Fig. 4
Pigment profiles and growth parameters as affected by NoZEP1 or NoZEP2 knockdown in N. oceanica under a two-stage culture conditions. a Relative expression levels of NoZEP1 in WT and NoZEP1-knockdown lines. The level of NoZEP1 in WT under NL was set as 1. b Relative expression levels of NoZEP2 in WT and NoZEP2-knockdown lines. The level of NoZEP2 in WT under NL was set as 1. c–e Total carotenoids (TC) content (c), contents of individual carotenoids (d), and chlorophyll a content (e) in WT and NoZEP-knockdown lines under NL and HL conditions. VE, vaucheriaxanthin ester. f–i Time course of Fv/Fm (f), OD750 (g), cell density (h), and biomass concentration (i) of WT and NoZEP-knockdown lines. The algal cells, with a starting OD750 of 0.5, were first cultured under NL for 4 days and then transferred to HL for 2 days. The NL and HL samples in (a–e) were from day 4 and day 2, respectively. Data represent mean values ± SD (n = 3). The asterisk indicates the significant difference (Student’s t test, P < 0.05* or P < 0.01**) between WT and knockdown lines. NS, not significant