Mechanism of Deuterium Stress on the Growth and Metabolism of Chlorella sorokiniana: A Comprehensive Study of Physicochemical Indicators and Transcriptomics
Microalgae, as efficient photosynthetic autotrophs, can convert inorganic labeled substrates into stable isotope-labeled compounds, making them ideal for producing deuterium-labeled compounds. However, the mechanisms by which deuterium stress affects their growth and metabolism remain poorly understood. This study investigates how varying concentrations of deuterium influence the growth and metabolic processes of Chlorella sorokiniana. Cultivated in D2O-enriched medium, the algae's growth and intracellular metabolic changes were monitored, and transcriptome analysis alongside quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in photosynthesis, starch and lipid synthesis, and nucleic acid synthesis pathways. The results show that deuterium stress inhibits chlorophyll synthesis, disrupting photosynthesis, leading to an accumulation of energy storage molecules and impairing cell division. These findings shed light on microalgal adaptation to high-deuterium conditions and provide valuable insights into the use of microalgae for producing deuterated organic compounds.