Over-expression of Dof-type transcription factor increases lipid production in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
The high demand for less polluting, newer, and cheaper fuel resources has increased the search of the most innovative options for the production of the so-called biofuels. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a photosynthetic unicellular algae with multiple biotechnological advantages such as easy handling in the laboratory, a simple scale-up to industrial levels, as well as a feasible genetic modification at nuclear and chloroplast levels. Besides, its fatty acids can be used to produce biofuels. Previous studies in plants have found that the over expression of DOF-type transcription factor genes increases the synthesis and the accumulation of total lipids in seeds. In this context, the over-expression of a DOF-type transcription factor in C. reinhardtii was applied as approach to increase the amount of lipids. The results indicate higher amounts (around 2-fold) of total lipids, which are mainly fatty acids, in the genetically C. reinhardtii modified strains when compared with the non-genetically modified strain. In order to elucidate the possible function of the introduced Dof-type transcription factor, we performed a transcription profile of 8 genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis and 6 genes involved in glycerolipid biosynthesis, by quantitative real time (qRT-PCR). Differential expression profile was observed, which can explain the increase in lipid accumulation. However, these strains did not show notable changes in the fatty acid profile. This work represents an early effort in generating a strategy to increase fatty acids production in C. reinhardtii and their use in biofuel synthesis.
Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico.
Alejandro
A
Ibáñez-Salazar
Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico.
Sergio
S
Rosales-Mendoza
Laboratorio de Ingeniería de Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico.
Alejandro
A
Rocha-Uribe
Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico.
Jocelín Itzel
JI
Ramírez-Alonso
Laboratorio de Ingeniería de Biorreactores, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico.
Ignacio
I
Lara-Hernández
Laboratorio de Ingeniería de Biorreactores, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico.
Araceli
A
Hernández-Torres
Laboratorio de Ingeniería de Biorreactores, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico.
Luz María Teresita
LM
Paz-Maldonado
Laboratorio de Ingeniería de Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico.
Ana Sonia
AS
Silva-Ramírez
Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico.
Bernardo
B
Bañuelos-Hernández
Laboratorio de Ingeniería de Biorreactores, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico.
José Luis
JL
Martínez-Salgado
Laboratorio de Ingeniería de Biorreactores, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico. Electronic address: ruth.soria@uaslp.mx.
Ruth Elena
RE
Soria-Guerra
D056804:Biofuels; D016825:Chlamydomonas reinhardtii / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002736:Chloroplasts / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012639:Seeds / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis
D056804:Biofuels; D008055:Lipids; D014157:Transcription Factors
Biofuel; Chlamydomonas reinhardtii; Lipid; Transcription factor