1
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Krishnan A, Dahlin LR, Guarnieri MT, Weissman JC, Posewitz MC. Small cells with big photosynthetic productivities: biotechnological potential of the Picochlorum genus. Trends Biotechnol 2025; 43:759-772. [PMID: 39521625 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.10.004] [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: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 09/16/2024] [Accepted: 10/08/2024] [Indexed: 11/16/2024]
Abstract
The Picochlorum genus is a distinctive eukaryotic green-algal clade that is the focus of several current biotechnological studies. It is capable of extremely rapid growth rates and has exceptional tolerances to high salinity, intense light, and elevated temperatures. Importantly, it has robust stability and high-biomass productivities in outdoor field trials in seawater. These features have propelled Picochlorum into the spotlight as a promising model for both fundamental and biotechnological research. Recently, several genetic tools, including genome editing, were developed for these algae, enabling insights into Picochlorum photophysiology and algal transformations for expanded capabilities. Here, we survey the Picochlorum genus, its genetic toolbox, recently characterized transformants, and discuss the commercial potential of Picochlorum as a salt-water photoautotrophic biocatalyst.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anagha Krishnan
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Biosciences Center, Golden, CO 80401, USA
| | - Lukas R Dahlin
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Biosciences Center, Golden, CO 80401, USA
| | - Michael T Guarnieri
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Biosciences Center, Golden, CO 80401, USA
| | - Joseph C Weissman
- Colorado School of Mines, Department of Chemistry, Golden, CO 80401, USA
| | - Matthew C Posewitz
- Colorado School of Mines, Department of Chemistry, Golden, CO 80401, USA.
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2
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Eckerstorfer MF, Dolezel M, Miklau M, Greiter A, Heissenberger A, Kastenhofer K, Schulz F, Hagen K, Otto M, Engelhard M. Environmental Applications of GM Microorganisms: Tiny Critters Posing Huge Challenges for Risk Assessment and Governance. Int J Mol Sci 2025; 26:3174. [PMID: 40243930 PMCID: PMC11989004 DOI: 10.3390/ijms26073174] [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: 11/29/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2025] [Accepted: 03/26/2025] [Indexed: 04/18/2025] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the interest in developing genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs), including GMMs developed by genome editing, for use in the environment has significantly increased. However, the scientific knowledge on the ecology of such GMMs is severely limited. There is also little experience at the hands of regulators on how to evaluate the environmental safety of GMMs and on how to assess whether they provide sustainable alternatives to current (agricultural) production systems. This review analyzes two different GMM applications, GM microalgae for biofuel production and nitrogen-fixing GM soil bacteria for use as biofertilizers. We assess the challenges posed by such GMMs for regulatory environmental risk assessment (ERA) against the background of the GMO legislation existing in the European Union (EU). Based on our analysis, we present recommendations for ERA and the monitoring of GMM applications, and in particular for the improvement of the existing EU guidance. We also explore whether existing approaches for technology assessment can provide a framework for the broader assessment of GMM applications. To this end, we recommend developing and implementing an evidence-based sustainability analysis and other methods of technology assessment to support decision making and to address broader societal concerns linked to the use of GMM applications in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F. Eckerstorfer
- Team Landuse & Biosafety Unit, Umweltbundesamt–Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Lände 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.D.); (M.M.); (A.G.); (A.H.)
| | - Marion Dolezel
- Team Landuse & Biosafety Unit, Umweltbundesamt–Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Lände 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.D.); (M.M.); (A.G.); (A.H.)
| | - Marianne Miklau
- Team Landuse & Biosafety Unit, Umweltbundesamt–Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Lände 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.D.); (M.M.); (A.G.); (A.H.)
| | - Anita Greiter
- Team Landuse & Biosafety Unit, Umweltbundesamt–Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Lände 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.D.); (M.M.); (A.G.); (A.H.)
| | - Andreas Heissenberger
- Team Landuse & Biosafety Unit, Umweltbundesamt–Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Lände 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.D.); (M.M.); (A.G.); (A.H.)
| | - Karen Kastenhofer
- Institute of Technology Assessment, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Bäckerstraße 13, 1010 Vienna, Austria; (K.K.); (F.S.)
| | - Freya Schulz
- Institute of Technology Assessment, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Bäckerstraße 13, 1010 Vienna, Austria; (K.K.); (F.S.)
| | - Kristin Hagen
- Division Assessment Synthetic Biology, Enforcement Genetic Engineering Act, Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, Konstantinstrasse 110, 53179 Bonn, Germany; (K.H.); (M.O.); (M.E.)
| | - Mathias Otto
- Division Assessment Synthetic Biology, Enforcement Genetic Engineering Act, Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, Konstantinstrasse 110, 53179 Bonn, Germany; (K.H.); (M.O.); (M.E.)
| | - Margret Engelhard
- Division Assessment Synthetic Biology, Enforcement Genetic Engineering Act, Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, Konstantinstrasse 110, 53179 Bonn, Germany; (K.H.); (M.O.); (M.E.)
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3
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Tran QG, Le TT, Choi DY, Cho DH, Yun JH, Choi HI, Kim HS, Lee YJ. Progress and challenges in CRISPR/Cas applications in microalgae. J Microbiol 2025; 63:e2501028. [PMID: 40195838 DOI: 10.71150/jm.2501028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2025] [Accepted: 03/06/2025] [Indexed: 04/09/2025]
Abstract
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technologies have emerged as powerful tools for precise genome editing, leading to a revolution in genetic research and biotechnology across diverse organisms including microalgae. Since the 1950s, microalgal production has evolved from initial cultivation under controlled conditions to advanced metabolic engineering to meet industrial demands. However, effective genetic modification in microalgae has faced significant challenges, including issues with transformation efficiency, limited target selection, and genetic differences between species, as interspecies genetic variation limits the use of genetic tools from one species to another. This review summarized recent advancements in CRISPR systems applied to microalgae, with a focus on improving gene editing precision and efficiency, while addressing organism-specific challenges. We also discuss notable successes in utilizing the class 2 CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins, including Cas9 and Cas12a, as well as emerging CRISPR-based approaches tailored to overcome microalgal cellular barriers. Additionally, we propose future perspectives for utilizing CRISPR/Cas strategies in microalgal biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quynh-Giao Tran
- Cell Factory Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Trang Thi Le
- Cell Factory Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Yun Choi
- Cell Factory Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Hyun Cho
- Cell Factory Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Ho Yun
- Cell Factory Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Il Choi
- Cell Factory Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Sik Kim
- Cell Factory Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Jae Lee
- Cell Factory Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
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4
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Kong F, Blot C, Liu K, Kim M, Li-Beisson Y. Advances in algal lipid metabolism and their use to improve oil content. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 87:103130. [PMID: 38579630 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103130] [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: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Microalgae are eukaryotic photosynthetic micro-organisms that convert CO2 into carbohydrates, lipids, and other valuable metabolites. They are considered promising chassis for the production of various bioproducts, including fatty acid-derived biofuels. However, algae-based biofuels are not yet commercially available, mainly because of their low yields and high production cost. Optimizing strains to improve lipid productivity using the principles of synthetic biology should help move forward. This necessitates developments in the following areas: (1) identification of molecular bricks (enzymes, transcription factors, regulatory proteins etc.); (2) development of genetic tools; and (3) availability of high-throughput phenotyping methods. Here, we highlight the most recent developments in some of these areas and provide examples of the use of genome editing tools to improve oil content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fantao Kong
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bio-Intelligent Manufacturing, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, Liaoning, China.
| | - Carla Blot
- Aix Marseille Univ, CEA, CNRS, BIAM, Institut de Biosciences et Biotechnologies Aix-Marseille, CEA Cadarache, Saint Paul-Lez-Durance 13108, France
| | - Keqing Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bio-Intelligent Manufacturing, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, Liaoning, China
| | - Minjae Kim
- Aix Marseille Univ, CEA, CNRS, BIAM, Institut de Biosciences et Biotechnologies Aix-Marseille, CEA Cadarache, Saint Paul-Lez-Durance 13108, France
| | - Yonghua Li-Beisson
- Aix Marseille Univ, CEA, CNRS, BIAM, Institut de Biosciences et Biotechnologies Aix-Marseille, CEA Cadarache, Saint Paul-Lez-Durance 13108, France
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5
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Ye Y, Liu M, Yu L, Sun H, Liu J. Nannochloropsis as an Emerging Algal Chassis for Light-Driven Synthesis of Lipids and High-Value Products. Mar Drugs 2024; 22:54. [PMID: 38393025 PMCID: PMC10890015 DOI: 10.3390/md22020054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In light of the escalating global energy crisis, microalgae have emerged as highly promising producers of biofuel and high-value products. Among these microalgae, Nannochloropsis has received significant attention due to its capacity to generate not only triacylglycerol (TAG) but also eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and valuable carotenoids. Recent advancements in genetic tools and the field of synthetic biology have revolutionized Nannochloropsis into a powerful biofactory. This comprehensive review provides an initial overview of the current state of cultivation and utilization of the Nannochloropsis genus. Subsequently, our review examines the metabolic pathways governing lipids and carotenoids, emphasizing strategies to enhance oil production and optimize carbon flux redirection toward target products. Additionally, we summarize the utilization of advanced genetic manipulation techniques in Nannochloropsis. Together, the insights presented in this review highlight the immense potential of Nannochloropsis as a valuable model for biofuels and synthetic biology. By effectively integrating genetic tools and metabolic engineering, the realization of this potential becomes increasingly feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Ye
- Laboratory for Algae Biotechnology & Innovation, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (L.Y.)
| | - Meijing Liu
- Laboratory for Algae Biotechnology & Innovation, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (L.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, Center for Algae Innovation & Engineering Research, School of Resources and Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Lihua Yu
- Laboratory for Algae Biotechnology & Innovation, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (L.Y.)
| | - Han Sun
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Laboratory for Algae Biotechnology & Innovation, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (L.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, Center for Algae Innovation & Engineering Research, School of Resources and Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
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6
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Guo L, Yang G. Pioneering DNA assembling techniques and their applications in eukaryotic microalgae. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 70:108301. [PMID: 38101551 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108301] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Assembling DNA fragments is a fundamental manipulation of cloning microalgal genes and carrying out microalgal synthetic biological studies. From the earliest DNA recombination to current trait and metabolic pathway engineering, we are always accompanied by homology-based DNA assembling. The improvement and modification of pioneering DNA assembling techniques and the combinational applications of the available assembling techniques have diversified and complicated the literature environment and aggravated our identification of the core and pioneering methodologies. Identifying the core assembling methodologies and using them appropriately and flourishing them even are important for researchers. A group of microalgae have been evolving as the models for both industrial applications and biological studies. DNA assembling requires researchers to know the methods available and their improvements and evolvements. In this review, we summarized the pioneering (core; leading) DNA assembling techniques developed previously, extended these techniques to their modifications, improvements and their combinations, and highlighted their applications in eukaryotic microalgae. We predicted that the gene(s) will be assembled into a functional cluster (e.g., those involving in a metabolic pathway, and stacked on normal microalgal chromosomes, their artificial episomes and looming artificial chromosomes. It should be particularly pointed out that the techniques mentioned in this review are classified according to the strategy used to assemble the final construct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Guo
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Guanpin Yang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China; Institutes of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China; MoE Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China; Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China.
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7
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Du Z, Bhat WW, Poliner E, Johnson S, Bertucci C, Farre E, Hamberger B. Engineering Nannochloropsis oceanica for the production of diterpenoid compounds. MLIFE 2023; 2:428-437. [PMID: 38818264 PMCID: PMC10989085 DOI: 10.1002/mlf2.12097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Photosynthetic microalgae like Nannochloropsis hold enormous potential as sustainable, light-driven biofactories for the production of high-value natural products such as terpenoids. Nannochloropsis oceanica is distinguished as a particularly robust host with extensive genomic and transgenic resources available. Its capacity to grow in wastewater, brackish, and sea waters, coupled with advances in microalgal metabolic engineering, genome editing, and synthetic biology, provides an excellent opportunity. In the present work, we demonstrate how N. oceanica can be engineered to produce the diterpene casbene-an important intermediate in the biosynthesis of pharmacologically relevant macrocyclic diterpenoids. Casbene accumulated after stably expressing and targeting the casbene synthase from Daphne genkwa (DgTPS1) to the algal chloroplast. The engineered strains yielded production titers of up to 0.12 mg g-1 total dry cell weight (DCW) casbene. Heterologous overexpression and chloroplast targeting of two upstream rate-limiting enzymes in the 2-C-methyl- d-erythritol 4-phosphate pathway, Coleus forskohlii 1-deoxy- d-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase and geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase genes, further enhanced the yield of casbene to a titer up to 1.80 mg g-1 DCW. The results presented here form a basis for further development and production of complex plant diterpenoids in microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi‐Yan Du
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and BioengineeringUniversity of Hawaii at ManoaHonoluluHawaiiUSA
| | - Wajid W. Bhat
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Eric Poliner
- Department of Plant BiologyMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Sean Johnson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
- Present address:
New England Biolabs Inc.240 County RoadIpswich01938MAUSA
| | - Conor Bertucci
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Eva Farre
- Department of Plant BiologyMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Bjoern Hamberger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
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8
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Dhokane D, Shaikh A, Yadav A, Giri N, Bandyopadhyay A, Dasgupta S, Bhadra B. CRISPR-based bioengineering in microalgae for production of industrially important biomolecules. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1267826. [PMID: 37965048 PMCID: PMC10641005 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1267826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Microalgae, as photosynthetic organisms, have the potential to produce biomolecules for use in food, feed, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, fuel, and other applications. Faster growth rates and higher protein and lipid content make microalgae a popular chassis for many industrial applications. However, challenges such as low productivity and high production costs have limited their commercialization. To overcome these challenges, bioengineering approaches such as genetic engineering, metabolic engineering, and synthetic biology have been employed to improve the productivity and quality of microalgae-based products. Genetic engineering employing genome editing tools like CRISPR/Cas allows precise and targeted genetic modifications. CRISPR/Cas systems are presently used to modify the genetic makeup of microalgae for enhanced production of specific biomolecules. However, these tools are yet to be explored explicitly in microalgae owing to some limitations. Despite the progress made in CRISPR-based bioengineering approaches, there is still a need for further research to optimize the production of microalgae-based products. This includes improving the efficiency of genome editing tools, understanding the regulatory mechanisms of microalgal metabolism, and optimizing growth conditions and cultivation strategies. Additionally, addressing the ethical, social, and environmental concerns associated with genetic modification of microalgae is crucial for the responsible development and commercialization of microalgae-based products. This review summarizes the advancements of CRISPR-based bioengineering for production of industrially important biomolecules and provides key considerations to use CRISPR/Cas systems in microalgae. The review will help researchers to understand the progress and to initiate genome editing experiments in microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Bhaskar Bhadra
- Synthetic Biology Group, Reliance Industries Ltd., Navi Mumbai, India
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9
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Jeong BR, Jang J, Jin E. Genome engineering via gene editing technologies in microalgae. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 373:128701. [PMID: 36746216 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.128701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas has revolutionized genetic modification with its comparative simplicity and accuracy, and it can be used even at the genomic level. Microalgae are excellent feedstocks for biofuels and nutraceuticals because they contain high levels of fatty acids, carotenoids, and other metabolites; however, genome engineering for microalgae is not yet as developed as for other model organisms. Microalgal engineering at the genetic and metabolic levels is relatively well established, and a few genomic resources are available. Their genomic information was used for a "safe harbor" site for stable transgene expression in microalgae. This review proposes further genome engineering schemes including the construction of sgRNA libraries, pan-genomic and epigenomic resources, and mini-genomes, which can together be developed into synthetic biology for carbon-based engineering in microalgae. Acetyl-CoA is at the center of carbon metabolic pathways and is further reviewed for the production of molecules including terpenoids in microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byeong-Ryool Jeong
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Junhwan Jang
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - EonSeon Jin
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea; Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea.
