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Li J, Wu S, Zhang K, Sun X, Lin W, Wang C, Lin S. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat/CRISPR-Associated Protein and Its Utility All at Sea: Status, Challenges, and Prospects. Microorganisms 2024; 12:118. [PMID: 38257946 PMCID: PMC10820777 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010118] [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: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Initially discovered over 35 years ago in the bacterium Escherichia coli as a defense system against invasion of viral (or other exogenous) DNA into the genome, CRISPR/Cas has ushered in a new era of functional genetics and served as a versatile genetic tool in all branches of life science. CRISPR/Cas has revolutionized the methodology of gene knockout with simplicity and rapidity, but it is also powerful for gene knock-in and gene modification. In the field of marine biology and ecology, this tool has been instrumental in the functional characterization of 'dark' genes and the documentation of the functional differentiation of gene paralogs. Powerful as it is, challenges exist that have hindered the advances in functional genetics in some important lineages. This review examines the status of applications of CRISPR/Cas in marine research and assesses the prospect of quickly expanding the deployment of this powerful tool to address the myriad fundamental marine biology and biological oceanography questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiashun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361101, China
| | - Shuaishuai Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361101, China
| | - Kaidian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in the South China Sea, School of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Hainan University, Haikou 570203, China
| | - Xueqiong Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361101, China
| | - Wenwen Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361101, China
| | - Cong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361101, China
| | - Senjie Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361101, China
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, CT 06340, USA
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Recent Advances in Marine Microalgae Production: Highlighting Human Health Products from Microalgae in View of the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). FERMENTATION-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/fermentation8090466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Blue biotechnology can greatly help solve some of the most serious social problems due to its wide biodiversity, which includes marine environments. Microalgae are important resources for human needs as an alternative to terrestrial plants because of their rich biodiversity, rapid growth, and product contributions in many fields. The production scheme for microalgae biomass mainly consists of two processes: (I) the Build-Up process and (II) the Pull-Down process. The Build-Up process consists of (1) the super strain concept and (2) cultivation aspects. The Pull-Down process includes (1) harvesting and (2) drying algal biomass. In some cases, such as the manufacture of algal products, the (3) extraction of bioactive compounds is included. Microalgae have a wide range of commercial applications, such as in aquaculture, biofertilizer, bioenergy, pharmaceuticals, and functional foods, which have several industrial and academic applications around the world. The efficiency and success of biomedical products derived from microalgal biomass or its metabolites mainly depend on the technologies used in the cultivation, harvesting, drying, and extraction of microalgae bioactive molecules. The current review focuses on recent advanced technologies that enhance microalgae biomass within microalgae production schemes. Moreover, the current work highlights marine drugs and human health products derived from microalgae that can improve human immunity and reduce viral activities, especially COVID-19.
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Kuo EY, Yang RY, Chin YY, Chien YL, Chen YC, Wei CY, Kao LJ, Chang YH, Li YJ, Chen TY, Lee TM. Multi-omics approaches and genetic engineering of metabolism for improved biorefinery and wastewater treatment in microalgae. Biotechnol J 2022; 17:e2100603. [PMID: 35467782 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202100603] [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: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Microalgae, a group of photosynthetic microorganisms rich in diverse and novel bioactive metabolites, have been explored for the production of biofuels, high value-added compounds as food and feeds, and pharmaceutical chemicals as agents with therapeutic benefits. This article reviews the development of omics resources and genetic engineering techniques including gene transformation methodologies, mutagenesis, and genome-editing tools in microalgae biorefinery and wastewater treatment. The introduction of these enlisted techniques has simplified the understanding of complex metabolic pathways undergoing microalgal cells. The multiomics approach of the integrated omics datasets, big data analysis, and machine learning for the discovery of objective traits and genes responsible for metabolic pathways was reviewed. Recent advances and limitations of multiomics analysis and genetic bioengineering technology to facilitate the improvement of microalgae as the dual role of wastewater treatment and biorefinery feedstock production are discussed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva YuHua Kuo
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan.,Frontier Center for Ocean Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
| | - Ru-Yin Yang
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
| | - Yuan Yu Chin
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Lin Chien
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan.,Frontier Center for Ocean Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
| | - Yu Chu Chen
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yu Wei
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
| | - Li-Jung Kao
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hua Chang
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jia Li
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
| | - Te-Yuan Chen
- Doctoral Degree Program in Marine Biotechnology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
| | - Tse-Min Lee
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan.,Frontier Center for Ocean Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan.,Doctoral Degree Program in Marine Biotechnology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
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Li M, Wang D, Long X, Hao Z, Lu Y, Zhou Y, Peng Y, Cheng T, Shi J, Chen J. Agrobacterium-Mediated Genetic Transformation of Embryogenic Callus in a Liriodendron Hybrid ( L. Chinense × L. Tulipifera). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:802128. [PMID: 35371158 PMCID: PMC8970691 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.802128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A highly efficient genetic transformation system of Liriodendron hybrid embryogenic calli through Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation was established and optimized. The Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105, harboring the plasmid pBI121, which contained the ß-glucuronidase (GUS) gene and neomycin phosphotransferase II (npt II) gene under the control of the CaMV35S promoter, was used for transformation. Embryogenic calli were used as the starting explant to study several factors affecting the Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of the Liriodendron hybrid, including the effects of various media, selection by different Geneticin (G418) concentrations, pre-culture period, Agrobacterium optical density, infection duration, co-cultivation period, and delayed selection. Transformed embryogenic calli were obtained through selection on medium containing 90 mg L-1 G418. Plant regeneration was achieved and selected via somatic embryogenesis on medium containing 15 mg L-1 G418. The optimal conditions included a pre-culture time of 2 days, a co-culture time of 3 days, an optimal infection time of 10 min, and a delayed selection time of 7 days. These conditions, combined with an OD600 value of 0.6, remarkably enhanced the transformation rate. The results of GUS chemical tissue staining, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and southern blot analysis demonstrated that the GUS gene was successfully expressed and integrated into the Liriodendron hybrid genome. A transformation efficiency of 60.7% was achieved for the regenerated callus clumps. Transgenic plantlets were obtained in 5 months, and the PCR analysis showed that 97.5% of plants from the tested G418-resistant lines were PCR positive. The study of the Liriodendron hybrid reported here will facilitate the insertion of functional genes into the Liriodendron hybrid via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiping Li
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Biotechnology of Ministry of Education of China, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Biotechnology of Ministry of Education of China, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaofei Long
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Biotechnology of Ministry of Education of China, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhaodong Hao
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Biotechnology of Ministry of Education of China, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ye Lu
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Biotechnology of Ministry of Education of China, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanwei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Biotechnology of Ministry of Education of China, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ye Peng
- College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tielong Cheng
- College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jisen Shi
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Biotechnology of Ministry of Education of China, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinhui Chen
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Biotechnology of Ministry of Education of China, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
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Lu Y, Gu X, Lin H, Melis A. Engineering microalgae: transition from empirical design to programmable cells. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2021; 41:1233-1256. [PMID: 34130561 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2021.1917507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Domesticated microalgae hold great promise for the sustainable provision of various bioresources for human domestic and industrial consumption. Efforts to exploit their potential are far from being fully realized due to limitations in the know-how of microalgal engineering. The associated technologies are not as well developed as those for heterotrophic microbes, cyanobacteria, and plants. However, recent studies on microalgal metabolic engineering, genome editing, and synthetic biology have immensely helped to enhance transformation efficiencies and are bringing new insights into this field. Therefore, this article, summarizes recent developments in microalgal biotechnology and examines the prospects for generating specialty and commodity products through the processes of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. After a brief examination of empirical engineering methods and vector design, this article focuses on quantitative transformation cassette design, elaborates on target editing methods and emerging digital design of algal cellular metabolism to arrive at high yields of valuable products. These advances have enabled a transition of manners in microalgal engineering from single-gene and enzyme-based metabolic engineering to systems-level precision engineering, from cells created with genetically modified (GM) tags to that without GM tags, and ultimately from proof of concept to tangible industrial applications. Finally, future trends are proposed in microalgal engineering, aiming to establish individualized transformation systems in newly identified species for strain-specific specialty and commodity products, while developing sophisticated universal toolkits in model algal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yandu Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in the South China Sea, College of Oceanology, Hainan University, Haikou, China.,Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Xinping Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in the South China Sea, College of Oceanology, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Hanzhi Lin
- Institute of Marine & Environmental Technology, Center for Environmental Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Anastasios Melis
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
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Agrobacterium tumefaciens-Mediated Nuclear Transformation of a Biotechnologically Important Microalga- Euglena gracilis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126299. [PMID: 34208268 PMCID: PMC8230907 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Euglena gracilis (E. gracilis) is an attractive organism due to its evolutionary history and substantial potential to produce biochemicals of commercial importance. This study describes the establishment of an optimized protocol for the genetic transformation of E. gracilis mediated by Agrobacterium (A. tumefaciens). E. gracilis was found to be highly sensitive to hygromycin and zeocin, thus offering a set of resistance marker genes for the selection of transformants. A. tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) yielded hygromycin-resistant cells. However, hygromycin-resistant cells hosting the gus gene (encoding β-glucuronidase (GUS)) were found to be GUS-negative, indicating that the gus gene had explicitly been silenced. To circumvent transgene silencing, GUS was expressed from the nuclear genome as transcriptional fusions with the hygromycin resistance gene (hptII) (encoding hygromycin phosphotransferase II) with the foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV)-derived 2A self-cleaving sequence placed between the coding sequences. ATMT of Euglena with the hptII-2A–gus gene yielded hygromycin-resistant, GUS-positive cells. The transformation was verified by PCR amplification of the T-DNA region genes, determination of GUS activity, and indirect immunofluorescence assays. Cocultivation factors optimization revealed that a higher number of transformants was obtained when A. tumefaciens LBA4404 (A600 = 1.0) and E. gracilis (A750 = 2.0) cultures were cocultured for 48 h at 19 °C in an organic medium (pH 6.5) containing 50 µM acetosyringone. Transformation efficiency of 8.26 ± 4.9% was achieved under the optimized cocultivation parameters. The molecular toolkits and method presented here can be used to bioengineer E. gracilis for producing high-value products and fundamental studies.
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Sharma PK, Goud VV, Yamamoto Y, Sahoo L. Efficient Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated stable genetic transformation of green microalgae, Chlorella sorokiniana. 3 Biotech 2021; 11:196. [PMID: 33927987 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-021-02750-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The green oleaginous microalgae, Chlorella sorokiniana, is a highly productive Chlorella species and a potential host for the production of biofuel, nutraceuticals, and recombinant therapeutic proteins. The lack of a stable and efficient genetic transformation system is the major bottleneck in improving this species. We report an efficient and stable Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation system for the first time in C. sorokiniana. Cocultivation of C. sorokiniana cells (optical density at λ 680 = 1.0) with Agrobacterium at a cell density of OD600 = 0.6, on BG11 agar medium (pH 5.6) supplemented with 100 μM of acetosyringone, for three days at 25 ± 2 °C in the dark, resulted in significantly higher transformation efficiency (220 ± 5 hygromycin-resistant colonies per 106 cells). Transformed cells primarily selected on BG11 liquid medium with 30 mg/L hygromycin followed by selecting homogenous transformants on BG11 agar medium with 75 mg/L hygromycin. PCR analysis confirmed the presence of hptII, and the absence of virG amplification ruled out the Agrobacterium contamination in transformed microalgal cells. Southern hybridization confirmed the integration of the hptII gene into the genome of C. sorokiniana. The qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses confirmed hptII and GUS gene expression in the transgenic cell lines. The specific growth rate, biomass doubling time, PSII activity, and fatty-acid profile of transformed cells were found similar to wild-type untransformed cells, clearly indicating the growth and basic metabolic processes not compromised by transgene expression. This protocol can facilitate opportunities for future production of biofuel, carotenoids, nutraceuticals, and therapeutic proteins. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-021-02750-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabin Kumar Sharma
- Centre for Energy, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039 India
| | - Vaibhab V Goud
- Centre for Energy, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039 India
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039 India
| | - Y Yamamoto
- Department of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, 501-1194 Japan
| | - Lingaraj Sahoo
- Centre for Energy, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039 India
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039 India
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Exploration of space to achieve scientific breakthroughs. Biotechnol Adv 2020; 43:107572. [PMID: 32540473 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Living organisms adapt to changing environments using their amazing flexibility to remodel themselves by a process called evolution. Environmental stress causes selective pressure and is associated with genetic and phenotypic shifts for better modifications, maintenance, and functioning of organismal systems. The natural evolution process can be used in complement to rational strain engineering for the development of desired traits or phenotypes as well as for the production of novel biomaterials through the imposition of one or more selective pressures. Space provides a unique environment of stressors (e.g., weightlessness and high radiation) that organisms have never experienced on Earth. Cells in the outer space reorganize and develop or activate a range of molecular responses that lead to changes in cellular properties. Exposure of cells to the outer space will lead to the development of novel variants more efficiently than on Earth. For instance, natural crop varieties can be generated with higher nutrition value, yield, and improved features, such as resistance against high and low temperatures, salt stress, and microbial and pest attacks. The review summarizes the literature on the parameters of outer space that affect the growth and behavior of cells and organisms as well as complex colloidal systems. We illustrate an understanding of gravity-related basic biological mechanisms and enlighten the possibility to explore the outer space environment for application-oriented aspects. This will stimulate biological research in the pursuit of innovative approaches for the future of agriculture and health on Earth.
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The Microalgae Biorefinery: A Perspective on the Current Status and Future Opportunities Using Genetic Modification. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/app9224793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
There is clear scientific evidence that emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), arising from fossil fuel combustion and land-use change as a result of human activities, are perturbing the Earth’s climate. Microalgae-derived biofuels have been chased since the 1980s without success but, lately, a new biorefinery concept is receiving increasing attention. Here, we discuss the possible solutions to the many problems that make this process unrealised to date, considering also the possibility of including genetically modified (GM) organisms to improve the productivity and process economics. Currently, unless coupled to a service or higher value product production, biofuels derived from microalgae fail to achieve economic reality. However, provided sufficient development of new technologies, potentially including new or improved organisms to lower both production and processing costs, as well as looking at the utility of distributed versus centralised production models, algae biofuels could achieve an impact, off-setting our heavy reliance on petroleum-based liquid fuels.
