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Nelson DR, Hazzouri KM, Lauersen KJ, Jaiswal A, Chaiboonchoe A, Mystikou A, Fu W, Daakour S, Dohai B, Alzahmi A, Nobles D, Hurd M, Sexton J, Preston MJ, Blanchette J, Lomas MW, Amiri KMA, Salehi-Ashtiani K. Large-scale genome sequencing reveals the driving forces of viruses in microalgal evolution. Cell Host Microbe 2021; 29:250-266.e8. [PMID: 33434515 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2020.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Being integral primary producers in diverse ecosystems, microalgal genomes could be mined for ecological insights, but representative genome sequences are lacking for many phyla. We cultured and sequenced 107 microalgae species from 11 different phyla indigenous to varied geographies and climates. This collection was used to resolve genomic differences between saltwater and freshwater microalgae. Freshwater species showed domain-centric ontology enrichment for nuclear and nuclear membrane functions, while saltwater species were enriched in organellar and cellular membrane functions. Further, marine species contained significantly more viral families in their genomes (p = 8e-4). Sequences from Chlorovirus, Coccolithovirus, Pandoravirus, Marseillevirus, Tupanvirus, and other viruses were found integrated into the genomes of algal from marine environments. These viral-origin sequences were found to be expressed and code for a wide variety of functions. Together, this study comprehensively defines the expanse of protein-coding and viral elements in microalgal genomes and posits a unified adaptive strategy for algal halotolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Nelson
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
| | - Khaled M Hazzouri
- Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (KCGEB), UAE University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE; Biology Department, College of Science, UAE University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Kyle J Lauersen
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Ashish Jaiswal
- Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | | | - Alexandra Mystikou
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Weiqi Fu
- Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Sarah Daakour
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Bushra Dohai
- Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Amnah Alzahmi
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - David Nobles
- UTEX Culture Collection of Algae at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Mark Hurd
- National Center for Marine Algae and Microbiota, East Boothbay, ME, USA
| | - Julie Sexton
- National Center for Marine Algae and Microbiota, East Boothbay, ME, USA
| | - Michael J Preston
- National Center for Marine Algae and Microbiota, East Boothbay, ME, USA
| | - Joan Blanchette
- National Center for Marine Algae and Microbiota, East Boothbay, ME, USA
| | - Michael W Lomas
- National Center for Marine Algae and Microbiota, East Boothbay, ME, USA
| | - Khaled M A Amiri
- Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (KCGEB), UAE University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE; Biology Department, College of Science, UAE University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Kourosh Salehi-Ashtiani
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE; Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
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Cyanobacteria and Algae in Clouds and Rain in the Area of puy de Dôme, Central France. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 87:AEM.01850-20. [PMID: 33097513 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01850-20] [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: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The atmosphere contains diverse living microbes, of which the heterotrophic community has been the best studied. Microbes with other trophic modes, such as photoautotrophy, have received much less attention. In this study, culture-independent and dependent methods were used to examine the presence and diversity of oxygenic photoautotrophic microbes in clouds and rain collected at or around puy de Dôme Mountain, central France. Cloud water was collected from the summit of puy de Dôme (1,465 m above sea level [a.s.l.]) for cultivation and metagenomic analysis. Cyanobacteria, diatoms, green algae, and other oxygenic photoautotrophs were found to be recurrent members of clouds, while green algae affiliated with the Chlorellaceae were successfully cultured from three different clouds. Additionally, rain samples were collected below the mountain from Opme meteorological station (680 m a.s.l.). The abundance of chlorophyll a-containing cells and the diversity of cyanobacteria and green algae in rain were assessed by flow cytometry and amplicon sequencing. The corresponding downward flux of chlorophyll a-containing organisms to the ground, entering surface ecosystems with rain, varied with time and was estimated to be between ∼1 and >300 cells cm-2 day-1 during the sampling period. Besides abundant pollen from Pinales and Rosales, cyanobacteria of the Chroococcidiopsidales and green algae of the Trebouxiales were dominant in rain samples. Certain members of these taxa are known to be ubiquitous and stress tolerant and could use the atmosphere for dispersal. Overall, our results indicate that the atmosphere carries diverse, viable oxygenic photoautotrophic microbes and acts as a dispersal vector for this microbial guild.IMPORTANCE Information regarding the diversity and abundance of oxygenic photoautotrophs in the atmosphere is limited. More information from diverse locations is needed. These airborne organisms could have important impacts upon atmospheric processes and on the ecosystems they enter after deposition. Oxygenic photoautotrophic microbes are integral to ecosystem functioning, and some have the potential to affect human health. A better understanding of the diversity and the movements of these aeolian dispersed organisms is needed to understand their ecology, as well as how they could affect ecosystems and human health.
