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Molecular insight into the metabolic activities of a protein-rich micro alga, Arthrospira platensis by de novo transcriptome analysis

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Abstract

To gain genetic insights into the protein-rich microalga, the transcriptome of Arthrospira platensis was sequenced using Illumina technology and de novo assembly was carried out. A total of 6023 transcripts were present in the transcriptome among which 4616 transcripts were annotated with specific functions. Gene ontology analysis revealed that the genes are mainly involved in three major functions such as biological (16.19%), cellular (41.47%) and molecular (42.34%) processes. Pathway analysis indicated that majority of genes are involved in amino acid biosynthesis and metabolism which is depicting the protein-rich nature of spirulina. Other major pathways involved are carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, metabolism of co-factors and vitamins, antioxidant mechanism and metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides. qRT-PCR analysis was performed to confirm the potential antioxidant role of five candidate genes of spirulina in protecting the cells from oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide. Moreover, these results indicated that spirulina is rich in biological resources which could be efficiently used for multiple applications such as carbon dioxide utilization, nitrogen fixation and biofuel production.

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Abbreviations

CDD:

Conserved domain database

GO:

Gene ontology

SSR:

Simple sequence repeats

COG:

Cluster of orthologous gene

MDH:

Malate dehydrogenease

PGK:

Phosphoglycerate kinase

PEPC:

Pathways and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase

PGM:

Phosphoglucomutase

AGPase:

ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase

β-AMY:

β-Amylase

O1 6G:

Oligo-1,6-glucosidase

GPase:

Glycogen phosphorylase

FAS:

Fatty acid synthase

TAG:

Triacylglycerol

LPA:

Lysophosphatidic acid

PA:

Phosphatidic acid

DAG:

Diacylglycerol

DGAT:

Diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase

PDAT:

Phospholipid:diacylglycerolacyltransferase

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Acknowledgements

This research is supported by Selective Excellence Initiative of SRM Institute of Science and Technology under Signature Programs Competition, Criteria for Academic Excellence, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur Campus. Also, the authors are grateful to the Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University for partial funding through Vice Deanship of Scientific Research Chairs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 603 203, India

    Venkatesh Kumaresan & Anbazahan Sannasimuthu

  2. SRM Research Institute, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 603 203, India

    Jesu Arockiaraj

  3. Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia

    Mariadhas Valan Arasu & Naif Abdullah Al-Dhabi

Authors
  1. Venkatesh Kumaresan
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  2. Anbazahan Sannasimuthu
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  3. Mariadhas Valan Arasu
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  4. Naif Abdullah Al-Dhabi
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  5. Jesu Arockiaraj
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Correspondence to Jesu Arockiaraj.

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Kumaresan, V., Sannasimuthu, A., Arasu, M.V. et al. Molecular insight into the metabolic activities of a protein-rich micro alga, Arthrospira platensis by de novo transcriptome analysis. Mol Biol Rep 45, 829–838 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-018-4229-1

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