Phycobiliproteins—A Family of Algae-Derived Biliproteins: Productions, Characterization and Pharmaceutical Potentials

Abstract

Phycobiliproteins (PBPs) are colored and water-soluble biliproteins found in cyanobacteria, rhodophytes, cryptomonads and cyanelles. They are divided into three main types: allophycocyanin, phycocyanin and phycoerythrin, according to their spectral properties. There are two methods for PBPs preparation. One is the extraction and purification of native PBPs from Cyanobacteria, Cryptophyta and Rhodophyta, and the other way is the production of recombinant PBPs by heterologous hosts. Apart from their function as light-harvesting antenna in photosynthesis, PBPs can be used as food colorants, nutraceuticals and fluorescent probes in immunofluorescence analysis. An increasing number of reports have revealed their pharmaceutical potentials such as antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic effects. The advances in PBP biogenesis make it feasible to construct novel PBPs with various activities and produce recombinant PBPs by heterologous hosts at low cost. In this review, we present a critical overview on the productions, characterization and pharmaceutical potentials of PBPs, and discuss the key issues and future perspectives on the exploration of these valuable proteins.

A Review on a Hidden Gem: Phycoerythrin from Blue-Green Algae

“…PE has a quantum yield of up to 0.98 and a molar coefficient of up to 2.4 × 10 6 . Since it has superior spectral characteristics, PE outperforms the commonly used fluorescent dyes (fluorescein and rhodamine) and is used as a fluorescent probe [ 13 ].…”

“…Cyanobacteria are a great source of PBP because they are fast-growing microorganisms with high PBP contents, particularly in PC content. Unlike most algae, cyanobacteria could thrive in open ponds under adverse conditions [ 13 ]. The unique features of CCA and nitrogen fixation ability have considerably reduced cultivation costs and made cyanobacterial growth easier [ 3 , 16 ].…”

“…Chen et al (2022) have summarized the characteristics and research literature on recombinant PBP. The vast advancements in genetic manipulation technologies, such as the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats), make the development of a stable PBP pathway in the host more feasible and would enhance PBP production [ 13 ].…”

“…These bioactive compounds also resist photooxidative damage, which would otherwise have an adverse impact on crucial cellular machineries, such as proteins, lipids, and DNA [ 11 , 12 ]. In comparison to PC and APC, the unique fluorescent properties of PE have made it a useful tool in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors [ 13 ]. PE has gained prominence not only as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and colorants but also as biologically active compounds, which will be described in this review.…”

“…PE is generally classified into three types based on different spectral properties and the photosynthetic organisms that produce them—namely, B-phycoerythrin (B-PE), C-phycoerythrin (C-PE), and R-phycoerythrin (R-PE) from Bangiophyceae (primitive filamentous Rhodophyta), cyanobacteria, and complex Rhodophyta, respectively [ 14 , 15 ]. B-PE and R-PE from red algae have been well-studied and widespread in their use across various industries [ 13 , 16 ]. B-PE became a valuable candidate as an analytical reagent and in fluorescent technologies, owing to its large absorption coefficient and high fluorescence efficiency (high quantum yield and high stokes shift) [ 14 ].…”