Comparative proteomics using lipid over-producing or less-producing mutants unravels lipid metabolisms in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

•Random microalgal mutants were generated via the REMI.•Mutants with altered lipid contents were identified.•Comparative proteomic analysis was performed.•Proteins directly or indirectly linked to microalgal lipid production were identified.

In this study, proteomic approach was employed to advance our understanding of genes associated with microalgal lipid production. We first generated random mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which displayed increased or decreased lipid content, compared to that in the wild-type. Mutants were designated as CR12 and CR48. Then, the changes of protein expression associated with the mutations of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were analyzed. We could identify proteins that were significantly up-regulated or down-regulated either in the wild-type or CR12 or CR48. Our results will help understand additional genes or pathways directly or indirectly linked to microalgal lipid production.