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Richard E. Triemer - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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characterization of Euglenaformis gen nov and the chloroplast genome of Euglenaformis Euglena proxima euglenophyta
Phycologia, 2014Co-Authors: Matthew S Bennett, Krystle E Wiegert, Richard E. TriemerAbstract:Euglena proxima is a common, globally dispersed, and easily identified photosynthetic euglenoid. Previous phylogenetic analyses using nuclear-encoded small subunit (SSU) and large subunit (LSU) rRNA genes revealed that this taxon was paraphyletic with other Euglena species and was positioned as sister to all Euglenaceae. Despite this, authors were reluctant to remove this taxon from Euglena until additional data, or taxa pairing with E. proxima, were obtained because it created a monotypic genus. To clarify the taxonomy, the chloroplast genome of E. proxima was sequenced and compared with those of other photosynthetic euglenoids. Phylogenomic analyses were performed comparing 79 chloroplast-encoded genes from E. proxima with those found in seven photosynthetic euglenoids and three prasinophytes, the group from which the euglenoid chloroplast was probably derived. These analyses resulted in highly supported phylogenomic trees with topologies that were consistent with all previous phylogenetic analyses, i.e...
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evolution of the chloroplast genome in photosynthetic euglenoids a comparison of eutreptia viridis and Euglena gracilis euglenophyta
Protist, 2012Co-Authors: Krystle E Wiegert, Matthew S Bennett, Richard E. TriemerAbstract:The chloroplast genome of Eutreptia viridis Perty, a basal taxon in the photosynthetic euglenoid lineage, was sequenced and compared with that of Euglena gracilis Ehrenberg, a crown species. Several common gene clusters were identified and gene order, conservation, and sequence similarity was assessed through comparisons with Euglena gracilis. Significant gene rearrangements were present between Eutreptia viridis and Euglena gracilis chloroplast genomes. In addition, major expansion has occurred in the Euglena gracilis chloroplast accounting for its larger size. However, the key chloroplast genes are present and differ only in the absence of psaM and roaA in Eutreptia viridis, and psaI in Euglena gracilis, suggesting a high level of gene conservation within the euglenoid lineage. Further comparisons with the plastid genomes of closely related green algal taxa have provided additional support for the hypothesis that a Pyramimonas-like alga was the euglenoid chloroplast donor via secondary endosymbiosis.
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Comparative chloroplast genomics between Euglena viridis and Euglena gracilis (Euglenophyta)
Phycologia, 2012Co-Authors: Matthew S Bennett, Krystle E Wiegert, Richard E. TriemerAbstract:Bennett M.S., Wiegert K.E. and Triemer R.E. 2012. Comparative chloroplast genomics between Euglena viridis and Euglena gracilis (Euglenophyta). Phycologia 51: 711–718. DOI: 10.2216/12-017.1 The chloroplast genomes of Euglena gracilis, Eutreptia viridis, Eutreptiella gymnastica, Colacium vesiculosum, Strombomonas acuminata and the colourless Euglena (Astasia) longa, which had secondarily lost the ability to photosynthesize, were previously reported. These studies had shown that there was a great diversity in the size of euglenoid chloroplast genomes and in the arrangement of gene clusters. However, while these genomes provided important insights into the evolution of the chloroplast genome across genera, they did not address genomic variability within a genus. In an effort to continue with these investigations, we sequenced the chloroplast genome of Euglena viridis and compared this to the E. gracilis chloroplast genome in order to explore intrageneric chloroplast evolution. The chloroplast genome of E. vi...
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Phylogenetic analysis of the genus Euglena (Euglenophyceae) with particular reference to the type species Euglena viridis
Journal of Phycology, 2004Co-Authors: Woongghi Shin, Richard E. TriemerAbstract:Euglena viridis (subgenus Euglena) serves as the type species for the genus Euglena. In this study, molecular phylogenetic analyses using a small subunit (SSU) and a combined SSU-partial large subunit rDNA data set for members of the genus Euglena showed that strains identified as E. viridis on the basis of morphology are distributed between two separate nonsister clades. Although all the E. viridis strains examined were morphologically indistinguishable and possessed spherical mucocysts and stellate chloroplasts with one paramylon center, there was a high degree of sequence divergence between the E. viridis strains in different clades, making this a cryptic species. Like E. viridis, all taxa from the subgenus Euglena are characterized by having one or more stellate chloroplasts with paramylon grains clustered around the center of the chloroplast. These additional taxa were divided into four clades in all the molecular analyses. Strains of Euglena stellata formed two nonsister clades whose members had a single aggregate chloroplast with paramylon center and spindle-shaped mucocysts. A geniculata clade included species with one or two stellate chloroplasts with paramylon centers and spherical mucocysts, and the cantabrica clade had members with one stellate chloroplast with paramylon center and spherical mucocysts often arranged in spiral rows. Interspersed among these were three additional clades bearing taxa from the subgenus Calliglena that contains members with discoid plastids and pyrenoids that may or may not be capped with paramylon. These taxa formed a laciniata clade, mutabilis clade, and gracilis clade. This study demonstrates that E. viridis and E. stellata are cryptic species that can only be distinguished at the molecular level. Because E. viridis is the designated type species for the genus Euglena, we designated an epitype for E. viridis.
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151 Phylogenetic Analysis of The Subgenus Euglena with Particualr Reference to the Type Species Euglena Viridis (Euglenophyceae)
Journal of Phycology, 2003Co-Authors: Woongghi Shin, Richard E. TriemerAbstract:Euglena viridis was first described by Antony van Leeuwenhoek in 1674. This taxon later became the type for the genus Euglena erected by Ehrenberg in 1838. The primary characters that distinguish this taxon are the single stellate chloroplast and spherical mucocysts. A number of related Euglena species are similar in size, bear one or two stellate plastids and possess spherical or spindle-shaped mucocysts. We conducted morphological and molecular studies on taxa in the subgenus Euglena (all of which bear stellate chloroplasts) and compared this to genera in the subgenus Calliglena (non-stellate chloroplasts). Morphologically the strains in subgenus Euglena were very similar, except for chloroplast number and mucocyst shape. The E. stellata group has one chloroplast and a distinctive spindle-shaped mucocyst; the E. geniculata group has two chloroplasts and spherical mucocysts; the E. viridis group has one chloroplast and spherical mucocysts. Molecular analyses using SSU and LSU rDNA demonstrated that the subgenus Euglena is not monophyletic. The combined SSU/LSU trees provide strong support for a stellate clade (subgenus Euglena), but one strain of E. viridis diverges at the base of the Euglena/Calliglena lineage. Multiple subclades are found within the main stellate clade. E. tristellata forms a separate divergence and four E. stellata strains form a single, well-supported subclade. Two E. viridis strains are among the E. geniculata group clade, while six others form two separate, but well-supported clades. This study demonstrates that the type species, E. viridis, is paraphyletic and will need to be redefined.
Masanori Arita - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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wax ester and lipophilic compound profiling of Euglena gracilis by gas chromatography mass spectrometry toward understanding of wax ester fermentation under hypoxia
Metabolomics, 2015Co-Authors: Takeshi Furuhashi, Takumi Ogawa, Rai Nakai, Masami Nakazawa, Atsushi Okazawa, Adchara Padermschoke, Kazuki Nishio, Masami Yokota Hirai, Masanori AritaAbstract:Lipids are being increasingly used as biodiesel feedstock, and several saturated wax esters from Euglena gracilis are candidates for outdoor bulk production. Wax ester fermentation in Euglena is strongly increased by hypoxia, but key events underlying the metabolic shift toward wax ester biosynthesis are poorly understood. Profiling of wax esters and other lipophilic compounds is the first step for research toward the clarification of wax ester fermentation molecular mechanisms, and thus, a simple and comprehensive platform for their profiling is required. In this study, we established a profiling method for wax esters and lipophilic compounds in Euglena using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Using this method, we compared accumulation profiles of wax esters and lipophilic compounds between a wild-type Euglena Z strain and a bleached SM-ZK strain. Both the wild-type and the bleached strains contained C14:0 fatty acid-C14:0 fatty alcohol as a dominant wax ester. Wax ester fermentation initiated 4 h after the cessation of oxygen supply by halting the culture agitation resulting in linear increase and proportional changes of wax ester amounts during 24 h. However, complete anoxia by nitrogen gas aeration inhibited wax ester production and the addition of bicarbonates reversed the inhibition, suggesting that there is a need for an additional carbon source for wax ester fermentation under anoxia. Our simple method enables the investigation of metabolic responses leading to wax ester fermentation in Euglena.
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exploration of polar lipid accumulation profiles in Euglena gracilis using lipidblast an ms ms spectral library constructed in silico
Bioscience Biotechnology and Biochemistry, 2014Co-Authors: Takumi Ogawa, Takeshi Furuhashi, Rai Nakai, Masami Nakazawa, Atsushi Okazawa, Masanori Arita, Tobias Kind, Oliver Fiehn, Shigehiko Kanaya, Daisaku OhtaAbstract:A rapid protocol for polar lipid profiling was applied to Euglena gracilis lipid metabolism by LipidBlast, an MS/MS spectral similarity search tool. The similarity search results suggested anoxia-induced polar lipid metabolism in Euglena characterized by the accumulation of differential lipid classes, carbon chain lengths, and unsaturated bond numbers. The informatics-supported MS spectral search provides an alternative option for global lipid profiling studies.
Kengo Suzuki - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Catalytic cracking of wax esters extracted from Euglena gracilis for hydrocarbon fuel production
Biomass & Bioenergy, 2018Co-Authors: Iori Shimada, Shin Kato, Haruhisa Ohta, Ryohei Mori, Kengo Suzuki, Yoshitaka Nakamura, Toru TakatsukaAbstract:Abstract Wax esters (WEs) synthesized by Euglena gracilis are potential sources for alternative fuels because of their high productivity, recent success in mass cultivation, and low energy consumption in extraction. In this study, deoxygenation of Euglena WE and conversion to hydrocarbons in a catalytic cracking process under a hydrogen-free atmosphere was investigated using a residue fluid catalytic cracking equilibrium catalyst with enhanced hydrogen-transfer activity. The deoxygenation of Euglena WE proceeded more rapidly with higher H 2 O selectivity than that of saturated triglycerides. This is because initial β-elimination of WEs produces saturated fatty acids and higher olefins; the higher olefins rapidly release hydrogen species during cracking, cyclization and aromatization, and the hydrogen species accelerate hydrodeoxygenation of the saturated fatty acids. Furthermore, the cracking of Euglena WE produced large amounts of paraffins and olefins instead of aromatics. Therefore, Euglena WE was confirmed to be a preferable feedstock for the catalytic cracking process for hydrocarbon fuel production.
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Euglena extract suppresses adipocyte differentiation in human adipose derived stem cells
PLOS ONE, 2018Co-Authors: Ryota Sugimoto, Naoko Ishibashiohgo, Kohei Atsuji, Yuko Miwa, Osamu Iwata, Ayaka Nakashima, Kengo SuzukiAbstract:Euglena gracilis Z (Euglena) is a unicellular, photosynthesizing, microscopic green alga. It contains several nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and unsaturated fatty acids. In this study, to verify the potential role of Euglena consumption on human health and obesity, we evaluated the effect of Euglena on human adipose-derived stem cells. We prepared a Euglena extract and evaluated its effect on cell growth and lipid accumulation, and found that cell growth was promoted by the addition of the Euglena extract. Interestingly, intracellular lipid accumulation was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis and western blotting analysis indicated that the Euglena extract suppressed adipocyte differentiation by inhibiting the gene expression of the master regulators peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) and one of three CCAAT-enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPα). Further Oil Red O staining experiments indicated that the Euglena extract inhibited the early stage of adipocyte-differentiation. Consistent with these results, we observed that down-regulation of gene expression was involved in the early stage of adipogenesis represented by the sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 c (SREBP1c), two of three CCAAT-enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPβ, C/EBPδ), and the cAMP regulatory element-binding protein (CREB). Taken together, these data suggest that Euglena extract is a promising candidate for the development of a new therapeutic treatment for obesity.
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The effect of Euglena (Euglena gracilis) supplementation on nutrient intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and rumen fermentation in sheep
Animal Feed Science and Technology, 2017Co-Authors: Ashagrie Aemiro, Kengo Suzuki, Peter Kiiru, Shota Watanabe, Masaaki Hanada, Kazutaka Umetsu, Takehiro NishidaAbstract:Abstract This in vivo study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementation with different rates of Euglena ( Euglena gracilis ) on nutrient intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and rumen fermentation. Four rumen cannulated Corriedale wethers sheep with an average body weight of 44.25 ± 3.86 kg were arranged in a 4 × 4 Latin square design and fed a basal diet of Guinea grass ( Panicum maximum ) hay and concentrate mixture at the maintenance level with four different rates of Euglena (0, 50, 100 and 150 g/kg DM intake). The experiment was conducted over 80 days in four 20 day periods that consisted of 14 days of acclimatization, 5 days of measurement and 1 more day for rumen liquor sample collection. The data were subjected to polynomial regression analysis. Dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and gross energy (GE) intake increased linearly ( P 0.001) and quadratically ( P = 0.002) with increasing concentrations of Euglena. Similarly, crude protein (CP) intake was increased linearly ( P P > 0.11) while apparent CP digestibility increased linearly ( P = 0.009). As a result, protein retention (g/d) was increased linearly ( P 0.001) and quadratically ( P = 0.017) with increasing concentrations of Euglena. Ruminal NH 3 -N concentration increased (linear, P (P P > 0.23) the total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration and the molar proportions of acetate, propionate, butyrate and the acetate: propionate ratio. The finding of this study indicated that the addition of Euglena increased nutrient intake without affecting total tract digestibility. It has been also demonstrated that addition of Euglena at a dose of 150 g/kg DM improved CP retention by 31%, which may be associated with increased CP digestibility and efficiency of utilization. Thus, Euglena supplementation up to 150 g/kg DM of the diet could be a possible option for substitution of protein and energy sources.
