lipid and isoprenoid
metabolism in algae

Carotenoids are 40-carbon isoprenoids that are integral and essential components of the photosynthetic membranes in all plants. Carotenoids that function within the photosynthetic machinery are commonly referred to as primary carotenoids, because they are essential. In contrast, secondary carotenoids are defined functionally as those carotenoids that are not required for photosynthesis and are not localized in the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplast.

Dunaliella specimen.
Click to enlarge.

Unicellular green algae of the genus Dunaliella and Haematococcus over-accumulate secondary carotenoids such as ß-carotene or the ketocarotenoid astaxanthin in lipid vesicles in the chloroplast stroma or in the cytosol upon environmental stress (cartenogenesis). Such environmental stress conditions are for example high salt concentrations, high irradiance or nitrogen deficiency. This laboratory is interested in the molecular mechanisms that regulate secondary carotenoid over-accumulation in unicellular green algae.

Proposed model for regulation of secondary carotenoid accumulation in unicellular green algae.

publications

Tran D, Haven J, Qiu W-G, and JEW Polle (2009) An update on carotenoid biosynthesis in algae: Phylogenetic evidence for the existence of two classes of phytoene synthase. Planta, currently only available online.

Polle JEW, Struwe L, and ES Jin (2008) Identification and Characterization of a New Strain of the Unicellular Green Alga Dunaliella salina (Teod.) from Korea. J Microbiol Biotechnol 18(5): 821-827.

Gordon J. and Polle JEW (2007) Ultrahigh bioproductivity from algae. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 76: 969-975.

1. Jin ES, Polle JEW, Lee HK, and Chang M (2003) Xanthophylls in microalgae: From biosynthesis to biotechnological mass production and application. J Microbiol Biotechnol, 13(2): 165-174.

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collaboration

Dr. EonSeon Jin
Dept. Life Science
Hanyang University
esjin@hanyang.ac.kr
Tel: 02-2220-2561
Fax: 02-2299-2561