This study explored a sustainable alternative to the Haber-Bosch process by enhancing the production of the nitrogen-rich polymer cyanophycin (CGP) in the diazotrophic cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. PCC 7120. Applying UV-mutagenesis followed by canavanine selection, we isolate an initial mutant with enhanced CGP accumulation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiatoms (Bacillariophyceae) accumulate neutral storage lipids in lipid droplets during stress conditions, which can be rapidly degraded and recycled when optimal conditions resume. Since nutrient and light availability fluctuate in marine environments, storage lipid turnover is essential for diatom dominance of marine ecosystems. Diatoms have garnered attention for their potential to provide a sustainable source of omega-3 fatty acids.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlants (Basel)
September 2023
The blastocladialean fungus is a facultative parasite of economically important microalgae and for this reason it has gained a lot of interest. has a complex life cycle which includes vegetative and resting stages. The resting cysts were assumed to play an essential role in survival by resisting drought, but this ability was never tested and the factors that trigger their formation were not evaluated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFScope: Microalgae are an emerging nutritional resource of biomolecules with potential to alleviate gut inflammation. The study explores the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory potential of the microalga Lobosphaera incisa P127, which accumulates a rare omega-6 LC-PUFA dihomo-ɣ-linolenic acid (DGLA) under nitrogen starvation. The therapeutic potential of dietary supplementation with P127 is investigated in the zebrafish model of IBD (TNBS-induced colitis).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGlutamine synthetase (GlnS) is a key enzyme in nitrogen metabolism. We investigated the effect of the GlnS inhibitor glufosinate on the infection of by the blastocladialean fungus , assuming that interfering with the host nitrogen metabolism will affect the success of the parasite. Complete inhibition of infection, which could be bypassed by the GlnS product glutamine, was observed at millimolar concentrations of glufosinate.
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