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Effects of reactive oxygen species on α-tocopherol production in mitochondria and chloroplasts of Euglena gracilis

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Abstract

The effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on α-tocopherol production in mitochondria and chloroplasts of Euglena gracilis were investigated. Addition of an organic carbon source to the medium resulted in increased mitochondrial activity, intracellular O2 - concentration and α-tocopherol productivity in E. gracilis W14ZUL (a chloroplast deficient mutant). α-Tocopherol productivity of the wild-type strain (with both mitochondria and chloroplast) was higher than that of the W14ZUL strain. In the case of the wild strain, the O2 − generated in chloroplasts was efficiently scavenged by the α-tocopherol synthesized inside the chloroplast. In photoheterotrophic culture (with an organic carbon source), there was a positive correlation between α-tocopherol production and O2 − generation. Addition of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (an inhibitor of photosynthesis) resulted in increased O2 − generation and α-tocopherol productivity. These results indicate that the ROS generated in mitochondria and chloroplasts play important roles in α-tocopherol production by E. gracilis. The presence of chloroplasts and generation of intracellular ROS are important for efficient production of α-tocopherol.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Life Sciences and Bioengineering Laboratory, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8572, Japan

    Tomoya Fujita & Hideki Aoyagi

  2. Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

    James C. Ogbonna

  3. Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Humanities, Seitoku University, Matsudo, Chiba, 271-8555, Japan

    Hideo Tanaka

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  1. Tomoya Fujita
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  2. James C. Ogbonna
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  3. Hideo Tanaka
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  4. Hideki Aoyagi
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Correspondence to Hideki Aoyagi.

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Fujita, T., Ogbonna, J.C., Tanaka, H. et al. Effects of reactive oxygen species on α-tocopherol production in mitochondria and chloroplasts of Euglena gracilis . J Appl Phycol 21, 185–191 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-008-9349-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-008-9349-x

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