Experimental and In Silico Investigations of the Role of Ketoacyl-ACP Synthase (KAS) Genes in Lipid Production of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Under Nitrogen Stress

The present study examines the critical function of the ketoacyl-ACP synthase (KAS) genes in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (C. reinhardtii)’s lipid production, especially in the presence of nitrogen stress. The growing need for sustainable energy sources has made biodiesel created from microalgae a viable option. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and KAS in C. reinhardtii are two important enzymes highlighted in this work, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of fatty acid and triacylglycerol production. The expression of the KAS genes (KASII and KASIII) at the mRNA and protein levels was examined by employing quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) as well as western blot techniques. Moreover, protein–protein interaction (PPI) network and modular analysis, as well as gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis (PEA), were performed. The findings highlighted the important role that KAS genes play in lipid synthesis, especially when nitrogen stress is present. Although the work offers insightful information on the intricate routes of lipid manufacturing in microalgae, it also highlights the need for more research using various methodologies. These results highlight the significance of KAS genes in boosting lipid yield under challenging circumstances and further our knowledge of microalgae-based biodiesel generation.