Expression of the enzymes MUT-PETase and MHETase in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. (a) Level 2 MoClo construct harboring the aadA selection marker and the coding sequences for MUT-PETase, and MHETase (see Figure 1 for part description). (b) The UVM4 strain was transformed with the construct shown in (a). 11 spectinomycin-resistant transformants were inoculated in TAP and samples taken after 3 days. Extracted whole-cell proteins were analysed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting using an anti-HA antibody. MW – molecular weight. The black arrow represents the MHETase, the white arrow the MUT-PETase. The expression of both MHETase (~70 kDa) and MUT-PETase (~35 kDa) is visible in colonies 18, 22 and 27. The UVM4 recipient strain and a strain expressing the HA-tagged ribosomal chloroplastic 50S protein L5 (RPL5) served as negative and positive controls, respectively.

MUT-PETase destined for secretion gets stuck inside the cell. (a) Level 2 MoClo construct harboring the aadA selection marker, and the coding sequences for MUT-PETase and MHETase genes. MUT-PETase and MHETase are equipped with the secretion signal from carbonic anhydrase (cCA). See Figure 1 for the description of other parts. (b) Seven days old cultures of transformants generated with the construct shown in (a) were centrifuged and proteins in the culture medium were precipitated by TCA and analysed by immunoblotting using an anti-HA antibody. The black arrow represents MHETase. (c) Whole-cell proteins of UVM4 cells transformed with construct L2C shown in (a) were analyzed by immuno-blotting using an anti-HA antibody. Transformant A27 generated with construct L2A (Figure 4a) and UVM4 were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. The white arrow indicates MUT-PETase. (d) Immunfluorescence analysis of transformants 17 and 27 using an anti-HA antibody. DAPI staining was also performed. UVM4 cells served as control.

The Kaiser Collection

We are proud to present our very own MoClo part collection for C. reinhardtii - the Kaiser collection.

These 20 Parts are specifically designed and codon optimized for Chlamydomonas. Among them are regulatory elements, antibiotic resistances, resistance cassettes, secretion signals and tags. These parts were tested and optimized thoroughly and we can guarantee that they work 100%. With these, expression and secretion in Chlamy will be a success. Because this is a MoClo collection, the parts are highly standardized for worldwide application. The combination with other part collections works fast and easy. While in MoClo, nomenclature is a bit different from the iGEM BioBricks, it is quickly explained:

Level 0 parts are equivalent to basic parts, e.g. Promoters, coding sequences, etc.

Level 1 parts are combinations of basic parts and usually form functional transcription units.

Level 2 parts are combinations of Level 1 parts, in case you want to transfer multiple transcription units at once. For example, you can pair your gene of interest with a selection marker.

The great thing about the Kaiser Collection and MoClo is that the ligation works in a one pot, one step reaction, as the Type IIs restriction enzymes cut out their own recognition sites. This way, multiple constructs can be combined linearly in a fixed order to create complex structures. This is ensured by the standardized overlaps that assign the parts one of 10 positions in the final constructs. After trying MoClo once, you won’t go back to traditional ligation. It is incredibly easy and reliable. For this reason, we believe that our Kaiser Collection will strike a significant chord, as the future lies in standardized, easy to use methods such as MoClo. Visit our part collection site to get an overview over all parts of the Kaiser Collection