Production of porphyra-334 in transgenic lines of Nannochloropsis salina by the expression of mycosporine-like amino acid biosynthetic genes of P. yezoensis

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are small secondary metabolites produced by some marine species. These compounds absorb ultraviolet (UV) light, typically between 310 and 362 nm, and protect the producers from UV-associated damage. They also have anti-photoaging, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties, which has generated considerable interest in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and materials fields. Commercial use has been limited due to its reliance marine organisms for production, resulting in low and inconsistent yields. This study was undertaken to increase production of MAAs. We generated transgenic lines of the Nannochloropsis salina that carry and express the MAA biosynthesis genes from red alga Pyropia yezoensis. We characterized their MAA yield and the properties of MAAs produced by these lines. When exposed to UV light, the transgenic lines generated fewer reactive oxygen species compared to wild-type. The yield of porphyra-334 in one of the transgenic lines was 25 mg g −1 dry cell weight, the greatest reported. We hope these results will support the use of MAAs in numerous applications and increase our understanding of their biosynthetic pathways.