Co-expression of Yeast and Arabidopsis Genes Enhances Triacylglycerol Accumulation in Phaeodactylum
July 19, 2017https://biotechnologyforbiofuels.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13068-017-0874-1
|
Microalgae are promising sources for producing valuable products such as biofuel and essential fatty acids. However, there are still challenges impeding commercial production of microalgal products, such as low yield. The team of Nodumo Nokulunga Zulu from University of Goettingen aims to enhance triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum strain Pt4 by co-expressing the ScDGA1 gene from yeast, and the oleosin protein 3 from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtOLEO3) in the strain.
Individual expression of ScDGA1 and AtOLEO3 in Pt4 resulted in significant increases in TAG levels compared to wild types. The co-expression of both genes was accompanied by an even greater increase in TAG content. Lines co-expressing ScDGA1 and AtOLEO3 also exhibited larger and increased number of lipid droplets compared to lines only expressing single genes. Under nitrogen stress, TAG productivity was further increased in comparison to nitrogen-rich conditions.
Co-expression of the two genes was revealed to be a more effective strategy for enhancing TAG accumulation in P. tricornutum strain Pt4 than a single gene strategy. This study also marks the first time an LD protein from a vascular plant, oleosin, was shown to have an impact on diatom TAG accumulation and on LD organization.
|
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- Scientists Discuss Upcoming Biosafety Law in Egypt
- Ugandan Government Supports Passage of Biosafety Bill
- Scientists Identify Link Between Plant Nitrogen Uptake and Greenhouse Gas Reductions
- Induced Defences in Tomato Plants Cause Cannibalism among Pests
- USDA Urged to Start Over on Proposed Rule to Revamp Biotech Regulation
- International Team Uncovers How Wheat Lost Battle Against Blast
- CSIRO Releases Australia's Food and Agribusiness Roadmap
- Australian OGTR Approves Field Trial of GM Wheat and Barley
- Scientists Discover Plants Use Calcium to Send Internal Warning Signals of Aphid Attacks
-
Research Highlights
- Pathogen-inducible Ta-Lr34res Expression Confers Disease Resistance in Barley
- Ectopic Expression of OsExtensin-like Gene in Rice Enhances Plant Lodging Resistance
-
Beyond Crop Biotech
- Harvard Scientists Use CRISPR-Cas to Store Movie Clips in DNA
-
Resources
- Beyond Promises: Facts About Biotech/GM Crops in 2016
- ASTA Launches Plant Breeding Animation Video
-
Plant
- Development of Low-Cesium Rice Plants via CRISPR-Cas
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (March 27, 2024)
- Gene Editing Supplement (March 27, 2024)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet