Abstract
We present the comprehensive characterization of a newly identified microalga, Chlamydomonas pacifica, originally isolated from a soil sample in San Diego, CA, USA. This species showcases remarkable biological versatility, including a broad pH range tolerance (6-11.5), high thermal tolerance (up to 42°C), and salinity resilience (up to 2% NaCl). Its amenability to genetic manipulation and sexual reproduction via mating, particularly between the two opposing strains CC-5697 & CC-5699, now publicly available through the Chlamydomonas Resource Center, underscores its potential as a biotechnological chassis. The biological assessment of C. pacifica, revealed versatile metabolic capabilities, including diverse nitrogen assimilation capability, phototaxis, and motility. Genomic and transcriptomic analyses identified 17,829 genes within a 121 Mb genome, featuring a slightly lower GC content (61%) than the model organism Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The codon usage of C. pacifica closely mirrors that of C. reinhardtii, indicating a conserved genetic architecture that supports a trend in codon preference with minor variations. Phylogenetic analyses position C. pacifica within the core-Reinhardtinia clade yet distinct from known Volvocales species. Through metabolomic and lipidomic profiling, we observed a high carbohydrate content, approximately 30% of the dry cell weight (DCW), suggesting a substantial capacity for bioplastic precursor production. The lipidomic data revealed an abundance of triacylglycerols (TAGs), promising for biofuel applications and lipids for health-related benefits. Our investigation lays the groundwork for exploiting C. pacifica in biotechnological applications, spanning from biofuel generation to synthesizing biodegradable plastics, positioning it as a versatile host for future bioengineering endeavors.
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Competing Interest Statement
SM is a co-founder and equity holder in Algenesis Inc., a company that might gain from the outcomes of this research. The other authors affirm that their research was carried out without any commercial or financial ties that could be perceived as a potential conflict of interest.
