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Burbano DA, Kiattisewee C, Karanjia AV, Cardiff RAL, Faulkner ID, Sugianto W, Carothers JM. CRISPR Tools for Engineering Prokaryotic Systems: Recent Advances and New Applications. Annu Rev Chem Biomol Eng 2024; 15:389-430. [PMID: 38598861 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-chembioeng-100522-114706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
In the past decades, the broad selection of CRISPR-Cas systems has revolutionized biotechnology by enabling multimodal genetic manipulation in diverse organisms. Rooted in a molecular engineering perspective, we recapitulate the different CRISPR components and how they can be designed for specific genetic engineering applications. We first introduce the repertoire of Cas proteins and tethered effectors used to program new biological functions through gene editing and gene regulation. We review current guide RNA (gRNA) design strategies and computational tools and how CRISPR-based genetic circuits can be constructed through regulated gRNA expression. Then, we present recent advances in CRISPR-based biosensing, bioproduction, and biotherapeutics across in vitro and in vivo prokaryotic systems. Finally, we discuss forthcoming applications in prokaryotic CRISPR technology that will transform synthetic biology principles in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Alba Burbano
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute and Center for Synthetic Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA;
| | - Cholpisit Kiattisewee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute and Center for Synthetic Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA;
| | - Ava V Karanjia
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute and Center for Synthetic Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA;
| | - Ryan A L Cardiff
- Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute and Center for Synthetic Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA;
| | - Ian D Faulkner
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute and Center for Synthetic Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA;
| | - Widianti Sugianto
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute and Center for Synthetic Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA;
| | - James M Carothers
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute and Center for Synthetic Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA;
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2
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Yunus IS, Hudson GA, Chen Y, Gin JW, Kim J, Baidoo EEK, Petzold CJ, Adams PD, Simmons BA, Mukhopadhyay A, Keasling JD, Lee TS. Systematic engineering for production of anti-aging sunscreen compound in Pseudomonas putida. Metab Eng 2024; 84:69-82. [PMID: 38839037 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2024.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Sunscreen has been used for thousands of years to protect skin from ultraviolet radiation. However, the use of modern commercial sunscreen containing oxybenzone, ZnO, and TiO2 has raised concerns due to their negative effects on human health and the environment. In this study, we aim to establish an efficient microbial platform for production of shinorine, a UV light absorbing compound with anti-aging properties. First, we methodically selected an appropriate host for shinorine production by analyzing central carbon flux distribution data from prior studies alongside predictions from genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs). We enhanced shinorine productivity through CRISPRi-mediated downregulation and utilized shotgun proteomics to pinpoint potential competing pathways. Simultaneously, we improved the shinorine biosynthetic pathway by refining its design, optimizing promoter usage, and altering the strength of ribosome binding sites. Finally, we conducted amino acid feeding experiments under various conditions to identify the key limiting factors in shinorine production. The study combines meta-analysis of 13C-metabolic flux analysis, GEMs, synthetic biology, CRISPRi-mediated gene downregulation, and omics analysis to improve shinorine production, demonstrating the potential of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 as platform for shinorine production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian S Yunus
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, CA, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Graham A Hudson
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, CA, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA; California Institute of Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Yan Chen
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, CA, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer W Gin
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, CA, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Joonhoon Kim
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, CA, USA; Energy Processes & Materials Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Edward E K Baidoo
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, CA, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Christopher J Petzold
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, CA, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Paul D Adams
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, CA, USA; Molecular Biophysics & Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Blake A Simmons
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, CA, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Aindrila Mukhopadhyay
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, CA, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jay D Keasling
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, CA, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA; California Institute of Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA; Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA; Center for Biosustainability, Danish Technical University, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Taek Soon Lee
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, CA, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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3
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Mock MB, Zhang S, Summers RM. Whole-cell Rieske non-heme iron biocatalysts. Methods Enzymol 2024; 703:243-262. [PMID: 39260998 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2024.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Rieske non-heme iron oxygenases (ROs) possess the ability to catalyze a wide range of reactions. Their ability to degrade aromatic compounds is a unique characteristic and makes ROs interesting for a variety of potential applications. However, purified ROs can be challenging to work with due to low stability and long, complex electron transport chains. Whole cell biocatalysis represents a quick and reliable method for characterizing the activity of ROs and harnessing their metabolic potential. In this protocol, we outline a step-by-step protocol for the overexpression of ROs for whole cell biocatalysis and characterization. We have utilized a caffeine-degrading, N-demethylation system, expressing the RO genes ndmA and ndmD, as an example of this method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith B Mock
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, United States
| | - Shuyuan Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, United States
| | - Ryan M Summers
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, United States.
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4
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Mu X, Evans TD, Zhang F. ATP biosensor reveals microbial energetic dynamics and facilitates bioproduction. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5299. [PMID: 38906854 PMCID: PMC11192931 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49579-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency in cellular processes, drives metabolic activities and biosynthesis. Despite its importance, understanding intracellular ATP dynamics' impact on bioproduction and exploiting it for enhanced bioproduction remains largely unexplored. Here, we harness an ATP biosensor to dissect ATP dynamics across different growth phases and carbon sources in multiple microbial strains. We find transient ATP accumulations during the transition from exponential to stationary growth phases in various conditions, coinciding with fatty acid (FA) and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production in Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas putida, respectively. We identify carbon sources (acetate for E. coli, oleate for P. putida) that elevate steady-state ATP levels and boost FA and PHA production. Moreover, we employ ATP dynamics as a diagnostic tool to assess metabolic burden, revealing bottlenecks that limit limonene bioproduction. Our results not only elucidate the relationship between ATP dynamics and bioproduction but also showcase its value in enhancing bioproduction in various microbial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Mu
- Department of Energy Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Trent D Evans
- Department of Energy Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Fuzhong Zhang
- Department of Energy Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
- Division of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
- Institute of Materials Science & Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
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5
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Kelly S, Tham JL, McKeever K, Dillon E, O'Connell D, Scholz D, Simpson JC, O'Connor K, Narancic T, Cagney G. Comprehensive Proteomics Analysis of Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Biology in Pseudomonas putida KT2440: The Outer Membrane Lipoprotein OprL is a Newly Identified Phasin. Mol Cell Proteomics 2024; 23:100765. [PMID: 38608840 PMCID: PMC11103573 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2024.100765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas putida KT2440 is an important bioplastic-producing industrial microorganism capable of synthesizing the polymeric carbon-rich storage material, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). PHA is sequestered in discrete PHA granules, or carbonosomes, and accumulates under conditions of stress, for example, low levels of available nitrogen. The pha locus responsible for PHA metabolism encodes both anabolic and catabolic enzymes, a transcription factor, and carbonosome-localized proteins termed phasins. The functions of phasins are incompletely understood but genetic disruption of their function causes PHA-related phenotypes. To improve our understanding of these proteins, we investigated the PHA pathways of P.putida KT2440 using three types of experiments. First, we profiled cells grown in nitrogen-limited and nitrogen-excess media using global expression proteomics, identifying sets of proteins found to coordinately increase or decrease within clustered pathways. Next, we analyzed the protein composition of isolated carbonosomes, identifying two new putative components. We carried out physical interaction screens focused on PHA-related proteins, generating a protein-protein network comprising 434 connected proteins. Finally, we confirmed that the outer membrane protein OprL (the Pal component of the Pal-Tol system) localizes to the carbonosome and shows a PHA-related phenotype and therefore is a novel phasin. The combined datasets represent a valuable overview of the protein components of the PHA system in P.putida highlighting the complex nature of regulatory interactions responsive to nutrient stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhan Kelly
- BiOrbic - Bioeconomy Research Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland; UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland; School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jia-Lynn Tham
- BiOrbic - Bioeconomy Research Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland; UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland; School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kate McKeever
- BiOrbic - Bioeconomy Research Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland; UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland; School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eugene Dillon
- UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David O'Connell
- BiOrbic - Bioeconomy Research Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland; UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland; School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Dimitri Scholz
- UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jeremy C Simpson
- UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland; UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kevin O'Connor
- BiOrbic - Bioeconomy Research Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland; School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland; UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tanja Narancic
- BiOrbic - Bioeconomy Research Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland; School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Gerard Cagney
- BiOrbic - Bioeconomy Research Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland; UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland; School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
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6
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Banerjee D, Yunus IS, Wang X, Kim J, Srinivasan A, Menchavez R, Chen Y, Gin JW, Petzold CJ, Martin HG, Magnuson JK, Adams PD, Simmons BA, Mukhopadhyay A, Kim J, Lee TS. Genome-scale and pathway engineering for the sustainable aviation fuel precursor isoprenol production in Pseudomonas putida. Metab Eng 2024; 82:157-170. [PMID: 38369052 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2024.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will significantly impact global warming in the aviation sector, and important SAF targets are emerging. Isoprenol is a precursor for a promising SAF compound DMCO (1,4-dimethylcyclooctane) and has been produced in several engineered microorganisms. Recently, Pseudomonas putida has gained interest as a future host for isoprenol bioproduction as it can utilize carbon sources from inexpensive plant biomass. Here, we engineer metabolically versatile host P. putida for isoprenol production. We employ two computational modeling approaches (Bilevel optimization and Constrained Minimal Cut Sets) to predict gene knockout targets and optimize the "IPP-bypass" pathway in P. putida to maximize isoprenol production. Altogether, the highest isoprenol production titer from P. putida was achieved at 3.5 g/L under fed-batch conditions. This combination of computational modeling and strain engineering on P. putida for an advanced biofuels production has vital significance in enabling a bioproduction process that can use renewable carbon streams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepanwita Banerjee
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Ian S Yunus
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Xi Wang
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Jinho Kim
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Aparajitha Srinivasan
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Russel Menchavez
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Yan Chen
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Jennifer W Gin
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Christopher J Petzold
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Hector Garcia Martin
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Jon K Magnuson
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA; Energy Processes & Materials Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
| | - Paul D Adams
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA; Molecular Biophysics & Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Blake A Simmons
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Aindrila Mukhopadhyay
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA; Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Joonhoon Kim
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA; Energy Processes & Materials Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99354, USA.
| | - Taek Soon Lee
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA; Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
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7
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Kozaeva E, Nielsen ZS, Nieto-Domínguez M, Nikel P. The pAblo·pCasso self-curing vector toolset for unconstrained cytidine and adenine base-editing in Gram-negative bacteria. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:e19. [PMID: 38180826 PMCID: PMC10899774 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
A synthetic biology toolkit, exploiting clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and modified CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) base-editors, was developed for genome engineering in Gram-negative bacteria. Both a cytidine base-editor (CBE) and an adenine base-editor (ABE) have been optimized for precise single-nucleotide modification of plasmid and genome targets. CBE comprises a cytidine deaminase conjugated to a Cas9 nickase from Streptococcus pyogenes (SpnCas9), resulting in C→T (or G→A) substitutions. Conversely, ABE consists of an adenine deaminase fused to SpnCas9 for A→G (or T→C) editing. Several nucleotide substitutions were achieved using these plasmid-borne base-editing systems and a novel protospacer adjacent motif (PAM)-relaxed SpnCas9 (SpRY) variant. Base-editing was validated in Pseudomonas putida and other Gram-negative bacteria by inserting premature STOP codons into target genes, thereby inactivating both fluorescent proteins and metabolic (antibiotic-resistance) functions. The functional knockouts obtained by engineering STOP codons via CBE were reverted to the wild-type genotype using ABE. Additionally, a series of induction-responsive vectors was developed to facilitate the curing of the base-editing platform in a single cultivation step, simplifying complex strain engineering programs without relying on homologous recombination and yielding plasmid-free, modified bacterial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Kozaeva
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Zacharias S Nielsen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Manuel Nieto-Domínguez
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Pablo I Nikel
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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8
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Fernandez HN, Kretsch AM, Kunakom S, Kadjo AE, Mitchell DA, Eustáquio AS. High-Yield Lasso Peptide Production in a Burkholderia Bacterial Host by Plasmid Copy Number Engineering. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:337-350. [PMID: 38194362 PMCID: PMC10947786 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
The knotted configuration of lasso peptides confers thermal stability and proteolytic resistance, addressing two shortcomings of peptide-based drugs. However, low isolation yields hinder the discovery and development of lasso peptides. While testing Burkholderia sp. FERM BP-3421 as a bacterial host to produce the lasso peptide capistruin, an overproducer clone was previously identified. In this study, we show that an increase in the plasmid copy number partially contributed to the overproducer phenotype. Further, we modulated the plasmid copy number to recapitulate titers to an average of 160% relative to the overproducer, which is 1000-fold higher than previously reported with E. coli, reaching up to 240 mg/L. To probe the applicability of the developed tools for lasso peptide discovery, we targeted a new lasso peptide biosynthetic gene cluster from endosymbiont Mycetohabitans sp. B13, leading to the isolation of mycetolassin-15 and mycetolassin-18 in combined titers of 11 mg/L. These results validate Burkholderia sp. FERM BP-3421 as a production platform for lasso peptide discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah N. Fernandez
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center for Biomolecular Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Ashley M. Kretsch
- Department of Chemistry and Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Sylvia Kunakom
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center for Biomolecular Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Adjo E. Kadjo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center for Biomolecular Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Douglas A. Mitchell
- Department of Chemistry and Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Alessandra S. Eustáquio
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center for Biomolecular Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
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9
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Kruse L, Loeschcke A, de Witt J, Wierckx N, Jaeger K, Thies S. Halopseudomonas species: Cultivation and molecular genetic tools. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14369. [PMID: 37991430 PMCID: PMC10832565 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The Halopseudomonas species, formerly classified as Pseudomonas pertucinogena lineage, form a unique phylogenetic branch within the Pseudomonads. Most strains have recently been isolated from challenging habitats including oil- or metal-polluted sites, deep sea, and intertidal zones, suggesting innate resilience to physical and chemical stresses. Despite their comparably small genomes, these bacteria synthesise several biomolecules with biotechnological potential and a role in the degradation of anthropogenic pollutants has been suggested for some Halopseudomonads. Until now, these bacteria are not readily amenable to existing cultivation and cloning methods. We addressed these limitations by selecting four Halopseudomonas strains of particular interest, namely H. aestusnigri, H. bauzanensis, H. litoralis, and H. oceani to establish microbiological and molecular genetic methods. We found that C4 -C10 dicarboxylic acids serve as viable carbon sources in both complex and mineral salt cultivation media. We also developed plasmid DNA transfer protocols and assessed vectors with different origins of replication and promoters inducible with isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactopyranoside, l-arabinose, and salicylate. Furthermore, we have demonstrated the simultaneous genomic integration of expression cassettes into one and two attTn7 integration sites. Our results provide a valuable toolbox for constructing robust chassis strains and highlight the biotechnological potential of Halopseudomonas strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luzie Kruse
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme TechnologyHeinrich Heine UniversityDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Anita Loeschcke
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme TechnologyHeinrich Heine UniversityDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Jan de Witt
- Institute of Bio‐ and Geosciences IBG‐1: BiotechnologyJülichGermany
| | - Nick Wierckx
- Institute of Bio‐ and Geosciences IBG‐1: BiotechnologyJülichGermany
| | - Karl‐Erich Jaeger
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme TechnologyHeinrich Heine UniversityDüsseldorfGermany
- Institute of Bio‐ and Geosciences IBG‐1: BiotechnologyJülichGermany
| | - Stephan Thies
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme TechnologyHeinrich Heine UniversityDüsseldorfGermany
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10
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Venkataraman M, Yñigez-Gutierrez A, Infante V, MacIntyre A, Fernandes-Júnior PI, Ané JM, Pfleger B. Synthetic Biology Toolbox for Nitrogen-Fixing Soil Microbes. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:3623-3634. [PMID: 37988619 PMCID: PMC10754042 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
The soil environment adjacent to plant roots, termed the rhizosphere, is home to a wide variety of microorganisms that can significantly affect the physiology of nearby plants. Microbes in the rhizosphere can provide nutrients, secrete signaling compounds, and inhibit pathogens. These processes could be manipulated with synthetic biology to enhance the agricultural performance of crops grown for food, energy, or environmental remediation, if methods can be implemented in these nonmodel microbes. A common first step for domesticating nonmodel organisms is the development of a set of genetic engineering tools, termed a synthetic biology toolbox. A toolbox comprises transformation protocols, replicating vectors, genome engineering (e.g., CRISPR/Cas9), constitutive and inducible promoter systems, and other gene expression control elements. This work validated synthetic biology toolboxes in three nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria: Azotobacter vinelandii, Stutzerimonas stutzeri (Pseudomonas stutzeri), and a new isolate of Klebsiella variicola. All three organisms were amenable to transformation and reporter protein expression, with several functional inducible systems available for each organism. S. stutzeri and K. variicola showed more reliable plasmid-based expression, resulting in successful Cas9 recombineering to create scarless deletions and insertions. Using these tools, we generated mutants with inducible nitrogenase activity and introduced heterologous genes to produce resorcinol products with relevant biological activity in the rhizosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Venkataraman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Audrey Yñigez-Gutierrez
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Valentina Infante
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - April MacIntyre
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- Valent BioSciences, Libertyville, Illinois 60048, United States
| | - Paulo Ivan Fernandes-Júnior
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), Tropical Semi-Arid Research Center (Embrapa Semiárido), Petrolina, Pernambuco 56302-970, Brazil
| | - Jean-Michel Ané
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Brian Pfleger
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
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11
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Lammens EM, Volke DC, Schroven K, Voet M, Kerremans A, Lavigne R, Hendrix H. A SEVA-based, CRISPR-Cas3-assisted genome engineering approach for Pseudomonas with efficient vector curing. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0270723. [PMID: 37975669 PMCID: PMC10715078 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02707-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The CRISPR-Cas3 editing system as presented here facilitates the creation of genomic alterations in Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a straightforward manner. By providing the Cas3 system as a vector set with Golden Gate compatibility and different antibiotic markers, as well as by employing the established Standard European Vector Architecture (SEVA) vector set to provide the homology repair template, this system is flexible and can readily be ported to a multitude of Gram-negative hosts. Besides genome editing, the Cas3 system can also be used as an effective and universal tool for vector curing. This is achieved by introducing a spacer that targets the origin-of-transfer, present on the majority of established (SEVA) vectors. Based on this, the Cas3 system efficiently removes up to three vectors in only a few days. As such, this curing approach may also benefit other genomic engineering methods or remove naturally occurring plasmids from bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Christophe Volke
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kaat Schroven
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marleen Voet
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alison Kerremans
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rob Lavigne
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hanne Hendrix
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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12
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Liu F, Qiao K, Meng W, Liu J, Gao Y, Zhu J. Construction of a CRISPR Interference System for Gene Knockdown in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia AGS-1 from Aerobic Granular Sludge. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:3497-3504. [PMID: 37906167 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
To identify the function of attachment genes involved in biofilm formation in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia AGS-1 isolated from aerobic granular sludge, an effective gene molecular tool is needed. We developed a two-plasmid CRISPRi system in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia AGS-1. One plasmid expressed dCas9 protein with the l-arabinose inducible promoter, and the other plasmid contained the sgRNA cassette complementary to the target gene. Under control of the araC-inducible promoter, this system exhibited little leaky basal expression and highly induced expression that silenced endogenous and exogenous genes with reversible knockdown. This system achieved up to 211-fold suppression for mCherry expression on the nontemplate strand compared to the template strand (91-fold). The utility of the developed CRISPRi platform was also characterized by suppressing the xanA and rpfF genes. The expression of these two genes was rapidly depleted and the adhesion ability decreased, which demonstrated that the modulation of either gene was an important factor for biofilm formation of the AGS-1 strain. The system also tested the ability to simultaneously silence transcriptional suppression of multiple targeted genes, an entire operon, or part of it. Lastly, the use of CRISPRi allowed us to dissect the gene intricacies involved in flagellar biosynthesis. Collectively, these results demonstrated that the CRISPRi system was a simple, feasible, and controllable manipulation system of gene expression in the AGS-1 strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Liu
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- R & D Centre of Aerobic Granule Technology, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Kai Qiao
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Wei Meng
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- State Key Laboratory of Water Simulation, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Jia Liu
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yiyun Gao
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Jianrong Zhu
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- R & D Centre of Aerobic Granule Technology, Beijing 100875, China
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13
