Abstract
Euglena gracilis is an alga of great biotechnological interest and extensive metabolic capacity, able to make high levels of bioactive compounds, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and β-glucan. Previous work has shown that Euglena expresses a wide range of carbohydrate-active enzymes, suggesting an unexpectedly high capacity for the synthesis of complex carbohydrates for a single-celled organism. Here, we present an analysis of some of the carbohydrates synthesised by Euglena gracilis. Analysis of the sugar nucleotide pool showed that there are the substrates necessary for synthesis of complex polysaccharides, including the unusual sugar galactofuranose. Lectin- and antibody-based profiling of whole cells and extracted carbohydrates revealed a complex galactan, xylan and aminosugar based surface. Protein N-glycan profiling, however, indicated that just simple high mannose-type glycans are present and that they are partially modified with putative aminoethylphosphonate moieties. Together, these data indicate that Euglena possesses a complex glycan surface, unrelated to plant cell walls, while its protein glycosylation is simple. Taken together, these findings suggest that Euglena gracilis may lend itself to the production of pharmaceutical glycoproteins.
Highlights
Euglena are a group of fast-growing, mainly freshwater algae, that are distantly related to other algae
Euglena gracilis expresses a wide range of glycosyltransferases and produces the precursor sugar nucleotides necessary for the synthesis of some very complex glycans
Our immunocarbohydrate microarray profiling indicates that the surface of Euglena has some xylan- and arabinan-type material, bearing galactose or N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) and GlcNAc moieties
Summary
Euglena are a group of fast-growing, mainly freshwater algae, that are distantly related to other algae They have long been studied for both their fundamental biology and for their production of a range of high value products, including vitamins, amino acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids [1]. As they are easy to grow and have a large metabolic capacity, Euglena have been proposed as a platform for the production of proteins and high value metabolites of biotechnological interest [2] and for the synthesis of complex natural products [3]. Euglena possesses more genes than are evident in the human genome [4].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