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10
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Patel VK, Das A, Kumari R, Kajla S. Recent progress and challenges in CRISPR-Cas9 engineered algae and cyanobacteria. ALGAL RES 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2023.103068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
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11
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Li X, Lan C, Li X, Hu Z, Jia B. A review on design-build-test-learn cycle to potentiate progress in isoprenoid engineering of photosynthetic microalgae. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 363:127981. [PMID: 36130687 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Currently, the generation of isoprenoid factories in microalgae relies on two strategies: 1) enhanced production of endogenous isoprenoids; or 2) production of heterologous terpenes by metabolic engineering. Nevertheless, low titers and productivity are still a feature of isoprenoid biotechnology and need to be addressed. In this context, the mechanisms underlying isoprenoid biosynthesis in microalgae and its relationship with central carbon metabolism are reviewed. Developments in microalgal biotechnology are discussed, and a new approach of integrated "design-build-test-learn" cycle is advocated to the trends, challenges and prospects involved in isoprenoid engineering. The emerging and promising strategies and tools are discussed for microalgal engineering in the future. This review encourages a systematic engineering perspective aimed at potentiating progress in isoprenoid engineering of photosynthetic microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Li
- Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Chengxiang Lan
- Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Xinyi Li
- Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Zhangli Hu
- Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Bin Jia
- Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
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12
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Jebali A, Sanchez MR, Hanschen ER, Starkenburg SR, Corcoran AA. Trait drift in microalgae and applications for strain improvement. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 60:108034. [PMID: 36089253 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.108034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Microalgae are increasingly used to generate a wide range of commercial products, and there is growing evidence that microalgae-based products can be produced sustainably. However, industrial production of microalgal biomass is not as developed as other biomanufacturing platform technologies. In addition, results of bench-scale research often fail to translate to large-scale or mass production systems. This disconnect may result from trait drift and evolution occurring, through time, in response to unique drivers in each environment, such as cultivation regimes, weather, and pests. Moreover, outdoor and indoor cultivation of microalgae has the potential to impose negative selection pressures, which makes the maintenance of desired traits a challenge. In this context, this review sheds the light on our current understanding of trait drift and evolution in microalgae. We delineate the basics of phenotype plasticity and evolution, with a focus on how microalgae respond under various conditions. In addition, we review techniques that exploit phenotypic plasticity and evolution for strain improvement in view of industrial commercial applications, highlighting associated advantages and shortcomings. Finally, we suggest future research directions and recommendations to overcome unwanted trait drift and evolution in microalgae cultivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahlem Jebali
- New Mexico Consortium, 4200 W. Jemez Road, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA.
| | - Monica R Sanchez
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Erik R Hanschen
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | | | - Alina A Corcoran
- New Mexico Consortium, 4200 W. Jemez Road, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA
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13
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Shankar U, Lenka SK, Leigh Ackland M, Callahan DL. Review of the structures and functions of algal photoreceptors to optimize bioproduct production with novel bioreactor designs for strain improvement. Biotechnol Bioeng 2022; 119:2031-2045. [PMID: 35441370 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Microalgae are important renewable feedstock to produce biodiesel and high-value chemicals. Different wavelengths of light influence the growth and metabolic activities of algae. Recent research has identified the light-sensing proteins called photoreceptors that respond to blue or red light. Structural elucidations of algal photoreceptors have gained momentum over recent years. These include channelrhodopsins, PHOT proteins, animal-like cryptochromes, blue-light sensors utilizing flavin-adenine dinucleotide (BLUF) proteins. Pulsing light has also been investigated as a means to optimize energy inputs into bioreactors. This review summarizes the current structural and functional basis of photoreceptor modulation to optimize the growth, production of carotenoids and other high-value metabolites from microalgae. The review also encompasses novel photobioreactor designs that implement different light regimes including light wavelengths and time to optimize algal growth and desired metabolite profiles for high-value products. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uttara Shankar
- TERI-Deakin Nanobiotechnology Centre, The Energy and Resources Institute, Gurugram, Haryana, 122001, India.,Deakin University, Geelong, Australia. School of Life and Environmental Sciences, (Burwood Campus), Centre for Cellular and Molecular biology. 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia
| | - Sangram K Lenka
- TERI-Deakin Nanobiotechnology Centre, The Energy and Resources Institute, Gurugram, Haryana, 122001, India.,Gujarat Biotechnology University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382355, India
| | - M Leigh Ackland
- Deakin University, Geelong, Australia. School of Life and Environmental Sciences, (Burwood Campus), Centre for Cellular and Molecular biology. 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia
| | - Damien L Callahan
- Deakin University, Geelong, Australia. School of Life and Environmental Sciences, (Burwood Campus), Centre for Cellular and Molecular biology. 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia
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14
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Genome editing with removable TALEN vectors harboring a yeast centromere and autonomous replication sequence in oleaginous microalga. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2480. [PMID: 35169205 PMCID: PMC8847555 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06495-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Algal lipids are expected to become a basis for sustainable fuels because of the highly efficient lipid production by photosynthesis accompanied by carbon dioxide assimilation. Molecular breeding of microalgae has been studied to improve algal lipid production, but the resultant gene-modified algae containing transgenes are rarely used for outdoor culture because the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is strictly restricted under biocontainment regulations. Recently, it was reported that plasmids containing yeast centromere and autonomous replication sequence (CEN/ARS) behaved as episomes in Nannochloropsis species. We previously reported that the Platinum TALEN (PtTALEN) system exhibited high activity in Nannochloropsis oceanica. Therefore, we attempted to develop a genome editing system in which the expression vectors for PtTALEN can be removed from host cells after introduction of mutations. Using all-in-one PtTALEN plasmids containing CEN/ARS, targeted mutations and removal of all-in-one vectors were observed in N. oceanica, suggesting that our all-in-one PtTALEN vectors enable the construction of mutated N. oceanica without any transgenes. This system will be a feasible method for constructing non-GMO high-performance algae.
