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Bedard S, Roxborough E, O'Neill E, Mangal V. The biomolecules of Euglena gracilis: Harnessing biology for natural solutions to future problems. Protist 2024; 175:126044. [PMID: 38823247 DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2024.126044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Over the past decade, the autotrophic and heterotrophic protist Euglena gracilis (E. gracilis) has gained popularity across the studies of environmental science, biosynthesis experiments, and nutritional substitutes. The unique physiology and versatile metabolism of E. gracilis have been a recent topic of interest to many researchers who continue to understand the complexity and possibilities of using E. gracilis biomolecule production. In this review, we present a comprehensive representation of recent literature outlining the various uses of biomolecules derived from E. gracilis across the fields of natural product biosynthesis, as a nutritional substitute, and as bioremediation tools. In addition, we highlight effective strategies for altering metabolite production using abiotic stressors and growth conditions. To better understand metabolite biosynthesis and its role in E. gracilis, integrated studies involving genomics, metabolomics, and proteomics should be considered. Together, we show how the ongoing advancements in E. gracilis related research continue to broaden applications in the biosynthetic sector and highlight future works that would strengthen our understanding of overall Euglena metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bedard
- Department of Chemistry, Brock University. 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catherines, Ontario L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - E Roxborough
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - E O'Neill
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - V Mangal
- Department of Chemistry, Brock University. 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catherines, Ontario L2S 3A1, Canada.
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Gumińska N, Hałakuc P, Zakryś B, Milanowski R. Circular extrachromosomal DNA in Euglena gracilis under normal and stress conditions. Protist 2024; 175:126033. [PMID: 38574508 DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2024.126033] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) enhances genomic plasticity, augmenting its coding and regulatory potential. Advances in high-throughput sequencing have enabled the investigation of these structural variants. Although eccDNAs have been investigated in numerous taxa, they remained understudied in euglenids. Therefore, we examined eccDNAs predicted from Illumina sequencing data of Euglena gracilis Z SAG 1224-5/25, grown under optimal photoperiod and exposed to UV irradiation. We identified approximately 1000 unique eccDNA candidates, about 20% of which were shared across conditions. We also observed a significant enrichment of mitochondrially encoded eccDNA in the UV-irradiated sample. Furthermore, we found that the heterogeneity of eccDNA was reduced in UV-exposed samples compared to cells that were grown in optimal conditions. Hence, eccDNA appears to play a role in the response to oxidative stress in Euglena, as it does in other studied organisms. In addition to contributing to the understanding of Euglena genomes, our results contribute to the validation of bioinformatics pipelines on a large, non-model genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Gumińska
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, 101 Żwirki i Wigury Street, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland; Laboratory of RNA Biology, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, 4 Ks. Trojdena Street, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Paweł Hałakuc
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, 101 Żwirki i Wigury Street, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bożena Zakryś
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, 101 Żwirki i Wigury Street, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rafał Milanowski
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, 101 Żwirki i Wigury Street, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland.
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Field MC. Ras superfamily GTPases and signal transduction in Euglena gracilis. Protist 2024; 175:126017. [PMID: 38295671 DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2024.126017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Biological complexity is challenging to define, but can be considered through one or more features, including overall genome size, number of genes, morphological features, multicellularity, number of life cycle stages and the ability to adapt to different environments. Euglena gracilis meets several of these criteria, with a large genome of ∼38,000 protein coding genes and a considerable ability to survive under many different conditions, some of which can be described as challenging or harsh. Potential molecular exemplars of complexity tying these aspects together are signalling pathways, including GTPases, kinases and ubiquitylation, which increase the functionality of the gene-encoded proteome manyfold. Each of these examples can modulate both protein activity and gene expression. To address the connection between genome size and complexity I have undertaken a brief, and somewhat qualitative, survey of the small ras-like GTPase superfamily of E. gracilis. Unexpectedly, apart from Rab-GTPases which control intracellular transport and organelle identify, the size of the GTPase cohort is modest, and, for example, has not scaled with gene number when compared to the close relatives, trypanosomatids. I suggest that understanding the functions of this protein family will be vital to uncovering the complexity of E. gracilis biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark C Field
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK; Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
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Richtová J, Bazalová O, Horák A, Tomčala A, Gonepogu VG, Oborník M, Doležel D. Circadian rhythms and circadian clock gene homologs of complex alga Chromera velia. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1226027. [PMID: 38143581 PMCID: PMC10739334 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1226027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Most organisms on Earth are affected by periodic changes in their environment. The circadian clock is an endogenous device that synchronizes behavior, physiology, or biochemical processes to an approximately 24-hour cycle, allowing organisms to anticipate the periodic changes of day and night. Although circadian clocks are widespread in organisms, the actual molecular components differ remarkably among the clocks of plants, animals, fungi, and prokaryotes. Chromera velia is the closest known photosynthetic relative of apicomplexan parasites. Formation of its motile stage, zoospores, has been described as associated with the light part of the day. We examined the effects on the periodic release of the zoospores under different light conditions and investigated the influence of the spectral composition on zoosporogenesis. We performed a genomic search for homologs of known circadian clock genes. Our results demonstrate the presence of an almost 24-hour free-running cycle of zoosporogenesis. We also identified the blue light spectra as the essential compound for zoosporogenesis. Further, we developed a new and effective method for zoospore separation from the culture and estimated the average motility speed and lifespan of the C. velia zoospores. Our genomic search identified six cryptochrome-like genes, two genes possibly related to Arabidopsis thaliana CCA/LHY, whereas no homolog of an animal, cyanobacterial, or fungal circadian clock gene was found. Our results suggest that C. velia has a functional circadian clock, probably based mainly on a yet undefined mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitka Richtová
- Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Parasitology, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Olga Bazalová
- Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Aleš Horák
- Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Parasitology, České Budějovice, Czechia
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Aleš Tomčala
- Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia, Vodňany, Czechia
| | - Vijaya Geetha Gonepogu
- Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Parasitology, České Budějovice, Czechia
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Miroslav Oborník
- Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Parasitology, České Budějovice, Czechia
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - David Doležel
- Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czechia
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
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Lu T, Zhang T, Yang W, Yang B, Cao J, Yang Y, Li M. Molecular Toxicity Mechanism Induced by the Antibacterial Agent Triclosan in Freshwater Euglena gracilis Based on the Transcriptome. TOXICS 2023; 11:toxics11050414. [PMID: 37235229 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11050414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Triclosan (TCS), a commonly used antibacterial preservative, has been demonstrated to have high toxicological potential and adversely affects the water bodies. Since algae are one of the most significant primary producers on the planet, understanding the toxicological processes of TCS is critical for determining its risk in aquatic ecosystems and managing the water environment. The physiological and transcriptome changes in Euglena gracilis were studied in this study after 7 days of TCS treatment. A distinct inhibition ratio for the photosynthetic pigment content in E. gracilis was observed from 2.64% to 37.42% at 0.3-1.2 mg/L, with TCS inhibiting photosynthesis and growth of the algae by up to 38.62%. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase significantly changed after exposure to TCS, compared to the control, indicating that the cellular antioxidant defense responses were induced. Based on transcriptomics, the differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in biological processes involved in metabolism pathways and microbial metabolism in diverse environments. Integrating transcriptomics and biochemical indicators found that changed reactive oxygen species and antioxidant enzyme activities stimulating algal cell damage and the inhibition of metabolic pathways controlled by the down-regulation of differentially expressed genes were the main toxic mechanisms of TCS exposure to E. gracilis. These findings establish the groundwork for future research into the molecular toxicity to microalgae induced by aquatic pollutants, as well as provide fundamental data and recommendations for TCS ecological risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Weishu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Bin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jing Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yang Yang
- School of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Mei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
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Inwongwan S, Pekkoh J, Pumas C, Sattayawat P. Metabolic network reconstruction of Euglena gracilis: Current state, challenges, and applications. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1143770. [PMID: 36937274 PMCID: PMC10018167 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1143770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A metabolic model, representing all biochemical reactions in a cell, is a prerequisite for several approaches in systems biology used to explore the metabolic phenotype of an organism. Despite the use of Euglena in diverse industrial applications and as a biological model, there is limited understanding of its metabolic network capacity. The unavailability of the completed genome data and the highly complex evolution of Euglena are significant obstacles to the reconstruction and analysis of its genome-scale metabolic model. In this mini-review, we discuss the current state and challenges of metabolic network reconstruction in Euglena gracilis. We have collated and present the available relevant data for the metabolic network reconstruction of E. gracilis, which could be used to improve the quality of the metabolic model of E. gracilis. Furthermore, we deliver the potential applications of the model in metabolic engineering. Altogether, it is supposed that this mini-review would facilitate the investigation of metabolic networks in Euglena and further lay out a direction for model-assisted metabolic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahutchai Inwongwan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilizations, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Jeeraporn Pekkoh
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilizations, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Chayakorn Pumas
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Research Center in Bioresources for Agriculture, Industry and Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Pachara Sattayawat
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilizations, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Research Center in Bioresources for Agriculture, Industry and Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- *Correspondence: Pachara Sattayawat,
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He J, Du M, Chen Y, Liu Y, Zhang J(K, Fu W, Lei A, Wang J. Fatty Acid Accumulations and Transcriptome Analyses Under Different Treatments in a Model Microalga Euglena gracilis. FRONTIERS IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fceng.2022.884451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
With the continuous growth of the world’s population and the increasing development of industrialization, the demand for energy by human beings has been expanding, resulting in an increasingly severe energy crisis. Microalgae are considered the most potential alternatives to traditional fossil fuels due to their many advantages, like fast growth rate, strong carbon sequestration capacity, and low growth environment requirements. Euglena can use carbon sources such as glucose, ethanol, and others for heterotrophic growth. Moreover, Euglena is highly adaptable to the environment and has a high tolerance to various environmental stresses, such as salinity, heavy metals, antibiotics, etc. Different treatments of Euglena cells could affect their growth and the accumulation of bioactive substances, especially fatty acids. To expand the industrial application of Euglena as a potential biodiesel candidate, we determine the physiological responses of Euglena against environmental stresses (antibiotics, heavy metals, salinity) or carbon resources (glucose and ethanol), and evaluate the potential for higher quality and yield of fatty acid with a high growth rate. Adding glucose into the culture media increases cell biomass and fatty acid production with high-quality biodiesel characters. The transcriptome analysis helped explore the possible regulation and biosynthesis of fatty acids under different treatments and exploited in the improvement of biodiesel production. This study provides insights for further improvement and various culture treatments for Euglena-based biodiesel and jet fuels.
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