Chromosome-level genome assembly and transcriptome of the green algaChromochloris zofingiensisilluminates astaxanthin production

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1619928114
• Publication Date: 2017-05-09T01:00:30Z
• Authors: Melissa S. Roth; Shawn J. Cokus; Sean D. Gallaher; Andreas Walter; David Lopez; Erika Erickson; Benjamin Endelman; Daniel Westcott; Carolyn A. Larabell; Sabeeha S. Merchant; Matteo Pellegrini; Krishna K. Niyogi
• Keywords: 570; Bioinformatics and Computational Biology; Xanthophylls; Chromosomes; Chromosomes, Plant; 03 medical and health sciences; Affordable and Clean Energy; Chlorophyceae; Chlorophyta; Genetics; Microalgae; RNA-Seq; 0303 health sciences; Genome; Base Sequence; Human Genome; Chromosome Mapping; Plant; DNA; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Biological Sciences; de novo genome; Biofuels; genome mapping; Transcriptome; Sequence Analysis; carotenoid biosynthesis; Genome, Plant

SignificanceThe growing human population generates increasing demand for food and energy. Microalgae are a promising source of sustainable bioproducts whose production may not exacerbate worsening environmental problems. The green algaChromochloris zofingiensishas potential as a biofuel feedstock and source of high-value nutraceutical molecules, including the carotenoid astaxanthin. We present a high-quality, chromosome-level assembly of the genome by using a hybrid sequencing approach with independent validation by optical mapping. Our analyses of the genome and transcriptome, in addition to experiments characterizing astaxanthin production, advance understanding of the green lineage and carotenoid production, and enhance prospects for improving commercial production ofC. zofingiensis.