Open AccessExploiting algal NADPH oxidase for biophotovoltaic energy
Author(s) -
Anderson Alexander,
Laohavisit Anuphon,
Blaby Ian K.,
Bombelli Paolo,
Howe Christopher J.,
Merchant Sabeeha S.,
Davies Julia M.,
Smith Alison G.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
plant biotechnology journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.525
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1467-7652
pISSN - 1467-7644
DOI - 10.1111/pbi.12332
Subject(s) - superoxide , chlamydomonas reinhardtii , nadph oxidase , biology , photosynthesis , oxidase test , reactive oxygen species , biochemistry , extracellular , electron transport chain , biophysics , microbiology and biotechnology , mutant , enzyme , gene
Summary Photosynthetic microbes exhibit light‐dependent electron export across the cell membrane, which can generate electricity in biological photovoltaic (BPV) devices. How electrons are exported remains to be determined; the identification of mechanisms would help selection or generation of photosynthetic microbes capable of enhanced electrical output. We show that plasma membrane NADPH oxidase activity is a significant component of light‐dependent generation of electricity by the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii . NADPH oxidases export electrons across the plasma membrane to form superoxide anion from oxygen. The C. reinhardtii mutant lacking the NADPH oxidase encoded by RBO1 is impaired in both extracellular superoxide anion production and current generation in a BPV device. Complementation with the wild‐type gene restores both capacities, demonstrating the role of the enzyme in electron export. Monitoring light‐dependent extracellular superoxide production with a colorimetric assay is shown to be an effective way of screening for electrogenic potential of candidate algal strains. The results show that algal NADPH oxidases are important for superoxide anion production and open avenues for optimizing the biological component of these devices.