In Silico Characterization and Expression Analysis Of The Alpha Subunit Of The Heteromeric Acetyl-Coenzyme A Carboxylase From Two Microalgae

• Published in: Acta biológica colombiana Vol. 24; no. 2
• Main Authors: Castro, Juan C, Maddox, J Dylan, Estela, Segundo L, Rodríguez, Hicler N, Casuso, María Z, Paredes, Jae D, Cobos, Marianela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Bogota Universidad Nacional de Colombia 01.05.2019
• Subjects: Accumulation; Algae; Biological evolution; Biosynthesis; Chlorella; Coenzyme A; Culture media; Gene expression; Lipids; Microalgae; Microorganisms; Nitrogen; Photosynthesis; Scenedesmus; Species; Structure-function relationships; Wildlife conservation
• ISSN: 0120-548X; 1900-1649
• DOI: 10.15446/abc.v24n2.74727

Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms with great potential to supply the world's energy demands. However, the limited knowledge of these organisms, particularly at the molecular level of metabolic processes, has limited their use to these purposes. In this investigation, the in silico analysis of the alpha subunit of the heteromeric acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (αACCase), a key enzyme in lipid biosynthesis of microalgae Chlorella sp. and Scenedesmus sp. was carried out. Also, the expression of this gene has been measured in both species cultivated in nitrogen-depleted media. Results indicate that αACCase shows structural and functional conservation in both species of microalgae and their greater genetic similarity with other species of microalgae. Also, it has been shown that the expression levels of this gene are significantly increased when the microalgae are cultured in the absence of nitrogen, which in turn is related to a greater accumulation of microalgal lipids. In conclusion, the in silico analysis of the Chlorella sp. and Scenedesmus sp. αACCase reveals structural, functional and evolutionary characteristics very similar to other microalgae and plant species. Also, the study reveals that in both species the gene is overexpressed when microalgae are subjected to nitrogen deficiency stress, which is significantly related to total lipids accumulation in these cells.