Identification and Functional Analysis of the psaD Promoter of Chlorella vulgaris Using Heterologous Model Strains

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 19; no. 7; p. 1969
• Main Authors: Kim, Jongrae, Liu, Linpo, Hu, Zanmin, Jin, EonSeon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 06.07.2018; MDPI
• Subjects: Algae; Aquatic microorganisms; Chlamydomonas reinhardtii - genetics; Chlorella; Chlorella vulgaris; Chlorella vulgaris - genetics; Computer applications; Functional analysis; Gene Expression; Glucuronidase - genetics; Glucuronidase - metabolism; Green Fluorescent Proteins - genetics; Green Fluorescent Proteins - metabolism; heterologous expression; Kanamycin Kinase - genetics; Kanamycin Kinase - metabolism; Light; Light effects; Luciferases - genetics; Luciferases - metabolism; native promoter; Nicotiana - genetics; Organic chemistry; Photosystem I; Photosystem I Protein Complex - genetics; photosystem I protein D (psaD); Plant Proteins - genetics; Plants, Genetically Modified - genetics; Promoter Regions, Genetic - physiology; Protein D; Proteins; Sequence Analysis, DNA; TATA Box; Transcription; photosystem I protein D (psaD); heterologous expression; native promoter; Chlorella vulgaris
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms19071969

has great potential as a bio-factory for production of value-added compounds. To produce the desired chemicals more efficiently in , genetic tools for modification of need to be developed, especially an endogenous promoter. In this study, the promoter of photosystem I protein D ( ) from UTEX395 was identified. Computational analysis revealed the presence of several putative cis-acting elements, including a potential core element, and light-responsive or stress-responsive elements. Gene expression analysis in heterologous expression system in and showed that promoter can be used to drive the expression of genes. Functional analysis of this promoter suggested that the initiator element (Inr) is important for its function (i.e., TATA-less promoter) and that an additional factor (e.g., downstream of the transcriptional start site) might be needed for light response. We have shown that the promoter is functional, but not sufficiently strong, both in microalgae and higher plant.