利用环境胁迫提高破囊壶菌二十二碳六烯酸生产的研究进展

破囊壶菌由于具备生产多种高值天然活性物质的能力，如二十碳五烯酸(eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA)、二十二碳六烯酸(docosahexaenoic acid, DHA)、角鲨烯和类胡萝卜素等，目前已被视为商业脂质生产的优质来源。本文首先对破囊壶菌的生态作用和生物技术价值进行介绍，并概述了脂肪酸的两条生物合成途径；其次重点阐述了NaCl、温度、溶氧和pH这4种环境胁迫因子对破囊壶菌生长、脂质积累、脂肪酸组成和DHA生产的影响；随后总结了当前利用环境胁迫因子的渗透调节策略、分段发酵策略和缓解氧化应激策略提升破囊壶菌DHA生物合成能力的研究现状；最后指出了破囊壶菌在环境胁迫的分子调控机制、分段式发酵策略、菌株进化及代谢工程等方面存在的问题，并对如何改进这些问题以及未来可能的发展方向进行了展望。该综述旨在为破囊壶菌实现高效工业化生产DHA提供有效的参考。     

深圳海域6株破囊壶菌的生长特性及油脂成分分析

【目的】从深圳海域分离得到6株破囊壶菌,对其基本形态特征、生活史和油脂含量等进行研究,开发其应用潜力。【方法】使用松花粉垂钓法对破囊壶菌进行分离,通过18S r RNA基因测序的方法对破囊壶菌进行鉴定,用显微镜观察其基本形态特征,通过使用尼罗红(Nile Red)染色法对油脂含量进行定性检测,并用GC-MS分析菌株的油脂含量和组成情况。【结果】18S r RNA基因鉴定其属于Aurantiochytrium sp.、Schizochytrium sp.和Thraustochytrium sp.三个属。破囊壶菌的脂肪酸主要成分为十六碳饱和脂肪酸和二十二碳六烯酸(DHA),其中Mn11和Mn15的饱和脂肪酸含量达到总脂肪酸含量的70%以上,Mn16和Sw7的DHA产量分别达到1.29 g/L和1.26 g/L。【结论】Mn11和Mn15菌株适合用于生物柴油的生产,Mn16和Sw7是DHA发酵生产的潜力菌株。     

用基因工程方法研制廿二碳六烯酸

廿二碳六烯酸(DHA)能促进脑细胞的生长发育,改善大脑机能和行为学习,防治中枢神经疾病,是人及其它动物重要的必需多不饱和脂肪酸。目前,DHA主要来自深海鱼油的分离制备。利用微生物发酵生产DHA仍处于实验室阶段。破囊壶菌(Thraustochytriumroseum)是合成DHA的优良海洋真菌。研究与筛选破囊壶菌DHA合成突变株,克隆破囊壶菌DHA合成关键酶基因,进而在酵母真核表达系统中表达,可为今后对该酶进行更深入的研究及应用建立良好的基础。用基因工程方法研制重组DHA,将开拓广阔的应用前景。     

破囊壶菌DNA提取新法

破囊壶菌(Thraustochytrium spp．)是各种海洋环境中常见的异养单细胞真菌。在海洋中,破囊壶菌是有机物质的有效降解者和初级消费者(例如．Raghukumar等,1999)。也有人认为它是食用无脊椎动物的病原体(例如Mass等,1999)。近年来,科学家开始关注破囊壶菌的工业价值,即从其细胞提取多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)(例如Boweaes等,1999)。     

基于同源重组的裂殖壶菌遗传转化体系的构建及验证

【目的】裂殖壶菌是一种能高效生产DHA的海洋真菌;基因工程技术已经成功应用在微生物改造和代谢机理研究中,利用基因工程技术对裂殖壶菌进行改造首先需要构建适合裂殖壶菌的遗传转化体系;【方法】本文利用电转化的方法将含有18S r DNA同源重组片段的ble基因导入裂殖壶菌中,通过zeocin抗性平板筛选出阳性菌株,并设计ble基因引物,以裂殖壶菌基因组为模板,进行PCR验证ble基因是否成功结合到裂殖壶菌染色体上。【结果】筛选获得的抗性菌株基因组上确实PCR出ble基因片段,对改造菌株与原始菌株进行发酵培养,发现改造后菌株在生物量、油脂含量、DHA含量及脂肪酸分布等方面和原始菌株基本一致。【结论】抗性基因的插入不会影响菌株的正常代谢,该体系的构建为后续其他外源基因导入奠定基础。     

一株具有工业化生产DHA前景的破囊壶菌

多不饱和脂肪酸是保持人体健康不可缺少的营养成分之一,尤其是二十二碳六烯酸(DHA)作为细胞膜磷脂的重要组分,具有非常重要的医药应用和营养价值。目前,在食品工业中,DHA已经添加至牛奶或奶粉中,用作功能性营养强化剂。20世纪80年代,DHA的唯一来源是鱼油,但鱼油的腥味、重金属污染等问题,促使人们探索生产DHA的其他途径如微生物发酵。诱变和筛选是微生物选育过程中比较重要的手段,可以快速使菌株朝着人类所需要的方向突变。UV诱变和化学药物胁迫筛选是使野生株定向突变的一种很好的办法。目前国内外研究主要针对裂殖壶菌属菌株进行诱变育种,许永利[1]用紫外线诱变和喹禾灵筛选方法对裂殖壶菌(Schizochytrium limacinu)进行诱变选育,突变菌株生物量和DHA含量比对照菌株均有提高。吴克刚等[2]利用添加植物激素对Thraustochytriu roseum MF2进行培育诱变,从而获得更高的DHA量,但在脂质含量和DHA在脂质占比率上都不存在明显变化。本期介绍梁园梅、成家杨等[3]发表的论文《高产DHA破囊壶菌Aurantiochytrium sp.PKU#SW7诱变株的筛选》,作者采用紫外线和药物双重诱变胁迫破囊壶菌获得一株突变株,其在生物量、脂质含量和DHA在脂质占比率上都有显著性提高,相比前人的研究,作者获得的突变株有显著优越性,且突变株DHA生产能力传代4次后仍然保持稳定,具有较高的工业价值。在后续的研究中作者若能对筛选条件、培养基(如利用廉价碳源)和培养条件等方面实行进一步优化,提高突变株生物量,降低突变株发酵生产DHA生产成本,将能获得更高的商业价值。     

变温对破囊壶菌FJN-10脂肪酸组分和蛋白质组的影响

[目的]以破囊壶菌Thraustochytrium sp.FJN-10为研究对象,研究不同培养温度和变温条件对菌体生物量、油脂含量、脂肪酸组分、关键基因转录以及蛋白质组的影响。[方法]通过摇瓶实验测定干重研究菌株的生长,提取油脂并经液相色谱分析脂肪酸组分;荧光定量PCR和二维电泳研究脂肪酸合成途径关键的碳链延长酶、脱饱和酶的转录水平和蛋白质的差异表达。[结果]28℃培养时,生物量达13.6 g/L,DHA占总脂肪酸含量达32.41%;15℃培养时,生物量为9.8 g/L,DHA占总脂肪酸含量达56.08%。变温培养下生物量最高可达13.9 g/L、油脂含量及DHA含量在较高的水平。28℃降至15℃时,△4脱饱和酶和△6延长酶基因基因的转录分别提高了3.9和2.5倍。[结论]变温条件下菌株生物量在11.8~13.6 g/L,菌体稳定期延长,DHA的含量可达45%以上。可为今后DHA的产业化提供基础数据。     

脂肪酸合成系统潜能的挖掘与释放

在全球石油资源不断减少和温室气体不断积累的情况下,急需发展可再生燃料能源及各种生物化工原料和产品。基于该目的,能够生产高能量密度液体生物燃料和高附加值化工品的微生物脂肪酸合成系统备受关注。首先介绍了大肠杆菌脂肪酸代谢系统的组成,然后详细总结了通过改造脂肪酸代谢途径生产脂肪酸以及脂肪酸衍生物的最新研究进展,并介绍了利用体外重建体系来研究脂肪酸合成途径对该系统进行深入挖掘,以及根据得到的信息指导体内脂肪酸途径的改造来释放脂肪酸合成系统的潜能。     

渗透压调控对裂殖壶菌发酵产DHA的影响

考察了不同渗透胁迫(0、10、20、30和40 g/L NaCl)对裂殖壶菌HX-308发酵产DHA及脂肪酸构成的影响。结果表明:20 g/L NaCl最有利于裂殖壶菌生长和DHA积累,生物量、总脂肪酸含量、DHA产量及DHA占生物量的比值分别为73 g/L、10.7 g/L、5.0 g/L和68 mg/g,并且DHA在总脂肪酸中所占百分比最高,为45.2%。此外,在低渗透压(10 g/L NaCl)条件下,添加40 mmol/L甘氨酸甜菜碱,DHA产量与未添加相比提高了28.21%;在高渗透压(40 g/L NaCl)条件下添加40 mmol/L海藻糖,DHA产量提高了46.84%;表明添加适量的外源相容性溶质能有效地促进裂殖壶菌积累DHA。     

利用原生质体融合技术选育淀粉发酵产DHA的新型裂殖壶菌

以生产DHA的裂殖壶菌(Schizochxtrium)B4D1和黑曲霉(Aspergillus niger)CGMCC 3.316为出发菌株,利用原生质体融合技术选育可以利用淀粉发酵生产DHA的新型裂殖壶菌。用裂解酶制得了两亲本的原生质体,通过研究两亲本培养时间、培养方法、酶解时间等条件对原生质体产量影响的基础上,以PEG介导进行了原生质体的融合,最终确定了原生质体融合最佳条件为40%的PEG6000,融合温度30℃,融合时间为10 min,在此条件下融合率可达1.9%。通过比较菌落外观、颜色、形态以及分离培养筛选获得了一株利用淀粉裂殖壶菌融合子。经过RAPD验证表明B4D1与CGMCC 3.316发生了重组,融合菌株表达了更多源于B4D1的遗传信息。     

Molecular cloning of a Pinguiochrysis pyriformis oleate-specific microsomal Δ12-fatty acid desaturase and functional analysis in yeasts and thraustochytrids

We isolated a putative desaturase gene from a marine alga, Pinguiochrysis pyriformis MBIC 10872, which is capable of accumulating eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5(Δ5,8,11,14,17)). The gene possessed an open reading frame of 1,314 bp encoding a putative 437 amino acid residues showing high sequence identity (37-48%) with fungal and nematode Δ12-fatty acid desaturases. Yeast cells transformed with the gene converted endogenous oleic acid (C18:1(Δ9)) to linoleic acid (C18:2(Δ9,12)). However, no double bonds were introduced into other endogenous fatty acids or exogenously added fatty acids. Flag-tagged enzyme was recovered in the micosome fraction when expressed in yeast cells. To express the gene in thraustochytrids, a construct driven by the thraustochytrid-derived ubiquitin promoter was used. Interestingly, exogenously added oleic acid was converted to linoleic acid in the gene transformants but not mock transformants of Aurantiochytrium limacinum mh0186. These results clearly indicate that the gene encodes a microsomal Δ12-fatty acid desaturase and was expressed functionally in not only yeasts but also thraustochytrids. This is the first report describing the heterozygous expression of a fatty acid desaturase in thraustochytrids, and could facilitate a genetic approach towards fatty acid synthesis in thraustochytrids which are expected to be an alternative source of polyunsaturated fatty acids.     

Use of raw glycerol to produce oil rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids by a thraustochytrid

Glucose is the typical carbon source for producing microbial polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) with single cell microorganisms such as thraustochytrids. We assessed the use of a fish oil derived glycerol by-product (raw glycerol), produced by a fish oil processing plant, as a carbon source to produce single cell oil rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), notably docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These results were compared to those obtained when using analytical grade glycerol, and glucose. The thraustochytrid strain tested produced similar amounts of oil and PUFA when grown with both types of glycerol, and results were also similar to those obtained using glucose. After 6 days of fermentation, approximately 320 mg/g of oil, and 145 mg/g of PUFA were produced with all carbon sources tested. All oils produced by our strain were 99.95% in the triacylglycerol form. To date, this is the first report of using raw glycerol derived from fish oil for producing microbial triglyceride oil rich in PUFA.     

Ecological dynamics and biotechnological implications of thraustochytrids from marine habitats

Thraustochytrids, a group of osmoheterotrophic marine protists, have recently gained increased attention owing to their spectacular biotechnological potentials. They possess enormous capability of producing omega-3 (ω-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and several other bioactive metabolites, known to have nutritional implications in human health. They have emerged lately as an efficient economic alternative compared with other fish and algal oil sources by virtue of their simpler PUFA profiles and cost-effective culture conditions. This review is an attempt to summarize the ecological significance of thraustochytrids with an emphasis on their cultured and uncultured diversity from various marine habitats accounted during the last few decades. Moreover, improved technologies such as media optimization in conjugation with metabolic engineering, adopted for biotechnological advancement of ω-3 products of thraustochytrids are highlighted with particular concern on the respective fatty acid biosynthetic pathways. One of the future prospects focuses on utilization of thraustochytrids for biodiesel production owing to their tremendous potentiality of yielding low carbon monounsaturated fatty acids (LC-MUFAs). However, there is utmost need of in-depth diversity assessments from various oceanic ecosystems in order to gain insight on potential thraustochytrids for ameliorated employment toward biotechnological applications.     

Increase of eicosapentaenoic acid in thraustochytrids through thraustochytrid ubiquitin promoter-driven expression of a fatty acid {delta}5 desaturase gene

Thraustochytrids, marine protists known to accumulate polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in lipid droplets, are considered an alternative to fish oils as a source of PUFAs. The major fatty acids produced in thraustochytrids are palmitic acid (C(16:0)), n - 6 docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) (C(22:5)(n) (- 6)), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (C(22:6)(n) (- 3)), with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (C(20:5)(n) (- 3)) and arachidonic acid (AA) (C(20:4)(n) (- 6)) as minor constituents. We attempted here to alter the fatty acid composition of thraustochytrids through the expression of a fatty acid Δ5 desaturase gene driven by the thraustochytrid ubiquitin promoter. The gene was functionally expressed in Aurantiochytrium limacinum mh0186, increasing the amount of EPA converted from eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA) (C(20:4)(n) (- 3)) by the Δ5 desaturase. The levels of EPA and AA were also increased by 4.6- and 13.2-fold in the transgenic thraustochytrids compared to levels in the mock transfectants when ETA and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) (C(20:3)(n) (- 6)) were added to the culture at 0.1 mM. Interestingly, the amount of EPA in the transgenic thraustochytrids increased in proportion to the amount of ETA added to the culture up to 0.4 mM. The rates of conversion and accumulation of EPA were much higher in the thraustochytrids than in baker's yeasts when the desaturase gene was expressed with the respective promoters. This report describes for the first time the finding that an increase of EPA could be accomplished by introducing the Δ5 desaturase gene into thraustochytrids and indicates that molecular breeding of thraustochytrids is a promising strategy for generating beneficial PUFAs.     

Effect of vitamin B12-enriched thraustochytrids on the population growth of rotifers

Newly isolated thraustochytrids showed uptake of vitamin B12 from the culture into the cells. Cultivation of thraustochytrids in a medium containing 1 microg/ml of vitamin B12 greatly increased the contents of vitamin B12 in the cells. Similarly to Schizochytrium limacinum, odd numbered fatty acids decreased in the cells of new isolates cultivated with vitamin B12. Vitamin B12-enriched thraustochytrids, strain mh0186, enhanced the population growth of rotifers fed on the cells as sole feed.     