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Lamy JB, Tsopra R. RainBio: Proportional Visualization of Large Sets in Biology. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON VISUALIZATION AND COMPUTER GRAPHICS 2020; 26:3285-3298. [PMID: 31180862 DOI: 10.1109/tvcg.2019.2921544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Set visualization is a well-known task in information visualization. In biology, it is used for comparing visually sets of genes or proteins, typically using Venn diagrams. However, limitations of the Venn diagram are well-known: they are limited to 6 sets and difficult to read above 4. Many other set visualization techniques have been proposed, but they have never been widely used in biology. In this paper, we introduce RainBio, a technique for visualizing sets in biology and aimed at providing a global overview showing the size of the main intersections, in a proportional way, and the similarities between sets. We adapt rainbow boxes, a technique for visualizing small datasets, to the visualization of larger sets, using element aggregation and intersection clustering. We present the application of RainBio to three datasets, with 5, 6 and 12 sets. We also describe a small user study comparing RainBio with Venn diagrams, involving 30 students in biology. Results showed that RainBio led to significantly fewer errors on 6-set dataset, and that the majority of students preferred RainBio. RainBio is proposed as a web-based tool for up to 15 sets.
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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: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [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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Lefers RM, Tester M, Lauersen KJ. Emerging Technologies to Enable Sustainable Controlled Environment Agriculture in the Extreme Environments of Middle East-North Africa Coastal Regions. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:801. [PMID: 32714341 PMCID: PMC7343771 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Despite global shifts in attitudes toward sustainability and increasing awareness of human impact on the environment, projected population growth and climate change require technological adaptations to ensure food and resource security at a global scale. Although desert areas have long been proposed as ideal sites for solar electricity generation, only recently have efforts shifted toward development of specialized and regionally focused agriculture in these extreme environments. In coastal regions of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the most abundant resources are consistent intense sunlight and saline sea water. MENA coastal regions hold incredible untapped potential for agriculture driven by the combination of key emerging technologies in future greenhouse concepts: transparent infrared collecting solar panels and low energy salt water cooling. These technologies can be combined to create greenhouses that drive regionally relevant agriculture in this extreme environment, especially when the target crops are salt-tolerant plants and algal biomass. Future controlled environment agriculture concepts will not compete for municipal fresh water and can be readily integrated into local human/livestock/fisheries food chains. With strategic technological implementation, marginal lands in these environments could participate in production of biomass, sustainable energy generation, and the circular carbon economy. The goal of this perspective is to reframe the idea of these environments as extreme, to having incredible untapped development potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M. Lefers
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Center for Desert Agriculture, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Dallas, Texas A&M University, Dallas, TX, Unites States
| | - Mark Tester
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Center for Desert Agriculture, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kyle J. Lauersen
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
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Fu W, Nelson DR, Mystikou A, Daakour S, Salehi-Ashtiani K. Advances in microalgal research and engineering development. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2019; 59:157-164. [PMID: 31252302 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae have been investigated for the photosynthetic production of natural products with industrial and biomedical applications. Their rapid growth offers an advantage over higher plants, while their complex metabolic capacities allow for the production of various molecules. Despite their potentials, molecular techniques are underdeveloped in microalgae compared to higher plants, fungi, and bacteria. However, recent advances in genome sequencing, strain development, and genome editing technologies, are providing thrust to enhance research on microalgal species that have branched out from several focal model organisms to encompass a great diversity of species. In this review, we highlight the recent, significant advances in microalgal research, with a focus on the development of new resources that can enhance work on model and non-model species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqi Fu
- Laboratory of Algal, Systems, and Synthetic Biology, Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Center for Systems Biology and Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - David R Nelson
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Alexandra Mystikou
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sarah Daakour
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Kourosh Salehi-Ashtiani
- Laboratory of Algal, Systems, and Synthetic Biology, Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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Abstract
Over 100 whole-genome sequences from algae are published or soon to be published. The rapidly increasing availability of these fundamental resources is changing how we understand one of the most diverse, complex, and understudied groups of photosynthetic eukaryotes. Genome sequences provide a window into the functional potential of individual algae, with phylogenomics and functional genomics as tools for contextualizing and transferring knowledge from reference organisms into less well-characterized systems. Remarkably, over half of the proteins encoded by algal genomes are of unknown function, highlighting the volume of functional capabilities yet to be discovered. In this review, we provide an overview of publicly available algal genomes, their associated protein inventories, and their quality, with a summary of the statuses of protein function understanding and predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sabeeha S Merchant
- Departments of Plant and Microbial Biology and Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
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Nelson DR, Chaiboonchoe A, Fu W, Hazzouri KM, Huang Z, Jaiswal A, Daakour S, Mystikou A, Arnoux M, Sultana M, Salehi-Ashtiani K. Potential for Heightened Sulfur-Metabolic Capacity in Coastal Subtropical Microalgae. iScience 2019; 11:450-465. [PMID: 30684492 PMCID: PMC6348204 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2018.12.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The activities of microalgae support nutrient cycling that helps to sustain aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Most microalgal species, especially those from the subtropics, are genomically uncharacterized. Here we report the isolation and genomic characterization of 22 microalgal species from subtropical coastal regions belonging to multiple clades and three from temperate areas. Halotolerant strains including Halamphora, Dunaliella, Nannochloris, and Chloroidium comprised the majority of these isolates. The subtropical-based microalgae contained arrays of methyltransferase, pyridine nucleotide-disulfide oxidoreductase, abhydrolase, cystathionine synthase, and small-molecule transporter domains present at high relative abundance. We found that genes for sulfate transport, sulfotransferase, and glutathione S-transferase activities were especially abundant in subtropical, coastal microalgal species and halophytic species in general. Our metabolomics analyses indicate lineage- and habitat-specific sets of biomolecules implicated in niche-specific biological processes. This work effectively expands the collection of available microalgal genomes by ∼50%, and the generated resources provide perspectives for studying halophyte adaptive traits. We have sequenced 20+ microallgal genomes from the subtropics This new collection increases the available microalgal genomes by ∼50% Metabolomics indicates lineage- and habitat-specificity of biomolecules Coastal, subtropical species of microalgae show expansion of sulfur-metabolic genes
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Nelson
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | | | - Weiqi Fu
- Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Khaled M Hazzouri
- Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (KCGEB), United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, UAE
| | - Ziyuan Huang
- Department of Computer Science, New York University Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Ashish Jaiswal
- Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Sarah Daakour
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Alexandra Mystikou
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Marc Arnoux
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Mehar Sultana
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Kourosh Salehi-Ashtiani
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE; Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
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Xu ZH, Cheng AD, Xing XP, Zong MH, Bai YP, Li N. Improved synthesis of 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural using acclimatized whole cells entrapped in calcium alginate. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2018; 262:177-183. [PMID: 29705609 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.04.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Upgrading of biomass-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) has attracted considerable interest recently. In this work, efficient synthesis of 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF) from HMF was reported with the acclimatized Meyerozyma guilliermondii SC1103 cells entrapped in calcium alginate beads. Catalytic activities of the cells as well as their HMF-tolerant level increased significantly upon acclimatization and immobilization. BHMF was obtained within 7-24 h with good yields (82-85%) and excellent selectivities (99%) when the substrate concentrations were 200-300 mM. In scale-up synthesis, BHMF of up to 181 mM was produced within 7 h, and its productivity was approximately 3.3 g/L h. In addition, the immobilized biocatalyst showed satisfactory operational stability; the cell viability of 70% was retained after reuse 4 times. With rice straw hydrolysate as co-substrate, both the reaction rate and selectivity decreased, likely due to the deleterious influence of xylose in the hydrolysate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Hua Xu
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, 381 Wushan Road, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Ai-Di Cheng
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, 381 Wushan Road, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Xu-Pu Xing
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, 381 Wushan Road, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Min-Hua Zong
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, 381 Wushan Road, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Yun-Peng Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Ning Li
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, 381 Wushan Road, Guangzhou 510640, China.
