Sanchez-Tarre, Victor; Kiparissides, Alexandros; (2021) The effects of illumination and trophic strategy on gene expression in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Algal Research , 54 , Article 102186. 10.1016/j.algal.2021.102186.

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Abstract

Microalgae are of substantial biotechnological interest due their polyphyletic nature which grants them access to a wide array of high-value metabolites. The inherent genetic diversity of microalgae combined with their metabolic plasticity when grown using different trophic and illumination strategies necessitate the establishment of a reference knowledge base. In the present study we present a detailed characterisation of the combined effects of wavelength selection and trophic strategy on the growth kinetics and gene expression profile of the model microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii grown under moderate to high light intensity (400 μmolph m−2·s−1). The aim is twofold: (a) to establish a list of reliable housekeeping genes valid for quantitative comparisons across several combinations of different wavelengths and trophic strategies and (b) to enable the investigation of the response of central carbon metabolic pathways under these process conditions. White, blue and red light emitting diodes (LEDs) were used to grow pH controlled photo- and mixo-trophic cultures over a period of 136 h in batch mode. A panel of 10 candidate genes, along with biomass growth rate and pigment content were dynamically monitored across all conditions. Statistical analysis identified genes (acetyl-CoA carboxylase subunit α and photosystem I reaction centre subunit II) with less variability observed in their expression levels across the entirety of conditions evaluated compared to housekeeping genes often referred to in literature (receptor of activated protein kinase C and ribosomal protein (large subunit) 19). Further analysis of gene expression profiles revealed substantial differences in response to changes in both wavelength selection (upregulation of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit under red phototrophic growth) and trophic strategy (upregulation of malate synthase from phototrophic to mixotrophic conditions). The systematic approach used to establish reliable reference genes presented herein enables robust comparisons of cellular responses across different conditions to better understand algal metabolism and improve process performance.

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