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15
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High-throughput selection of cells based on accumulated growth and division using PicoShell particles. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2109430119. [PMID: 35046027 PMCID: PMC8794849 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2109430119] [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] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Production of high-energy lipids by microalgae may provide a sustainable energy source that can help tackle climate change. However, microalgae engineered to produce more lipids usually grow slowly, leading to reduced overall yields. Unfortunately, culture vessels used to select cells based on growth while maintaining high biomass production, such as well plates, water-in-oil droplet emulsions, and nanowell arrays, do not provide production-relevant environments that cells experience in scaled-up cultures (e.g., bioreactors or outdoor cultivation farms). As a result, strains that are developed in the laboratory may not exhibit the same beneficial phenotypic behavior when transferred to industrial production. Here, we introduce PicoShells, picoliter-scale porous hydrogel compartments, that enable >100,000 individual cells to be compartmentalized, cultured in production-relevant environments, and selected based on growth and bioproduct accumulation traits using standard flow cytometers. PicoShells consist of a hollow inner cavity where cells are encapsulated and a porous outer shell that allows for continuous solution exchange with the external environment. PicoShells allow for cell growth directly in culture environments, such as shaking flasks and bioreactors. We experimentally demonstrate that Chlorella sp., Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Chinese hamster ovary cells, used for bioproduction, grow to significantly larger colony sizes in PicoShells than in water-in-oil droplet emulsions (P < 0.05). We also demonstrate that PicoShells containing faster dividing and growing Chlorella clonal colonies can be selected using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter and regrown. Using the PicoShell process, we select a Chlorella population that accumulates chlorophyll 8% faster than does an unselected population after a single selection cycle.
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16
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Naduthodi MIS, Südfeld C, Avitzigiannis EK, Trevisan N, van Lith E, Alcaide Sancho J, D’Adamo S, Barbosa M, van der Oost J. Comprehensive Genome Engineering Toolbox for Microalgae Nannochloropsis oceanica Based on CRISPR-Cas Systems. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:3369-3378. [PMID: 34793143 PMCID: PMC8689688 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
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Microalgae can produce
industrially relevant metabolites using
atmospheric CO2 and sunlight as carbon and energy sources,
respectively. Developing molecular tools for high-throughput genome
engineering could accelerate the generation of tailored strains with
improved traits. To this end, we developed a genome editing strategy
based on Cas12a ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) and homology-directed repair
(HDR) to generate scarless and markerless mutants of the microalga Nannochloropsis oceanica. We also developed an episomal
plasmid-based Cas12a system for efficiently introducing indels at
the target site. Additionally, we exploited the ability of Cas12a
to process an associated CRISPR array to perform multiplexed genome
engineering. We efficiently targeted three sites in the host genome
in a single transformation, thereby making a major step toward high-throughput
genome engineering in microalgae. Furthermore, a CRISPR interference
(CRISPRi) tool based on Cas9 and Cas12a was developed for effective
downregulation of target genes. We observed up to 85% reduction in
the transcript levels upon performing CRISPRi with dCas9 in N. oceanica. Overall, these developments substantially
accelerate genome engineering efforts in N. oceanica and potentially provide a general toolbox for improving other microalgal
strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihris Ibnu Saleem Naduthodi
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
- Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Christian Südfeld
- Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | | | - Nicola Trevisan
- Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Eduard van Lith
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Javier Alcaide Sancho
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah D’Adamo
- Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Barbosa
- Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - John van der Oost
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
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17
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Yang HP, Wenzel M, Hauser DA, Nelson JM, Xu X, Eliáš M, Li FW. Monodopsis and Vischeria Genomes Shed New Light on the Biology of Eustigmatophyte Algae. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:6402010. [PMID: 34665222 PMCID: PMC8570151 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of eustigmatophyte algae, especially Nannochloropsis and Microchloropsis, have been tapped for biofuel production owing to their exceptionally high lipid content. Although extensive genomic, transcriptomic, and synthetic biology toolkits have been made available for Nannochloropsis and Microchloropsis, very little is known about other eustigmatophytes. Here we present three near-chromosomal and gapless genome assemblies of Monodopsis strains C73 and C141 (60 Mb) and Vischeria strain C74 (106 Mb), which are the sister groups to Nannochloropsis and Microchloropsis in the order Eustigmatales. These genomes contain unusually high percentages of simple repeats, ranging from 12% to 21% of the total assembly size. Unlike Nannochloropsis and Microchloropsis, long interspersed nuclear element repeats are abundant in Monodopsis and Vischeria and might constitute the centromeric regions. We found that both mevalonate and nonmevalonate pathways for terpenoid biosynthesis are present in Monodopsis and Vischeria, which is different from Nannochloropsis and Microchloropsis that have only the latter. Our analysis further revealed extensive spliced leader trans-splicing in Monodopsis and Vischeria at 36-61% of genes. Altogether, the high-quality genomes of Monodopsis and Vischeria not only serve as the much-needed outgroups to advance Nannochloropsis and Microchloropsis research, but also shed new light on the biology and evolution of eustigmatophyte algae.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marius Wenzel
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Xia Xu
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Marek Eliáš
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Fay-Wei Li
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, New York, USA.,Plant Biology Section, Cornell University, USA
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18
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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: 3.3] [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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19
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Rawat J, Gupta PK, Pandit S, Prasad R, Pande V. Current perspectives on integrated approaches to enhance lipid accumulation in microalgae. 3 Biotech 2021; 11:303. [PMID: 34194896 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-021-02851-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, research initiatives on renewable bioenergy or biofuels have been gaining momentum, not only due to fast depletion of finite reserves of fossil fuels but also because of the associated concerns for the environment and future energy security. In the last few decades, interest is growing concerning microalgae as the third-generation biofuel feedstock. The CO2 fixation ability and conversion of it into value-added compounds, devoid of challenging food and feed crops, make these photosynthetic microorganisms an optimistic producer of biofuel from an environmental point of view. Microalgal-derived fuels are currently being considered as clean, renewable, and promising sustainable biofuel. Therefore, most research targets to obtain strains with the highest lipid productivity and a high growth rate at the lowest cultivation costs. Different methods and strategies to attain higher biomass and lipid accumulation in microalgae have been extensively reported in the previous research, but there are fewer inclusive reports that summarize the conventional methods with the modern techniques for lipid enhancement and biodiesel production from microalgae. Therefore, the current review focuses on the latest techniques and advances in different cultivation conditions, the effect of different abiotic and heavy metal stress, and the role of nanoparticles (NPs) in the stimulation of lipid accumulation in microalgae. Techniques such as genetic engineering, where particular genes associated with lipid metabolism, are modified to boost lipid synthesis within the microalgae, the contribution of "Omics" in metabolic pathway studies. Further, the contribution of CRISPR/Cas9 system technique to the production of microalgae biofuel is also briefly described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Rawat
- Department of Biotechnology, Sir J. C. Bose Technical Campus Bhimtal, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263136 India
| | - Piyush Kumar Gupta
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Knowledge Park III, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201310 India
| | - Soumya Pandit
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Knowledge Park III, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201310 India
| | - Ram Prasad
- Department of Botany, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari, Bihar 845801 India
| | - Veena Pande
- Department of Biotechnology, Sir J. C. Bose Technical Campus Bhimtal, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263136 India
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20
