Genome-Wide Analysis of Biotin Biosynthesis in Eukaryotic Photosynthetic Algae

Abstract

Biotin is a cofactor responsible for carbon dioxide transfer in several carboxylase enzymes, which play a significant role in various metabolic reactions such as fatty acid synthesis, branched chain amino acid catabolism, and gluconeogenesis. Biotin is also involved in citric acid cycle, which is the process of biochemical energy generation during aerobic respiration. Though the function of biotin in the growth of algae has been extensively investigated, little is known about the biosynthetic routes of biotin in the algal kingdom. In the present study, 44 biotin biosynthesis-related genes were identified from 14 eukaryotic photosynthetic algal genomes by BLASTP and TBLASN programs. A comprehensive analysis was performed to characterize distribution, phylogeny, structure domains, and coevolution patterns of those genes. Fortyfour biotin biosynthesis-related enzymes (BBREs) were found to be distributed in three groups: 7-keto-8-aminopelargonic acid synthase, diaminopelargonic acid synthase/dethiobiotin synthetase, and biotin synthase. Structure domains were considerably conserved among the subfamilies of BBREs. The intramolecular coevolutionary sites are widely distributed in biotin synthase. The present study provides new insights into the origin and evolution of biotin biosynthetic pathways in eukaryotic photosynthetic algae. Furthermore, the characterization of biotin biosynthesis-related genes from algae will promote the identification and functional studies of BBREs.

The Prospects of Algae-Derived Vitamins and Their Precursors for Sustainable Cosmeceuticals

“…Optimization: light intensity (320 µmol photons/m 2 s), NaNO 3 (1700 mg/L), K 2 HPO 4 (34.6 mg/L) 22 µg/L day [103] Genome-wide analysis of biotin biosynthesis genes in 13 eukaryotic algae revealed the existence of 44 biotin biosynthesis-related enzymes, laying the groundwork for targeting key genes to improve biotin synthesis via genetic engineering approaches [104]. When the vitamin C (ascorbic acid) content of 11 microalgae was assessed, Chaetoceros gracilis (1.6% DCW) and Nannochloropsis oculata (0.75% DCW) exhibited the highest levels [93].…”

A promising approach to enhance microalgae productivity by exogenous supply of vitamins

“…It plays a critical role as a co-factor in carbon dioxide metabolism for various carboxylases enzymes [ 71 ]. These enzymes, in turn, are involved in numerous metabolic processes such as gluconeogenesis, citric acid cycle, regulation of gene expression, branched chain amino acid catabolism and fatty acid biosynthesis [ 72 ]. Biotin heterocyclic system consists of an ureido branch merged with a tetrahydrothiophene (thiophane) branch.…”

“…A previous study isolated 44 biotin synthesis related genes from 14 photosynthetic algal genomes belonging to three groups, i.e. Chlorophyta-green algae (10), Rhodophyta-red algae (1), Prymnesiophyta (haplophyta) (1) and/heterokonphyta-diatoms (2) [ 72 ]. These 44 biotin biosynthesis related genes can synthesis biotin from pimeloyl-CoA through four step processes that are catalyzed by enzymes such as 7-keto-8-amino pelargonic acid synthase (KAPA), 7,8-diamino pelargonic acid synthase (DAPA)/dethiobiotin synthase, and biotin synthase, however, its source differs amongst different species [ 78 ].…”

“…Additionally, another group of researchers discussed that the enzymes involved in the conversion of DAPA to dethiobiotin synthase in alga are yet to be identified [ 19 ]. It was also specified by them that perhaps the source of dethiobiotin in the alga might have been via bacteria through their unanticipated symbiotic associations [ 72 ]. Previously, similar types of associations for biotin transfer have also been noted amongst alga and fungus in the lichen Peltigera aphthosa [ 33 , 79 – 81 ].…”

“…In another study, in the case of biotin auxotrophy, it was discussed that maybe the external source of dethiobiotin in the microalgal species might be bacteria via unanticipated symbiotic interactions among both of the species [ 19 ]. Another study promoted the formation of such beneficial symbiotic interactions among the algae and fungi, as in the case of lichen, Peltigera aphthosa for the exchange of dethiobiotin synthetase/adenosyl methionine-8-amino-7-oxononanoate aminotransferase amongst them [ 72 , 80 ]. However, commensalism is a type of biological interaction in which only one-partner benefits from the association.…”