Diverse Biosynthetic Pathways and Protective Functions against Environmental Stress of Antioxidants in Microalgae
Eukaryotic microalgae have been classified into several biological divisions and have evolutionarily acquired diverse morphologies, metabolisms, and life cycles. They are naturally exposed to environmental stresses that cause oxidative damage due to reactive oxygen species accumulation. To cope with...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/6/1250 |
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| author | Shun Tamaki Keiichi Mochida Kengo Suzuki |
| author_facet | Shun Tamaki Keiichi Mochida Kengo Suzuki |
| author_sort | Shun Tamaki |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Eukaryotic microalgae have been classified into several biological divisions and have evolutionarily acquired diverse morphologies, metabolisms, and life cycles. They are naturally exposed to environmental stresses that cause oxidative damage due to reactive oxygen species accumulation. To cope with environmental stresses, microalgae contain various antioxidants, including carotenoids, ascorbate (AsA), and glutathione (GSH). Carotenoids are hydrophobic pigments required for light harvesting, photoprotection, and phototaxis. AsA constitutes the AsA-GSH cycle together with GSH and is responsible for photooxidative stress defense. GSH contributes not only to ROS scavenging, but also to heavy metal detoxification and thiol-based redox regulation. The evolutionary diversity of microalgae influences the composition and biosynthetic pathways of these antioxidants. For example, α-carotene and its derivatives are specific to Chlorophyta, whereas diadinoxanthin and fucoxanthin are found in Heterokontophyta, Haptophyta, and Dinophyta. It has been suggested that AsA is biosynthesized via the plant pathway in Chlorophyta and Rhodophyta and via the <i>Euglena</i> pathway in Euglenophyta, Heterokontophyta, and Haptophyta. The GSH biosynthetic pathway is conserved in all biological kingdoms; however, Euglenophyta are able to synthesize an additional thiol antioxidant, trypanothione, using GSH as the substrate. In the present study, we reviewed and discussed the diversity of microalgal antioxidants, including recent findings. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:15:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-72e0be9744304791b593bec5d27a92a9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:15:38Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj.art-72e0be9744304791b593bec5d27a92a92023-11-22T00:51:42ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472021-06-01106125010.3390/plants10061250Diverse Biosynthetic Pathways and Protective Functions against Environmental Stress of Antioxidants in MicroalgaeShun Tamaki0Keiichi Mochida1Kengo Suzuki2Microalgae Production Control Technology Laboratory, RIKEN Baton Zone Program, Yokohama 230-0045, JapanMicroalgae Production Control Technology Laboratory, RIKEN Baton Zone Program, Yokohama 230-0045, JapanMicroalgae Production Control Technology Laboratory, RIKEN Baton Zone Program, Yokohama 230-0045, JapanEukaryotic microalgae have been classified into several biological divisions and have evolutionarily acquired diverse morphologies, metabolisms, and life cycles. They are naturally exposed to environmental stresses that cause oxidative damage due to reactive oxygen species accumulation. To cope with environmental stresses, microalgae contain various antioxidants, including carotenoids, ascorbate (AsA), and glutathione (GSH). Carotenoids are hydrophobic pigments required for light harvesting, photoprotection, and phototaxis. AsA constitutes the AsA-GSH cycle together with GSH and is responsible for photooxidative stress defense. GSH contributes not only to ROS scavenging, but also to heavy metal detoxification and thiol-based redox regulation. The evolutionary diversity of microalgae influences the composition and biosynthetic pathways of these antioxidants. For example, α-carotene and its derivatives are specific to Chlorophyta, whereas diadinoxanthin and fucoxanthin are found in Heterokontophyta, Haptophyta, and Dinophyta. It has been suggested that AsA is biosynthesized via the plant pathway in Chlorophyta and Rhodophyta and via the <i>Euglena</i> pathway in Euglenophyta, Heterokontophyta, and Haptophyta. The GSH biosynthetic pathway is conserved in all biological kingdoms; however, Euglenophyta are able to synthesize an additional thiol antioxidant, trypanothione, using GSH as the substrate. In the present study, we reviewed and discussed the diversity of microalgal antioxidants, including recent findings.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/6/1250microalgaediversityantioxidantcarotenoidascorbateglutathione |
| spellingShingle | Shun Tamaki Keiichi Mochida Kengo Suzuki Diverse Biosynthetic Pathways and Protective Functions against Environmental Stress of Antioxidants in Microalgae Plants microalgae diversity antioxidant carotenoid ascorbate glutathione |
| title | Diverse Biosynthetic Pathways and Protective Functions against Environmental Stress of Antioxidants in Microalgae |
| title_full | Diverse Biosynthetic Pathways and Protective Functions against Environmental Stress of Antioxidants in Microalgae |
| title_fullStr | Diverse Biosynthetic Pathways and Protective Functions against Environmental Stress of Antioxidants in Microalgae |
| title_full_unstemmed | Diverse Biosynthetic Pathways and Protective Functions against Environmental Stress of Antioxidants in Microalgae |
| title_short | Diverse Biosynthetic Pathways and Protective Functions against Environmental Stress of Antioxidants in Microalgae |
| title_sort | diverse biosynthetic pathways and protective functions against environmental stress of antioxidants in microalgae |
| topic | microalgae diversity antioxidant carotenoid ascorbate glutathione |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/6/1250 |
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