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Cerrone F, Zhou B, Mouren A, Avérous L, Conroy S, Simpson JC, O'Connor KE, Narancic T. Pseudomonas umsongensis GO16 as a platform for the in vivo synthesis of short and medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate blends. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 387:129668. [PMID: 37572888 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biological polyesters, viewed as a replacement for petrochemical plastic. However, they suffer from suboptimal physical and mechanical properties. Here, it was shown that a metabolically versatile Pseudomonas umsongensis GO16 can synthesise a blend of short chain length (scl) and medium chain length (mcl)-PHA. A defined mix of butyric (BA) and octanoic acid (OA) in different ratios was used. The PHA monomer composition varied depending on the feeding strategy. When OA and BA were fed at 80:20 ratio it showed 14, 8, 77 and 1 mol% of (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate, (R)-3-hydroxyhexanoate, (R)-3-hydroxyoctanoate and (R)-3-hydroxydecanoate respectively. The polymer characterisation clearly shows that polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and mcl-PHA are produced individually. The two polymers are blended on the PHA granule level, as demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy and yeast two-hybrid assay. The resulting blend has a specific viscoelasticity compared to PHB and PHO. Mcl-PHA acts as a plasticiser and reduces PHB brittleness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Cerrone
- UCD Earth Institute and School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; BiOrbic - Bioeconomy Research Centre, Ireland, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Binbin Zhou
- UCD Earth Institute and School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; BiOrbic - Bioeconomy Research Centre, Ireland, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Agathe Mouren
- BioTeam/ICPEES-ECPM, UMR CNRS 7515, Strasbourg University, 25 rue Becquerel, F-67087, Strasbourg Cedex 2, France
| | - Luc Avérous
- BioTeam/ICPEES-ECPM, UMR CNRS 7515, Strasbourg University, 25 rue Becquerel, F-67087, Strasbourg Cedex 2, France
| | - Stephen Conroy
- UCD Earth Institute and School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; BiOrbic - Bioeconomy Research Centre, Ireland, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Jeremy C Simpson
- Cell Screening Laboratory, School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Science Centre West, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Kevin E O'Connor
- UCD Earth Institute and School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; BiOrbic - Bioeconomy Research Centre, Ireland, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Tanja Narancic
- UCD Earth Institute and School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; BiOrbic - Bioeconomy Research Centre, Ireland, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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14
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van Schaik J, Li Z, Cheadle J, Crook N. Engineering the Maize Root Microbiome: A Rapid MoClo Toolkit and Identification of Potential Bacterial Chassis for Studying Plant-Microbe Interactions. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:3030-3040. [PMID: 37712562 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Sustainably enhancing crop production is a global necessity to meet the escalating demand for staple crops while sustainably managing their associated carbon/nitrogen inputs. Leveraging plant-associated microbiomes is a promising avenue for addressing this demand. However, studying these communities and engineering them for sustainable enhancement of crop production have remained a challenge due to limited genetic tools and methods. In this work, we detail the development of the Maize Root Microbiome ToolKit (MRMTK), a rapid Modular Cloning (MoClo) toolkit that only takes 2.5 h to generate desired constructs (5400 potential plasmids) that replicate and express heterologous genes in Enterobacter ludwigii strain AA4 (Elu), Pseudomonas putida strain AA7 (Ppu), Herbaspirillum robiniae strain AA6 (Hro), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strain AA1 (Sma), and Brucella pituitosa strain AA2 (Bpi), which comprise a model maize root synthetic community (SynCom). In addition to these genetic tools, we describe a highly efficient transformation protocol (107-109 transformants/μg of DNA) 1 for each of these strains. Utilizing this highly efficient transformation protocol, we identified endogenous Expression Sequences (ES; promoter and ribosomal binding sites) for each strain via genomic promoter trapping. Overall, MRMTK is a scalable and adaptable platform that expands the genetic engineering toolbox while providing a standardized, high-efficiency transformation method across a diverse group of root commensals. These results unlock the ability to elucidate and engineer plant-microbe interactions promoting plant growth for each of the 5 bacterial strains in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- John van Schaik
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Room 2109, Partners II, 840 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Zidan Li
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Room 2109, Partners II, 840 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - John Cheadle
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Room 2109, Partners II, 840 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Nathan Crook
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Room 2109, Partners II, 840 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
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15
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Connor A, Lamb JV, Delferro M, Koffas M, Zha RH. Two-step conversion of polyethylene into recombinant proteins using a microbial platform. Microb Cell Fact 2023; 22:214. [PMID: 37848881 PMCID: PMC10580613 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-023-02220-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The increasing prevalence of plastic waste combined with the inefficiencies of mechanical recycling has inspired interest in processes that can convert these waste streams into value-added biomaterials. To date, the microbial conversion of plastic substrates into biomaterials has been predominantly limited to polyhydroxyalkanoates production. Expanding the capabilities of these microbial conversion platforms to include a greater diversity of products generated from plastic waste streams can serve to promote the adoption of these technologies at a larger scale and encourage a more sustainable materials economy. RESULTS Herein, we report the development of a new strain of Pseudomonas bacteria capable of converting depolymerized polyethylene into high value bespoke recombinant protein products. Using hexadecane, a proxy for depolymerized polyethylene, as a sole carbon nutrient source, we optimized media compositions that facilitate robust biomass growth above 1 × 109 cfu/ml, with results suggesting the benefits of lower hydrocarbon concentrations and the use of NH4Cl as a nitrogen source. We genomically integrated recombinant genes for green fluorescent protein and spider dragline-inspired silk protein, and we showed their expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, reaching titers of approximately 10 mg/L when hexadecane was used as the sole carbon source. Lastly, we demonstrated that chemically depolymerized polyethylene, comprised of a mixture of branched and unbranched alkanes, could be converted into silk protein by Pseudomonas aeruginosa at titers of 11.3 ± 1.1 mg/L. CONCLUSION This work demonstrates a microbial platform for the conversion of a both alkanes and plastic-derived substrates to recombinant, protein-based materials. The findings in this work can serve as a basis for future endeavors seeking to upcycle recalcitrant plastic wastes into value-added recombinant proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Connor
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA
| | - Jessica V Lamb
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S Cass Ave, Lemont, IL, 60439, USA
| | - Massimiliano Delferro
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S Cass Ave, Lemont, IL, 60439, USA
| | - Mattheos Koffas
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
| | - R Helen Zha
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
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16
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Werner AZ, Cordell WT, Lahive CW, Klein BC, Singer CA, Tan EC, Ingraham MA, Ramirez KJ, Kim DH, Pedersen JN, Johnson CW, Pfleger BF, Beckham GT, Salvachúa D. Lignin conversion to β-ketoadipic acid by Pseudomonas putida via metabolic engineering and bioprocess development. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadj0053. [PMID: 37672573 PMCID: PMC10482344 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj0053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Bioconversion of a heterogeneous mixture of lignin-related aromatic compounds (LRCs) to a single product via microbial biocatalysts is a promising approach to valorize lignin. Here, Pseudomonas putida KT2440 was engineered to convert mixed p-coumaroyl- and coniferyl-type LRCs to β-ketoadipic acid, a precursor for performance-advantaged polymers. Expression of enzymes mediating aromatic O-demethylation, hydroxylation, and ring-opening steps was tuned, and a global regulator was deleted. β-ketoadipate titers of 44.5 and 25 grams per liter and productivities of 1.15 and 0.66 grams per liter per hour were achieved from model LRCs and corn stover-derived LRCs, respectively, the latter representing an overall yield of 0.10 grams per gram corn stover-derived lignin. Technoeconomic analysis of the bioprocess and downstream processing predicted a β-ketoadipate minimum selling price of $2.01 per kilogram, which is cost competitive with fossil carbon-derived adipic acid ($1.10 to 1.80 per kilogram). Overall, this work achieved bioproduction metrics with economic relevance for conversion of lignin-derived streams into a performance-advantaged bioproduct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Z. Werner
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, USA
| | - William T. Cordell
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Ciaran W. Lahive
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, USA
| | - Bruno C. Klein
- Catalytic Carbon Transformation and Scale-Up Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, USA
| | - Christine A. Singer
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, USA
| | - Eric C. D. Tan
- Catalytic Carbon Transformation and Scale-Up Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, USA
| | - Morgan A. Ingraham
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, USA
| | - Kelsey J. Ramirez
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, USA
| | - Dong Hyun Kim
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, USA
| | - Jacob Nedergaard Pedersen
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, USA
| | - Christopher W. Johnson
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, USA
| | - Brian F. Pfleger
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Gregg T. Beckham
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, USA
| | - Davinia Salvachúa
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, USA
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17
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Zheng W, Xia Y, Wang X, Gao S, Zhou D, Ravichandran V, Jiang C, Tu Q, Yin Y, Zhang Y, Fu J, Li R, Yin J. Precise genome engineering in Pseudomonas using phage-encoded homologous recombination and the Cascade-Cas3 system. Nat Protoc 2023; 18:2642-2670. [PMID: 37626246 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-023-00856-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
A lack of generic and effective genetic manipulation methods for Pseudomonas has restricted fundamental research and utilization of this genus for biotechnology applications. Phage-encoded homologous recombination (PEHR) is an efficient tool for bacterial genome engineering. This PEHR system is based on a lambda Red-like operon (BAS) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage Ab31 and a Rac bacteriophage RecET-like operon (Rec-TEPsy) from P. syringae pv. syringae B728a and also contains exogenous elements, including the RecBCD inhibitor (Redγ or Pluγ) or single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB), that were added to enhance the PEHR recombineering efficiency. To solve the problem of false positives in Pseudomonas editing with the PEHR system, the processive enzyme Cas3 with a minimal Type I-C Cascade-based system was combined with PEHR. This protocol describes the utilization of a Pseudomonas-specific PEHR-Cas3 system that was designed to universally and proficiently modify the genomes of Pseudomonas species. The pipeline uses standardized cassettes combined with the concerted use of SacB counterselection and Cre site-specific recombinase for markerless or seamless genome modification, in association with vectors that possess the selectively replicating template R6K to minimize recombineering background. Compared with the traditional allelic exchange editing method, the PEHR-Cas3 system does not need to construct suicide plasmids carrying long homologous arms, thus simplifying the experimental procedure and shortening the traceless editing period. Compared with general editing systems based on phage recombinases, the PEHR-Cas3 system can effectively improve the screening efficiency of mutants using the cutting ability of Cas3 protein. The entire procedure requires ~12 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yandong Xia
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Function and Regulation, Hunan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Control of Artificial Forest Diseases and Pests in South China, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Control of Forest Diseases and Pests, Key Laboratory for Non-wood Forest Cultivation and Conservation of Ministry of Education, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Xue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shiqing Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Diao Zhou
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Function and Regulation, Hunan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | | | - Chanjuan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qiang Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yulong Yin
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Function and Regulation, Hunan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Youming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jun Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.
| | - Ruijuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.
| | - Jia Yin
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Function and Regulation, Hunan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.
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18
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Chan DTC, Baldwin GS, Bernstein HC. Revealing the Host-Dependent Nature of an Engineered Genetic Inverter in Concordance with Physiology. BIODESIGN RESEARCH 2023; 5:0016. [PMID: 37849456 PMCID: PMC10432152 DOI: 10.34133/bdr.0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Broad-host-range synthetic biology is an emerging frontier that aims to expand our current engineerable domain of microbial hosts for biodesign applications. As more novel species are brought to "model status," synthetic biologists are discovering that identically engineered genetic circuits can exhibit different performances depending on the organism it operates within, an observation referred to as the "chassis effect." It remains a major challenge to uncover which genome-encoded and biological determinants will underpin chassis effects that govern the performance of engineered genetic devices. In this study, we compared model and novel bacterial hosts to ask whether phylogenomic relatedness or similarity in host physiology is a better predictor of genetic circuit performance. This was accomplished using a comparative framework based on multivariate statistical approaches to systematically demonstrate the chassis effect and characterize the performance dynamics of a genetic inverter circuit operating within 6 Gammaproteobacteria. Our results solidify the notion that genetic devices are strongly impacted by the host context. Furthermore, we formally determined that hosts exhibiting more similar metrics of growth and molecular physiology also exhibit more similar performance of the genetic inverter, indicating that specific bacterial physiology underpins measurable chassis effects. The result of this study contributes to the field of broad-host-range synthetic biology by lending increased predictive power to the implementation of genetic devices in less-established microbial hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Tin Chat Chan
- Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, 9019 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Geoff S. Baldwin
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Hans C. Bernstein
- Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, 9019 Tromsø, Norway
- The Arctic Centre for Sustainable Energy, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, 9019 Tromsø, Norway
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19
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Thorwall S, Trivedi V, Ottum E, Wheeldon I. Population genomics-guided engineering of phenazine biosynthesis in Pseudomonas chlororaphis. Metab Eng 2023; 78:223-234. [PMID: 37369325 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2023.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has made it possible to not only sequence entire genomes, but also identify metabolic engineering targets across the pangenome of a microbial population. This study leverages NGS data as well as existing molecular biology and bioinformatics tools to identify and validate genomic signatures for improving phenazine biosynthesis in Pseudomonas chlororaphis. We sequenced a diverse collection of 34 Pseudomonas isolates using short- and long-read sequencing techniques and assembled whole genomes using the NGS reads. In addition, we assayed three industrially relevant phenotypes (phenazine production, biofilm formation, and growth temperature) for these isolates in two different media conditions. We then provided the whole genomes and phenazine production data to a unitig-based microbial genome-wide association study (mGWAS) tool to identify novel genomic signatures responsible for phenazine production in P. chlororaphis. Post-processing of the mGWAS analysis results yielded 330 significant hits influencing the biosynthesis of one or more phenazine compounds. Based on a quantitative metric (called the phenotype score), we elucidated the most influential hits for phenazine production and experimentally validated them in vivo in the most optimal phenazine producing strain. Two genes significantly increased phenazine-1-carboxamide (PCN) production: a histidine transporter (ProY_1), and a putative carboxypeptidase (PS__04251). A putative MarR-family transcriptional regulator decreased PCN titer when overexpressed in a high PCN producing isolate. Overall, this work seeks to demonstrate the utility of a population genomics approach as an effective strategy in enabling the identification of targets for metabolic engineering of bioproduction hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Thorwall
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
| | - Varun Trivedi
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
| | - Eva Ottum
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Ian Wheeldon
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; Center for Industrial Biotechnology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; Integrative Institute for Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
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20
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Trujillo Rodríguez L, Ellington AJ, Reisch CR, Chevrette MG. CRISPR-Associated Transposase for Targeted Mutagenesis in Diverse Proteobacteria. ACS Synth Biol 2023. [PMID: 37368499 PMCID: PMC10367135 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Genome editing tools, through the disruption of an organism's native genetic material or the introduction of non-native DNA, facilitate functional investigations to link genotypes to phenotypes. Transposons have been instrumental genetic tools in microbiology, enabling genome-wide, randomized disruption of genes and insertions of new genetic elements. Due to this randomness, identifying and isolating particular transposon mutants (i.e., those with modifications at a genetic locus of interest) can be laborious, often requiring one to sift through hundreds or thousands of mutants. Programmable, site-specific targeting of transposons became possible with recently described CRISPR-associated transposase (CASTs) systems, allowing the streamlined recovery of desired mutants in a single step. Like other CRISPR-derived systems, CASTs can be programmed by guide-RNA that is transcribed from short DNA sequence(s). Here, we describe a CAST system and demonstrate its function in bacteria from three classes of Proteobacteria. A dual plasmid strategy is demonstrated: (i) CAST genes are expressed from a broad-host-range replicative plasmid and (ii) guide-RNA and transposon are encoded on a high-copy, suicidal pUC plasmid. Using our CAST system, single-gene disruptions were performed with on-target efficiencies approaching 100% in Beta- and Gammaproteobacteria (Burkholderia thailandensis and Pseudomonas putida, respectively). We also report a peak efficiency of 45% in the Alphaproteobacterium Agrobacterium fabrum. In B. thailandensis, we performed simultaneous co-integration of transposons at two different target sites, demonstrating CAST's utility in multilocus strategies. The CAST system is also capable of high-efficiency large transposon insertion totaling over 11 kbp in all three bacteria tested. Lastly, the dual plasmid system allowed for iterative transposon mutagenesis in all three bacteria without loss of efficiency. Given these iterative capabilities and large payload capacity, this system will be helpful for genome engineering experiments across several fields of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidimarie Trujillo Rodríguez
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Adam J Ellington
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Christopher R Reisch
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Marc G Chevrette
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
- University of Florida Genetics Institute, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
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21
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Pearson AN, Thompson MG, Kirkpatrick LD, Ho C, Vuu KM, Waldburger LM, Keasling JD, Shih PM. The pGinger Family of Expression Plasmids. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0037323. [PMID: 37212656 PMCID: PMC10269703 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00373-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The pGinger suite of expression plasmids comprises 43 plasmids that will enable precise constitutive and inducible gene expression in a wide range of Gram-negative bacterial species. Constitutive vectors are composed of 16 synthetic constitutive promoters upstream of red fluorescent protein (RFP), with a broad-host-range BBR1 origin and a kanamycin resistance marker. The family also has seven inducible systems (Jungle Express, Psal/NahR, Pm/XylS, Prha/RhaS, LacO1/LacI, LacUV5/LacI, and Ptet/TetR) controlling RFP expression on BBR1/kanamycin plasmid backbones. For four of these inducible systems (Jungle Express, Psal/NahR, LacO1/LacI, and Ptet/TetR), we created variants that utilize the RK2 origin and spectinomycin or gentamicin selection. Relevant RFP expression and growth data have been collected in the model bacterium Escherichia coli as well as Pseudomonas putida. All pGinger vectors are available via the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) Public Registry. IMPORTANCE Metabolic engineering and synthetic biology are predicated on the precise control of gene expression. As synthetic biology expands beyond model organisms, more tools will be required that function robustly in a wide range of bacterial hosts. The pGinger family of plasmids constitutes 43 plasmids that will enable both constitutive and inducible gene expression in a wide range of nonmodel Proteobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison N. Pearson
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, California, USA
- Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Mitchell G. Thompson
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, California, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Liam D. Kirkpatrick
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, California, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Cindy Ho
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, California, USA
- Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Khanh M. Vuu
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, California, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Lucas M. Waldburger
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, California, USA
- Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Jay D. Keasling
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, California, USA
- Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Center for Synthetic Biochemistry, Institute for Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes for Advanced Technologies, Shenzhen, China
| | - Patrick M. Shih
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, California, USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
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22
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Lammens EM, Feyaerts N, Kerremans A, Boon M, Lavigne R. Assessing the Orthogonality of Phage-Encoded RNA Polymerases for Tailored Synthetic Biology Applications in Pseudomonas Species. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087175. [PMID: 37108338 PMCID: PMC10138996 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The phage T7 RNA polymerase (RNAP) and lysozyme form the basis of the widely used pET expression system for recombinant expression in the biotechnology field and as a tool in microbial synthetic biology. Attempts to transfer this genetic circuitry from Escherichia coli to non-model bacterial organisms with high potential have been restricted by the cytotoxicity of the T7 RNAP in the receiving hosts. We here explore the diversity of T7-like RNAPs mined directly from Pseudomonas phages for implementation in Pseudomonas species, thus relying on the co-evolution and natural adaptation of the system towards its host. By screening and characterizing different viral transcription machinery using a vector-based system in P. putida., we identified a set of four non-toxic phage RNAPs from phages phi15, PPPL-1, Pf-10, and 67PfluR64PP, showing a broad activity range and orthogonality to each other and the T7 RNAP. In addition, we confirmed the transcription start sites of their predicted promoters and improved the stringency of the phage RNAP expression systems by introducing and optimizing phage lysozymes for RNAP inhibition. This set of viral RNAPs expands the adaption of T7-inspired circuitry towards Pseudomonas species and highlights the potential of mining tailored genetic parts and tools from phages for their non-model host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eveline-Marie Lammens
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 21 Box 2462, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Feyaerts
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 21 Box 2462, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alison Kerremans
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 21 Box 2462, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maarten Boon
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 21 Box 2462, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rob Lavigne
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 21 Box 2462, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
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23
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Recent progress in the synthesis of advanced biofuel and bioproducts. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 80:102913. [PMID: 36854202 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.102913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
Energy is one of the most complex fields of study and an issue that influences nearly every aspect of modern life. Over the past century, combustion of fossil fuels, particularly in the transportation sector, has been the dominant form of energy release. Refining of petroleum and natural gas into liquid transportation fuels is also the centerpiece of the modern chemical industry used to produce materials, solvents, and other consumer goods. In the face of global climate change, the world is searching for alternative, sustainable means of producing energy carriers and chemical building blocks. The use of biofuels in engines predates modern refinery optimization and today represents a small but significant fraction of liquid transportation fuels burnt each year. Similarly, white biotechnology has been used to produce many natural products through fermentation. The evolution of recombinant DNA technology into modern synthetic biology has expanded the scope of biofuels and bioproducts that can be made by biocatalysts. This opinion examines the current trends in this research space, highlighting the substantial growth in computational tools and the growing influence of renewable electricity in the design of metabolic engineering strategies. In short, advanced biofuel and bioproduct synthesis remains a vibrant and critically important field of study whose focus is shifting away from the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass toward a broader consideration of how to reduce carbon dioxide to fuels and chemical products.
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24
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Elmore JR, Dexter GN, Baldino H, Huenemann JD, Francis R, Peabody GL, Martinez-Baird J, Riley LA, Simmons T, Coleman-Derr D, Guss AM, Egbert RG. High-throughput genetic engineering of nonmodel and undomesticated bacteria via iterative site-specific genome integration. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade1285. [PMID: 36897939 PMCID: PMC10005180 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade1285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Efficient genome engineering is critical to understand and use microbial functions. Despite recent development of tools such as CRISPR-Cas gene editing, efficient integration of exogenous DNA with well-characterized functions remains limited to model bacteria. Here, we describe serine recombinase-assisted genome engineering, or SAGE, an easy-to-use, highly efficient, and extensible technology that enables selection marker-free, site-specific genome integration of up to 10 DNA constructs, often with efficiency on par with or superior to replicating plasmids. SAGE uses no replicating plasmids and thus lacks the host range limitations of other genome engineering technologies. We demonstrate the value of SAGE by characterizing genome integration efficiency in five bacteria that span multiple taxonomy groups and biotechnology applications and by identifying more than 95 heterologous promoters in each host with consistent transcription across environmental and genetic contexts. We anticipate that SAGE will rapidly expand the number of industrial and environmental bacteria compatible with high-throughput genetics and synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua R. Elmore
- Biological Science Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Gara N. Dexter
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, One Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Henri Baldino
- Biological Science Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Jay D. Huenemann
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, One Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996,USA
| | - Ryan Francis
- Biological Science Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - George L. Peabody
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, One Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Jessica Martinez-Baird
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, One Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Lauren A. Riley
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, One Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996,USA
| | - Tuesday Simmons
- Plant and Microbial Biology Department, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94701, USA
| | - Devin Coleman-Derr
- Plant and Microbial Biology Department, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94701, USA
- Plant Gene Expression Center, USDA-ARS, Albany, CA 94710, USA
| | - Adam M. Guss
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, One Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Robert G. Egbert
- Biological Science Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
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25
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β-oxidation-polyhydroxyalkanoates synthesis relationship in Pseudomonas putida KT2440 revisited. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:1863-1874. [PMID: 36763117 PMCID: PMC10006253 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12413-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonas putida KT2440 is a well-known model organism for the medium-chain-length (mcl) polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) accumulation. (R)-Specific enoyl-coenzyme A hydratase (PhaJ) was considered to be the main supplier of monomers for PHA synthesis by converting the β-oxidation intermediate, trans-2-enoyl-CoA to (R)-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA when fatty acids (FA) are used. Three PhaJ homologues, PhaJ1, PhaJ4 and MaoC, are annotated in P. putida KT2440. To investigate the relationship of fatty acids-PHA metabolism and the role of each PhaJ in PHA biosynthesis in P. putida KT2440, a series of P. putida KT2440 knockouts was obtained. PHA content and monomer composition in wild type (WT) and mutants under different growth conditions were analysed. PhaJ4 was the main monomer supplier for PHA synthesis with FA as sole carbon and energy source, with preference towards C8 and C10 substrate, whereas PhaJ1 showed preference for the C6 substrate. However, when all three PhaJ homologues were deleted, the mutant still accumulated PHA up to 10.7% of the cell dry weight (CDW). The deletion of (R)-3-hydroxydecanoyl-ACP:CoA transacylase (PhaG), which connects de novo FA and PHA synthesis pathways, while causing a further 1.8-fold decrease in PHA content, did not abolish PHA accumulation. Further proteome analysis revealed quinoprotein alcohol dehydrogenases PedE and PedH as potential monomer suppliers, but when these were deleted, the PHA level remained at 2.2-14.8% CDW depending on the fatty acid used and whether nitrogen limitation was applied. Therefore, it is likely that some other non-specific dehydrogenases supply monomers for PHA synthesis, demonstrating the redundancy of PHA metabolism. KEY POINTS: • β-oxidation intermediates are converted to PHA monomers by hydratases PhaJ1, PhaJ4 and MaoC in Pseudomonas putida KT2440. • When these are deleted, the PHA level decreases, but it is not abolished. • PHA non-specific enzyme(s) also contributes to PHA metabolism in KT2440.
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26
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Carrillo Rincón AF, Farny NG. Unlocking the strength of inducible promoters in Gram-negative bacteria. Microb Biotechnol 2023; 16:961-976. [PMID: 36738130 PMCID: PMC10128130 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Inducible bacterial promoters are ubiquitous biotechnology tools that have a consistent architecture including two key elements: the operator region recognized by the transcriptional regulatory proteins, and the -10 and -35 consensus sequences required to recruit the sigma (σ) 70 subunits of RNA polymerase to initiate transcription. Despite their widespread use, leaky transcription in the OFF state remains a challenge. We have updated the architecture of the lac and tet promoters to improve their strength, control and portability by the adaptation of the consensus -10 and -35 sequence boxes strongly targeted by σ70 , incorporation of a strong ribosome binding site recognized broadly by Gram-negative bacteria, and independent control of the transcriptional regulators by constitutive promoters. To test the promoters, we use the far-red fluorescent protein mCardinal, which significantly improves the signal-to-background ratio of promoter measurements over widely utilized green fluorescent proteins. We validate the improvement in OFF state control and inducibility by demonstrating production of the toxic and aggregate-prone cocaine esterase enzyme CocE. We further demonstrate portability of the promoters to additional Gram-negative species Pseudomonas putida and Vibrio natriegens. Our results represent a significant improvement over existing protein expression systems that will enable advances in protein production for various biotechnology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Natalie G Farny
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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27
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Weihmann R, Kubicki S, Bitzenhofer NL, Domröse A, Bator I, Kirschen LM, Kofler F, Funk A, Tiso T, Blank LM, Jaeger KE, Drepper T, Thies S, Loeschcke A. The modular pYT vector series employed for chromosomal gene integration and expression to produce carbazoles and glycolipids in P. putida. FEMS MICROBES 2022; 4:xtac030. [PMID: 37333445 PMCID: PMC10117823 DOI: 10.1093/femsmc/xtac030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The expression of biosynthetic genes in bacterial hosts can enable access to high-value compounds, for which appropriate molecular genetic tools are essential. Therefore, we developed a toolbox of modular vectors, which facilitate chromosomal gene integration and expression in Pseudomonas putida KT2440. To this end, we designed an integrative sequence, allowing customisation regarding the modes of integration (random, at attTn7, or into the 16S rRNA gene), promoters, antibiotic resistance markers as well as fluorescent proteins and enzymes as transcription reporters. We thus established a toolbox of vectors carrying integrative sequences, designated as pYT series, of which we present 27 ready-to-use variants along with a set of strains equipped with unique 'landing pads' for directing a pYT interposon into one specific copy of the 16S rRNA gene. We used genes of the well-described violacein biosynthesis as reporter to showcase random Tn5-based chromosomal integration leading to constitutive expression and production of violacein and deoxyviolacein. Deoxyviolacein was likewise produced after gene integration into the 16S rRNA gene of rrn operons. Integration in the attTn7 site was used to characterise the suitability of different inducible promoters and successive strain development for the metabolically challenging production of mono-rhamnolipids. Finally, to establish arcyriaflavin A production in P. putida for the first time, we compared different integration and expression modes, revealing integration at attTn7 and expression with NagR/PnagAa to be most suitable. In summary, the new toolbox can be utilised for the rapid generation of various types of P. putida expression and production strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Weihmann
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf at Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52428 Jülich, Germany
- Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Sonja Kubicki
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf at Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52428 Jülich, Germany
- Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Nora Lisa Bitzenhofer
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf at Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Andreas Domröse
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf at Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Isabel Bator
- Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- iAMB - Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt - Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Lisa-Marie Kirschen
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf at Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Franziska Kofler
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf at Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Aileen Funk
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf at Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Till Tiso
- Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- iAMB - Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt - Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Lars M Blank
- Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- iAMB - Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt - Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Karl-Erich Jaeger
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf at Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52428 Jülich, Germany
- Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Bio-and Geosciences IBG 1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Thomas Drepper
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf at Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52428 Jülich, Germany
- Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Stephan Thies
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf at Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52428 Jülich, Germany
- Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Anita Loeschcke
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf at Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52428 Jülich, Germany
- Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
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28
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Chemla Y, Dorfan Y, Yannai A, Meng D, Cao P, Glaven S, Gordon DB, Elbaz J, Voigt CA. Parallel engineering of environmental bacteria and performance over years under jungle-simulated conditions. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278471. [PMID: 36516154 PMCID: PMC9750038 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineered bacteria could perform many functions in the environment, for example, to remediate pollutants, deliver nutrients to crops or act as in-field biosensors. Model organisms can be unreliable in the field, but selecting an isolate from the thousands that naturally live there and genetically manipulating them to carry the desired function is a slow and uninformed process. Here, we demonstrate the parallel engineering of isolates from environmental samples by using the broad-host-range XPORT conjugation system (Bacillus subtilis mini-ICEBs1) to transfer a genetic payload to many isolates in parallel. Bacillus and Lysinibacillus species were obtained from seven soil and water samples from different locations in Israel. XPORT successfully transferred a genetic function (reporter expression) into 25 of these isolates. They were then screened to identify the best-performing chassis based on the expression level, doubling time, functional stability in soil, and environmentally-relevant traits of its closest annotated reference species, such as the ability to sporulate and temperature tolerance. From this library, we selected Bacillus frigoritolerans A3E1, re-introduced it to soil, and measured function and genetic stability in a contained environment that replicates jungle conditions. After 21 months of storage, the engineered bacteria were viable, could perform their function, and did not accumulate disruptive mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonatan Chemla
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Yuval Dorfan
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Adi Yannai
- School of Molecular Cell Biology & Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Science, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dechuan Meng
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Paul Cao
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sarah Glaven
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - D. Benjamin Gordon
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Johann Elbaz
- School of Molecular Cell Biology & Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Science, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Christopher A. Voigt
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
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29
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Wang X, Baidoo EEK, Kakumanu R, Xie S, Mukhopadhyay A, Lee TS. Engineering isoprenoids production in metabolically versatile microbial host Pseudomonas putida. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2022; 15:137. [PMID: 36510293 PMCID: PMC9743605 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-022-02235-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
With the increasing need for microbial bioproduction to replace petrochemicals, it is critical to develop a new industrial microbial workhorse that improves the conversion of lignocellulosic carbon to biofuels and bioproducts in an economically feasible manner. Pseudomonas putida KT2440 is a promising microbial host due to its capability to grow on a broad range of carbon sources and its high tolerance to xenobiotics. In this study, we engineered P. putida KT2440 to produce isoprenoids, a vast category of compounds that provide routes to many petrochemical replacements. A heterologous mevalonate (MVA) pathway was engineered to produce potential biofuels isoprenol (C5) and epi-isozizaene (C15) for the first time in P. putida. We compared the difference between three different isoprenoid pathways in P. putida on isoprenol production and achieved 104 mg/L of isoprenol production in a batch flask experiment through optimization of the strain. As P. putida can natively consume isoprenol, we investigated how to prevent this self-consumption. We discovered that supplementing L-glutamate in the medium can effectively prevent isoprenol consumption in P. putida and metabolomics analysis showed an insufficient energy availability and an imbalanced redox status during isoprenol degradation. We also showed that the engineered P. putida strain can produce isoprenol using aromatic substrates such as p-coumarate as the sole carbon source, and this result demonstrates that P. putida is a valuable microbial chassis for isoprenoids to achieve sustainable biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Wang
- Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
- Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Edward E K Baidoo
- Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
- Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Ramu Kakumanu
- Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
- Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Silvia Xie
- Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
- Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Aindrila Mukhopadhyay
- Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
- Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Taek Soon Lee
- Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.
- Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
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30
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Fenster JA, Werner AZ, Tay JW, Gillen M, Schirokauer L, Hill NC, Watson A, Ramirez KJ, Johnson CW, Beckham GT, Cameron JC, Eckert CA. Dynamic and single cell characterization of a CRISPR-interference toolset in Pseudomonas putida KT2440 for β-ketoadipate production from p-coumarate. Metab Eng Commun 2022; 15:e00204. [PMID: 36093381 PMCID: PMC9460563 DOI: 10.1016/j.mec.2022.e00204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas putida KT2440 is a well-studied bacterium for the conversion of lignin-derived aromatic compounds to bioproducts. The development of advanced genetic tools in P. putida has reduced the turnaround time for hypothesis testing and enabled the construction of strains capable of producing various products of interest. Here, we evaluate an inducible CRISPR-interference (CRISPRi) toolset on fluorescent, essential, and metabolic targets. Nuclease-deficient Cas9 (dCas9) expressed with the arabinose (8K)-inducible promoter was shown to be tightly regulated across various media conditions and when targeting essential genes. In addition to bulk growth data, single cell time lapse microscopy was conducted, which revealed intrinsic heterogeneity in knockdown rate within an isoclonal population. The dynamics of knockdown were studied across genomic targets in exponentially-growing cells, revealing a universal 1.75 ± 0.38 h quiescent phase after induction where 1.5 ± 0.35 doublings occur before a phenotypic response is observed. To demonstrate application of this CRISPRi toolset, β-ketoadipate, a monomer for performance-advantaged nylon, was produced at a 4.39 ± 0.5 g/L and yield of 0.76 ± 0.10 mol/mol from p-coumarate, a hydroxycinnamic acid that can be derived from grasses. These cultivation metrics were achieved by using the higher strength IPTG (1K)-inducible promoter to knockdown the pcaIJ operon in the βKA pathway during early exponential phase. This allowed the majority of the carbon to be shunted into the desired product while eliminating the need for a supplemental carbon and energy source to support growth and maintenance. Developed an inducible dCas9-based CRISPR interference toolset in Pseudomonas putida KT2440. Characterized single-cell dynamics of fluorescent and essential gene knockdown. Applied the toolset for glucose-free production of β-ketoadipate from p-coumarate. Produced β-ketoadipate at titer of 4.39 ± 0.5 g/L and 0.76 ± 0.10 mol/mol yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob A. Fenster
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
- Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Allison Z. Werner
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Jian Wei Tay
- BioFrontiers Institute, 3415 Colorado Avenue, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Matthew Gillen
- Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Leo Schirokauer
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Nicholas C. Hill
- Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Audrey Watson
- Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, 3415 Colorado Avenue, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Kelsey J. Ramirez
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Christopher W. Johnson
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Gregg T. Beckham
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Jeffrey C. Cameron
- Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
- National Bioenergy Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80401, USA
- Corresponding author. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - Carrie A. Eckert
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
- Corresponding author. PO Box 2008, MS6060 Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6060.
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31
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Plasmids for Controlled and Tunable High-Level Expression in E. coli. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0093922. [PMID: 36342148 PMCID: PMC9680613 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00939-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic systems for protein overexpression are required tools in microbiological and biochemical research. Ideally, these systems include standardized genetic parts with predictable behavior, enabling the construction of stable expression systems in the host organism.
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32
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Haines MC, Carling B, Marshall J, Shenshin VA, Baldwin GS, Freemont P, Storch M. basicsynbio and the BASIC SEVA collection: software and vectors for an established DNA assembly method. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2022; 7:ysac023. [PMID: 36381610 PMCID: PMC9664905 DOI: 10.1093/synbio/ysac023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Standardized deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) assembly methods utilizing modular components provide a powerful framework to explore designs and iterate through Design-Build-Test-Learn cycles. Biopart Assembly Standard for Idempotent Cloning (BASIC) DNA assembly uses modular parts and linkers, is highly accurate, easy to automate, free for academic and commercial use and enables hierarchical assemblies through an idempotent format. These features enable applications including pathway engineering, ribosome binding site (RBS) tuning, fusion protein engineering and multiplexed guide ribonucleic acid (RNA) expression. In this work, we present basicsynbio, open-source software encompassing a Web App (https://basicsynbio.web.app/) and Python Package (https://github.com/LondonBiofoundry/basicsynbio), enabling BASIC construct design via simple drag-and-drop operations or programmatically. With basicsynbio, users can access commonly used BASIC parts and linkers while designing new parts and assemblies with exception handling for common errors. Users can export sequence data and create instructions for manual or acoustic liquid-handling platforms. Instruction generation relies on the BasicBuild Open Standard, which is parsed for bespoke workflows and is serializable in JavaScript Object Notation for transfer and storage. We demonstrate basicsynbio, assembling 30 vectors using sequences including modules from the Standard European Vector Architecture (SEVA). The BASIC SEVA vector collection is compatible with BASIC and Golden Gate using BsaI. Vectors contain one of six antibiotic resistance markers and five origins of replication from different compatibility groups. The collection is available via Addgene under an OpenMTA agreement. Furthermore, vector sequences are available from within the basicsynbio application programming interface with other collections of parts and linkers, providing a powerful environment for designing assemblies for bioengineering applications. Graphical Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Haines
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- London Biofoundry, Imperial College Translation and Innovation Hub, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Benedict Carling
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, Westminster SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - James Marshall
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, Westminster SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Vasily A Shenshin
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, Westminster SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Geoff S Baldwin
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, Westminster SW7 2AZ, UK
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Paul Freemont
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- London Biofoundry, Imperial College Translation and Innovation Hub, London W12 0BZ, UK
- UK DRI Care Research and Technology Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Marko Storch
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- London Biofoundry, Imperial College Translation and Innovation Hub, London W12 0BZ, UK
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33
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Yong M, Chen Y, Oo G, Chang KC, Chu WHW, Teo J, Venkatachalam I, Thevasagayam NM, Sridatta PSR, Koh V, Marcoleta AE, Chen H, Nagarajan N, Kalisvar M, Ng OT, Gan YH. Dominant Carbapenemase-Encoding Plasmids in Clinical Enterobacterales Isolates and Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae, Singapore. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:1578-1588. [PMID: 35876475 PMCID: PMC9328930 DOI: 10.3201/eid2808.212542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Dissemination of carbapenemase-encoding plasmids by horizontal gene transfer in multidrug-resistant bacteria is the major driver of rising carbapenem-resistance, but the conjugative mechanics and evolution of clinically relevant plasmids are not yet clear. We performed whole-genome sequencing on 1,215 clinical Enterobacterales isolates collected in Singapore during 2010–2015. We identified 1,126 carbapenemase-encoding plasmids and discovered pKPC2 is becoming the dominant plasmid in Singapore, overtaking an earlier dominant plasmid, pNDM1. pKPC2 frequently conjugates with many Enterobacterales species, including hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae, and maintains stability in vitro without selection pressure and minimal adaptive sequence changes. Furthermore, capsule and decreasing taxonomic relatedness between donor and recipient pairs are greater conjugation barriers for pNDM1 than pKPC2. The low fitness costs pKPC2 exerts in Enterobacterales species indicate previously undetected carriage selection in other ecological settings. The ease of conjugation and stability of pKPC2 in hypervirulent K. pneumoniae could fuel spread into the community.
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34
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Xue Y, Qiu T, Sun Z, Liu F, Yu B. Mercury bioremediation by engineered Pseudomonas putida KT2440 with adaptationally optimized biosecurity circuit. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:3022-3036. [PMID: 35555952 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Hazardous materials, such as heavy metals, are the major sources of health risk. Using genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to dispose heavy metals has the advantages of strong environmental compatibility and high efficiency. However, the biosecurity of GMOs used in the environment is a major concern. In this study, a self-controlled genetic circuit was designed and carefully fine-tuned for programmable expression in Pseudomonas putida KT2440, which is a widely used strain for environmental bioremediation. The cell behaviours were controlled by automatically sensing the variation of Hg2+ concentration without any inducer requirement or manual interventions. More than 98% Hg2+ was adsorbed by the engineered strain with a high cell recovery rate of 96% from waterbody. The remaining cells were killed by the suicide module after the mission was accomplished. The escape frequency of the engineered P. putida strain was lower than 10-9 , which meets the recommendation of US NIH guideline for GMOs release (<10-8 ). The same performance was achieved in a model experiment by using natural lake water with addition of Hg2+ . The microbial diversity analysis further confirmed that the remediation process made little impact on the indigenous ecosystem. Thus, this study provides a practical method for environmental remediation by using GMOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubin Xue
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological & Metabolic Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Tianlei Qiu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Beijing Agro-Biotechnology Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Zhi Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological & Metabolic Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Feixia Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological & Metabolic Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Bo Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological & Metabolic Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
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35
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Meng W, Qiao K, Zhang W, Liu F, Gao X, Hu X, Zhu J. Development and Application of a New Arabinose-Inducible Vector in High-Attachment Strain Stenotrophomonas AGS-1 from Aerobic Granular Sludge. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:69-76. [PMID: 34989221 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
To explore the molecular structure of attachment genes, we constructed and characterized a new arabinose-inducible vector for the high-attachment strain Stenotrophomonas AGS-1 isolated from aerobic granular sludge (AGS). mCherry was used as a simple observation biomarker, and the araC-PBAD-inducible promoter was chosen to artificially regulate the expression of target genes. The system achieved little leaky basal expression and high maximal induced expression. The araC-PBAD-based inducible expression was modulated over a wide range of 0.0005 to 0.2% l-arabinose. Notably, a "lag expression" phenomenon was observed in which mCherry was expressed after bacterial growth in LB medium. Using the system and the strategy of fusion expression of target genes (rmlA and AsCas12a) plus mCherry, the recombinant AGS-1 strain achieved the effective induction of rmlA and AsCas12a-mCherry gene expression in the range of 0.0005 to 0.1% l-arabinose. These results demonstrate that the new arabinose-inducible vector could be used as an important molecular tool in the gene function and genome-editing research of strain AGS-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Meng
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- R & D Centre of Aerobic Granule Technology, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Kai Qiao
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- State Key Laboratory of Water Simulation, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- R & D Centre of Aerobic Granule Technology, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Fan Liu
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Xu Gao
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Xuan Hu
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- State Key Laboratory of Water Simulation, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Jianrong Zhu
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- R & D Centre of Aerobic Granule Technology, Beijing 100875, China
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36
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Liu S, Narancic T, Davis C, O'Connor KE. CRISPR-Cas9 Editing of the Synthesis of Biodegradable Polyesters Polyhydroxyalkanaotes (PHA) in Pseudomonas putida KT2440. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2397:341-358. [PMID: 34813072 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1826-4_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Genome editing technologies allow us to study the metabolic pathways of cells and the contribution of each associated enzyme to various processes, including polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthesis. These biodegradable polyesters accumulated by a range of bacteria are thermoplastic, elastomeric, and biodegradable, thus have great applicative potential. However, several challenges are associated with PHA production, mainly the cost and shortcomings in their physical properties. The advances in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering provide us with a tool to improve the production process and allow the synthesis of tailor-made PHAs. CRISPR/Cas9 technology represents a new generation of genome editing tools capable of application in nearly all organisms. However, off-target activity is a crucial issue for CRISPR/Cas9 technology, as it can cause genomic instability and disruption of functions of otherwise normal genes. Here, we provide a detailed protocol for scarless deletion of the genes implicated in PHA metabolism of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 using modified CRISPR/Cas9 systems and methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Liu
- UCD Earth Institute and School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- BiOrbic Bioeconomy Research Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tanja Narancic
- UCD Earth Institute and School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- BiOrbic Bioeconomy Research Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Chris Davis
- UCD Earth Institute and School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- BiOrbic Bioeconomy Research Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kevin E O'Connor
- UCD Earth Institute and School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
- BiOrbic Bioeconomy Research Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Sciences and BiOrbic SFI Bioeconomy Research Centre, O'Brien Centre for Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
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37
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Gauttam R, Mukhopadhyay A, Simmons BA, Singer SW. Development of dual-inducible duet-expression vectors for tunable gene expression control and CRISPR interference-based gene repression in Pseudomonas putida KT2440. Microb Biotechnol 2021; 14:2659-2678. [PMID: 34009716 PMCID: PMC8601191 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of P. putida as an industrial host requires a sophisticated molecular toolbox for strain improvement, including vectors for gene expression and repression. To augment existing expression plasmids for metabolic engineering, we developed a series of dual-inducible duet-expression vectors for P. putida KT2440. A number of inducible promoters (Plac , Ptac , PtetR/tetA and Pbad ) were used in different combinations to differentially regulate the expression of individual genes. Protein expression was evaluated by measuring the fluorescence of reporter proteins (GFP and RFP). Our experiments demonstrated the use of compatible plasmids, a useful approach to coexpress multiple genes in P. putida KT2440. These duet vectors were modified to generate a fully inducible CRISPR interference system using two catalytically inactive Cas9 variants from S. pasteurianus (dCas9) and S. pyogenes (spdCas9). The utility of developed CRISPRi system(s) was demonstrated by repressing the expression of nine conditionally essential genes, resulting in growth impairment and prolonged lag phase for P. putida KT2440 growth on glucose. Furthermore, the system was shown to be tightly regulated, tunable and to provide a simple way to identify essential genes with an observable phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Gauttam
- The Joint BioEnergy InstituteEmeryvilleCAUSA
- Biological Systems and Engineering DivisionLawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryBerkeleyCAUSA
| | - Aindrila Mukhopadhyay
- The Joint BioEnergy InstituteEmeryvilleCAUSA
- Biological Systems and Engineering DivisionLawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryBerkeleyCAUSA
| | - Blake A. Simmons
- The Joint BioEnergy InstituteEmeryvilleCAUSA
- Biological Systems and Engineering DivisionLawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryBerkeleyCAUSA
| | - Steven W. Singer
- The Joint BioEnergy InstituteEmeryvilleCAUSA
- Biological Systems and Engineering DivisionLawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryBerkeleyCAUSA
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38
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Velázquez E, Al-Ramahi Y, Tellechea-Luzardo J, Krasnogor N, de Lorenzo V. Targetron-Assisted Delivery of Exogenous DNA Sequences into Pseudomonas putida through CRISPR-Aided Counterselection. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:2552-2565. [PMID: 34601868 PMCID: PMC8524655 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Genome editing methods based on group II introns (known as targetron technology) have long been used as a gene knockout strategy in a wide range of organisms, in a fashion independent of homologous recombination. Yet, their utility as delivery systems has typically been suboptimal due to the reduced efficiency of insertion when carrying exogenous sequences. We show that this limitation can be tackled and targetrons can be adapted as a general tool in Gram-negative bacteria. To this end, a set of broad-host-range standardized vectors were designed for the conditional expression of the Ll.LtrB intron. After establishing the correct functionality of these plasmids in Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas putida, we created a library of Ll.LtrB variants carrying cargo DNA sequences of different lengths, to benchmark the capacity of intron-mediated delivery in these bacteria. Next, we combined CRISPR/Cas9-facilitated counterselection to increase the chances of finding genomic sites inserted with the thereby engineered introns. With these novel tools, we were able to insert exogenous sequences of up to 600 bp at specific genomic locations in wild-type P. putida KT2440 and its ΔrecA derivative. Finally, we applied this technology to successfully tag P. putida with an orthogonal short sequence barcode that acts as a unique identifier for tracking this microorganism in biotechnological settings. These results show the value of the targetron approach for the unrestricted delivery of small DNA fragments to precise locations in the genomes of Gram-negative bacteria, which will be useful for a suite of genome editing endeavors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Velázquez
- Systems
and Synthetic Biology Department, Centro
Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Yamal Al-Ramahi
- Systems
and Synthetic Biology Department, Centro
Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Jonathan Tellechea-Luzardo
- Interdisciplinary
Computing and Complex Biosystems (ICOS) Research Group, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE4 5TG, U.K.
