High light induces species specific changes in the membrane lipid composition of Chlorella

Biochemical Journal, vol. 477, pp. 2543–2559

Abstract

Algae have evolved several mechanisms to adjust to changing environmental conditions. To separate from their surroundings, algal cell membranes form a hydrophobic barrier that is critical for life. Thus, it is important to maintain or adjust the physical and biochemical properties of cell membranes which are exposed to environmental factors. Especially glycerolipids of thylakoid membranes, the site of photosynthesis and photoprotection within chloroplasts, are affected by different light conditions. Since little is known about membrane lipid remodeling upon different light treatments, we examined light induced alterations in the glycerolipid composition of the two Chlorella species, C. vulgaris and C. sorokiniana, which differ strongly in their ability to cope with different light intensities. Lipidomic analysis and isotopic labeling experiments revealed differences in the composition of their galactolipid species, although both species likely utilize galactolipid precursors originated from the endoplasmic reticulum. However, in silico research of de novo sequenced genomes and ortholog mapping of proteins putatively involved in lipid metabolism showed largely conserved lipid biosynthesis pathways suggesting species specific lipid remodeling mechanisms, which possibly have an impact on the response to different light conditions.

Authors 9

1. Janka Widzgowski

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-2: Plant Sciences), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany

2. Alexander Vogel Aachen Institute for Botany and Molecular Genetics

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Botany and Molecular Genetics, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

3. Lena Altrogge

   University of Bonn

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation, INRES Crop Bioinformatics, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany

4. Julia Pfaff Aachen Institute for Botany and Molecular Genetics

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Botany and Molecular Genetics, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

5. Heiko Schoof

   University of Bonn

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation, INRES Crop Bioinformatics, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany

6. Björn Usadel Aachen Institute for Botany and Molecular Genetics

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Botany and Molecular Genetics, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

   Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-2: Plant Sciences), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany

7. Ladislav Nedbal

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-2: Plant Sciences), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany

8. Ulrich Schurr

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-2: Plant Sciences), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany

9. Christian Pfaff corresponding

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-2: Plant Sciences), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany