ミクロ藻類の低CO₂適応に関わる主要制御因子を特定(Researchers Identify Key Regulator for Microalgae’s Low-CO2 Adaptation)

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2025-10-10 中国科学院(CAS)

中国科学院青島生物能源・生物過程技術研究所の研究チームは、海洋微細藻類Nannochloropsis oceanicaが低CO₂環境に適応する際の主要制御因子として、ヒストン修飾H3K4me2を特定した。DNAメチル化は安定で影響が小さい一方、H3K4me2修飾が光合成やリボソーム生成関連遺伝子の43.1%に関与することが判明。CRISPR/Cas9でH3K4メチルトランスフェラーゼ遺伝子を欠損させると成長率が22%減少し、H3K4me2の局在も変化した。H3K4修飾は酵素ネットワークと葉緑体膜pH勾配を調節し、CO₂利用効率を高める。研究成果は、微細藻類の炭素固定能強化や気候変動緩和型バイオエネルギー開発に資する可能性を示す。

ミクロ藻類の低CO₂適応に関わる主要制御因子を特定(Researchers Identify Key Regulator for Microalgae’s Low-CO2 Adaptation)
H3K4 histone modification mediates low-CO2 adaptation in Nannochloropsis: (Image by QIBEBT)

<関連情報>

多次元エピゲノムダイナミクスは、Nannochloropsis oceanicaにおける低CO2適応のH3K4制御に収束する Multi-dimensional epigenomic dynamics converge on H3K4 regulation of low CO2 adaptation in Nannochloropsis oceanica

Yanhai Gong, Qintao Wang, Li Wei, Lianhong Wang, Nana Lv, Xuefeng Du, Chen Shen, Yi Xin, Luyang Sun, Jian Xu
Plant Communications  Available online: 25 September 2025
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xplc.2025.101534

Abstract

Despite their ecological and biotechnological importance, whether and how microalgae are regulated by epigenetics have remained poorly understood. In the model industrial microalga of Nannochloropsis oceanica, by comprehensive, multi-dimensional epigenomic analyses, we uncovered an epigenetic regulatory mechanism in response to CO2 level that involves the complex interplays among DNA methylation, histone modifications, dynamic nucleosome positioning, and 3D chromatin structure during low CO2 adaptation. Despite minimal DNA methylation, histone modifications including lysine acetylation, crotonylation, and methylation were associated with active chromatin states, and linked to 43.1% of the differentially expressed genes. Notably, histone H3K4 di-methylation (H3K4me2) exhibited a distinct dual-peak profile around the transcription start site, and is linked to dynamics of chromatin compartmentation. Knockout of NO24G02310, a candidate H3K4 methyltransferase, resulted in genome-wide H3K4me2 peak shifts and a decrease in H3K4me1 levels, accompanied by direct or indirect downregulation of NoHINT and NoPMA2 expression, slower microalgal growth and reduced photosynthesis (indicated by Fv/Fm), specifically under low CO2 conditions. Deletion and overexpression of the histidine triad nucleotide-binding protein of NoHINT and the plasma membrane H+-ATPase of NoPMA2 revealed the two enzymes’ roles on growth and photosynthetic efficiency under low CO2, with NoHINT regulating growth and NoPMA2 influencing photosynthesis. Thereby, as a previously unappreciated strategy of low CO2 adaptation, NO24G02310 may coordinate the regulation of NoHINT and NoPMA2 through the participation of H3K4 modifications. These findings lay the foundation for enhancing microalgal productivity through epigenetic engineering.

細胞遺伝子工学
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