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

Light quality is an important abiotic factor that affects growth and development of photosynthetic organism. In this study, D. salina was exposed to red (660 nm) and blue light (450 nm), and cell growth, pigments, and transcriptome were analyzed. The RNA of D. salina was sequenced and transcriptomic response of algal cells after transitioning from white light to red and blue light was investigated. Genes encoding for enzymes involved in photosynthesis were down-regulated, whereas genes involved in the metabolism of carotenoid were up-regulated. Genes encoding for photoprotective enzymes related to reactive oxygen species scavenging were up-regulated under both red and blue light. The present transcriptomic study would assist in the comprehensive understanding of carotenoid biosynthesis of D. salina. 9 biological samples, each condition in triplicates