HYDROGENASE GENES IN HYDROGEN PRODUCING SPECIES OF GREEN ALGAE

HYDROGENASE GENES IN HYDROGEN PRODUCING SPECIES OF
GREEN ALGAE
K. Skjånes1, U. Klein2, G. Knutsen3, T. Källqvist1
1Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Brekkevn. 19, N-0411 Oslo, Norway
2Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindernvn. 31, N-0371 Oslo, Norway
3Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Jahnebakken 5, N-5020 Bergen, Norway
Kari.Skjaanes@niva.no
Many different species of microorganisms have one or more hydrogenase enzymes that
reduce protons to molecular hydrogen under certain conditions. Upon sulfur deprivation,
green algae can produce relatively large amounts of hydrogen in a sustainable process. The
majority of research in this field has focused on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, but other
species of green algae are also able to produce hydrogen under sulfur deprivation. Using PCR
reactions, we examined the presence of hydrogenase genes in marine and fresh water species
of green algae that were able to produce hydrogen under sulfur deprived conditions. Primers
were designed from conserved regions of the sequence of the two hydrogenase genes in C.
reinhardtii, and used to screen for the presence of similar gene sequences in other species.
PCR products that were sequenced suggest that genes for hydrogenase are present in C.
noctigama and other species. Similarities and differences in the sequences of hydrogenase
genes between C. reinhardtii and other species, will be presented.