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Fallon TR, Shende VV, Wierzbicki IH, Auber RP, Gonzalez DJ, Wisecaver JH, Moore BS. Giant polyketide synthase enzymes biosynthesize a giant marine polyether biotoxin. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.29.577497. [PMID: 38352448 PMCID: PMC10862718 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.29.577497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Prymnesium parvum are harmful haptophyte algae that cause massive environmental fish-kills. Their polyketide polyether toxins, the prymnesins, are amongst the largest nonpolymeric compounds in nature, alongside structurally-related health-impacting "red-tide" polyether toxins whose biosynthetic origins have been an enigma for over 40 years. Here we report the 'PKZILLAs', massive P. parvum polyketide synthase (PKS) genes, whose existence and challenging genomic structure evaded prior detection. PKZILLA-1 and -2 encode giant protein products of 4.7 and 3.2 MDa with 140 and 99 enzyme domains, exceeding the largest known protein titin and all other known PKS systems. Their predicted polyene product matches the proposed pre-prymnesin precursor of the 90-carbon-backbone A-type prymnesins. This discovery establishes a model system for microalgal polyether biosynthesis and expands expectations of genetic and enzymatic size limits in biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy R. Fallon
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography and University of California, San Diego; 9500 Gilman Dr #0204, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Vikram V. Shende
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography and University of California, San Diego; 9500 Gilman Dr #0204, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Igor H. Wierzbicki
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego; 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Robert P. Auber
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University; 175 S University St, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University; 175 S University St, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - David J. Gonzalez
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego; 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego; 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jennifer H. Wisecaver
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University; 175 S University St, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University; 175 S University St, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Bradley S. Moore
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography and University of California, San Diego; 9500 Gilman Dr #0204, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego; 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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2
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Davison JR, Rajwani R, Zhao G, Bewley CA. The genome of antibiotic-producing colonies of the Pelagophyte alga Chrysophaeum taylorii reveals a diverse and non-canonical capacity for secondary metabolism. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11944. [PMID: 37488207 PMCID: PMC10366177 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38042-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Chrysophaeum taylorii is a member of an understudied clade of marine algae that can be responsible for harmful coastal blooms and is known to accumulate bioactive natural products including antibiotics of the chrysophaentin class. Whole genome sequencing of laboratory-cultivated samples revealed an extensive and diverse complement of secondary metabolite biosynthetic genes in C. taylorii, alongside a small microbiome with a more limited biosynthetic potential. 16S microbiome analysis of laboratory cultured alongside wild-collected samples revealed several common taxa; however, analysis of biosynthetic genes suggested an algal origin for the chrysophaentins, possibly via one of several non-canonical polyketide synthase genes encoded within the genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack R Davison
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Mailstop 0820, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
- LifeMine Therapeutics, 30 Acorn Park Dr., Cambridge, MA, 02140, USA.
| | - Rahim Rajwani
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Mailstop 0820, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Gengxiang Zhao
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Mailstop 0820, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Carole A Bewley
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Mailstop 0820, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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3
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Huang MD, Wu CW, Chou HY, Cheng SY, Chang HY. The revealing of a novel lipid transfer protein lineage in green algae. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 23:21. [PMID: 36627558 PMCID: PMC9832785 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04040-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) are a group of small and basic proteins that can bind and transfer various lipid molecules to the apoplastic space. A typical nsLTP carries a conserved architecture termed eight-cysteine motif (8CM), a scaffold of loop-linked helices folding into a hydrophobic cavity for lipids binding. Encoded by a multigene family, nsLTPs are widely distributed in terrestrial plants from bryophytes to angiosperms with dozens of gene members in a single species. Although the nsLTPs in the most primitive plants such as Marchantia already reach 14 members and are divergent enough to form separate groups, so far none have been identified in any species of green algae. RESULTS By using a refined searching strategy, we identified putative nsLTP genes in more than ten species of green algae as one or two genes per haploid genome but not in red and brown algae. The analyses show that the algal nsLTPs carry unique characteristics, including the extended 8CM spacing, larger molecular mass, lower pI value and multiple introns in a gene, which suggests that they could be a novel nsLTP lineage. Moreover, the results of further investigation on the two Chlamydomonas nsLTPs using transcript and protein assays demonstrated their late zygotic stage expression patterns and the canonical nsLTP properties were also verified, such as the fatty acids binding and proteinase resistance activities. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, a novel nsLTP lineage is identified in green algae, which carries some unique sequences and molecular features that are distinguishable from those in land plants. Combined with the results of further examinations of the Chlamydomonas nsLTPs in vitro, possible roles of the algal nsLTPs are also suggested. This study not only reveals the existence of the nsLTPs in green algae but also contributes to facilitating future studies on this enigmatic protein family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Der Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 80424.
| | - Chin-Wei Wu
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 80424
| | - Hong-Yun Chou
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 80424
| | - Sou-Yu Cheng
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 80424
| | - Hsin-Yang Chang
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 80424.
- Department of Life Sciences and Institute of Genome Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, 11221.
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4
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Permann C, Gierlinger N, Holzinger A. Zygospores of the green alga Spirogyra: new insights from structural and chemical imaging. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1080111. [PMID: 36561459 PMCID: PMC9763465 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1080111] [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: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Zygnematophyceae, a class of streptophyte green algae and sister group to land plants (Embryophytes) live in aquatic to semi-terrestrial habitats. The transition from aquatic to terrestrial environments requires adaptations in the physiology of vegetative cells and in the structural properties of their cell walls. Sexual reproduction occurs in Zygnematophyceae by conjugation and results in the formation of zygospores, possessing unique multi-layered cell walls, which might have been crucial in terrestrialization. We investigated the structure and chemical composition of field sampled Spirogyra sp. zygospore cell walls by multiple microscopical and spectral imaging techniques: light microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, transmission electron microscopy following high pressure freeze fixation/freeze substitution, Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. This comprehensive analysis allowed the detection of the subcellular organization and showed three main layers of the zygospore wall, termed endo-, meso- and exospore. The endo- and exospore are composed of polysaccharides with different ultrastructural appearance, whereas the electron dense middle layer contains aromatic compounds as further characterized by Raman spectroscopy. The possible chemical composition remains elusive, but algaenan or a sporopollenin-like material is suggested. Similar compounds with a non-hydrolysable character can be found in moss spores and pollen of higher plants, suggesting a protective function against desiccation stress and high irradiation. While the tripartite differentiation of the zygospore wall is well established in Zygnematopyhceae, Spirogyra showed cellulose fibrils arranged in a helicoidal pattern in the endo- and exospore. Initial incorporation of lipid bodies during early zygospore wall formation was also observed, suggesting a key role of lipids in zygospore wall synthesis. Multimodal imaging revealed that the cell wall of the sexually formed zygospores possess a highly complex internal structure as well as aromatics, likely acting as protective compounds and leading to impregnation. Both, the newly discovered special three-dimensional arrangement of microfibrils and the integration of highly resistant components in the cell wall are not found in the vegetative state. The variety of methods gave a comprehensive view on the intricate zygospore cell wall and its potential key role in the terrestrial colonization and plant evolution is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Permann
- Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Functional Plant Biology, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Notburga Gierlinger
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas Holzinger
- Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Functional Plant Biology, Innsbruck, Austria
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Smit SJ, Lichman BR. Plant biosynthetic gene clusters in the context of metabolic evolution. Nat Prod Rep 2022; 39:1465-1482. [PMID: 35441651 PMCID: PMC9298681 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00005a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Covering: up to 2022Plants produce a wide range of structurally and biosynthetically diverse natural products to interact with their environment. These specialised metabolites typically evolve in limited taxonomic groups presumably in response to specific selective pressures. With the increasing availability of sequencing data, it has become apparent that in many cases the genes encoding biosynthetic enzymes for specialised metabolic pathways are not randomly distributed on the genome. Instead they are physically linked in structures such as arrays, pairs and clusters. The exact function of these clusters is debated. In this review we take a broad view of gene arrangement in plant specialised metabolism, examining types of structures and variation. We discuss the evolution of biosynthetic gene clusters in the wider context of metabolism, populations and epigenetics. Finally, we synthesise our observations to propose a new hypothesis for biosynthetic gene cluster formation in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J Smit
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Benjamin R Lichman
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
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6
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Arakawa S, Kanaseki T, Wagner R, Goodenough U. Ultrastructure of the foliose lichen Myelochroa leucotyliza and its solo fungal and algal (Trebouxia sp.) partners. ALGAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2021.102571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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7
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Anestis K, Kohli GS, Wohlrab S, Varga E, Larsen TO, Hansen PJ, John U. Polyketide synthase genes and molecular trade-offs in the ichthyotoxic species Prymnesium parvum. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 795:148878. [PMID: 34252778 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Prymnesium parvum is a bloom forming haptophyte that has been responsible for numerous fish kill events across the world. The toxicity of P. parvum has been attributed to the production of large polyketide compounds, collectively called prymnesins, which based on their structure can be divided into A-, B- and C-type. The polyketide chemical nature of prymnesins indicates the potential involvement of polyketide synthases (PKSs) in their biosynthesis. However, little is known about the presence of PKSs in P. parvum as well as the potential molecular trade-offs of toxin biosynthesis. In the current study, we generated and analyzed the transcriptomes of nine P. parvum strains that produce different toxin types and have various cellular toxin contents. Numerous type I PKSs, ranging from 37 to 109, were found among the strains. Larger modular type I PKSs were mainly retrieved from strains with high cellular toxin levels and eight consensus transcripts were present in all nine strains. Gene expression variance analysis revealed potential molecular trade-offs associated with cellular toxin quantity, showing that basic metabolic processes seem to correlate negatively with cellular toxin content. These findings point towards the presence of metabolic costs for maintaining high cellular toxin quantity. The detailed analysis of PKSs in P. parvum is the first step towards better understanding the molecular basis of the biosynthesis of prymnesins and contributes to the development of molecular tools for efficient monitoring of future blooms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Anestis
- Ecological Chemistry, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany.
| | - Gurjeet Singh Kohli
- Ecological Chemistry, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany.
| | - Sylke Wohlrab
- Ecological Chemistry, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany; Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, Ammerländer Heerstraße 231, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany.
| | - Elisabeth Varga
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 40, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Thomas Ostenfeld Larsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads 221, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Per Juel Hansen
- Marine Biology Section, University of Copenhagen, Strandpromenaden 5, 3000 Helsingør, Denmark.
| | - Uwe John
- Ecological Chemistry, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany; Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, Ammerländer Heerstraße 231, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany.
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8
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Correction. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 102:1340. [PMID: 32557967 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.14741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
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9
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Wang J, Zhang R, Chen X, Sun X, Yan Y, Shen X, Yuan Q. Biosynthesis of aromatic polyketides in microorganisms using type II polyketide synthases. Microb Cell Fact 2020; 19:110. [PMID: 32448179 PMCID: PMC7247197 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-020-01367-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aromatic polyketides have attractive biological activities and pharmacological properties. Different from other polyketides, aromatic polyketides are characterized by their polycyclic aromatic structure. The biosynthesis of aromatic polyketides is usually accomplished by the type II polyketide synthases (PKSs), which produce highly diverse polyketide chains by sequential condensation of the starter units with extender units, followed by reduction, cyclization, aromatization and tailoring reactions. Recently, significant progress has been made in characterization and engineering of type II PKSs to produce novel products and improve product titers. In this review, we briefly summarize the architectural organizations and genetic contributions of PKS genes to provide insight into the biosynthetic process. We then review the most recent progress in engineered biosynthesis of aromatic polyketides, with emphasis on generating novel molecular structures. We also discuss the current challenges and future perspectives in the rational engineering of type II PKSs for large scale production of aromatic polyketides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 15 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Ruihua Zhang
- School of Chemical, Materials and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Xin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 15 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Xinxiao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 15 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yajun Yan
- School of Chemical, Materials and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Xiaolin Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 15 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China.
| | - Qipeng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 15 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China.
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10
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Mining Natural Product Biosynthesis in Eukaryotic Algae. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:md18020090. [PMID: 32019095 PMCID: PMC7073580 DOI: 10.3390/md18020090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic algae are an extremely diverse category of photosynthetic organisms and some species produce highly potent bioactive compounds poisonous to humans or other animals, most notably observed during harmful algal blooms. These natural products include some of the most poisonous small molecules known and unique cyclic polyethers. However, the diversity and complexity of algal genomes means that sequencing-based research has lagged behind research into more readily sequenced microbes, such as bacteria and fungi. Applying informatics techniques to the algal genomes that are now available reveals new natural product biosynthetic pathways, with different groups of algae containing different types of pathways. There is some evidence for gene clusters and the biosynthetic logic of polyketides enables some prediction of these final products. For other pathways, it is much more challenging to predict the products and there may be many gene clusters that are not identified with the automated tools. These results suggest that there is a great diversity of biosynthetic capacity for natural products encoded in the genomes of algae and suggest areas for future research focus.
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11
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Luxmi R, Kumar D, Mains RE, King SM, Eipper BA. Cilia-based peptidergic signaling. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000566. [PMID: 31809498 PMCID: PMC6919629 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptide-based intercellular communication is a ubiquitous and ancient process that predates evolution of the nervous system. Cilia are essential signaling centers that both receive information from the environment and secrete bioactive extracellular vesicles (ectosomes). However, the nature of these secreted signals and their biological functions remain poorly understood. Here, we report the developmentally regulated release of the peptide amidating enzyme, peptidylglycine α-amidating monooxygenase (PAM), and the presence of peptidergic signaling machinery (including propeptide precursors, subtilisin-like prohormone convertases, amidated products, and receptors) in ciliary ectosomes from the green alga Chlamydomonas. One identified amidated PAM product serves as a chemoattractant for mating-type minus gametes but repels plus gametes. Thus, cilia provide a previously unappreciated route for the secretion of amidated signaling peptides. Our study in Chlamydomonas and the presence of PAM in mammalian cilia suggest that ciliary ectosome-mediated peptidergic signaling dates to the early eukaryotes and plays key roles in metazoan physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj Luxmi
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Dhivya Kumar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Richard E. Mains
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Stephen M. King
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, United States of America
- Electron Microscopy Facility, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Betty A. Eipper
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, United States of America
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12
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Cecchin M, Marcolungo L, Rossato M, Girolomoni L, Cosentino E, Cuine S, Li‐Beisson Y, Delledonne M, Ballottari M. Chlorella vulgaris genome assembly and annotation reveals the molecular basis for metabolic acclimation to high light conditions. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 100:1289-1305. [PMID: 31437318 PMCID: PMC6972661 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.14508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Chlorella vulgaris is a fast-growing fresh-water microalga cultivated on the industrial scale for applications ranging from food to biofuel production. To advance our understanding of its biology and to establish genetics tools for biotechnological manipulation, we sequenced the nuclear and organelle genomes of Chlorella vulgaris 211/11P by combining next generation sequencing and optical mapping of isolated DNA molecules. This hybrid approach allowed us to assemble the nuclear genome in 14 pseudo-molecules with an N50 of 2.8 Mb and 98.9% of scaffolded genome. The integration of RNA-seq data obtained at two different irradiances of growth (high light, HL versus low light, LL) enabled us to identify 10 724 nuclear genes, coding for 11 082 transcripts. Moreover, 121 and 48 genes, respectively, were found in the chloroplast and mitochondrial genome. Functional annotation and expression analysis of nuclear, chloroplast and mitochondrial genome sequences revealed particular features of Chlorella vulgaris. Evidence of horizontal gene transfers from chloroplast to mitochondrial genome was observed. Furthermore, comparative transcriptomic analyses of LL versus HL provided insights into the molecular basis for metabolic rearrangement under HL versus LL conditions leading to enhanced de novo fatty acid biosynthesis and triacylglycerol accumulation. The occurrence of a cytosolic fatty acid biosynthetic pathway could be predicted and its upregulation upon HL exposure was observed, consistent with the increased lipid amount under HL conditions. These data provide a rich genetic resource for future genome editing studies, and potential targets for biotechnological manipulation of Chlorella vulgaris or other microalgae species to improve biomass and lipid productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Cecchin