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Abstract
Microalgae are unicellular organisms that act as the crucial primary producers all over the world, typically found in marine and freshwater environments. Most of them can live photo-autotrophically, reproduce rapidly, and accumulate biomass in a short period efficiently. To adapt to the uninterrupted change of the environment, they evolve and differentiate continuously. As a result, some of them evolve special abilities such as toleration of extreme environment, generation of sophisticated structure to adapt to the environment, and avoid predators. Microalgae are believed to be promising bioreactors because of their high lipid and pigment contents. Genetic engineering technologies have given revolutions in the microalgal industry, which decoded the secrets of microalgal genes, express recombinant genes in microalgal genomes, and largely soar the accumulation of interested components in transgenic microalgae. However, owing to several obstructions, the industry of transgenic microalgae is still immature. Here, we provide an overview to emphasize the advantage and imperfection of the existing transgenic microalgal bioreactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Cong Liang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ming-Hua Liang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Guo Jiang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
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Prasad B, Lein W, Thiyam G, Lindenberger CP, Buchholz R, Vadakedath N. Stable nuclear transformation of rhodophyte species Porphyridium purpureum: advanced molecular tools and an optimized method. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2019; 140:173-188. [PMID: 30276605 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-018-0587-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A mutated phytoene desaturase (pds) gene, pds-L504R, conferring resistance to the herbicide norflurazon has been reported as a dominant selectable marker for the genetic engineering of microalgae (Steinbrenner and Sandmann in Appl Environ Microbiol 72:7477-7484, 2006; Prasad et al. in Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 98(20):8629-8639, 2014). However, this mutated genomic clone harbors several introns and the entire expression cassette including its native promoter and terminator has a length > 5.6 kb, making it unsuitable as a standard selection marker. Therefore, we designed a synthetic, short pds gene (syn-pds-int) by removing introns and unwanted internal restriction sites, adding suitable restriction sites for cloning purposes, and introduced the first intron from the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii RbcS2 gene close to the 5'end without changing the amino acid sequence. The syn-pds-int gene (1872 bp) was cloned into pCAMBIA 1380 under the control of a short sequence (615 bp) of the promoter of pds (pCAMBIA 1380-syn-pds-int). This vector and the plasmid pCAMBIA1380-pds-L504R hosting the mutated genomic pds were used for transformation studies. To broaden the existing transformation portfolio, the rhodophyte Porphyridium purpureum was targeted. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of P. purpureum with both the forms of pds gene, pds-L504R or syn-pds-int, yielded norflurazon-resistant (NR) cells. This is the first report of a successful nuclear transformation of P. purpureum. Transformation efficiency and lethal norflurazon dosage were determined to evaluate the usefulness of syn-pds-int gene and functionality of the short promoter of pds. PCR and Southern blot analysis confirmed transgene integration into the microalga. Both forms of pds gene expressed efficiently as evidenced by the stability, tolerance and the qRT-PCR analysis. The molecular toolkits and transformation method presented here could be used to genetically engineer P. purpureum for fundamental studies as well as for the production of high-value-added compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binod Prasad
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordan-Straße 3, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Lein
- Institute for Biotechnology, Technical University Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Biotechnology, Dongseo University, Busan, South Korea
| | - General Thiyam
- Department of Biotechnology, Dongseo University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Christoph Peter Lindenberger
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen Nuremberg Busan Campus, 1276 Jisa-Dong, Gangseo-Gu, Busan, 618-230, South Korea
| | - Rainer Buchholz
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordan-Straße 3, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nithya Vadakedath
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordan-Straße 3, 91052, Erlangen, Germany.
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Molina-Márquez A, Vila M, Vigara J, Borrero A, León R. The Bacterial Phytoene Desaturase-Encoding Gene ( CRTI) is an Efficient Selectable Marker for the Genetic Transformation of Eukaryotic Microalgae. Metabolites 2019; 9:E49. [PMID: 30871061 PMCID: PMC6468381 DOI: 10.3390/metabo9030049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic manipulation shows great promise to further boost the productivity of microalgae-based compounds. However, selection of microalgal transformants depends mainly on the use of antibiotics, which have raised concerns about their potential impacts on human health and the environment. We propose the use of a synthetic phytoene desaturase-encoding gene (CRTIop) as a selectable marker and the bleaching herbicide norflurazon as a selective agent for the genetic transformation of microalgae. Bacterial phytoene desaturase (CRTI), which, unlike plant and algae phytoene desaturase (PDS), is not sensitive to norflurazon, catalyzes the conversion of the colorless carotenoid phytoene into lycopene. Although the expression of CRTI has been described to increase the carotenoid content in plant cells, its use as a selectable marker has never been testedin algae or in plants. In this study, a version of the CRTI gene adapted to the codon usage of Chlamydomonas has been synthesized, and its suitability to be used as selectable marker has been shown. The microalgae were transformed by the glass bead agitation method and selected in the presence of norflurazon. Average transformation efficiencies of 550 colonies µg-1 DNA were obtained. All the transformants tested had incorporated the CRTIop gene in their genomes and were able to synthesize colored carotenoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Molina-Márquez
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Marine International Campus of Excellence (CEIMAR), University of Huelva, 2110 Huelva, Spain.
| | - Marta Vila
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Marine International Campus of Excellence (CEIMAR), University of Huelva, 2110 Huelva, Spain.
