title: Proteomics to reveal metabolic network shifts towards lipid accumulation following nitrogen deprivation in the diatomPhaeodactylum tricornutum.
abstract: The marine diatomPhaeodactylum tricornutumis attracting considerable interest as a candidate for biofuel production due to its fast growth and high lipid content. Nitrogen deficiency can increase the lipid content in certain microalgae species, includingP.tricornutum. However, the molecular basis of such changes remains unclear without analyzing metabolism at the proteomic level. We attempted to systematically analyze protein expression level changes ofP.tricornutumupon N deprivation. We observed translational level changes that could overall redirect the metabolic network from carbon flux towards lipid accumulation. N deprivation led to an increase in the expression of genes involved in nitrogen assimilation and fatty acid biosynthesis and a concomitant decrease in photosynthesis and lipid catabolism enzymes. These molecular level changes are consistent with the observed physiological changes, e.g., in photosynthesis rate and saturated lipid content. Our results provide information at the proteomic level of the key enzymes involved in carbon flux towards lipid accumulation inP.tricornutumand suggest candidates for genetic manipulation in microalgae breeding for biodiesel production.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Eutrophication and Prevention of Red Tide of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632 China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Kai
authors.initials: ZK
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Eutrophication and Prevention of Red Tide of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632 China.
authors.forename: Yu-Han
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Eutrophication and Prevention of Red Tide of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632 China.
authors.forename: Jian-Wei
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Eutrophication and Prevention of Red Tide of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632 China.
authors.forename: Wei-Dong
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Eutrophication and Prevention of Red Tide of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632 China.
authors.forename: Jie-Sheng
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Eutrophication and Prevention of Red Tide of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632 China.
authors.forename: Hong-Ye
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Li
keywords: Biofuel; Diatom; Lipid accumulation; Nitrogen deprivation