Effect of Vitamin B12-Enriched Thraustochytrids on the Population Growth of Rotifers

Newly isolated thraustochytrids showed uptake of vitamin B12 from the culture into the cells. Cultivation of thraustochytrids in a medium containing 1 μg/ml of vitamin B12 greatly increased the contents of vitamin B12 in the cells. Similarly to Schizochytrium limacinum, odd numbered fatty acids decreased in the cells of new isolates cultivated with vitamin B12. Vitamin B12-enriched thraustochytrids, strain mh0186, enhanced the population growth of rotifers fed on the cells as sole feed.     

Versatile transformation system that is applicable to both multiple transgene expression and gene targeting for Thraustochytrids

A versatile transformation system for thraustochytrids, a promising producer for polyunsaturated fatty acids and fatty acid-derived fuels, was established. G418, hygromycin B, blasticidin, and zeocin inhibited the growth of thraustochytrids, indicating that multiple selectable marker genes could be used in the transformation system. A neomycin resistance gene (neo(r)), driven with an ubiquitin or an EF-1α promoter-terminator from Thraustochytrium aureum ATCC 34304, was introduced into representatives of two thraustochytrid genera, Aurantiochytrium and Thraustochytrium. The neo(r) marker was integrated into the chromosomal DNA by random recombination and then functionally translated into neo(r) mRNA. Additionally, we confirmed that another two genera, Parietichytrium and Schizochytrium, could be transformed by the same method. By this method, the enhanced green fluorescent protein was functionally expressed in thraustochytrids. Meanwhile, T. aureum ATCC 34304 could be transformed by two 18S ribosomal DNA-targeting vectors, designed to cause single- or double-crossover homologous recombination. Finally, the fatty acid Δ5 desaturase gene was disrupted by double-crossover homologous recombination in T. aureum ATCC 34304, resulting in an increase of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (C(20:3n-6)) and eicosatetraenoic acid (C(20:4n-3)), substrates for Δ5 desaturase, and a decrease of arachidonic acid (C(20:4n-6)) and eicosapentaenoic acid (C(20:5n-3)), products for the enzyme. These results clearly indicate that a versatile transformation system which could be applicable to both multiple transgene expression and gene targeting was established for thraustochytrids.     

Grouping Newly Isolated Docosahexaenoic Acid-Producing Thraustochytrids Based on Their Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Profiles and Comparative Analysis of 18S rRNA Genes

Seven strains of marine microbes producing a significant amount of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6, n-3) were screened from seawater collected in coastal areas of Japan and Fiji. They accumulate their respective intermediate fatty acids in addition to DHA. There are 5 kinds of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) profiles which can be described as (1) DHA/docosapentaenoic acid (DPA; C22:5, n-6), (2) DHA/DPA/eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; C20:5, n-3), (3) DHA/EPA, (4) DHA/DPA/EPA/arachidonic acid (AA; C20:4, n-6), and (5) DHA/DPA/EPA/AA/docosatetraenoic acid (C22:4, n-6). These isolates are proved to be new thraustochytrids by their specific insertion sequences in the 18S rRNA genes. The phylogenetic tree constructed by molecular analysis of 18S rRNA genes from the isolates and typical thraustochytrids shows that strains with the same PUFA profile form each monophyletic cluster. These results suggest that the C20-22 PUFA profile may be applicable as an effective characteristic for grouping thraustochytrids.     

Isolation and characterization of a Delta5-desaturase from Oblongichytrium sp

We isolated a cDNA clone with homology to known desaturase genes from Oblongichytrium sp., recently classified as a new genus of thraustochytrids (Labyrinthulomycetes), and found that it encoded Delta5-desaturase by its heterologous expression in yeast. The enzyme had higher activity toward 20:4n-3 than 20:3n-6, indicating that this Delta5-desaturase can be used in the production of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in transgenic organisms.