- Dipartimento di BiotecnologieUniversità di VeronaStrada Le Grazie 1537134Verona, Italy
| | - Luca Marcolungo
- Dipartimento di BiotecnologieUniversità di VeronaStrada Le Grazie 1537134Verona, Italy
| | - Marzia Rossato
- Dipartimento di BiotecnologieUniversità di VeronaStrada Le Grazie 1537134Verona, Italy
| | - Laura Girolomoni
- Dipartimento di BiotecnologieUniversità di VeronaStrada Le Grazie 1537134Verona, Italy
| | - Emanuela Cosentino
- Dipartimento di BiotecnologieUniversità di VeronaStrada Le Grazie 1537134Verona, Italy
| | - Stephan Cuine
- Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix‐Marseille, UMR7265Aix‐Marseille UniversityCEACNRSCEA CadaracheSaint‐Paul‐lez DuranceF‐13108France
| | - Yonghua Li‐Beisson
- Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix‐Marseille, UMR7265Aix‐Marseille UniversityCEACNRSCEA CadaracheSaint‐Paul‐lez DuranceF‐13108France
| | - Massimo Delledonne
- Dipartimento di BiotecnologieUniversità di VeronaStrada Le Grazie 1537134Verona, Italy
| | - Matteo Ballottari
- Dipartimento di BiotecnologieUniversità di VeronaStrada Le Grazie 1537134Verona, Italy
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13
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de Carpentier F, Lemaire SD, Danon A. When Unity Is Strength: The Strategies Used by Chlamydomonas to Survive Environmental Stresses. Cells 2019; 8:E1307. [PMID: 31652831 PMCID: PMC6912462 DOI: 10.3390/cells8111307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a valuable model system to study a wide spectrum of scientific fields, including responses to environmental conditions. Most studies are performed under optimal growth conditions or under mild stress. However, when environmental conditions become harsher, the behavior of this unicellular alga is less well known. In this review we will show that despite being a unicellular organism, Chlamydomonas can survive very severe environmental conditions. To do so, and depending on the intensity of the stress, the strategies used by Chlamydomonas can range from acclimation to the formation of multicellular structures, or involve programmed cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Félix de Carpentier
- Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, UMR 8226, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France.
- Faculty of Sciences, Doctoral School of Plant Sciences, Université Paris-Sud, Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France.
| | - Stéphane D Lemaire
- Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, UMR 8226, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France.
| | - Antoine Danon
- Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, UMR 8226, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France.
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Sasso S, Stibor H, Mittag M, Grossman AR. From molecular manipulation of domesticated Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to survival in nature. eLife 2018; 7:39233. [PMID: 30382941 PMCID: PMC6211829 DOI: 10.7554/elife.39233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In the mid-20th century, the unicellular and genetically tractable green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was first developed as a model organism to elucidate fundamental cellular processes such as photosynthesis, light perception and the structure, function and biogenesis of cilia. Various studies of C. reinhardtii have profoundly advanced plant and cell biology, and have also impacted algal biotechnology and our understanding of human disease. However, the 'real' life of C. reinhardtii in the natural environment has largely been neglected. To extend our understanding of the biology of C. reinhardtii, it will be rewarding to explore its behavior in its natural habitats, learning more about its abundance and life cycle, its genetic and physiological diversity, and its biotic and abiotic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Severin Sasso
- Matthias Schleiden Institute of Genetics, Bioinformatics and Molecular Botany, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Herwig Stibor
- Department Biology II, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Maria Mittag
- Matthias Schleiden Institute of Genetics, Bioinformatics and Molecular Botany, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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