Interdependence of fucoxanthin biosynthesis and fucoxanthin-chlorophyll a/c binding proteins in Phaeodactylum tricornutum under different light intensities

Abstract

Fucoxanthin (FX), a primary carotenoid, is associated with the fucoxanthin-chlorophyll a/c binding protein (FCP) complex integrated into the thylakoid membrane (TM) which functions as a light-harvesting complex in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Here, we aimed to elucidate the FX production regulated by different light intensities via the correlation of FX biosynthesis and apoproteins composing of FCP complex. High light (HL) accelerated P. tricornutum growth more than low light (LL). The maximum values of FX content and productivity obtained under LL (1.7 mg g−1 and 2.12 mg L−1 day−1, respectively) were substantially higher than those obtained under HL (0.54 mg g−1 and 0.79 mg L−1 day−1, respectively). Notably, proteome and photosynthetic pigment analyses revealed the enrichment of FCP antennae in the LL culture TM fractions but not the HL culture. Semi-quantification of FCP antenna protein using LC–MS/MS and RNA transcriptome analyses revealed that PtLhcf5 and PtLhcf8 played crucial roles in FCP biosynthesis under LL. P. tricornutum cultured under light transition exhibited FCP formation only in the early growth stage to meet the increased photosynthetic activity requirements under LL. Meanwhile, FCP degradation could be triggered by HL throughout the cultivation period. Therefore, FX production was highly correlated with FCP formation, and LL conditions in the early growth stage were critical for higher FX productivity.

Manipulation in Culture Conditions of Nanofrustulum shiloi for Enhanced Fucoxanthin Production and Isolation by Preparative Chromatography

“…This increase may be due to the Fucoxanthin–chlorophyll proteins (FCP) which are associated with photosystems (PS) I and II in the thylakoid membranes (TM) in algae. The FCP complex is responsible for light-harvesting and electron transfer reactions during photosynthesis [ 43 , 44 , 45 ]. Apart from light harvesting capacity, FCPs have been also investigated for the photoprotective capacity [ 46 , 47 ].…”

“…Apart from light harvesting capacity, FCPs have been also investigated for the photoprotective capacity [ 46 , 47 ]. Under low light (LL) conditions, diatoms require more FCP complexes to compensate for the reduction in photon flux [ 45 ]. Thus, photosynthetic pigments including FX and FCP antennae should be provided to form more FCP complexes.…”

Improving Determination of Pigment Contents in Microalgae Suspension with Absorption Spectroscopy: Light Scattering Effect and Bouguer–Lambert–Beer Law

“…Similar observations regarding this positive correlation between Chl a and Fx have been reported previously for P. tricornutum [27] under different indoor and outdoor illumination conditions, as well as for Tisochrysis lutea [28] under different nitrogen supplies. This correlation arises from the interdependence of Fx production and FCP formation [29].…”

Combined analysis of chromatin accessibility and gene expression profiles provide insight into Fucoxanthin biosynthesis in Isochrysis galbana under green light

“…A number of studies have preliminarily explored the regulatory mechanisms of fucoxanthin biosynthesis for the construction of high fucoxanthin content strains Chen et al, 2022;Truong et al, 2022). Recent studies investigated the effects of light treatment on fucoxanthin biosynthesis pathways in I. galbana (Chen et al, 2022).…”