| | - Natalio Krasnogor
- Interdisciplinary
Computing and Complex Biosystems (ICOS) Research Group, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE4 5TG, U.K.
| | - Víctor de Lorenzo
- Systems
and Synthetic Biology Department, Centro
Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain
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39
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Jones CM, Parrish S, Nielsen DR. Exploiting Polyploidy for Markerless and Plasmid-Free Genome Engineering in Cyanobacteria. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:2371-2382. [PMID: 34530614 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Here we describe a universal approach for plasmid-free genome engineering in cyanobacteria that exploits the polyploidy of their chromosomes as a natural counterselection system. Rather than being delivered via replicating plasmids, genes encoding for DNA modifying enzymes are instead integrated into essential genes on the chromosome by allelic exchange, as facilitated by antibiotic selection, a process that occurs readily and with only minor fitness defects. By virtue of the essentiality of these integration sites, full segregation is never achieved, with the strain instead remaining as a merodiploid so long as antibiotic selection is maintained. As a result, once the desired genome modification is complete, removal of antibiotic selection results in the gene encoding for the DNA modifying enzyme to then be promptly eliminated from the population. Proof of concept of this new and generalizable strategy is provided using two different site-specific recombination systems, CRE-lox and DRE-rox, in the fast-growing cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002, as well as CRE-lox in the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Reusability of the method, meanwhile, is demonstrated by constructing a high-CO2 requiring and markerless Δndh3 Δndh4 ΔbicA ΔsbtA mutant of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002. Overall, this method enables the simple and efficient construction of stable and unmarked mutants in cyanobacteria without the need to develop additional shuttle vectors nor counterselection systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M. Jones
- Chemical Engineering, School for Engineering Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Sydney Parrish
- Chemical Engineering, School for Engineering Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - David R. Nielsen
- Chemical Engineering, School for Engineering Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
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40
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Sathesh-Prabu C, Tiwari R, Kim D, Lee SK. Inducible and tunable gene expression systems for Pseudomonas putida KT2440. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18079. [PMID: 34508142 PMCID: PMC8433446 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97550-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Inducible and tunable expression systems are essential for the microbial production of biochemicals. Five different carbon source- and substrate-inducible promoter systems were developed and further evaluated in Pseudomonas putida KT2440 by analyzing the expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a reporter protein. These systems can be induced by low-cost compounds such as glucose, 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3HP), levulinic acid (LA), and xylose. 3HP-inducible HpdR/PhpdH was also efficiently induced by LA. LvaR/PlvaA and XutR/PxutA systems were induced even at low concentrations of LA (0.1 mM) and xylose (0.5 mM), respectively. Glucose-inducible HexR/Pzwf1 showed weak GFP expression. These inducer agents can be used as potent starting materials for both cell growth and the production of a wide range of biochemicals. The efficiency of the reported systems was comparable to that of conventional chemical-inducible systems. Hence, the newly investigated promoter systems are highly useful for the expression of target genes in the widely used synthetic biology chassis P. putida KT2440 for industrial and medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandran Sathesh-Prabu
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Rameshwar Tiwari
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Doyun Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Kuk Lee
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Energy Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea.
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Gómez-García G, Ruiz-Enamorado A, Yuste L, Rojo F, Moreno R. Expression of the ISPpu9 transposase of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 is regulated by two small RNAs and the secondary structure of the mRNA 5'-untranslated region. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:9211-9228. [PMID: 34379788 PMCID: PMC8450116 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Insertion sequences (ISs) are mobile genetic elements that only carry the information required for their own transposition. Pseudomonas putida KT2440, a model bacterium, has seven copies of an IS called ISPpu9 inserted into repetitive extragenic palindromic sequences. This work shows that the gene for ISPpu9 transposase, tnp, is regulated by two small RNAs (sRNAs) named Asr9 and Ssr9, which are encoded upstream and downstream of tnp, respectively. The tnp mRNA has a long 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR) that can fold into a secondary structure that likely includes the ribosome-binding site (RBS). Mutations weakening this structure increased tnp mRNA translation. Asr9, an antisense sRNA complementary to the 5′-UTR, was shown to be very stable. Eliminating Asr9 considerably reduced tnp mRNA translation, suggesting that it helps to unfold this secondary structure, exposing the RBS. Ectopic overproduction of Asr9 increased the transposition frequency of a new ISPpu9 entering the cell by conjugation, suggesting improved tnp expression. Ssr9 has significant complementarity to Asr9 and annealed to it in vitro forming an RNA duplex; this would sequester it and possibly facilitate its degradation. Thus, the antisense Asr9 sRNA likely facilitates tnp expression, improving transposition, while Ssr9 might counteract Asr9, keeping tnp expression low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Gómez-García
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Angel Ruiz-Enamorado
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Luis Yuste
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Fernando Rojo
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Renata Moreno
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Madrid 28049, Spain
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Schuster LA, Reisch CR. A plasmid toolbox for controlled gene expression across the Proteobacteria. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:7189-7202. [PMID: 34125913 PMCID: PMC8266580 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Controlled gene expression is fundamental for the study of gene function and our ability to engineer bacteria. However, there is currently no easy-to-use genetics toolbox that enables controlled gene expression in a wide range of diverse species. To facilitate the development of genetics systems in a fast, easy, and standardized manner, we constructed and tested a plasmid assembly toolbox that will enable the identification of well-regulated promoters in many Proteobacteria and potentially beyond. Each plasmid is composed of four categories of genetic parts (i) the origin of replication, (ii) resistance marker, (iii) promoter-regulator and (iv) reporter. The plasmids can be efficiently assembled using ligation-independent cloning, and any gene of interest can be easily inserted in place of the reporter. We tested this toolbox in nine different Proteobacteria and identified regulated promoters with over fifty-fold induction range in eight of these bacteria. We also constructed variant libraries that enabled the identification of promoter-regulators with varied expression levels and increased inducible fold change relative to the original promoter. A selection of over 50 plasmids, which contain all of the toolbox's genetic parts, are available for community use and will enable easy construction and testing of genetics systems in both model and non-model bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layla A Schuster
- Dept. of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32603, USA
| | - Christopher R Reisch
- Dept. of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32603, USA
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43
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Liang T, Sun J, Ju S, Su S, Yang L, Wu J. Construction of T7-Like Expression System in Pseudomonas putida KT2440 to Enhance the Heterologous Expression Level. Front Chem 2021; 9:664967. [PMID: 34336782 PMCID: PMC8322953 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.664967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas putida KT2440 has become an attractive chassis for heterologous expression with the development of effective genetic manipulation tools. Improving the level of transcriptional regulation is particularly important for extending the potential of P. putida KT2440 in heterologous expression. Although many strategies have been applied to enhance the heterologous expression level in P. putida KT2440, it was still at a relatively low level. Herein we constructed a T7-like expression system in P. putida KT2440, mimicking the pET expression system in Escherichia coli, which consisted of T7-like RNA polymerase (MmP1) integrated strain and the corresponding expression vector for the heterologous expression enhancement. With the optimization of the insertion site and the copy number of RNA polymerase (RNAP), the relative fluorescence intensity (RFI) of the super-folder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP) was improved by 1.4-fold in MmP1 RNAP integrated strain. The induction point and IPTG concentration were also optimized. This strategy was extended to the gene-reduced strain EM42 and the expression of sfGFP was improved by 2.1-fold. The optimal RNAP integration site was also used for introducing T7 RNAP in P. putida KT2440 and the expression level was enhanced, indicating the generality of the integration site for the T7 expression system. Compared to other inducible expression systems in KT2440, the heterologous expression level of the Mmp1 system and T7 system were more than 2.5 times higher. Furthermore, the 3.6-fold enhanced expression level of a difficult-to-express nicotinate dehydrogenase from Comamonas testosteroni JA1 verified the efficiency of the T7-like expression system in P. putida KT2440. Taken together, we constructed and optimized the T7-like and T7 expression system in P. putida, thus providing a set of applicable chassis and corresponding plasmids to improve recombinant expression level, expecting to be used for difficult-to-express proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianxin Liang
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun Sun
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuyun Ju
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shenyi Su
- Hwa Chong Institution, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lirong Yang
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianping Wu
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Cook TB, Jacobson TB, Venkataraman MV, Hofstetter H, Amador-Noguez D, Thomas MG, Pfleger BF. Stepwise genetic engineering of Pseudomonas putida enables robust heterologous production of prodigiosin and glidobactin A. Metab Eng 2021; 67:112-124. [PMID: 34175462 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2021.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Polyketide synthases (PKS) and nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS) comprise biosynthetic pathways that provide access to diverse, often bioactive natural products. Metabolic engineering can improve production metrics to support characterization and drug-development studies, but often native hosts are difficult to genetically manipulate and/or culture. For this reason, heterologous expression is a common strategy for natural product discovery and characterization. Many bacteria have been developed to express heterologous biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) for producing polyketides and nonribosomal peptides. In this article, we describe tools for using Pseudomonas putida, a Gram-negative soil bacterium, as a heterologous host for producing natural products. Pseudomonads are known to produce many natural products, but P. putida production titers have been inconsistent in the literature and often low compared to other hosts. In recent years, synthetic biology tools for engineering P. putida have greatly improved, but their application towards production of natural products is limited. To demonstrate the potential of P. putida as a heterologous host, we introduced BGCs encoding the synthesis of prodigiosin and glidobactin A, two bioactive natural products synthesized from a combination of PKS and NRPS enzymology. Engineered strains exhibited robust production of both compounds after a single chromosomal integration of the corresponding BGC. Next, we took advantage of a set of genome-editing tools to increase titers by modifying transcription and translation of the BGCs and increasing the availability of auxiliary proteins required for PKS and NRPS activity. Lastly, we discovered genetic modifications to P. putida that affect natural product synthesis, including a strategy for removing a carbon sink that improves product titers. These efforts resulted in production strains capable of producing 1.1 g/L prodigiosin and 470 mg/L glidobactin A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor B Cook
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Tyler B Jacobson