- PhycoGenetics SL, C/Joan Miró Nº6, Aljaraque, 21110 Huelva, Spain.
| | - Javier Vigara
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Marine International Campus of Excellence (CEIMAR), University of Huelva, 2110 Huelva, Spain.
| | - Ana Borrero
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Marine International Campus of Excellence (CEIMAR), University of Huelva, 2110 Huelva, Spain.
| | - Rosa León
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Marine International Campus of Excellence (CEIMAR), University of Huelva, 2110 Huelva, Spain.
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Bt Md Nasir NAN, Islam AKMA, Anuar N, Yaakob Z. Genetic Improvement and Challenges for Cultivation of Microalgae for Biodiesel: A Review. MINI-REV ORG CHEM 2019. [DOI: 10.2174/1570193x15666180627115502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Microalgae are a viable alternative for biofuel production to replace the world dependency on
fossil fuel. It has a wide range of application for the sustainable production of biomaterials. Microalgae
can convert solar energy into important natural components by utilizing marginal nutrients, wastewater
and exhaust CO2 without sharing expensive crop field. Microalgae also have the potentiality to generate
several promising components such as Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs), organic pigments and
pharmaceutically important hydrocarbons. Cultivation and production of microalgae biomass have multifaceted
challenges due to the requirement of large volume of water for the algae growth, high processing
cost and contamination by pathogens. Genetic improvement and modifications are essential to
construct superior microalgae for manufacturing industries using various methods such as selection of
novel strain, stress tolerance, resistance to pathogens, product development and metabolic pathways and
cellular contents. In addition, technologies related to cultivation, harvesting, extraction and processing
are essential to develop for the growth of novel microalgae strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nor-Anis N. Bt Md Nasir
- Department of Plant Science, Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Kampus, 25710, Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia
| | - A. K. M. Aminul Islam
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh
| | - Nurina Anuar
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Selangor, 43600, Malaysia
| | - Zahira Yaakob
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Selangor, 43600, Malaysia
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Khatiwada B, Kautto L, Sunna A, Sun A, Nevalainen H. Nuclear transformation of the versatile microalga Euglena gracilis. ALGAL RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2018.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Dehghani J, Adibkia K, Movafeghi A, Barzegari A, Pourseif MM, Maleki Kakelar H, Golchin A, Omidi Y. Stable transformation of Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis: a promising microalga for production of edible vaccines. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:9267-9278. [PMID: 30159589 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-9296-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2018] [Revised: 07/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The planktonic blue-green microalga Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis possesses important features (e.g., high protein and vital lipids contents as well as essential vitamins) and can be consumed by humans and animals. Accordingly, this microalga gained growing attention as a new platform for producing edible-based pharmaceutical proteins. However, there are limited successful strategies for the transformation of S. platensis, in part because of an efficient expression of strong endonucleases in its cytoplasm. In the current work, as a pilot step for the expression of therapeutic proteins, an Agrobacterium-based system was established to transfer gfp:gus and hygromycin resistance (hygr) genes into the genome of S. platensis. The presence of acetosyringone in the transfection medium significantly reduced the transformation efficiency. The PCR and real-time RT-PCR data confirmed the successful integration and transcription of the genes. Flow cytometry and β-glucuronidase (GUS) activity experiments confirmed the successful production of GFP and the enzyme. Moreover, the western blot analysis showed a ~ 90 kDa band in the transformed cells, indicating the successful production of the GFP:GUS protein. Three months after the transformation, the gene expression stability was validated by histochemical, flow cytometry, and hygromycin B resistance analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaber Dehghani
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Khosro Adibkia
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Movafeghi
- Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Natural Science, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Barzegari
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad M Pourseif
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hadi Maleki Kakelar
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Asal Golchin
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Yadollah Omidi
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. .,Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Norzagaray-Valenzuela CD, Germán-Báez LJ, Valdez-Flores MA, Hernández-Verdugo S, Shelton LM, Valdez-Ortiz A. Establishment of an efficient genetic transformation method in Dunaliella tertiolecta mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. J Microbiol Methods 2018; 150:9-17. [PMID: 29777738 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2018.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms widely used for the production of highly valued compounds, and recently they have been shown to be promising as a system for the heterologous expression of proteins. Several transformation methods have been successfully developed, from which the Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated method remains the most promising. However, microalgae transformation efficiency by A. tumefaciens is shown to vary depending on several transformation conditions. The present study aimed to establish an efficient genetic transformation system in the green microalgae Dunaliella tertiolecta using the A. tumefaciens method. The parameters assessed were the infection medium, the concentration of the A. tumefaciens and co-culture time. As a preliminary screening, the expression of the gusA gene and the viability of transformed cells were evaluated and used to calculate a novel parameter called Transformation Efficiency Index (TEI). The statistical analysis of TEI values showed five treatments with the highest gusA gene expression. To ensure stable transformation, transformed colonies were cultured on selective medium using hygromycin B and the DNA of resistant colonies were extracted after five subcultures and molecularly analyzed by PCR. Results revealed that treatments which use solid infection medium, A. tumefaciens OD600 = 0.5 and co-culture times of 72 h exhibited the highest percentage of stable gusA expression. Overall, this study established an efficient, optimized A. tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation of D. tertiolecta, which represents a relatively easy procedure with no expensive equipment required. This simple and efficient protocol opens the possibility for further genetic manipulation of this commercially-important microalgae for biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia D Norzagaray-Valenzuela
- Programa Regional de Posgrado en Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Av. de las Américas y Josefa Ortiz S/N, Culiacán, Sinaloa C.P. 80030, Mexico
| | - Lourdes J Germán-Báez
- Programa Regional de Posgrado en Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Av. de las Américas y Josefa Ortiz S/N, Culiacán, Sinaloa C.P. 80030, Mexico
| | - Marco A Valdez-Flores
- Centro de Investigación Asociado a la Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Campo 2. Av. Cedros y Calle Sauces, Culiacán, Sinaloa C.P. 80019, Mexico
| | | | - Luke M Shelton
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Angel Valdez-Ortiz
- Programa Regional de Posgrado en Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Av. de las Américas y Josefa Ortiz S/N, Culiacán, Sinaloa C.P. 80030, Mexico.
