Phenotypic Diversity of Hydrogen Production in Chlorophycean Algae Reflects Distinct Anaerobic Metabolisms

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2009 · Journal of Biotechnology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiotec.2009.01.015· OSTI ID:1023714

Meuser, J E; Ananyev, G; Wittig, L E; Kosourov, S; Ghirardi, M L; Seibert, M; Dismukes, G C; Posewitz, M C

Several species of green algae use [FeFe]-hydrogenases to oxidize and/or produce H{sub 2} during anoxia. To further define unique aspects of algal hydrogenase activity, the well-studied anaerobic metabolisms of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were compared with four strains of Chlamydomonas moewusii and a Lobochlamys culleus strain. In vivo and in vitro hydrogenase activity, starch accumulation/degradation, and anaerobic end product secretion were analyzed. The C. moewusii strains showed the most rapid induction of hydrogenase activity, congruent with high rates of starch catabolism, and anoxic metabolite accumulation. Intriguingly, we observed significant differences in morphology and hydrogenase activity in the C. moewusii strains examined, likely the result of long-term adaptation and/or genetic drift during culture maintenance. Of the C. moewusii strains examined, SAG 24.91 showed the highest in vitro hydrogenase activity. However, SAG 24.91 produced little H{sub 2} under conditions of sulfur limitation, which is likely a consequence of its inability to utilize exogenous acetate. In L. culleus, hydrogenase activity was minimal unless pulsed light was used to induce significant H2 photoproduction. Overall, our results demonstrate that unique anaerobic acclimation strategies have evolved in distinct green algae, resulting in differential levels of hydrogenase activity and species-specific patterns of NADH reoxidation during anoxia.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Hydrogen Program; US Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 1023714
• Journal Information: Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 142, Issue 1, 2009; ISSN 0168-1656
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
09 BIOMASS FUELS
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALGAE
ANOXIA
ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS
BIOFUELS
BIOLOGICAL ADAPTATION
CATABOLISM
CHLAMYDOMONAS
GENETICS
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
HYDROGENASES
IN VITRO
IN VIVO
INDUCTION
METABOLISM
METABOLITES
MORPHOLOGY
PHOTOPRODUCTION
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
SECRETION
STARCH
SULFUR
VISIBLE RADIATION
Chemical and Biosciences