Department of Biotechnology, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore 54000, Pakistan; (A.K.K.); (H.K.); (S.S.J.)
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From economy to luxury: Copper homeostasis in Chlamydomonas and other algae. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2020; 1867:118822. [PMID: 32800924 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Plastocyanin and cytochrome c6, abundant proteins in photosynthesis, are readouts for cellular copper status in Chlamydomonas and other algae. Their accumulation is controlled by a transcription factor copper response regulator (CRR1). The replacement of copper-containing plastocyanin with heme-containing cytochrome c6 spares copper and permits preferential copper (re)-allocation to cytochrome oxidase. Under copper-replete situations, the quota depends on abundance of various cuproproteins and is tightly regulated, except under zinc-deficiency where acidocalcisomes over-accumulate Cu(I). CRR1 has a transcriptional activation domain, a Zn-dependent DNA binding SBP-domain with a nuclear localization signal, and a C-terminal Cys-rich region that represses the zinc regulon. CRR1 activates >60 genes in Chlamydomonas through GTAC-containing CuREs; transcriptome differences are recapitulated in the proteome. The differentially-expressed genes encode assimilatory copper transporters of the CTR/SLC31 family including a novel soluble molecule, redox enzymes in the tetrapyrrole pathway that promote chlorophyll biosynthesis and photosystem 1 accumulation, and other oxygen-dependent enzymes, which may influence thylakoid membrane lipids, specifically polyunsaturated galactolipids and γ-tocopherol. CRR1 also down-regulates 2 proteins in Chlamydomonas: for plastocyanin, by activation of proteolysis, while for the di‑iron subunit of the cyclase in chlorophyll biosynthesis, through activation of an upstream promoter that generates a poorly-translated 5' extended transcript containing multiple short ORFs that inhibit translation. The functions of many CRR1-target genes are unknown, and the copper protein inventory in Chlamydomonas includes several whose functions are unexplored. The comprehensive picture of cuproproteins and copper homeostasis in this system is well-suited for reverse genetic analyses of these under-investigated components in copper biology.
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Sokolovskaya OM, Shelton AN, Taga ME. Sharing vitamins: Cobamides unveil microbial interactions. Science 2020; 369:369/6499/eaba0165. [PMID: 32631870 DOI: 10.1126/science.aba0165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Microbial communities are essential to fundamental processes on Earth. Underlying the compositions and functions of these communities are nutritional interdependencies among individual species. One class of nutrients, cobamides (the family of enzyme cofactors that includes vitamin B12), is widely used for a variety of microbial metabolic functions, but these structurally diverse cofactors are synthesized by only a subset of bacteria and archaea. Advances at different scales of study-from individual isolates, to synthetic consortia, to complex communities-have led to an improved understanding of cobamide sharing. Here, we discuss how cobamides affect microbes at each of these three scales and how integrating different approaches leads to a more complete understanding of microbial interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga M Sokolovskaya
- Department of Plant & Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Amanda N Shelton
- Department of Plant & Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Michiko E Taga
- Department of Plant & Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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Balzano S, Sardo A, Blasio M, Chahine TB, Dell’Anno F, Sansone C, Brunet C. Microalgal Metallothioneins and Phytochelatins and Their Potential Use in Bioremediation. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:517. [PMID: 32431671 PMCID: PMC7216689 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The persistence of heavy metals (HMs) in the environment causes adverse effects to all living organisms; HMs accumulate along the food chain affecting different levels of biological organizations, from cells to tissues. HMs enter cells through transporter proteins and can bind to enzymes and nucleic acids interfering with their functioning. Strategies used by microalgae to minimize HM toxicity include the biosynthesis of metal-binding peptides that chelate metal cations inhibiting their activity. Metal-binding peptides include genetically encoded metallothioneins (MTs) and enzymatically produced phytochelatins (PCs). A number of techniques, including genetic engineering, focus on increasing the biosynthesis of MTs and PCs in microalgae. The present review reports the current knowledge on microalgal MTs and PCs and describes the state of art of their use for HM bioremediation and other putative biotechnological applications, also emphasizing on techniques aimed at increasing the cellular concentrations of MTs and PCs. In spite of the broad metabolic and chemical diversity of microalgae that are currently receiving increasing attention by biotechnological research, knowledge on MTs and PCs from these organisms is still limited to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Balzano
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Napoli (SZN), Naples, Italy
- NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Den Burg, Netherlands
| | - Angela Sardo
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Napoli (SZN), Naples, Italy
| | - Martina Blasio
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Napoli (SZN), Naples, Italy
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Andolfo G, Di Donato A, Chiaiese P, De Natale A, Pollio A, Jones JDG, Frusciante L, Ercolano MR. Alien Domains Shaped the Modular Structure of Plant NLR Proteins. Genome Biol Evol 2020; 11:3466-3477. [PMID: 31730154 PMCID: PMC7145615 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evz248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant innate immunity mostly relies on nucleotide-binding (NB) and leucine-rich repeat (LRR) intracellular receptors to detect pathogen-derived molecules and to induce defense responses. A multitaxa reconstruction of NB-domain associations allowed us to identify the first NB–LRR arrangement in the Chlorophyta division of the Viridiplantae. Our analysis points out that the basic NOD-like receptor (NLR) unit emerged in Chlorophytes by horizontal transfer and its diversification started from Toll/interleukin receptor–NB–LRR members. The operon-based genomic structure of Chromochloris zofingiensis NLR copies suggests a functional origin of NLR clusters. Moreover, the transmembrane signatures of NLR proteins in the unicellular alga C. zofingiensis support the hypothesis that the NLR-based immunity system of plants derives from a cell-surface surveillance system. Taken together, our findings suggest that NLRs originated in unicellular algae and may have a common origin with cell-surface LRR receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Andolfo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Portici (Naples), Italy
| | - Antimo Di Donato
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Portici (Naples), Italy
| | - Pasquale Chiaiese
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Portici (Naples), Italy
| | | | - Antonino Pollio
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Italy
| | - Jonathan D G Jones
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, NR4 7UH Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Luigi Frusciante
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Portici (Naples), Italy
| | - Maria Raffaella Ercolano
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Portici (Naples), Italy
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Mining Natural Product Biosynthesis in Eukaryotic Algae. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:md18020090. [PMID: 32019095 PMCID: PMC7073580 DOI: 10.3390/md18020090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic algae are an extremely diverse category of photosynthetic organisms and some species produce highly potent bioactive compounds poisonous to humans or other animals, most notably observed during harmful algal blooms. These natural products include some of the most poisonous small molecules known and unique cyclic polyethers. However, the diversity and complexity of algal genomes means that sequencing-based research has lagged behind research into more readily sequenced microbes, such as bacteria and fungi. Applying informatics techniques to the algal genomes that are now available reveals new natural product biosynthetic pathways, with different groups of algae containing different types of pathways. There is some evidence for gene clusters and the biosynthetic logic of polyketides enables some prediction of these final products. For other pathways, it is much more challenging to predict the products and there may be many gene clusters that are not identified with the automated tools. These results suggest that there is a great diversity of biosynthetic capacity for natural products encoded in the genomes of algae and suggest areas for future research focus.
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