Cas9-guide RNA ribonucleoprotein-induced genome editing in the industrial green alga Coccomyxa sp. strain KJ

Abstract Background Oxygen-evolving photosynthetic microorganisms, collectively termed as microalgae, are gaining attention as alternative fuel sources. The unicellular alga Coccomyxa sp. strain KJ that belongs to the class Trebouxiophyceae can grow rapidly in minimal mineral media and accumulate tr...

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Main Authors: Yuya Yoshimitsu, Jun Abe, Shigeaki Harayama
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2018-12-01
Series:Biotechnology for Biofuels
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13068-018-1327-1
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author Yuya Yoshimitsu
Jun Abe
Shigeaki Harayama
author_facet Yuya Yoshimitsu
Jun Abe
Shigeaki Harayama
author_sort Yuya Yoshimitsu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Oxygen-evolving photosynthetic microorganisms, collectively termed as microalgae, are gaining attention as alternative fuel sources. The unicellular alga Coccomyxa sp. strain KJ that belongs to the class Trebouxiophyceae can grow rapidly in minimal mineral media and accumulate triacylglycerols at levels > 60% (w/w) of its dry weight under nitrogen depletion conditions. Thus, the strain can be a good candidate for biofuel production. Still, substantial improvements in lipid productivity and other traits of this strain are needed to meet commercial production requirements. Consequently, the development of new genetic tools including genome editing that are applicable to this strain is highly desired. Results In this paper, we report successful genome editing of strain KJ by intracellular delivery of a ribonucleoprotein complex comprising recombinant Cas9 protein and guide RNA. For introduction of Cas9-guide RNA ribonucleoprotein into strain KJ cells, we used an electroporator with a short (2.5 ms) electric pulse at a high field strength (7500 V cm−1) followed by multiple 50-ms electric pulses at low field strength (250 V cm−1). Under these conditions, we successfully isolated several knockout lines of the FTSY gene of strain KJ, encoding a signal recognition particle-docking protein at a frequency of 0.01%. Conclusions Our study shows applicability of DNA-free genome editing in Coccomyxa, which may be applicable in other Trebouxiophyceae species.
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spelling doaj.art-6f50524e2f6e4e458a5af6f0c9b7ec7e2022-12-22T03:35:50ZengBMCBiotechnology for Biofuels1754-68342018-12-0111111010.1186/s13068-018-1327-1Cas9-guide RNA ribonucleoprotein-induced genome editing in the industrial green alga Coccomyxa sp. strain KJYuya Yoshimitsu0Jun Abe1Shigeaki Harayama2Advanced Research and Innovation Center, DENSO CORPORATIONResearch and Development Initiative, Chuo UniversityResearch and Development Initiative, Chuo UniversityAbstract Background Oxygen-evolving photosynthetic microorganisms, collectively termed as microalgae, are gaining attention as alternative fuel sources. The unicellular alga Coccomyxa sp. strain KJ that belongs to the class Trebouxiophyceae can grow rapidly in minimal mineral media and accumulate triacylglycerols at levels > 60% (w/w) of its dry weight under nitrogen depletion conditions. Thus, the strain can be a good candidate for biofuel production. Still, substantial improvements in lipid productivity and other traits of this strain are needed to meet commercial production requirements. Consequently, the development of new genetic tools including genome editing that are applicable to this strain is highly desired. Results In this paper, we report successful genome editing of strain KJ by intracellular delivery of a ribonucleoprotein complex comprising recombinant Cas9 protein and guide RNA. For introduction of Cas9-guide RNA ribonucleoprotein into strain KJ cells, we used an electroporator with a short (2.5 ms) electric pulse at a high field strength (7500 V cm−1) followed by multiple 50-ms electric pulses at low field strength (250 V cm−1). Under these conditions, we successfully isolated several knockout lines of the FTSY gene of strain KJ, encoding a signal recognition particle-docking protein at a frequency of 0.01%. Conclusions Our study shows applicability of DNA-free genome editing in Coccomyxa, which may be applicable in other Trebouxiophyceae species.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13068-018-1327-1MicroalgaeCoccomyxaGenome editingCas9-gRNA RNPElectroporation
spellingShingle Yuya Yoshimitsu
Jun Abe
Shigeaki Harayama
Cas9-guide RNA ribonucleoprotein-induced genome editing in the industrial green alga Coccomyxa sp. strain KJ
Biotechnology for Biofuels
Microalgae
Coccomyxa
Genome editing
Cas9-gRNA RNP
Electroporation
title Cas9-guide RNA ribonucleoprotein-induced genome editing in the industrial green alga Coccomyxa sp. strain KJ
title_full Cas9-guide RNA ribonucleoprotein-induced genome editing in the industrial green alga Coccomyxa sp. strain KJ
title_fullStr Cas9-guide RNA ribonucleoprotein-induced genome editing in the industrial green alga Coccomyxa sp. strain KJ
title_full_unstemmed Cas9-guide RNA ribonucleoprotein-induced genome editing in the industrial green alga Coccomyxa sp. strain KJ
title_short Cas9-guide RNA ribonucleoprotein-induced genome editing in the industrial green alga Coccomyxa sp. strain KJ
title_sort cas9 guide rna ribonucleoprotein induced genome editing in the industrial green alga coccomyxa sp strain kj
topic Microalgae
Coccomyxa
Genome editing
Cas9-gRNA RNP
Electroporation
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13068-018-1327-1
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