Transcriptome analysis of carotenoid biosynthesis in Dunaliella salina under red and blue light

The quality of light is an important abiotic factor that aff ects the growth and development of photosynthetic organisms. In this study, we exposed the unicellular green alga Dunaliella salina to red (660 nm) and blue (450 nm) light and analyzed the cell growth, total carotenoid content, and transcriptomes. The growth of D. salina was enhanced by illumination with red light, whereas blue light was not able to promote the algal growth. In contrast, the total carotenoid content increased under both red and blue light. The RNA of D. salina was sequenced and the transcriptomic response of algal cells to red and blue light was investigated. Six transcripts encoding for the blue light receptor cryptochrome were identifi ed, and transcripts involved in the carotenoid metabolism were up-regulated under both red and blue light. Transcripts encoding for photoprotective enzymes related to the scavenging of reactive oxygen species were up-regulated under blue light. The present transcriptomic study provides a more comprehensive understanding of carotenoid biosynthesis in D. salina under diff erent wavelengths of light.