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11
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Nelson DR, Khraiwesh B, Fu W, Alseekh S, Jaiswal A, Chaiboonchoe A, Hazzouri KM, O'Connor MJ, Butterfoss GL, Drou N, Rowe JD, Harb J, Fernie AR, Gunsalus KC, Salehi-Ashtiani K. The genome and phenome of the green alga Chloroidium sp. UTEX 3007 reveal adaptive traits for desert acclimatization. eLife 2017. [PMID: 28623667 PMCID: PMC5509433 DOI: 10.7554/elife.25783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
To investigate the phenomic and genomic traits that allow green algae to survive in deserts, we characterized a ubiquitous species, Chloroidium sp. UTEX 3007, which we isolated from multiple locations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Metabolomic analyses of Chloroidium sp. UTEX 3007 indicated that the alga accumulates a broad range of carbon sources, including several desiccation tolerance-promoting sugars and unusually large stores of palmitate. Growth assays revealed capacities to grow in salinities from zero to 60 g/L and to grow heterotrophically on >40 distinct carbon sources. Assembly and annotation of genomic reads yielded a 52.5 Mbp genome with 8153 functionally annotated genes. Comparison with other sequenced green algae revealed unique protein families involved in osmotic stress tolerance and saccharide metabolism that support phenomic studies. Our results reveal the robust and flexible biology utilized by a green alga to successfully inhabit a desert coastline. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.25783.001 Single-celled green algae, also known as green microalgae, play an important role for the world’s ecosystems, in part, because they can harness energy from sunlight to produce carbon-rich compounds. Microalgae are also important for biotechnology and people have harnessed them to make food, fuel and medicines. Green microalgae live in many types of habitats from streams to oceans, and they can also be found on the land, including in deserts. Like plants that live in the desert, these microalgae have likely evolved specific traits that allow them to live in these hot and dry regions. Yet, fewer scientists have studied microalgae compared to land plants, and until now it was not well understood how microalgae could survive in the desert. Nelson et al. analyzed green microalgae from different locations around the United Arab Emirates and found that one microalga, known as Chloroidium, is one of the most dominant algae in this area. This included samples from beaches, mangroves, desert oases, buildings and public fresh water sources. Chloroidium has a unique set of genes and proteins and grew particularly well in freshwater and saltwater. Rather than just harnessing sunlight, the microalgae were able to consume over 40 different varieties of carbon sources to produce energy. The microalgae also accumulated oily molecules with a similar composition to palm oil, which may help this species to survive in desert regions. A next step will be to develop biotechnological assets based on the information obtained. In the future, microalgae could be used to make an oil that represents an alternative to palm oil; this would reduce the demand for palm tree plantations, which pose a major threat to the natural environment. Moreover, understanding how microalgae can colonize a desert region will help us to understand the effects of climate change in the region. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.25783.002
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Nelson
- Laboratory of Algal, Synthetic, and Systems Biology, Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.,Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Basel Khraiwesh
- Laboratory of Algal, Synthetic, and Systems Biology, Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.,Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Weiqi Fu
- Laboratory of Algal, Synthetic, and Systems Biology, Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Saleh Alseekh
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Ashish Jaiswal
- Laboratory of Algal, Synthetic, and Systems Biology, Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Amphun Chaiboonchoe
- Laboratory of Algal, Synthetic, and Systems Biology, Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Khaled M Hazzouri
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Matthew J O'Connor
- Core Technology Platform, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Glenn L Butterfoss
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nizar Drou
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jillian D Rowe
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jamil Harb
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam, Germany.,Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Birzeit University, Birzeit, Palestine
| | - Alisdair R Fernie
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Kristin C Gunsalus
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.,Center for Genomics and Systems Biology and Department of Biology, New York University, New York, United States
| | - Kourosh Salehi-Ashtiani
- Laboratory of Algal, Synthetic, and Systems Biology, Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.,Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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