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large scale cultivation of Euglena
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 2017Co-Authors: Kengo SuzukiAbstract:From the middle of the twentieth century, microalgae have been exploited as a candidate biomass source of food and other products. One such candidate source is the fast-proliferating microalga Euglena gracilis. The commercial cultivation of E. gracilis began in 2007, after the success of its outdoor mass cultivation and improvement of the harvesting and drying methods suitable for Euglena cells. The commercialization of Euglena production is based on the strategy of “5Fs of Biomass,” which refers to the development and production of commercial products including food, fiber, feed, fertilizer, and fuel from biomass.” Although room for improvement remains in the productivity of Euglena biomass, the product with the highest value—food—is already profitable. By enhancing the productivity of its biomass, other Euglena products, including fiber, feed, fertilizer, and fuel, can be commercialized. Breeding and recombinant DNA technology studies are being conducted to accomplish more extensive application of Euglena. In addition, the search for a better place for outdoor mass cultivation of Euglena is ongoing.
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oral administration of green algae Euglena gracilis inhibits hyperglycemia in oletf rats a model of spontaneous type 2 diabetes
Food & Function, 2016Co-Authors: Ayaka Nakashima, Ryoko Shimada, Miho Fujita, Masahiro Yuasa, Hiromi Sawamura, Toshiaki Watanabe, Kengo SuzukiAbstract:In the present study, the effects of Euglena and paramylon on hyperglycemia were examined in Otsuka Long–Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF; type 2 diabetes mellitus model) rats. OLETF rats were fed an AIN-93 M diet containing cellulose, Euglena, or paramylon for 10 weeks. Long–Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats were used as nondiabetic controls. An oral glucose-tolerance test (OGTT) was performed at 0 and 10 weeks. OLETF control rats were obese because of bulimia and showed abdominal fat accumulation and hyperglycemia. Euglena supplementation improved hyperglycemia and decreased food intake, body weight gain, and abdominal fat. However, there were no changes in the paramylon-supplemented group compared to the OLETF control group. Triglyceride concentrations in the serum and liver were lower in Euglena-supplemented rats than in OLETF control rats. There was a correlation between hepatic triglyceride concentration and the area under the curve (AUC) of OGTT at 10 weeks. This suggests that the improvement in glycemic control in the Euglena-supplemented group may depend on substances other than paramylon present in Euglena.
Masami Nakazawa - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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wax ester and lipophilic compound profiling of Euglena gracilis by gas chromatography mass spectrometry toward understanding of wax ester fermentation under hypoxia
Metabolomics, 2015Co-Authors: Takeshi Furuhashi, Takumi Ogawa, Rai Nakai, Masami Nakazawa, Atsushi Okazawa, Adchara Padermschoke, Kazuki Nishio, Masami Yokota Hirai, Masanori AritaAbstract:Lipids are being increasingly used as biodiesel feedstock, and several saturated wax esters from Euglena gracilis are candidates for outdoor bulk production. Wax ester fermentation in Euglena is strongly increased by hypoxia, but key events underlying the metabolic shift toward wax ester biosynthesis are poorly understood. Profiling of wax esters and other lipophilic compounds is the first step for research toward the clarification of wax ester fermentation molecular mechanisms, and thus, a simple and comprehensive platform for their profiling is required. In this study, we established a profiling method for wax esters and lipophilic compounds in Euglena using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Using this method, we compared accumulation profiles of wax esters and lipophilic compounds between a wild-type Euglena Z strain and a bleached SM-ZK strain. Both the wild-type and the bleached strains contained C14:0 fatty acid-C14:0 fatty alcohol as a dominant wax ester. Wax ester fermentation initiated 4 h after the cessation of oxygen supply by halting the culture agitation resulting in linear increase and proportional changes of wax ester amounts during 24 h. However, complete anoxia by nitrogen gas aeration inhibited wax ester production and the addition of bicarbonates reversed the inhibition, suggesting that there is a need for an additional carbon source for wax ester fermentation under anoxia. Our simple method enables the investigation of metabolic responses leading to wax ester fermentation in Euglena.
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exploration of polar lipid accumulation profiles in Euglena gracilis using lipidblast an ms ms spectral library constructed in silico
Bioscience Biotechnology and Biochemistry, 2014Co-Authors: Takumi Ogawa, Takeshi Furuhashi, Rai Nakai, Masami Nakazawa, Atsushi Okazawa, Masanori Arita, Tobias Kind, Oliver Fiehn, Shigehiko Kanaya, Daisaku OhtaAbstract:A rapid protocol for polar lipid profiling was applied to Euglena gracilis lipid metabolism by LipidBlast, an MS/MS spectral similarity search tool. The similarity search results suggested anoxia-induced polar lipid metabolism in Euglena characterized by the accumulation of differential lipid classes, carbon chain lengths, and unsaturated bond numbers. The informatics-supported MS spectral search provides an alternative option for global lipid profiling studies.
Matthew S Bennett - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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characterization of Euglenaformis gen nov and the chloroplast genome of Euglenaformis Euglena proxima euglenophyta
Phycologia, 2014Co-Authors: Matthew S Bennett, Krystle E Wiegert, Richard E. TriemerAbstract:Euglena proxima is a common, globally dispersed, and easily identified photosynthetic euglenoid. Previous phylogenetic analyses using nuclear-encoded small subunit (SSU) and large subunit (LSU) rRNA genes revealed that this taxon was paraphyletic with other Euglena species and was positioned as sister to all Euglenaceae. Despite this, authors were reluctant to remove this taxon from Euglena until additional data, or taxa pairing with E. proxima, were obtained because it created a monotypic genus. To clarify the taxonomy, the chloroplast genome of E. proxima was sequenced and compared with those of other photosynthetic euglenoids. Phylogenomic analyses were performed comparing 79 chloroplast-encoded genes from E. proxima with those found in seven photosynthetic euglenoids and three prasinophytes, the group from which the euglenoid chloroplast was probably derived. These analyses resulted in highly supported phylogenomic trees with topologies that were consistent with all previous phylogenetic analyses, i.e...
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evolution of the chloroplast genome in photosynthetic euglenoids a comparison of eutreptia viridis and Euglena gracilis euglenophyta
Protist, 2012Co-Authors: Krystle E Wiegert, Matthew S Bennett, Richard E. TriemerAbstract:The chloroplast genome of Eutreptia viridis Perty, a basal taxon in the photosynthetic euglenoid lineage, was sequenced and compared with that of Euglena gracilis Ehrenberg, a crown species. Several common gene clusters were identified and gene order, conservation, and sequence similarity was assessed through comparisons with Euglena gracilis. Significant gene rearrangements were present between Eutreptia viridis and Euglena gracilis chloroplast genomes. In addition, major expansion has occurred in the Euglena gracilis chloroplast accounting for its larger size. However, the key chloroplast genes are present and differ only in the absence of psaM and roaA in Eutreptia viridis, and psaI in Euglena gracilis, suggesting a high level of gene conservation within the euglenoid lineage. Further comparisons with the plastid genomes of closely related green algal taxa have provided additional support for the hypothesis that a Pyramimonas-like alga was the euglenoid chloroplast donor via secondary endosymbiosis.
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Comparative chloroplast genomics between Euglena viridis and Euglena gracilis (Euglenophyta)
Phycologia, 2012Co-Authors: Matthew S Bennett, Krystle E Wiegert, Richard E. TriemerAbstract:Bennett M.S., Wiegert K.E. and Triemer R.E. 2012. Comparative chloroplast genomics between Euglena viridis and Euglena gracilis (Euglenophyta). Phycologia 51: 711–718. DOI: 10.2216/12-017.1 The chloroplast genomes of Euglena gracilis, Eutreptia viridis, Eutreptiella gymnastica, Colacium vesiculosum, Strombomonas acuminata and the colourless Euglena (Astasia) longa, which had secondarily lost the ability to photosynthesize, were previously reported. These studies had shown that there was a great diversity in the size of euglenoid chloroplast genomes and in the arrangement of gene clusters. However, while these genomes provided important insights into the evolution of the chloroplast genome across genera, they did not address genomic variability within a genus. In an effort to continue with these investigations, we sequenced the chloroplast genome of Euglena viridis and compared this to the E. gracilis chloroplast genome in order to explore intrageneric chloroplast evolution. The chloroplast genome of E. vi...