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Bo DD, Magneschi L, Bedhomme M, Billey E, Deragon E, Storti M, Menneteau M, Richard C, Rak C, Lapeyre M, Lembrouk M, Conte M, Gros V, Tourcier G, Giustini C, Falconet D, Curien G, Allorent G, Petroutsos D, Laeuffer F, Fourage L, Jouhet J, Maréchal E, Finazzi G, Collin S. Consequences of Mixotrophy on Cell Energetic Metabolism in Microchloropsis gaditana Revealed by Genetic Engineering and Metabolic Approaches. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:628684. [PMID: 34113360 PMCID: PMC8185151 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.628684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Algae belonging to the Microchloropsis genus are promising organisms for biotech purposes, being able to accumulate large amounts of lipid reserves. These organisms adapt to different trophic conditions, thriving in strict photoautotrophic conditions, as well as in the concomitant presence of light plus reduced external carbon as energy sources (mixotrophy). In this work, we investigated the mixotrophic responses of Microchloropsis gaditana (formerly Nannochloropsis gaditana). Using the Biolog growth test, in which cells are loaded into multiwell plates coated with different organic compounds, we could not find a suitable substrate for Microchloropsis mixotrophy. By contrast, addition of the Lysogeny broth (LB) to the inorganic growth medium had a benefit on growth, enhancing respiratory activity at the expense of photosynthetic performances. To further dissect the role of respiration in Microchloropsis mixotrophy, we focused on the mitochondrial alternative oxidase (AOX), a protein involved in energy management in other algae prospering in mixotrophy. Knocking-out the AOX1 gene by transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALE-N) led to the loss of capacity to implement growth upon addition of LB supporting the hypothesis that the effect of this medium was related to a provision of reduced carbon. We conclude that mixotrophic growth in Microchloropsis is dominated by respiratory rather than by photosynthetic energetic metabolism and discuss the possible reasons for this behavior in relationship with fatty acid breakdown via β-oxidation in this oleaginous alga.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Dal Bo
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
| | - Leonardo Magneschi
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
| | - Mariette Bedhomme
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
| | - Elodie Billey
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
- Total Refining Chemicals, Tour Coupole, Paris La Défense, France
| | - Etienne Deragon
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
| | - Mattia Storti
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
| | - Mathilde Menneteau
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
| | - Christelle Richard
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
| | - Camille Rak
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
| | - Morgane Lapeyre
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
| | - Mehdi Lembrouk
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
| | - Melissa Conte
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
| | - Valérie Gros
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
| | - Guillaume Tourcier
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
| | - Cécile Giustini
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
| | - Denis Falconet
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
| | - Gilles Curien
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
| | - Guillaume Allorent
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
| | - Dimitris Petroutsos
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Laurent Fourage
- Total Refining Chemicals, Tour Coupole, Paris La Défense, France
| | - Juliette Jouhet
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
| | - Eric Maréchal
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
| | - Giovanni Finazzi
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
| | - Séverine Collin
- Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat Energie Atomique, Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National Recherche Agriculture, Alimentation, Environnement (INRAE), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, IRIG-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Grenoble, France
- Total Refining Chemicals, Tour Coupole, Paris La Défense, France
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21
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Wang Q, Gong Y, He Y, Xin Y, Lv N, Du X, Li Y, Jeong BR, Xu J. Genome engineering of Nannochloropsis with hundred-kilobase fragment deletions by Cas9 cleavages. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 106:1148-1162. [PMID: 33719095 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Industrial microalgae are promising photosynthetic cell factories, yet tools for large-scale targeted genome engineering are limited. Here for the model industrial oleaginous microalga Nannochloropsis oceanica, we established a method to precisely and serially delete large genome fragments of ~100 kb from its 30.01 Mb nuclear genome. We started by identifying the 'non-essential' chromosomal regions (i.e. low expression region or LER) based on minimal gene expression under N-replete and N-depleted conditions. The largest such LER (LER1) is ~98 kb in size, located near the telomere of the 502.09-kb-long Chromosome 30 (Chr 30). We deleted 81 kb and further distal and proximal deletions of up to 110 kb (21.9% of Chr 30) in LER1 by dual targeting the boundaries with the episome-based CRISPR/Cas9 system. The telomere-deletion mutants showed normal telomeres consisting of CCCTAA repeats, revealing telomere regeneration capability after losing the distal part of Chr 30. Interestingly, the deletions caused no significant alteration in growth, lipid production or photosynthesis (transcript-abundance change for < 3% genes under N depletion). We also achieved double-deletion of both LER1 and LER2 (from Chr 9) that total ~214 kb at maximum, which can result in slightly higher growth rate and biomass productivity than the wild-type. Therefore, loss of the large, yet 'non-essential' regions does not necessarily sacrifice important traits. Such serial targeted deletions of large genomic regions had not been previously reported in microalgae, and will accelerate crafting minimal genomes as chassis for photosynthetic production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qintao Wang
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics and Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, China
- Qingdao National Laboratory of Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yanhai Gong
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics and Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, China
- Qingdao National Laboratory of Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yuehui He
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics and Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, China
- Qingdao National Laboratory of Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yi Xin
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics and Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, China
- Qingdao National Laboratory of Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Nana Lv
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics and Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, China
- Qingdao National Laboratory of Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xuefeng Du
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics and Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, China
- Qingdao National Laboratory of Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yun Li
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics and Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, China
- Qingdao National Laboratory of Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Byeong-Ryool Jeong
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics and Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, China
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, 44919, Korea
| | - Jian Xu
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics and Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, China
- Qingdao National Laboratory of Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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Yadavalli R, Umeda K, Waugh HA, Tracy AN, Sidhu AV, Hernández DE, Fernández Robledo JA. CRISPR/Cas9 Ribonucleoprotein-Based Genome Editing Methodology in the Marine Protozoan Parasite Perkinsus marinus. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:623278. [PMID: 33898400 PMCID: PMC8062965 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.623278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Perkinsus marinus (Perkinsozoa), a close relative of apicomplexans, is an osmotrophic facultative intracellular marine protozoan parasite responsible for "Dermo" disease in oysters and clams. Although there is no clinical evidence of this parasite infecting humans, HLA-DR40 transgenic mice studies strongly suggest the parasite as a natural adjuvant in oral vaccines. P. marinus is being developed as a heterologous gene expression platform for pathogens of medical and veterinary relevance and a novel platform for delivering vaccines. We previously reported the transient expression of two rodent malaria genes Plasmodium berghei HAP2 and MSP8. In this study, we optimized the original electroporation-based protocol to establish a stable heterologous expression method. Using 20 μg of pPmMOE[MOE1]:GFP and 25.0 × 106 P. marinus cells resulted in 98% GFP-positive cells. Furthermore, using the optimized protocol, we report for the first time the successful knock-in of GFP at the C-terminus of the PmMOE1 using ribonucleoprotein (RNP)-based CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing methodology. The GFP was expressed 18 h post-transfection, and expression was observed for 8 months post-transfection, making it a robust and stable knock-in system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kousuke Umeda
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, ME, United States
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Hannah A. Waugh
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, ME, United States
- Southern Maine Community College, South Portland, ME, United States
| | - Adrienne N. Tracy
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, ME, United States
- Colby College, Waterville, ME, United States
| | - Asha V. Sidhu
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, ME, United States
- Colby College, Waterville, ME, United States
| | - Derek E. Hernández
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, ME, United States
- Colby College, Waterville, ME, United States
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Mosey M, Douchi D, Knoshaug EP, Laurens LM. Methodological review of genetic engineering approaches for non-model algae. ALGAL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2021.102221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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25
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Synthetic Biology Approaches To Enhance Microalgal Productivity. Trends Biotechnol 2021; 39:1019-1036. [PMID: 33541719 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The major bottleneck in commercializing biofuels and other commodities produced by microalgae is the high cost associated with phototrophic cultivation. Improving microalgal productivities could be a solution to this problem. Synthetic biology methods have recently been used to engineer the downstream production pathways in several microalgal strains. However, engineering upstream photosynthetic and carbon fixation metabolism to enhance growth, productivity, and yield has barely been explored in microalgae. We describe strategies to improve the generation of reducing power from light, as well as to improve the assimilation of CO2 by either the native Calvin cycle or synthetic alternatives. Overall, we are optimistic that recent technological advances will prompt long-awaited breakthroughs in microalgal research.
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26
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Gong Y, Kang NK, Kim YU, Wang Z, Wei L, Xin Y, Shen C, Wang Q, You W, Lim JM, Jeong SW, Park YI, Oh HM, Pan K, Poliner E, Yang G, Li-Beisson Y, Li Y, Hu Q, Poetsch A, Farre EM, Chang YK, Jeong WJ, Jeong BR, Xu J. The NanDeSyn database for Nannochloropsis systems and synthetic biology. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 104:1736-1745. [PMID: 33103271 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Nannochloropsis species, unicellular industrial oleaginous microalgae, are model organisms for microalgal systems and synthetic biology. To facilitate community-based annotation and mining of the rapidly accumulating functional genomics resources, we have initiated an international consortium and present a comprehensive multi-omics resource database named Nannochloropsis Design and Synthesis (NanDeSyn; http://nandesyn.single-cell.cn). Via the Tripal toolkit, it features user-friendly interfaces hosting genomic resources with gene annotations and transcriptomic and proteomic data for six Nannochloropsis species, including two updated genomes of Nannochloropsis oceanica IMET1 and Nannochloropsis salina CCMP1776. Toolboxes for search, Blast, synteny view, enrichment analysis, metabolic pathway analysis, a genome browser, etc. are also included. In addition, functional validation of genes is indicated based on phenotypes of mutants and relevant bibliography. Furthermore, epigenomic resources are also incorporated, especially for sequencing of small RNAs including microRNAs and circular RNAs. Such comprehensive and integrated landscapes of Nannochloropsis genomics and epigenomics will promote and accelerate community efforts in systems and synthetic biology of these industrially important microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhai Gong
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, 266101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Nam K Kang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Korea
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Young U Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Zengbin Wang
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, 266101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Li Wei
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, 266101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Yi Xin
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, 266101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Chen Shen
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, 266101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Qintao Wang
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, 266101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Wuxin You
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, 266101, China
- Department of Plant Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jong-Min Lim
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Suk-Won Jeong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Korea
| | - Youn-Il Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Korea
| | - Hee-Mock Oh
- Cell Factory Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Kehou Pan
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
- Laboratory of Applied Microalgae, College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Eric Poliner
- MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Guanpin Yang
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, 266003, China
- Institutes of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, 266003, China
| | - Yonghua Li-Beisson
- Aix Marseille Univ, CEA, CNRS, Institut de Biosciences et Biotechnologies Aix-Marseille, CEA Cadarache, 13108, Saint Paul-Lez-Durance, France
| | - Yantao Li
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, 21202, USA
| | - Qiang Hu
- Center for Microalgal Biotechnology and Biofuels, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Ansgar Poetsch
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
- Department of Plant Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, 266003, China
| | - Eva M Farre
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Yong K Chang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Won-Joong Jeong
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Byeong-Ryool Jeong
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, 266101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Korea
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Korea
| | - Jian Xu
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, 266101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
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Growth, total lipid, and omega-3 fatty acid production by Nannochloropsis spp. cultivated with raw plant substrate. ALGAL RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2020.102041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Kurita T, Moroi K, Iwai M, Okazaki K, Shimizu S, Nomura S, Saito F, Maeda S, Takami A, Sakamoto A, Ohta H, Sakuma T, Yamamoto T. Efficient and multiplexable genome editing using Platinum TALENs in oleaginous microalga, Nannochloropsis oceanica NIES-2145. Genes Cells 2020; 25:695-702. [PMID: 32888368 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Algae accumulate large amounts of lipids produced by photosynthesis, and these lipids are expected to be utilized as feedstocks for sustainable new energies, known as biodiesels. Nannochloropsis species are eukaryotic microalgae that produce high levels of lipids. However, since the production costs of algal biodiesels are higher than those of fossil fuels, the improved productivity of algal lipids by molecular breeding of algae is required for practical use. In the present study, we developed a highly efficient genome-editing system involving Platinum transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) in Nannochloropsis oceanica. Platinum TALENs codon-optimized for N. oceanica were synthesized, and their DNA-binding activity was confirmed by single-strand annealing assays in human HEK293T cells. All-in-one expression vectors for Platinum TALEN targeting the nitrate reductase gene, NoNR, and acyltransferase gene, LPAT1, were transfected into Nannochloropsis species. The introduction of each Platinum TALEN revealed high genome-editing efficiency with no detectable off-target mutations at the candidate sites in N. oceanica. By simultaneously introducing TALENs targeting two genes, we obtained double mutant strains. The loss-of-function phenotype of NoNR was also confirmed. These findings will provide an essential technology for molecular breeding in Nannochloropsis species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomokazu Kurita
- Division of Integrated Sciences for Life, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Keishi Moroi
- Division of Integrated Sciences for Life, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Masako Iwai
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kumiko Okazaki
- Division of Integrated Sciences for Life, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Shimizu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Seiji Nomura
- Mazda Motor Corporation, Fuchu-cho, Hiroshima, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Atsushi Sakamoto
- Division of Integrated Sciences for Life, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Ohta
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Tetsushi Sakuma
- Division of Integrated Sciences for Life, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamamoto
- Division of Integrated Sciences for Life, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
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Kumar G, Shekh A, Jakhu S, Sharma Y, Kapoor R, Sharma TR. Bioengineering of Microalgae: Recent Advances, Perspectives, and Regulatory Challenges for Industrial Application. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:914. [PMID: 33014997 PMCID: PMC7494788 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Microalgae, due to their complex metabolic capacity, are being continuously explored for nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and other industrially important bioactives. However, suboptimal yield and productivity of the bioactive of interest in local and robust wild-type strains are of perennial concerns for their industrial applications. To overcome such limitations, strain improvement through genetic engineering could play a decisive role. Though the advanced tools for genetic engineering have emerged at a greater pace, they still remain underused for microalgae as compared to other microorganisms. Pertaining to this, we reviewed the progress made so far in the development of molecular tools and techniques, and their deployment for microalgae strain improvement through genetic engineering. The recent availability of genome sequences and other omics datasets form diverse microalgae species have remarkable potential to guide strategic momentum in microalgae strain improvement program. This review focuses on the recent and significant improvements in the omics resources, mutant libraries, and high throughput screening methodologies helpful to augment research in the model and non-model microalgae. Authors have also summarized the case studies on genetically engineered microalgae and highlight the opportunities and challenges that are emerging from the current progress in the application of genome-editing to facilitate microalgal strain improvement. Toward the end, the regulatory and biosafety issues in the use of genetically engineered microalgae in commercial applications are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulshan Kumar
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, India
| | - Ajam Shekh
- Plant Cell Biotechnology Department, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysuru, India
| | - Sunaina Jakhu
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, India
| | - Yogesh Sharma
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, India
| | - Ritu Kapoor
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, India
| | - Tilak Raj Sharma
- Division of Crop Science, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India
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30
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Diao J, Song X, Guo T, Wang F, Chen L, Zhang W. Cellular engineering strategies toward sustainable omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids production: State of the art and perspectives. Biotechnol Adv 2020; 40:107497. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.107497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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31
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Cecchin M, Berteotti S, Paltrinieri S, Vigliante I, Iadarola B, Giovannone B, Maffei ME, Delledonne M, Ballottari M. Improved lipid productivity in Nannochloropsis gaditana in nitrogen-replete conditions by selection of pale green mutants. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2020; 13:78. [PMID: 32336989 PMCID: PMC7175523 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-020-01718-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nannochloropsis gaditana is a photosynthetic unicellular microalgae considered one of the most interesting marine algae to produce biofuels and food additive due to its rapid growth rate and high lipid accumulation. Although microalgae are attractive platforms for solar energy bioconversion, the overall efficiency of photosynthesis is reduced due to the steep light gradient in photobioreactors. Moreover, accumulation of lipids in microalgae for biofuels production is usually induced in a two-phase cultivation process by nutrient starvation, with additional time and costs associated. In this work, a biotechnological approach was directed for the isolation of strains with improved light penetration in photobioreactor combined with increased lipids productivity. RESULTS Mutants of Nannochloropsis gaditana were obtained by chemical mutagenesis and screened for having both a reduced chlorophyll content per cell and increased affinity for Nile red, a fluorescent dye which binds to cellular lipid fraction. Accordingly, one mutant, called e8, was selected and characterized for having a 30% reduction of chlorophyll content per cell and an almost 80% increase of lipid productivity compared to WT in nutrient-replete conditions, with C16:0 and C18:0 fatty acids being more than doubled in the mutant. Whole-genome sequencing revealed mutations in 234 genes in e8 mutant among which there is a non-conservative mutation in the dgd1 synthase gene. This gene encodes for an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of DGDG, one of the major lipids found in the thylakoid membrane and it is thus involved in chloroplast biogenesis. Lipid biosynthesis is strongly influenced by light availability in several microalgae species, including Nannochloropsis gaditana: reduced chlorophyll content per cell and more homogenous irradiance in photobioreactor is at the base for the increased lipid productivity observed in the e8 mutant. CONCLUSIONS The results herein obtained presents a promising strategy to produce algal biomass enriched in lipid fraction to be used for biofuel and biodiesel production in a single cultivation process, without the additional complexity of the nutrient starvation phase. Genome sequencing and identification of the mutations introduced in e8 mutant suggest possible genes responsible for the observed phenotypes, identifying putative target for future complementation and biotechnological application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Cecchin
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Silvia Berteotti
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Stefania Paltrinieri
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Ivano Vigliante
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi, Unità di Fisiologia Vegetale, Università di Torino, Via Quarello 15/a, 10135 Turin, Italy
| | - Barbara Iadarola
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Barbara Giovannone
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Massimo E. Maffei
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi, Unità di Fisiologia Vegetale, Università di Torino, Via Quarello 15/a, 10135 Turin, Italy
| | - Massimo Delledonne
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Matteo Ballottari
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
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Poliner E, Clark E, Cummings C, Benning C, Farre EM. A high-capacity gene stacking toolkit for the oleaginous microalga, Nannochloropsis oceanica CCMP1779. ALGAL RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2019.101664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Novel endogenous promoters for genetic engineering of the marine microalga Nannochloropsis gaditana CCMP526. ALGAL RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2019.101708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Guo L, Liang S, Zhang Z, Liu H, Wang S, Pan K, Xu J, Ren X, Pei S, Yang G. Genome assembly of Nannochloropsis oceanica provides evidence of host nucleus overthrow by the symbiont nucleus during speciation. Commun Biol 2019; 2:249. [PMID: 31286066 PMCID: PMC6610115 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0500-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The species of the genus Nannochloropsis are unique in their maintenance of a nucleus-plastid continuum throughout their cell cycle, non-motility and asexual reproduction. These characteristics should have been endorsed in their gene assemblages (genomes). Here we show that N. oceanica has a genome of 29.3 Mb consisting of 32 pseudochromosomes and containing 7,330 protein-coding genes; and the host nucleus may have been overthrown by an ancient red alga symbiont nucleus during speciation through secondary endosymbiosis. In addition, N. oceanica has lost its flagella and abilities to undergo meiosis and sexual reproduction, and adopted a genome reduction strategy during speciation. We propose that N. oceanica emerged through the active fusion of a host protist and a photosynthesizing ancient red alga and the symbiont nucleus became dominant over the host nucleus while the chloroplast was wrapped by two layers of endoplasmic reticulum. Our findings evidenced an alternative speciation pathway of eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Guo
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China (OUC), Qingdao, 266003 P. R. China
| | - Sijie Liang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China (OUC), Qingdao, 266003 P. R. China
| | - Zhongyi Zhang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China (OUC), Qingdao, 266003 P. R. China
| | - Hang Liu
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China (OUC), Qingdao, 266003 P. R. China
| | - Songwen Wang
- College of Agriculture and Resources and Environment, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300384 P. R. China
| | - Kehou Pan
- Laboratory of Applied Microalgae, College of Fisheries, OUC, Qingdao, 266003 P. R. China
| | - Jian Xu
- Functional Genomics Group, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101 P. R. China
| | - Xue Ren
- Annoroad Gene Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, 100176 P. R. China
| | - Surui Pei
- Annoroad Gene Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, 100176 P. R. China
| | - Guanpin Yang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China (OUC), Qingdao, 266003 P. R. China
- Institutes of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, OUC, Qingdao, 266003 P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Education, OUC, Qingdao, 266003 P. R. China
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Nobusawa T, Yamakawa-Ayukawa K, Saito F, Nomura S, Takami A, Ohta H. A homolog of Arabidopsis SDP1 lipase in Nannochloropsis is involved in degradation of de novo-synthesized triacylglycerols in the endoplasmic reticulum. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2019; 1864:1185-1193. [PMID: 31152796 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2019.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Organisms of the microalgal genus Nannochloropsis produce high levels of triacylglycerols (TAGs), an efficient raw material for biofuels. A complete understanding of the TAG-breakdown pathway is critical for improving the productivity of TAGs to meet future needs. Among a number of lipases annotated as TAG lipase in the genomes of every organism, Arabidopsis SUGAR-DEPENDENT 1 (AtSDP1) lipases are characterized as a type of crucial TAG lipase in plants, similar to ScTgl3-5 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Homologs of the AtSDP1 TAG lipases are universally found in the genomes of plants, fungi, and algae. Here we identified two homologs of AtSDP1 TAG lipases in the oleaginous microalga species Nannochloropsis oceanica, NoTGL1 and NoTGL2. We generated single- and double-knockout strains for these lipases by homologous recombination. Whereas overall TAG content in the NoTGL2 single-knockout mutant was identical to that of wild type, the NoTGL1 knockout showed a two-fold increase in TAG content per cell in early log phase under nutrient-sufficient conditions without affecting growth. Homologs of AtSDP1 in S. cerevisiae are localized to the surface of lipid droplets, and AtSDP1 is transported from peroxisomes to the surface of lipid droplets. In contrast, NoTGL1 localized to the endoplasmic reticulum in both Nannochloropsis and yeast. We suggest that homologs of AtSDP1 lipases in Nannochloropsis modulate de novo TAG biosynthesis in the endoplasmic reticulum, unlike the roles of these lipases in other organisms. These results provide important insights into the mechanisms of TAG metabolism catalyzed by homologs of AtSDP1 lipase, which are highly conserved across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Nobusawa
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259-B-65 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan; Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-4-3, Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Kaoru Yamakawa-Ayukawa
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259-B-65 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Fumihiko Saito
- Technical Research Center, Mazda Motor Corporation, 3-1, Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima, 730-8670, Japan
| | - Seiji Nomura
- Technical Research Center, Mazda Motor Corporation, 3-1, Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima, 730-8670, Japan
| | - Akihide Takami
- Technical Research Center, Mazda Motor Corporation, 3-1, Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima, 730-8670, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Ohta
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259-B-65 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan.
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Xin Y, Shen C, She Y, Chen H, Wang C, Wei L, Yoon K, Han D, Hu Q, Xu J. Biosynthesis of Triacylglycerol Molecules with a Tailored PUFA Profile in Industrial Microalgae. MOLECULAR PLANT 2019; 12:474-488. [PMID: 30580039 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2018.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in triacylglycerols (TAGs) is key to health benefits and for oil applications, yet the underlying genetic mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, by in silico, ex vivo, and in vivo profiling of type-2 diacylglycerol acyltransferases (DGAT2s) in Nannochloropsis oceanica we revealed two novel PUFA-preferring enzymes that discriminate individual PUFA species in TAG assembly, with NoDGAT2J for linoleic acid (LA) and NoDGAT2K for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The LA and EPA composition of TAG molecules is mediated in vivo via the functional partitioning between NoDGAT2J and 2K, both of which are localized in the chloroplast envelope. By modulating transcript abundance of the DGAT2s, an N. oceanica strain bank was created, where proportions of LA and EPA in TAG vary by 18.7-fold (between 0.21% and 3.92% dry weight) and 34.7-fold (between 0.09% and 3.12% dry weight), respectively. These findings lay the foundation for producing designer TAG molecules with tailored health benefits or for biofuel applications in industrial microalgae and higher-plant crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Xin
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong 266101, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chen Shen
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong 266101, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yiting She
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong 266101, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Center for Microalgal Biotechnology and Biofuels, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Cong Wang
- Core Laboratory, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong 266101, China
| | - Li Wei
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong 266101, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Kangsup Yoon
- Center for Microalgal Biotechnology and Biofuels, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Danxiang Han
- Center for Microalgal Biotechnology and Biofuels, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Qiang Hu
- Center for Microalgal Biotechnology and Biofuels, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Jian Xu
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong 266101, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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Naduthodi MIS, Mohanraju P, Südfeld C, D’Adamo S, Barbosa MJ, van der Oost J. CRISPR-Cas ribonucleoprotein mediated homology-directed repair for efficient targeted genome editing in microalgae Nannochloropsis oceanica IMET1. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2019; 12:66. [PMID: 30962821 PMCID: PMC6432748 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-019-1401-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microalgae are considered as a sustainable feedstock for the production of biofuels and other value-added compounds. In particular, Nannochloropsis spp. stand out from other microalgal species due to their capabilities to accumulate both triacylglycerol (TAG) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). However, the commercialization of microalgae-derived products is primarily hindered by the high production costs compared to less sustainable alternatives. Efficient genome editing techniques leading to effective metabolic engineering could result in strains with enhanced productivities of interesting metabolites and thereby reduce the production costs. Competent CRISPR-based genome editing techniques have been reported in several microalgal species, and only very recently in Nannochloropsis spp. (2017). All the reported CRISPR-Cas-based systems in Nannochloropsis spp. rely on plasmid-borne constitutive expression of Cas9 and a specific guide, combined with repair of double-stranded breaks (DSB) by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) for the target gene knockout. RESULTS In this study, we report for the first time an alternative approach for CRISPR-Cas-mediated genome editing in Nannochloropsis sp.; the Cas ribonucleoproteins (RNP) and an editing template were directly delivered into microalgal cells via electroporation, making Cas expression dispensable and homology-directed repair (HDR) possible with high efficiency. Apart from widely used SpCas9, Cas12a variants from three different bacterium were used for this approach. We observed that FnCas12a from Francisella novicida generated HDR-based targeted mutants with highest efficiency (up to 93% mutants among transformants) while AsCas12a from Acidaminococcus sp. resulted in the lowest efficiency. We initially show that the native homologous recombination (HR) system in N. oceanica IMET1 is not efficient for easy isolation of targeted mutants by HR. Cas9/sgRNA RNP delivery greatly enhanced HR at the target site, generating around 70% of positive mutant lines. CONCLUSION We show that the delivery of Cas RNP by electroporation can be an alternative approach to the presently reported plasmid-based Cas9 method for generating mutants of N. oceanica. The co-delivery of Cas-RNPs along with a dsDNA repair template efficiently enhanced HR at the target site, resulting in a remarkable higher percentage of positive mutant lines. Therefore, this approach can be used for efficient generation of targeted mutants in Nannochloropsis sp. In addition, we here report the activity of several Cas12a homologs in N. oceanica IMET1, identifying FnCas12a as the best performer for high efficiency targeted genome editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihris Ibnu Saleem Naduthodi
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 PD Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Bioprocess Engineering Department, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Prarthana Mohanraju
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 PD Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Christian Südfeld
- Bioprocess Engineering Department, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah D’Adamo
- Bioprocess Engineering Department, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maria J. Barbosa
- Bioprocess Engineering Department, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - John van der Oost
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 PD Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Lauersen KJ. Eukaryotic microalgae as hosts for light-driven heterologous isoprenoid production. PLANTA 2019; 249:155-180. [PMID: 30467629 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-018-3048-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryotic microalgae hold incredible metabolic potential for the sustainable production of heterologous isoprenoid products. Recent advances in algal engineering have enabled the demonstration of prominent examples of heterologous isoprenoid production. Isoprenoids, also known as terpenes or terpenoids, are the largest class of natural chemicals, with a vast diversity of structures and biological roles. Some have high-value in human-use applications, although may be found in their native contexts in low abundance or be difficult to extract and purify. Heterologous production of isoprenoid compounds in heterotrophic microbial hosts such as bacteria or yeasts has been an active area of research for some time and is now a mature technology. Eukaryotic microalgae represent sustainable alternatives to these hosts for biotechnological production processes as their cultivation can be driven by light and freely available CO2 as a carbon source. Their photosynthetic lifestyles require metabolic architectures structured towards the generation of associated isoprenoids (carotenoids, phytol) which participate in photon capture, energy dissipation, and electron transfer. Eukaryotic microalgae should, therefore, contain inherently high capacities for the generation of heterologous isoprenoid products. Although engineering strategies in eukaryotic microalgae have lagged behind the more genetically tractable bacteria and yeasts, recent advances in algal engineering concepts have demonstrated prominent examples of light-driven heterologous isoprenoid production from these photosynthetic hosts. This work seeks to provide practical insights into the choice of eukaryotic microalgae as biotechnological chassis. Recent reports of advances in algal engineering for heterologous isoprenoid production are highlighted as encouraging examples that promote their expanded use as sustainable green-cell factories. Current state of the art, limitations, and future challenges are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle J Lauersen
- Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany.
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Poliner E, Takeuchi T, Du ZY, Benning C, Farré EM. Nontransgenic Marker-Free Gene Disruption by an Episomal CRISPR System in the Oleaginous Microalga, Nannochloropsis oceanica CCMP1779. ACS Synth Biol 2018; 99:112-127. [PMID: 29518315 PMCID: PMC6616531 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.14314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Utilization of microalgae has been hampered by limited tools for creating loss-of-function mutants. Furthermore, modified strains for deployment into the field must be free of antibiotic resistance genes and face fewer regulatory hurdles if they are transgene free. The oleaginous microalga, Nannochloropsis oceanica CCMP1779, is an emerging model for microalgal lipid metabolism. We present a one-vector episomal CRISPR/Cas9 system for N. oceanica that enables the generation of marker-free mutant lines. The CEN/ARS6 region from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was included in the vector to facilitate its maintenance as circular extrachromosal DNA. The vector utilizes a bidirectional promoter to produce both Cas9 and a ribozyme flanked sgRNA. This system efficiently generates targeted mutations, and allows the loss of episomal DNA after the removal of selection pressure, resulting in marker-free nontransgenic engineered lines. To test this system, we disrupted the nitrate reductase gene ( NR) and subsequently removed the CRISPR episome to generate nontransgenic marker-free nitrate reductase knockout lines (NR-KO).
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Poliner
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
- MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Tomomi Takeuchi
- MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
- Biochemistry and Molecular Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Zhi-Yan Du
- MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
- Biochemistry and Molecular Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Christoph Benning
- MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
- Biochemistry and Molecular Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
- Plant Biology Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Eva M. Farré
- Plant Biology Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
- Corresponding Author: Eva M. Farré (), Phone: +1-517-353-5215
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