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Maya V Venkataraman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Heike Hofstetter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Daniel Amador-Noguez
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Michael G Thomas
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Brian F Pfleger
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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Zheng W, Wang X, Chen Y, Dong Y, Zhou D, Liu R, Zhou H, Bian X, Wang H, Tu Q, Ravichandran V, Zhang Y, Li A, Fu J, Yin J. Recombineering facilitates the discovery of natural product biosynthetic pathways in Pseudomonas parafulva. Biotechnol J 2021; 16:e2000575. [PMID: 33484238 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202000575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Microbial natural products among other functions they play a vital role in the disease prevention in humans, animals and plants. Pseudomonas parafulva CRS01-1 is a broad-spectrum antagonistic bacterium present in plants. However, no natural products have been isolated from this strain till date. Corresponding biosynthetic gene clusters to natural products is an effective method for bioprospecting, for which, genome manipulation tools are essential. We previously developed Pseudomonas-specific phage-derived homologous recombination systems for genetic engineering in four Pseudomonas species. Herein, we report the application of these recombineering systems in Pseudomonas parafulva CRS01-1, along with structural elucidation and bioactivity evaluation of natural products. The Pseudomonas recombineering toolbox established before in different four species is efficient for genome mining and bioactive metabolite discovery from more distant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Zheng
- Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Wang
- Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuwei Chen
- Hunan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Human Health, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Yachao Dong
- Hunan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Human Health, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Diao Zhou
- Hunan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Human Health, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruxin Liu
- Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Haibo Zhou
- Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoying Bian
- Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Hailong Wang
- Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Tu
- Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Vinothkannan Ravichandran
- Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Youming Zhang
- Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Aiying Li
- Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Fu
- Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Yin
- Hunan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Human Health, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
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One step forward, two steps back: Transcriptional advancements and fermentation phenomena in Actinobacillus succinogenes 130Z. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245407. [PMID: 33939701 PMCID: PMC8092802 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the field of bioproduction, non-model organisms offer promise as bio-platform candidates. Non-model organisms can possess natural abilities to consume complex feedstocks, produce industrially useful chemicals, and withstand extreme environments that can be ideal for product extraction. However, non-model organisms also come with unique challenges due to lack of characterization. As a consequence, developing synthetic biology tools, predicting growth behavior, and building computational models can be difficult. There have been many advancements that have improved work with non-model organisms to address broad limitations, however each organism can come with unique surprises. Here we share our work in the non-model bacterium Actinobacillus succinognes 130Z, which includes both advancements in synthetic biology toolkit development and pitfalls in unpredictable fermentation behaviors. To develop a synthetic biology “tool kit” for A. succinogenes, information gleaned from a growth study and antibiotic screening was used to characterize 22 promoters which demonstrated a 260-fold range of fluorescence protein expression. The strongest of the promoters was incorporated into an inducible system for tunable gene control in A. succinogenes using the promoter for the lac operon as a template. This system flaunted a 481-fold range of expression and no significant basal expression. These findings were accompanied by unexpected changes in fermentation products characterized by a loss of succinic acid and increase in lactic acid after approximately 10 months in the lab. During evaluation of the fermentation shifts, new tests of the synthetic biology tools in a succinic acid producing strain revealed a significant loss in their functionality. Contamination and mutation were ruled out as causes and further testing is needed to elucidate the driving factors. The significance of this work is to share a successful tool development strategy that could be employed in other non-model species, report on an unfortunate phenomenon that needs addressed for further development of A. succinogenes, and provide a cautionary tale for those undertaking non-model research. In sharing our findings, we seek to provide tools and necessary information for further development of A. succinogenes as a platform for bioproduction of succinic acid and to illustrate the importance of diligent and long-term observation when working with non-model bacteria.
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47
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Portable bacterial CRISPR transcriptional activation enables metabolic engineering in Pseudomonas putida. Metab Eng 2021; 66:283-295. [PMID: 33930546 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2021.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas transcriptional programming in bacteria is an emerging tool to regulate gene expression for metabolic pathway engineering. Here we implement CRISPR-Cas transcriptional activation (CRISPRa) in P. putida using a system previously developed in E. coli. We provide a methodology to transfer CRISPRa to a new host by first optimizing expression levels for the CRISPRa system components, and then applying rules for effective CRISPRa based on a systematic characterization of promoter features. Using this optimized system, we regulate biosynthesis in the biopterin and mevalonate pathways. We demonstrate that multiple genes can be activated simultaneously by targeting multiple promoters or by targeting a single promoter in a multi-gene operon. This work will enable new metabolic engineering strategies in P. putida and pave the way for CRISPR-Cas transcriptional programming in other bacterial species.
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Martin-Pascual M, Batianis C, Bruinsma L, Asin-Garcia E, Garcia-Morales L, Weusthuis RA, van Kranenburg R, Martins Dos Santos VAP. A navigation guide of synthetic biology tools for Pseudomonas putida. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 49:107732. [PMID: 33785373 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas putida is a microbial chassis of huge potential for industrial and environmental biotechnology, owing to its remarkable metabolic versatility and ability to sustain difficult redox reactions and operational stresses, among other attractive characteristics. A wealth of genetic and in silico tools have been developed to enable the unravelling of its physiology and improvement of its performance. However, the rise of this microbe as a promising platform for biotechnological applications has resulted in diversification of tools and methods rather than standardization and convergence. As a consequence, multiple tools for the same purpose have been generated, whilst most of them have not been embraced by the scientific community, which has led to compartmentalization and inefficient use of resources. Inspired by this and by the substantial increase in popularity of P. putida, we aim herein to bring together and assess all currently available (wet and dry) synthetic biology tools specific for this microbe, focusing on the last 5 years. We provide information on the principles, functionality, advantages and limitations, with special focus on their use in metabolic engineering. Additionally, we compare the tool portfolio for P. putida with those for other bacterial chassis and discuss potential future directions for tool development. Therefore, this review is intended as a reference guide for experts and new 'users' of this promising chassis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Martin-Pascual
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Christos Batianis
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Lyon Bruinsma
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Enrique Asin-Garcia
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Luis Garcia-Morales
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Ruud A Weusthuis
- Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Richard van Kranenburg
- Corbion, Gorinchem 4206 AC, The Netherlands; Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, the Netherlands
| | - Vitor A P Martins Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands; LifeGlimmer GmbH, Berlin 12163, Germany.
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49
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Thomson NM, Pallen MJ. Restoration of wild-type motility to flagellin-knockout Escherichia coli by varying promoter, copy number and induction strength in plasmid-based expression of flagellin. CURRENT RESEARCH IN BIOTECHNOLOGY 2021; 2:45-52. [PMID: 33381753 PMCID: PMC7758877 DOI: 10.1016/j.crbiot.2020.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Flagellin is the major constituent of the flagellar filament and faithful restoration of wild-type motility to flagellin mutants may be beneficial for studies of flagellar biology and biotechnological exploitation of the flagellar system. However, gene complementation studies often fail to report whether true wild-type motility was restored by expressing flagellin from a plasmid. Therefore, we explored the restoration of motility by flagellin expressed from a variety of combinations of promoter, plasmid copy number and induction strength. Motility was only partially (~50%) restored using the tightly regulated rhamnose promoter due to weak flagellin gene expression, but wild-type motility was regained with the T5 promoter, which, although leaky, allowed titration of induction strength. The endogenous E. coli flagellin promoter also restored wild-type motility. However, flagellin gene transcription levels increased 3.1–27.9-fold when wild-type motility was restored, indicating disturbances in the flagellar regulatory mechanisms. Motility was little affected by plasmid copy number when dependent on inducible promoters. However, plasmid copy number was important when expression was controlled by the native E. coli flagellin promoter. Motility was poorly correlated with flagellin transcription levels, but strongly correlated with the amount of flagellin associated with the flagellar filament, suggesting that excess monomers are either not exported or not assembled into filaments. This study provides a useful reference for further studies of flagellar function and a simple blueprint for similar studies with other proteins. Restoration of motility to flagellin-knockout E. coli depends on choice of promoter. Plasmid copy number is important when using the natural flagellin promoter. For inducible promoters, induction strength is more important than copy number. Large increase in flagellin transcription but not flagella-associated protein. Plasmid-based expression interrupts flagellin expression control mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas M Thomson
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UQ, United Kingdom
| | - Mark J Pallen
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UQ, United Kingdom
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50
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Li J, Ye BC. Metabolic engineering of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 for high-yield production of protocatechuic acid. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 319:124239. [PMID: 33254462 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Protocatechuic acid (PCA) has been widely utilized in conventional pharmaceutical, cosmetic and functional food industries. Currently, chemical synthesis and solvent extraction are the main methods for commercial production, indicating several disadvantages. In this study, we developed a method for the biosynthesis of PCA in Pseudomonas putida KT2440 in high yield. First, we developed constitutive promoters with different expression intensities for fine-tuned gene expression. Second, we improved the biosynthesis of "natural" PCA in P. putida KT2440 via multilevel metabolic engineering strategies: overexpression of rate-limiting enzymes, removal of negative regulators, attenuation of pathway competition, and enhancement of precursor supply. Finally, by further bioprocess engineering efforts, the best-producing strain reached a titer of 12.5 g/L PCA from glucose at 72 h in a shake flask and 21.7 g/L in fed-batch fermentation without antibiotic pressure. This was the highest PCA titer from glucose using metabolically engineered microbial cell factories reported to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Li
- Laboratory of Biosystems and Microanalysis, Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Bang-Ce Ye
- Laboratory of Biosystems and Microanalysis, Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang, China.
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