Development of an Sce-I mutagenesis system for Burkholderia cepacia complex strains

Biotechnology approaches for natural product discovery, engineering, and production based on Burkholderia bacteria

Bacterial natural products (NPs) retain high value in discovery efforts for applications in medicine and agriculture. Burkholderia β-Proteobacteria are a promising source of NPs. In this review, we summarize the recently developed genetic manipulation techniques used to access silent/cryptic biosynthetic gene clusters from Burkholderia native producers. We also discuss the development of Burkholderia bacteria as heterologous hosts and the application of Burkholderia in industrial-scale production of NPs. Genetic engineering and fermentation media optimization have enabled the industrial-scale production of at least two Burkholderia NPs. The biotechnology approaches discussed here will continue to facilitate the discovery and development of NPs from Burkholderia.

Methodological tools to study species of the genus Burkholderia

Bacteria belonging to the Burkholderia genus are extremely versatile and diverse. They can be environmental isolates, opportunistic pathogens in cystic fibrosis, immunocompromised or chronic granulomatous disease patients, or cause disease in healthy people (e.g., Burkholderia pseudomallei) or animals (as in the case of Burkholderia mallei). Since the genus was separated from the Pseudomonas one in the 1990s, the methodological tools to study and characterize these bacteria are evolving fast. Here we reviewed the techniques used in the last few years to update the taxonomy of the genus, to study gene functions and regulations, to deepen the knowledge on the drug resistance which characterizes these bacteria, and to elucidate their mechanisms to establish infections. The availability of these tools significantly impacts the quality of research on Burkholderia and the choice of the most appropriated is fundamental for a precise characterization of the species of interest.

Key points

• Updated techniques to study the genus Burkholderia were reviewed.

• Taxonomy, genomics, assays, and animal models were described.

• A comprehensive overview on recent advances in Burkholderia studies was made.