Abstract
The exact mechanisms underlying the distribution of fixed carbon within photoautotrophic cells, also referred to as carbon partitioning, and the subcellular localization of many enzymes involved in carbon metabolism are still unknown. In contrast to the majority of investigated green algae, higher plants have multiple isoforms of the glycolytic enolase enzyme, which are differentially regulated in higher plants. Here we report on the number of gene copies coding for the enolase in several genomes of species spanning the major classes of green algae. Our genomic analysis of several green algae revealed the presence of only one gene coding for a glycolytic enolase [EC 4.2.1.11]. Our predicted cytosolic localization would require export of organic carbon from the plastid to provide substrate for the enolase and subsequent re-import of organic carbon back into the plastids. Further, our comparative sequence study of the enolase and its 3D-structure prediction may suggest that the N-terminal extension found in green algal enolases could be involved in regulation of the enolase activity. In summary, we propose that the enolase represents one of the crucial regulatory bottlenecks in carbon partitioning in green algae.
Highlights
In the past few years algal biofuels have received renewed attention [1,2,3]
There, the glycolytic enolase enzyme could generate PEP, which could be converted into pyruvate
Higher plants such as A. thaliana have a gene family coding for the enolase enzyme [51], with the gene products being localized to different cellular compartments [52]
Summary
In the past few years algal biofuels have received renewed attention [1,2,3]. The term “alga”. In the context of the core carbon metabolism, important for cells is the connection of carbon fixed in the Calvin-Benson cycle to create pyruvate, which is needed in cells as a precursor to form a variety of macromolecules including glycerolipids and isoprenoids. This connection between 3PGA to pyruvate synthesis is determined by the reactions of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and the cellular localization of the essential enzymes. Currently a major gap in knowledge exists regarding the molecular mechanism regulating carbon partitioning in algal cells, including the green algae This lack of knowledge may still be a relict from the historical vision of green algae as single celled plants. We focus here on the contrast between higher plants and green algae
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