Proteins Expressed Differently Between Glucose and Glycerol for Schizochytrium limacinum SR21

Due to rapid expansion of biodiesel production, the quantity of crude glycerol on the global market has been surging. One marine microalga, Schizochytrium limacinum SR21 has great capability in transforming crude glycerol to intracellular lipids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). To elucidate the mechanisms involved in glycerol uptake and conversion, the proteomic profiles of cells grown on either glycerol or glucose were obtained using 2-Dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE) and compared. Out of 24 proteins that were made differentially between glycerol and glucose-grown cells at statistically significant levels, 11 proteins strongly related to the metabolism of glycerol were identified. A glycerol conversion pathway was proposed based on key enzymes determined.