Cas9 deletion of lutein biosynthesis in the marine alga Picochlorum celeri reduces photosynthetic pigments while sustaining high biomass productivity

Cano, Melissa; Krishnan, Anagha; Karns, Devin A.; Likhogrud, Maria A.; Weissman, Joseph C.; Posewitz, Matthew C.

doi:10.3389/fbioe.2023.1332461

Title: Cas9 deletion of lutein biosynthesis in the marine alga Picochlorum celeri reduces photosynthetic pigments while sustaining high biomass productivity

Journal Article · 11 January 2024 · Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1332461 · OSTI ID:2281056

Cano, Melissa; Krishnan, Anagha; Karns, Devin A.; Likhogrud, Maria A.; Weissman, Joseph C.; Posewitz, Matthew C.

Domestication of algae for food and renewable biofuels remains limited by the low photosynthetic efficiencies of processes that have evolved to be competitive for optimal light capture, incentivizing the development of large antennas in light-limiting conditions, thus decreasing efficient light utilization in cultivated ponds or photobioreactors. Reducing the pigment content to improve biomass productivity has been a strategy discussed for several decades and the ability to reduce pigment significantly is now fully at hand thanks to the widespread use of genome editing tools. Picochlorum celeri is one of the fastest growing marine algae identified and holds particular promise for outdoor cultivation, especially in saline water and warm climates. We show that while chlorophyll b is essential to sustain high biomass productivities under dense cultivation, removing Picochlorum celeri’s main carotenoid, lutein, leads to a decreased total chlorophyll content, higher a/ b ratio, reduced functional LHCII cross section and higher maximum quantum efficiencies at lower light intensities, resulting in an incremental increase in biomass productivity and increased PAR-to-biomass conversion efficiency. These findings further strengthen the existing strategies to improve photosynthetic efficiency and biomass production in algae.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

OSTI ID:: 2281056

Journal Information:: Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Journal Name: Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology Vol. 11; ISSN 2296-4185

Publisher:: Frontiers Media SACopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: Switzerland

Language:: English

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