Polyketides and modular polyketide synthases in unicellular green algae

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Severin Sasso
• Subject Area: Plant Biochemistry and Biophysics
• Term: from 2012 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 218896363

The recent publication of several algal genome sequences demonstrates that much remains to be learned about the secondary metabolism of algae, despite their ecological and biotechnological significance. For example, we have found genes for type I polyketide synthases in ten of 16 analysed microalgal genomes even though no polyketides have been detected yet in any of these species. In this work, the biosynthesis and function of polyketides shall be examined in two sequenced green algae, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Coccomyxa sp. C-169. The first of two projects will start with the single predicted type I polyketide synthase from the model species C. reinhardtii and try to identify the corresponding polyketides using genetic methods. The second, complementary project will start with the isolation of new polyketides from Coccomyxa and then exploit the genome sequence to identify the responsible biosynthetic genes and unravel their function for the algal cell. Together, these approaches are expected to provide new insights into secondary metabolism and lifestyle of microalgae and may lead to the discovery of novel infochemicals of ecological importance.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants