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Enhancing lipid productivity in Nannochloropsis salina by overexpression of endogenous glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase

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Abstract

Microalgae have emerged as a promising feedstock for the sustainable production of lipid-based products, including biofuels and omega-3 fatty acids, by utilizing CO2 as a carbon source. Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) is a vital enzyme in microalgal lipid synthesis, converting dihydroxyacetone phosphate into glycerol-3-phosphate, the initial substrate for the Kennedy pathway responsible for triacylglycerol production. In this study, we identified and overexpressed a chloroplastic NAD(P)+-dependent GPDH (NsGPDH1) in Nannochloropsis salina. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting revealed increased NsGPDH1 expression in the transformants as compared to wild-type N. salina. This overexpression of NsGPDH1 resulted in increased glycerol production and a higher proportion of mono-unsaturated fatty acids, which are indicative of GPDH overexpression. Notably, lipid productivity in NsGPDH1-overexpressing N. salina strains increased by 40% without significant growth defects. These results highlight the effectiveness of NsGPDH1 overexpression as a strategy for enhancing lipid biosynthesis in N. salina, contributing to the advancement of microalgae-based lipid production.

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Available data are provided in the publication. All other relevant data are available from the corresponding authors upon reasonable request.

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Funding

This work was supported by the C1 Gas Refinery Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (2015M3D3A1A01064882) and Basic Science Research Capacity Enhancement Project through Korea Basic Science Institute (National Research Facilities and Equipment Center) grant funded by the Ministry of Education (No. 2019R1A6C101052) .

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA

    Hyun Gi Koh

  2. Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea

    Yong Keun Chang

  3. Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 17104, Republic of Korea

    Nam Kyu Kang

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  1. Hyun Gi Koh
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  2. Yong Keun Chang
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HGK, YKC, and NKK conceptualized and designed the experiments. HGK performed the experiments and analyzed the data. HGK and NKK drafted the manuscript and prepared the figures. All authors reviewed and approved the final version of the paper.

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Correspondence to Nam Kyu Kang.

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Koh, H.G., Chang, Y.K. & Kang, N.K. Enhancing lipid productivity in Nannochloropsis salina by overexpression of endogenous glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. J Appl Phycol 36, 73–85 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-023-03141-6

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