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Norashikin MN, Loh SH, Aziz A, Cha TS. Metabolic engineering of fatty acid biosynthesis in Chlorella vulgaris using an endogenous omega-3 fatty acid desaturase gene with its promoter. ALGAL RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2018.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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18
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Velmurugan N, Deka D. Transformation techniques for metabolic engineering of diatoms and haptophytes: current state and prospects. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:4255-4267. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-8925-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Effects of disrupted omega-3 desaturase gene construct on fatty acid composition and expression of four fatty acid biosynthetic genes in transgenic Chlorella vulgaris. ALGAL RES 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2017.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Srinivasan R, Gothandam KM. Synergistic Action of D-Glucose and Acetosyringone on Agrobacterium Strains for Efficient Dunaliella Transformation. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0158322. [PMID: 27351975 PMCID: PMC4924854 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
An effective transformation protocol for Dunaliella, a β-carotene producer, was developed using the synergistic mechanism of D-glucose and Acetosyringone on three different Agrobacterium strains (EHA105, GV3101 and LBA4404). In the present study, we investigated the pre-induction of Agrobacterium strains harboring pMDC45 binary vector in TAP media at varying concentrations of D-glucose (5 mM, 10 mM, and 15mM) and 100 μM of Acetosyringone for co-cultivation. Induction of Agrobacterium strains with 10 mM D-glucose and 100 μM Acetosyringone showed higher rates of efficiency compared to other treatments. The presence of GFP and HPT transgenes as a measure of transformation efficiency from the transgenic lines were determined using fluorescent microscopy, PCR, and southern blot analyzes. Highest transformation rate was obtained with the Agrobacterium strain LBA4404 (181 ± 3.78 cfu per 106 cells) followed by GV3101 (128 ± 5.29 cfu per 106 cells) and EHA105 (61 ± 5.03 cfu per 106 cells). However, the Agrobacterium strain GV3101 exhibited more efficient single copy transgene (HPT) transfer into the genome of D. salina than LBA4404. Therefore, future studies dealing with genetic modifications in D. salina can utilize GV3101 as an optimal Agrobacterium strain for gene transfer.
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Doron L, Segal N, Shapira M. Transgene Expression in Microalgae-From Tools to Applications. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 7:505. [PMID: 27148328 PMCID: PMC4840263 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae comprise a biodiverse group of photosynthetic organisms that reside in water sources and sediments. The green microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was adopted as a useful model organism for studying various physiological systems. Its ability to grow under both photosynthetic and heterotrophic conditions allows efficient growth of non-photosynthetic mutants, making Chlamydomonas a useful genetic tool to study photosynthesis. In addition, this green alga can grow as haploid or diploid cells, similar to yeast, providing a powerful genetic system. As a result, easy and efficient transformation systems have been developed for Chlamydomonas, targeting both the chloroplast and nuclear genomes. Since microalgae comprise a rich repertoire of species that offer variable advantages for biotech and biomed industries, gene transfer technologies were further developed for many microalgae to allow for the expression of foreign proteins of interest. Expressing foreign genes in the chloroplast enables the targeting of foreign DNA to specific sites by homologous recombination. Chloroplast transformation also allows for the introduction of genes encoding several enzymes from a complex pathway, possibly as an operon. Expressing foreign proteins in the chloroplast can also be achieved by introducing the target gene into the nuclear genome, with the protein product bearing a targeting signal that directs import of the transgene-product into the chloroplast, like other endogenous chloroplast proteins. Integration of foreign genes into the nuclear genome is mostly random, resulting in large variability between different clones, such that extensive screening is required. The use of different selection modalities is also described, with special emphasis on the use of herbicides and metabolic markers which are considered to be friendly to the environment, as compared to drug-resistance genes that are commonly used. Finally, despite the development of a wide range of transformation tools and approaches, expression of foreign genes in microalgae suffers from low efficiency. Thus, novel tools have appeared in recent years to deal with this problem. Finally, while C. reinhardtii was traditionally used as a model organism for the development of transformation systems and their subsequent improvement, similar technologies can be adapted for other microalgae that may have higher biotechnological value.
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Suzuki K, Moriguchi K, Yamamoto S. Horizontal DNA transfer from bacteria to eukaryotes and a lesson from experimental transfers. Res Microbiol 2015; 166:753-63. [PMID: 26291765 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2015] [Revised: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is widespread among bacteria and plays a key role in genome dynamics. HGT is much less common in eukaryotes, but is being reported with increasing frequency in eukaryotes. The mechanism as to how eukaryotes acquired genes from distantly related organisms remains obscure yet. This paper cites examples of bacteria-derived genes found in eukaryotic organisms, and then describes experimental DNA transports to eukaryotes by bacterial type 4 secretion systems in optimized conditions. The mechanisms of the latter are efficient, quite reproducible in vitro and predictable, and thereby would provide insight into natural HGT and to the development of new research tools.
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