Function of Dunaliella salina (Dunaliellaceae) enolase and its expression during stress

Abstract

The Dunaliella salina enolase gene (DsENO) had been cloned using Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends methods. Recombinant D. salina enolase was over-expressed in E. coli BL21 and purified. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of recombinant enolase indicated that it forms a homo-dimer in the native state. Polyclonal antiserum against purified recombinant D. salina enolase was raised in a rabbit. The enolase activity of DsENO was examined in Kluyveromyces lactis enolase null mutant and DsENO partly complemented the enolase null mutant of K. lactis Rag_ phenotype. The protein level of D. salina enolase was determined under various conditions. The enolase protein level decreased by more than 50% after between 1.5- and 3-h exposure to hyperosmotic salt stress. This was confirmed by the enolase activity assay. It is suggested that enolase takes part in glycerol synthesis, which can balance the external salt concentration. Under heat-shock treatment, induction of enolase was observed, which suggested that D. salina enolase may contribute to its thermal tolerance. © 2009 British Phycological Society.