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Xin Y, Wu S, Miao C, Xu T, Lu Y. Towards Lipid from Microalgae: Products, Biosynthesis, and Genetic Engineering. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:447. [PMID: 38672718 PMCID: PMC11051065 DOI: 10.3390/life14040447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Microalgae can convert carbon dioxide into organic matter through photosynthesis. Thus, they are considered as an environment-friendly and efficient cell chassis for biologically active metabolites. Microalgal lipids are a class of organic compounds that can be used as raw materials for food, feed, cosmetics, healthcare products, bioenergy, etc., with tremendous potential for commercialization. In this review, we summarized the commercial lipid products from eukaryotic microalgae, and updated the mechanisms of lipid synthesis in microalgae. Moreover, we reviewed the enhancement of lipids, triglycerides, polyunsaturated fatty acids, pigments, and terpenes in microalgae via environmental induction and/or metabolic engineering in the past five years. Collectively, we provided a comprehensive overview of the products, biosynthesis, induced strategies and genetic engineering in microalgal lipids. Meanwhile, the outlook has been presented for the development of microalgal lipids industries, emphasizing the significance of the accurate analysis of lipid bioactivity, as well as the high-throughput screening of microalgae with specific lipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Xin
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, School of Marine Life and Aquaculture, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (S.W.); (C.M.); (T.X.)
- Haikou Technology Innovation Center for Research and Utilization of Algal Bioresources, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Shan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, School of Marine Life and Aquaculture, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (S.W.); (C.M.); (T.X.)
| | - Congcong Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, School of Marine Life and Aquaculture, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (S.W.); (C.M.); (T.X.)
| | - Tao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, School of Marine Life and Aquaculture, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (S.W.); (C.M.); (T.X.)
| | - Yandu Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, School of Marine Life and Aquaculture, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (S.W.); (C.M.); (T.X.)
- Haikou Technology Innovation Center for Research and Utilization of Algal Bioresources, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Hydrobiotechnology, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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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: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Vink JNA, Hayhurst M, Gerth ML. Harnessing CRISPR-Cas for oomycete genome editing. Trends Microbiol 2023; 31:947-958. [PMID: 37127441 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Oomycetes are a group of microorganisms that include pathogens responsible for devastating diseases in plants and animals worldwide. Despite their importance, the development of genome editing techniques for oomycetes has progressed more slowly than for model microorganisms. Here, we review recent breakthroughs in clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas technologies that are expanding the genome editing toolbox for oomycetes - from the original Cas9 study to Cas12a editing, ribonucleoprotein (RNP) delivery, and complementation. We also discuss some of the challenges to applying CRISPR-Cas in oomycetes and potential ways to overcome them. Advances in CRISPR-Cas technologies are being used to illuminate the biology of oomycetes, which ultimately can guide the development of tools for managing oomycete diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochem N A Vink
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Max Hayhurst
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Monica L Gerth
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand; Bioprotection Aotearoa National Centre of Research Excellence, New Zealand.
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Jeong BR, Jang J, Jin E. Genome engineering via gene editing technologies in microalgae. Bioresour Technol 2023; 373:128701. [PMID: 36746216 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.128701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
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Ruffing AM, Davis RW, Lane TW. Advances in engineering algae for biofuel production. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2022; 78:102830. [PMID: 36332347 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
While algae demonstrate potential as a sustainable fuel source, low productivities limit the economic realization of algal biofuels. High-throughput strain engineering, omics-informed genome-scale modeling, and microbiome engineering are key technologies for enabling algal biofuels. High-throughput strain engineering efforts generate improved traits, including high biomass productivity and lipid content, in diverse algal species. Genome-scale models, constructed with the aid of omics data, provide insight into metabolic limitations and guide rational algal strain engineering efforts. As outdoor cultivation systems introduce exogenous organisms, microbiome engineering seeks to eliminate harmful organisms and introduce beneficial species. Optimizing algal biomass production and lipid content using these technologies may overcome the productivity barrier for the commercialization of algal biofuels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M Ruffing
- Sandia National Laboratories, Molecular and Microbiology, P.O. Box 5800, MS 1413, Albuquerque, NM 87185, USA.
| | - Ryan W Davis
- Sandia National Laboratories, Bioresource and Environmental Security, P.O. Box 969, MS 9292, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
| | - Todd W Lane
- Sandia National Laboratories, Bioresource and Environmental Security, P.O. Box 969, MS 9292, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- *Correspondence: Qiang Wang
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Liu J, Liu M, Pan Y, Shi Y, Hu H. Metabolic engineering of the oleaginous alga Nannochloropsis for enriching eicosapentaenoic acid in triacylglycerol by combined pulling and pushing strategies. Metab Eng 2021; 69:163-74. [PMID: 34864212 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2021.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The marine alga Nannochloropsis oceanica has been considered as a promising photosynthetic cell factory for synthesizing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), yet the accumulation of EPA in triacylglycerol (TAG) is restricted to an extreme low level. Poor channeling of EPA to TAG was observed in N. oceanica under TAG induction conditions, likely due to the weak activity of endogenous diacylglycerol acyltransferases (DGATs) on EPA-CoA. Screening over thirty algal DGATs revealed potent enzymes acting on EPA-CoA. Whilst overexpressing endogenous DGATs had no or slight effect on EPA abundance in TAG, introducing selected DGATs with strong activity on EPA-CoA, particularly the Chlamydomonas-derived CrDGTT1, which resided at the outermost membrane of the chloroplast and provided a strong pulling power to divert EPA to TAG for storage and protection, led to drastic increases in EPA abundance in TAG and TAG-derived EPA level in N. oceanica. They were further promoted by additional overexpression of an elongase gene involved in EPA biosynthesis, reaching 5.9- and 12.3-fold greater than the control strain, respectively. Our results together demonstrate the concept of applying combined pulling and pushing strategies to enrich EPA in algal TAG and provide clues for the enrichment of other desired fatty acids in TAG as well.
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