Short-term physiologic response of the green microalga Picochlorum sp. (BPE23) to supra-optimal temperature

Robin Barten; Michelle Kleisman; Giulia D’Ermo; Harm Nijveen; Rene H. Wijffels; Maria J. Barbosa

doi:10.1038/s41598-022-06954-6

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Short-term physiologic response of the green microalga Picochlorum sp. (BPE23) to supra-optimal temperature

Journal article

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Short-term physiologic response of the green microalga Picochlorum sp. (BPE23) to supra-optimal temperature

Robin Barten, Michelle Kleisman, Giulia D’Ermo, Harm Nijveen, Rene H. Wijffels and Maria J. Barbosa

Scientific reports, Vol.12(1), pp.3290-3290

02/28/2022

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06954-6

PMCID: PMC8885816

PMID: 35228560

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Abstract

Photobioreactors heat up significantly during the day due to irradiation by sunlight. High temperatures affect cell physiology negatively, causing reduced growth and productivity. To elucidate the microalgal response to stressful supra-optimal temperature, we studied the physiology of Picochlorum sp. (BPE23) after increasing the growth temperature from 30 °C to 42 °C, whereas 38 °C is its optimal growth temperature. Cell growth, cell composition and mRNA expression patterns were regularly analyzed for 120 h after increasing the temperature. The supra-optimal temperature caused cell cycle arrest for 8 h, with concomitant changes in metabolic activity. Accumulation of fatty acids was observed during this period to store unspent energy which was otherwise used for growth. In addition, the microalgae changed their pigment and fatty acid composition. For example, palmitic acid (C16:0) content in the polar fatty acid fraction increased by 30%, hypothetically to reduce membrane fluidity to counteract the effect of increased temperature. After the relief of cell cycle arrest, the metabolic activity of Picochlorum sp. (BPE23) reduced significantly over time. A strong response in gene expression was observed directly after the increase in temperature, which was dampened in the remainder of the experiment. mRNA expression levels associated with pathways associated with genes acting in photosynthesis, carbon fixation, ribosome, citrate cycle, and biosynthesis of metabolites and amino acids were downregulated, whereas the proteasome, autophagy and endocytosis were upregulated.

Applied microbiology

Biotechnology

Gas chromatography

Heat

Plant stress responses

Transcriptomics

Details

Title: Subtitle: Short-term physiologic response of the green microalga Picochlorum sp. (BPE23) to supra-optimal temperature
Creators: Robin Barten - Wageningen University & Research
Michelle Kleisman - Wageningen University & Research
Giulia D’Ermo - PO Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
Harm Nijveen - Wageningen University & Research
Rene H. Wijffels - Nord University
Maria J. Barbosa - PO Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Scientific reports, Vol.12(1), pp.3290-3290
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06954-6
PMID: 35228560
PMCID: PMC8885816
NLM abbreviation: Sci Rep
ISSN: 2045-2322
eISSN: 2045-2322
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group UK
Grant note: ALWCA.2016.029; ALWCA.2016.029; ALWCA.2016.029; ALWCA.2016.029; ALWCA.2016.029; ALWCA.2016.029 / ;
Language: English
Date published: 02/28/2022
Academic Unit: International Programs; Spanish and Portuguese
Record Identifier: 9984397915602771

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