In a previous study, a putative 2-amino-3-carboxymuconate-
6-semialdehyde decarboxylase (ACMSD) was highly expressed
in a mutant strain of Pyropia yezoensis, which exhibited an
improved growth rate compared to its wild strain. To investigate
the functional role of the putative ACMSD (Pyacmsd)
of P. yezoensis, the putative Pyacmsd was cloned and expressed
in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Recombinant C. reinhardtii
cells with Pyacmsd (Cr_Pyacmsd) exhibited enhanced tolerance
compared to control C. reinhardtii cells (Cr_control)
under nitrogen starvation. Notably, Cr_Pyacmsd cells showed
accumulation of lipids in nitrogen-enriched conditions. These
results
demonstrate the role of Pyacmsd in the generation of
acetyl-coenzyme A. Thus, it can be used to enhance the production
of biofuel using microalgae such as C. reinhardtii and
increase the tolerance of other biological systems to nitrogendeficient
conditions.