Biotech Updates

Overexpression of a bHLH Transcription Factor Increases Biomass and Lipid Production in Nannochloropsis salina

December 9, 2015
http://biotechnologyforbiofuels.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13068-015-0386-9

Microalgae are promising alternative energy sources since they consume CO2 and accumulate lipids that can be used as biofuel. Nannochloropsis is a particularly promising microalga due to its high growth rate and lipid content. Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors, which regulate growth, development, and stress responses in plants and animals, have been identified in microalgae.

The research team of Nam Kyu Kang from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology identified two bHLH TFs in the genome of N.salina CCMP1776, NsbHLH1, and NsbHLH2, and characterized their functions that may be involved in growth and nutrient uptake.

NsbHLH2 overexpressing transgenics of N. salina CCMP1776 were developed. Overexpression of NsbHLH2 led to increased growth rate in the early growth period, and higher nutrient uptake than wild types. These enhanced growth and nutrient uptake resulted in increased productivities of biomass and fatty acid methyl ester, which can be used for biofuel production.

Based on the results, researchers claim that NsbHLH2 can be employed for the industrial production of biodiesel from N. salina.