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The results of a collaborative study by the Tokyo Institute of Technology and Tohoku University (Japan) reveal prospects for large-scale algal starch production, a valuable bioressource for biofuels and other renewable materials. These bioproducts have the potential to replace fossil fuels and contribute to the development of sustainable societies and systems.
A "switch" controlling the level of starch content in algae was discovered by a research team led by Sousuke Imamura at the Laboratory of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Institute for Innovative Research, Institute of Technology Tokyo (Tokyo Tech).
Reported in The Plant Journal study focused on unicellular red algae Cyanidioschyzon merolae. The researchers demonstrated that the starch content of C. merolae could be dramatically increased by the inactivation of TOR (target of rapamycin), a protein kinase [1] known to play an important role in cell growth.
They observed a noticeable increase in starch level 12 hours after inactivation of TOR by exposure to rapamycin, which resulted in a remarkable ten-fold increase after 48 hours [19659002] It is important to note that the study details a mechanism underlying this significant increase in starch content. Using a method called liquid chromatography-tandem mbad spectrometry (LC-MS / MS), researchers examined subtle changes in the structure of more than 50 proteins that may be involved in "activation" of the protein. Starch accumulation process. As a result, they identified GLG1 as a key protein of interest. GLG1 acts similarly to glycogenin, an enzyme found in yeasts and animal cells, known to participate in the initiation of starch synthesis (or glycogen).
The mechanism will be of immense interest to a large number of industries seeking to increase the production of biofuels and value-added biochemicals.
For example, the results could accelerate the production of fuel-efficient additives. environment, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and bioplastics [2] which are now in great demand with phasing out. disposable plastic bags and straws in many parts of the world
Algae, compared to terrestrial plants, are very attractive because of their high photosynthetic productivity and relative ease of cultivation. Starch, triacylglycerols (TAGs) and other constituents of algal biombad are increasingly seen as a promising and powerful way to contribute to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
The research team notes that an increasing number of studies using other species of algae, as well as higher plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana, could provide information additional information on the fundamental molecular mechanisms of starch accumulation. "This information will help develop technologies to improve the productivity of starch biosynthesis and at the same time improve the sustainable production of biombad and bioenergy," said Imamura.
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