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Biotechnology For Biofuels and... Nov 2023Phycobiliproteins (PBPs), one of the functional proteins from algae, are natural pigment-protein complex containing various amino acids and phycobilins. It has various... (Review)
Review
Phycobiliproteins (PBPs), one of the functional proteins from algae, are natural pigment-protein complex containing various amino acids and phycobilins. It has various activities, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. And are potential for applications in food, cosmetics, and biomedicine. Improving their metabolic yield is of great interest. Microalgaes are one of the important sources of PBPs, with high growth rate and have the potential for large-scale production. The key to large-scale PBPs production depends on accumulation and recovery of massive productive alga in the upstream stage and the efficiency of microalgae cells breakup and extract PBPs in the downstream stage. Therefore, we reviewed the status quo in the research and development of PBPs production, summarized the advances in each stage and the feasibility of scaled-up production, and demonstrated challenges and future directions in this field.
PubMed: 37941077
DOI: 10.1186/s13068-023-02387-z -
Communications Biology Sep 2023The mechanisms of acclimating to a nitrogen-fluctuating environment are necessary for the survival of aquatic cyanobacteria in their natural habitats, but our...
The mechanisms of acclimating to a nitrogen-fluctuating environment are necessary for the survival of aquatic cyanobacteria in their natural habitats, but our understanding is still far from complete. Here, the synthesis of phycobiliprotein is confirmed to be much earlier than that of photosystem components during recovery from nitrogen chlorosis and an unknown protein Ssr1698 is discovered to be involved in this synthetic process. The unknown protein is further identified as a c-type heme oxygenase (cHO) in tetrapyrrole biosynthetic pathway and catalyzes the opening of heme ring to form biliverdin IXα, which is required for phycobilin production and ensuing phycobiliprotein synthesis. In addition, the cHO-dependent phycobiliprotein is found to be vital for the growth of cyanobacterial cells during chlorosis and regreening through its nitrogen-storage and light-harvesting functions, respectively. Collectively, the cHO expressed preferentially during recovery from nitrogen chlorosis is identified in photosynthetic organisms and the dual function of this enzyme-dependent phycobiliprotein is proposed to be an important mechanism for acclimation of aquatic cyanobacteria to a nitrogen-fluctuating environment.
Topics: Humans; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing); Cyanobacteria; Acclimatization; Anemia, Hypochromic; Nitrogen; Phycobiliproteins
PubMed: 37714932
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05315-x -
Plant Science : An International... Nov 2023The phycobilisome antennas, which contain phycobilin pigments instead of chlorophyll, are crucial for the photosynthetic activity of Cyanidioschyzon merolae cells, which... (Review)
Review
The phycobilisome antennas, which contain phycobilin pigments instead of chlorophyll, are crucial for the photosynthetic activity of Cyanidioschyzon merolae cells, which thrive in an acidic and hot water environment. The accessible light intensity and quality, temperature, acidity, and other factors in this environment are quite different from those in the air available for terrestrial plants. Under these conditions, adaptation to the intensity and quality of light, as well as temperature, which are key factors in photosynthesis of higher plants, also affects this process in Cyanidioschyzon merolae cells. Adaptation to varying light conditions requires fast remodeling and re-tuning of their light-harvesting antennas (phycobilisomes) at multiple levels, from regulation of gene expression to structural reorganization of protein-pigment complexes. This review presents selected data on the structure of phycobilisomes, the genetic engineering of the constituent proteins, and the latest results and opinions on the adaptation of phycobilisomes to light intensity and quality, and temperature to photosynthetic activities. We pay special attention to the latest results of the C. merolae research.
PubMed: 37659734
DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111854 -
Biotechnology Advances Nov 2023Microalgae are microorganisms capable of producing bioactive compounds using photosynthesis. Microalgae contain a variety of high value-added natural pigments such as... (Review)
Review
Microalgae are microorganisms capable of producing bioactive compounds using photosynthesis. Microalgae contain a variety of high value-added natural pigments such as carotenoids, phycobilins, and chlorophylls. These pigments play an important role in many areas such as food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Natural pigments have a health value that is unmatched by synthetic pigments. However, the current commercial production of natural pigments from microalgae is not able to meet the growing market demand. The use of metabolic engineering and synthetic biological strategies to improve the production performance of microalgal cell factories is essential to promote the large-scale production of high-value pigments from microalgae. This paper reviews the health and economic values, the applications, and the synthesis pathways of microalgal pigments. Overall, this review aims to highlight the latest research progress in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology in constructing engineered strains of microalgae with high-value pigments and the application of CRISPR technology and multi-omics in this context. Finally, we conclude with a discussion on the bottlenecks and challenges of microalgal pigment production and their future development prospects.
Topics: Metabolic Engineering; Microalgae; Synthetic Biology; Carotenoids; Biotechnology
PubMed: 37586543
DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108236 -
The Science of the Total Environment Nov 2023The number of applications and commercialized processes utilizing ionic liquids has been increasing, and it is anticipated that this trend will persist and even...
The number of applications and commercialized processes utilizing ionic liquids has been increasing, and it is anticipated that this trend will persist and even intensify in the future. Ionic liquids possess desirable characteristics, such as low vapor pressure, good water solubility, amphiphilicity, and stability. Nevertheless, these properties can influence their environmental behavior, resulting in resistance to biotic and abiotic degradation and subsequent water contamination with more harmful derivatives. However, there is a notable scarcity of data regarding the impact of mixtures comprising ionic liquids and other micropollutants. Identifying potential potentiation of ionic liquids (Ils) toxicity in the presence of other xenobiotics is a proactive risk assessment measure. Therefore, the study aims to fill an important knowledge gap and identify possible interactions between imidazolium-based ionic liquid (IM1-12Br) and the common antibiotic oxytetracycline (OXTC). During 11-day experiments, selected marine, brackish and freshwater microorganisms (diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa and green algae Chlorella vulgaris) were exposed to binary mixtures of target substances. The assessed responses encompassed chlorophyll a kinetic parameters related to photosynthesis efficiency, as well as pigment concentrations, specifically phycobilin content. Additionally, the impact on the luminescent marine bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri has been evaluated. Significant effects on the growth, photosynthetic processes, and pigment content were observed in all the targeted microorganisms. The concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA) mathematical models followed by the Model Deviation Ratio (MDR) evaluation enabled the identification of mainly synergistic interactions in the studied mixtures. The findings of present study offer valuable insights into the impacts of ionic liquids and other organic micropollutants.
PubMed: 37527710
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165898 -
Journal of Microbiological Methods Aug 2023Green nanotechnology provides efficient solutions for converting biological systems to green approaches through nanomaterial synthesis and thus preventing any associated... (Review)
Review
Green nanotechnology provides efficient solutions for converting biological systems to green approaches through nanomaterial synthesis and thus preventing any associated toxicity. Green nanoparticle (NP) synthesis involves the use of biological sources for synthesis of metallic NPs for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications in an eco-friendly and comparatively economical manner. Nanotechnology is a promising technology with a wide range of pharmaceutical applications in the modern world because it provides a higher surface area (SA) to volume (Vol) ratio. Compared to chemically synthesized NPs, algal-based NPs have recently received increasing attention from researchers worldwide as potential agents to treat and inhibit infections caused by microbial pathogens resistant to antibiotics. Algae produce various bioactive compounds such as chlorophyll, phycobilins, phenolics, flavonoids, glucosides, tannins, and saponins that can be used as therapeutic agents. Metallic NPs exert greater toxic effects on their targets than their macroscopic counterparts. Both macroalgae and some microalgae are used to synthesize metallic NPs that exhibit antimicrobial activity. The synthesis of algal-based NPs may provide potential drug candidates for use in nanomedicine against microbial diseases. To date, many studies have been conducted on algal-based NPs and their potential antimicrobial and antifungal activities. Therefore, in this review we have focused on the green synthesis of different NPs using algae and their therapeutic potential with reference to their antimicrobial activity.
Topics: Metal Nanoparticles; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Plants; Pharmaceutical Preparations
PubMed: 37487886
DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2023.106790 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2023The phycobilisome (PBS) is the major light-harvesting apparatus in cyanobacteria and red algae. It is a large multi-subunit protein complex of several megadaltons that... (Review)
Review
The phycobilisome (PBS) is the major light-harvesting apparatus in cyanobacteria and red algae. It is a large multi-subunit protein complex of several megadaltons that is found on the stromal side of thylakoid membranes in orderly arrays. Chromophore lyases catalyse the thioether bond between apoproteins and phycobilins of PBSs. Depending on the species, composition, spatial assembly, and, especially, the functional tuning of different phycobiliproteins mediated by linker proteins, PBSs can absorb light between 450 and 650 nm, making them efficient and versatile light-harvesting systems. However, basic research and technological innovations are needed, not only to understand their role in photosynthesis but also to realise the potential applications of PBSs. Crucial components including phycobiliproteins, phycobilins, and lyases together make the PBS an efficient light-harvesting system, and these provide a scheme to explore the heterologous synthesis of PBS. Focusing on these topics, this review describes the essential components needed for PBS assembly, the functional basis of PBS photosynthesis, and the applications of phycobiliproteins. Moreover, key technical challenges for heterologous biosynthesis of phycobiliproteins in chassis cells are discussed.
Topics: Phycobilisomes; Phycobilins; Phycobiliproteins; Photosynthesis; Rhodophyta
PubMed: 37298688
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119733 -
Critical Reviews in Food Science and... May 2023Algae are exclusively aquatic photosynthetic organisms that are microscopic or macroscopic, unicellular or multicellular and distributed across the globe. They are a... (Review)
Review
Algae are exclusively aquatic photosynthetic organisms that are microscopic or macroscopic, unicellular or multicellular and distributed across the globe. They are a potential source of food, feed, medicine and natural pigments. A variety of natural pigments are available from algae including chlorophyll a, b, c d, phycobiliproteins, carotenes and xanthophylls. The xanthophylls include acyloxyfucoxanthin, alloxanthin, astaxanthin, crocoxanthin, diadinoxanthin, diatoxanthin, fucoxanthin, loroxanthin, monadoxanthin, neoxanthin, nostoxanthin, perdinin, Prasinoxanthin, siphonaxanthin, vaucheriaxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, while carotenes include echinenone, α-carotene, β-carotene, γ-carotene, lycopene, phytoene, phytofluene. These pigments have applications as pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals and in the food industry for beverages and animal feed production. The conventional methods for the extraction of pigments are solid-liquid extraction, liquid-liquid extraction and soxhlet extraction. All these methods are less efficient, time-consuming and have higher solvent consumption. For a standardized extraction of natural pigments from algal biomass advanced procedures are in practice which includes Supercritical fluid extraction, Pressurized liquid extraction, Microwave-assisted extraction, Pulsed electric field, Moderate electric field, Ultrahigh pressure extraction, Ultrasound-assisted extraction, Subcritical dimethyl ether extraction, Enzyme assisted extraction and Natural deep eutectic solvents. In the present review, these methods for pigment extraction from algae are discussed in detail.
PubMed: 37233148
DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2023.2216782 -
Journal of the American Chemical Society May 2023The phycobilisome is the primary light-harvesting antenna in cyanobacterial and red algal oxygenic photosynthesis. It maintains near-unity efficiency of energy transfer...
The phycobilisome is the primary light-harvesting antenna in cyanobacterial and red algal oxygenic photosynthesis. It maintains near-unity efficiency of energy transfer to reaction centers despite relying on slow exciton hopping along a relatively sparse network of highly fluorescent phycobilin chromophores. How the complex maintains this high efficiency remains unexplained. Using a two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy polarization scheme that enhances energy transfer features, we directly watch energy flow in the phycobilisome complex of sp. PCC 6803 from the outer phycocyanin rods to the allophycocyanin core. The observed downhill flow of energy, previously hidden within congested spectra, is faster than timescales predicted by Förster hopping along single rod chromophores. We attribute the fast, 8 ps energy transfer to interactions between rod-core linker proteins and terminal rod chromophores, which facilitate unidirectionally downhill energy flow to the core. This mechanism drives the high energy transfer efficiency in the phycobilisome and suggests that linker protein-chromophore interactions have likely evolved to shape its energetic landscape.
Topics: Phycobilisomes; Photosynthesis; Energy Transfer; Synechocystis
PubMed: 37200045
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c01799 -
The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B May 2023Aquatic photosynthetic organisms evolved to use a variety of light frequencies to perform photosynthesis. Phycobiliprotein phycocyanin 645 (PC645) is a light-harvesting...
Aquatic photosynthetic organisms evolved to use a variety of light frequencies to perform photosynthesis. Phycobiliprotein phycocyanin 645 (PC645) is a light-harvesting complex in cryptophyte algae able to transfer the absorbed green solar light to other antennas with over 99% efficiency. The infrared signatures of the phycobilin pigments embedded in PC645 are difficult to access and could provide useful information to understand the mechanism behind the high efficiency of energy transfer in PC645. We use visible-pump IR-probe and two-dimensional electronic vibrational spectroscopy to study the dynamical evolution and assign the fingerprint mid-infrared signatures to each pigment in PC645. Here, we report the pigment-specific vibrational markers that enable us to track the spatial flow of excitation energy between the phycobilin pigment pairs. We speculate that two high-frequency modes (1588 and 1596 cm) are involved in the vibronic coupling leading to fast (
Topics: Phycobilins; Phycocyanin; Phycobiliproteins; Photosynthesis
PubMed: 37192324
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c01352