1
|
Schwardmann LS, Benninghaus L, Lindner SN, Wendisch VF. Prospects of formamide as nitrogen source in biotechnological production processes. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:105. [PMID: 38204134 PMCID: PMC10781810 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12962-x] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
This review presents an analysis of formamide, focussing on its occurrence in nature, its functional roles, and its promising applications in the context of the bioeconomy. We discuss the utilization of formamide as an innovative nitrogen source achieved through metabolic engineering. These approaches underscore formamide's potential in supporting growth and production in biotechnological processes. Furthermore, our review illuminates formamide's role as a nitrogen source capable of safeguarding cultivation systems against contamination in non-sterile conditions. This attribute adds an extra layer of practicality to its application, rendering it an attractive candidate for sustainable and resilient industrial practices. Additionally, the article unveils the versatility of formamide as a potential carbon source that could be combined with formate or CO2 assimilation pathways. However, its attributes, i.e., enriched nitrogen content and comparatively limited energy content, led to conclude that formamide is more suitable as a co-substrate and that its use as a sole source of carbon for biomass and bio-production is limited. Through our exploration of formamide's properties and its applications, this review underscores the significance of formamide as valuable resource for a large spectrum of industrial applications. KEY POINTS: • Formidases enable access to formamide as source of nitrogen, carbon, and energy • The formamide/formamidase system supports non-sterile fermentation • The nitrogen source formamide supports production of nitrogenous compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lynn S Schwardmann
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology and CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
- , Aminoverse B.V., Daelderweg 9, 6361 HK, Nuth, Beekdaelen, The Netherlands
| | - Leonie Benninghaus
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology and CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Steffen N Lindner
- Department of Biochemistry, Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität, Berlin, Germany
| | - Volker F Wendisch
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology and CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen Q, Chen Y, Hou Z, Ma Y, Huang J, Zhang Z, Chen Y, Yang X, Zhang Y, Zhao G. Unlocking the formate utilization of wild-type Yarrowia lipolytica through adaptive laboratory evolution. Biotechnol J 2024; 19:e2400290. [PMID: 38900053 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202400290] [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: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic biology is contributing to the advancement of the global net-negative carbon economy, with emphasis on formate as a member of the one-carbon substrate garnering substantial attention. In this study, we employed base editing tools to facilitate adaptive evolution, achieving a formate tolerance of Yarrowia lipolytica to 1 M within 2 months. This effort resulted in two mutant strains, designated as M25-70 and M25-14, both exhibiting significantly enhanced formate utilization capabilities. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the upregulation of nine endogenous genes encoding formate dehydrogenases when cultivated utilizing formate as the sole carbon source. Furthermore, we uncovered the pivotal role of the glyoxylate and threonine-based serine pathway in enhancing glycine supply to promote formate assimilation. The full potential of Y. lipolytica to tolerate and utilize formate establishing the foundation for pyruvate carboxylase-based carbon sequestration pathways. Importantly, this study highlights the existence of a natural formate metabolic pathway in Y. lipolytica.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Chen
- Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Yunhong Chen
- Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Zeming Hou
- Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuyue Ma
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Jianfeng Huang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhidan Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Yefu Chen
- Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Xue Yang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanfei Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Guoping Zhao
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lu C, Wijffels RH, Martins Dos Santos VAP, Weusthuis RA. Pseudomonas putida as a platform for medium-chain length α,ω-diol production: Opportunities and challenges. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14423. [PMID: 38528784 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14423] [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: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Medium-chain-length α,ω-diols (mcl-diols) play an important role in polymer production, traditionally depending on energy-intensive chemical processes. Microbial cell factories offer an alternative, but conventional strains like Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae face challenges in mcl-diol production due to the toxicity of intermediates such as alcohols and acids. Metabolic engineering and synthetic biology enable the engineering of non-model strains for such purposes with P. putida emerging as a promising microbial platform. This study reviews the advancement in diol production using P. putida and proposes a four-module approach for the sustainable production of diols. Despite progress, challenges persist, and this study discusses current obstacles and future opportunities for leveraging P. putida as a microbial cell factory for mcl-diol production. Furthermore, this study highlights the potential of using P. putida as an efficient chassis for diol synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunzhe Lu
- Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences & Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rene H Wijffels
- Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, Bodø, Norway
| | - Vitor A P Martins Dos Santos
- Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Lifeglimmer GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ruud A Weusthuis
- Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chen PR, Xia PF. Carbon recycling with synthetic CO 2 fixation pathways. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 85:103023. [PMID: 38007984 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103023] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the node of alleviating global climate change and supporting living organisms on Earth. Currently, the warming climate and the growing population demand enhanced CO2 fixation for a sustainable future, which stimulates innovations in biotechnology to tackle these challenges. To this endeavor, synthetic biology and metabolic engineering are enabling a promising approach to engineer synthetic carbon fixation in heterotrophic organisms combining the advantages of both autotrophs and heterotrophs. Here, we review the current advances in constructing synthetic CO2 fixation pathways and discuss the underlying design principles with confronting challenges. Moreover, we highlight the application scenarios of these designs at different concentrations of CO2, and how sustainable bioproduction can be improved. We also foresee the future of engineering synthetic carbon fixation pathways for carbon recycling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Ru Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Peng-Fei Xia
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bysani VR, Alam AS, Bar-Even A, Machens F. Engineering and evolution of the complete Reductive Glycine Pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for formate and CO 2 assimilation. Metab Eng 2024; 81:167-181. [PMID: 38040111 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2023.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Using captured CO2 and C1-feedstocks like formate and methanol derived from electrochemical activation of CO2 are key solutions for transforming industrial processes towards a circular carbon economy. Engineering formate and CO2-based growth in the biotechnologically relevant yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae could boost the emergence of a formate-mediated circular bio-economy. This study adopts a growth-coupled selection scheme for modular implementation of the Reductive Glycine Pathway (RGP) and subsequent Adaptive Laboratory Evolution (ALE) to enable formate and CO2 assimilation for biomass formation in yeast. We first constructed a serine biosensor strain and then implemented the serine synthesis module of the RGP into yeast, establishing glycine and serine synthesis from formate and CO2. ALE improved the RGP-dependent growth by 8-fold. 13C-labeling experiments reveal glycine, serine, and pyruvate synthesis via the RGP, demonstrating the complete pathway activity. Further, we re-established formate and CO2-dependent growth in non-evolved biosensor strains via reverse-engineering a mutation in GDH1 identified from ALE. This mutation led to significantly more 13C-formate assimilation than in WT without any selection or overexpression of the RGP. Overall, we demonstrated the activity of the complete RGP, showing evidence for carbon transfer from formate to pyruvate coupled with CO2 assimilation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Viswanada R Bysani
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
| | - Ayesha S Alam
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Arren Bar-Even
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Fabian Machens
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Yang X, Zhang Y, Zhao G. Artificial carbon assimilation: From unnatural reactions and pathways to synthetic autotrophic systems. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 70:108294. [PMID: 38013126 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108294] [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: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology is being increasingly used to establish novel carbon assimilation pathways and artificial autotrophic strains that can be used in low-carbon biomanufacturing. Currently, artificial pathway design has made significant progress from advocacy to practice within a relatively short span of just over ten years. However, there is still huge scope for exploration of pathway diversity, operational efficiency, and host suitability. The accelerated research process will bring greater opportunities and challenges. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive summary and interpretation of representative one-carbon assimilation pathway designs and artificial autotrophic strain construction work. In addition, we propose some feasible design solutions based on existing research results and patterns to promote the development and application of artificial autotrophy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue Yang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China; National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China; Haihe Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Yanfei Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China; National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China.
| | - Guoping Zhao
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China; CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wagner N, Wen L, Frazão CJR, Walther T. Next-generation feedstocks methanol and ethylene glycol and their potential in industrial biotechnology. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 69:108276. [PMID: 37918546 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108276] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fermentation processes are expected to play an important role in reducing dependence on fossil-based raw materials for the production of everyday chemicals. In order to meet the growing demand for biotechnological products in the future, alternative carbon sources that do not compete with human nutrition must be exploited. The chemical conversion of the industrially emitted greenhouse gas CO2 into microbially utilizable platform chemicals such as methanol represents a sustainable strategy for the utilization of an abundant carbon source and has attracted enormous scientific interest in recent years. A relatively new approach is the microbial synthesis of products from the C2-compound ethylene glycol, which can also be synthesized from CO2 and non-edible biomass and, in addition, can be recovered from plastic waste. Here we summarize the main chemical routes for the synthesis of methanol and ethylene glycol from sustainable resources and give an overview of recent metabolic engineering work for establishing natural and synthetic microbial assimilation pathways. The different metabolic routes for C1 and C2 alcohol-dependent bioconversions were compared in terms of their theoretical maximum yields and their oxygen requirements for a wide range of value-added products. Assessment of the process engineering challenges for methanol and ethylene glycol-based fermentations underscores the theoretical advantages of new synthetic metabolic routes and advocates greater consideration of ethylene glycol, a C2 substrate that has received comparatively little attention to date.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nils Wagner
- TU Dresden, Institute of Natural Materials Technology, Bergstraße 120, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Linxuan Wen
- TU Dresden, Institute of Natural Materials Technology, Bergstraße 120, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Cláudio J R Frazão
- TU Dresden, Institute of Natural Materials Technology, Bergstraße 120, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Walther
- TU Dresden, Institute of Natural Materials Technology, Bergstraße 120, 01062 Dresden, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Mitic BM, Troyer C, Lutz L, Baumschabl M, Hann S, Mattanovich D. The oxygen-tolerant reductive glycine pathway assimilates methanol, formate and CO 2 in the yeast Komagataella phaffii. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7754. [PMID: 38012236 PMCID: PMC10682033 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43610-7] [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: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The current climatic change is predominantly driven by excessive anthropogenic CO2 emissions. As industrial bioprocesses primarily depend on food-competing organic feedstocks or fossil raw materials, CO2 co-assimilation or the use of CO2-derived methanol or formate as carbon sources are considered pathbreaking contributions to solving this global problem. The number of industrially-relevant microorganisms that can use these two carbon sources is limited, and even fewer can concurrently co-assimilate CO2. Here, we search for alternative native methanol and formate assimilation pathways that co-assimilate CO2 in the industrially-relevant methylotrophic yeast Komagataella phaffii (Pichia pastoris). Using 13C-tracer-based metabolomic techniques and metabolic engineering approaches, we discover and confirm a growth supporting pathway based on native enzymes that can perform all three assimilations: namely, the oxygen-tolerant reductive glycine pathway. This finding paves the way towards metabolic engineering of formate and CO2 utilisation to produce proteins, biomass, or chemicals in yeast.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bernd M Mitic
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christina Troyer
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lisa Lutz
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB), Muthgasse 11, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Baumschabl
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB), Muthgasse 11, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephan Hann
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB), Muthgasse 11, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Diethard Mattanovich
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria.
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB), Muthgasse 11, 1190, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kurt E, Qin J, Williams A, Zhao Y, Xie D. Perspectives for Using CO 2 as a Feedstock for Biomanufacturing of Fuels and Chemicals. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1357. [PMID: 38135948 PMCID: PMC10740661 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10121357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial cell factories offer an eco-friendly alternative for transforming raw materials into commercially valuable products because of their reduced carbon impact compared to conventional industrial procedures. These systems often depend on lignocellulosic feedstocks, mainly pentose and hexose sugars. One major hurdle when utilizing these sugars, especially glucose, is balancing carbon allocation to satisfy energy, cofactor, and other essential component needs for cellular proliferation while maintaining a robust yield. Nearly half or more of this carbon is inevitably lost as CO2 during the biosynthesis of regular metabolic necessities. This loss lowers the production yield and compromises the benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions-a fundamental advantage of biomanufacturing. This review paper posits the perspectives of using CO2 from the atmosphere, industrial wastes, or the exhausted gases generated in microbial fermentation as a feedstock for biomanufacturing. Achieving the carbon-neutral or -negative goals is addressed under two main strategies. The one-step strategy uses novel metabolic pathway design and engineering approaches to directly fix the CO2 toward the synthesis of the desired products. Due to the limitation of the yield and efficiency in one-step fixation, the two-step strategy aims to integrate firstly the electrochemical conversion of the exhausted CO2 into C1/C2 products such as formate, methanol, acetate, and ethanol, and a second fermentation process to utilize the CO2-derived C1/C2 chemicals or co-utilize C5/C6 sugars and C1/C2 chemicals for product formation. The potential and challenges of using CO2 as a feedstock for future biomanufacturing of fuels and chemicals are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elif Kurt
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA; (E.K.); (J.Q.); (A.W.)
| | - Jiansong Qin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA; (E.K.); (J.Q.); (A.W.)
| | - Alexandria Williams
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA; (E.K.); (J.Q.); (A.W.)
| | - Youbo Zhao
- Physical Sciences Inc., 20 New England Business Ctr., Andover, MA 01810, USA;
| | - Dongming Xie
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA; (E.K.); (J.Q.); (A.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhong W, Li H, Wang Y. Design and Construction of Artificial Biological Systems for One-Carbon Utilization. BIODESIGN RESEARCH 2023; 5:0021. [PMID: 37915992 PMCID: PMC10616972 DOI: 10.34133/bdr.0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The third-generation (3G) biorefinery aims to use microbial cell factories or enzymatic systems to synthesize value-added chemicals from one-carbon (C1) sources, such as CO2, formate, and methanol, fueled by renewable energies like light and electricity. This promising technology represents an important step toward sustainable development, which can help address some of the most pressing environmental challenges faced by modern society. However, to establish processes competitive with the petroleum industry, it is crucial to determine the most viable pathways for C1 utilization and productivity and yield of the target products. In this review, we discuss the progresses that have been made in constructing artificial biological systems for 3G biorefineries in the last 10 years. Specifically, we highlight the representative works on the engineering of artificial autotrophic microorganisms, tandem enzymatic systems, and chemo-bio hybrid systems for C1 utilization. We also prospect the revolutionary impact of these developments on biotechnology. By harnessing the power of 3G biorefinery, scientists are establishing a new frontier that could potentially revolutionize our approach to industrial production and pave the way for a more sustainable future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhong
- Westlake Center of Synthetic Biology and Integrated Bioengineering, School of Engineering,
Westlake University, Hangzhou 310000, PR China
| | - Hailong Li
- Westlake Center of Synthetic Biology and Integrated Bioengineering, School of Engineering,
Westlake University, Hangzhou 310000, PR China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering,
Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, PR China
| | - Yajie Wang
- Westlake Center of Synthetic Biology and Integrated Bioengineering, School of Engineering,
Westlake University, Hangzhou 310000, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Orsi E, Nikel PI, Nielsen LK, Donati S. Synergistic investigation of natural and synthetic C1-trophic microorganisms to foster a circular carbon economy. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6673. [PMID: 37865689 PMCID: PMC10590403 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42166-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
A true circular carbon economy must upgrade waste greenhouse gases. C1-based biomanufacturing is an attractive solution, in which one carbon (C1) molecules (e.g. CO2, formate, methanol, etc.) are converted by microbial cell factories into value-added goods (i.e. food, feed, and chemicals). To render C1-based biomanufacturing cost-competitive, we must adapt microbial metabolism to perform chemical conversions at high rates and yields. To this end, the biotechnology community has undertaken two (seemingly opposing) paths: optimizing natural C1-trophic microorganisms versus engineering synthetic C1-assimilation de novo in model microorganisms. Here, we pose how these approaches can instead create synergies for strengthening the competitiveness of C1-based biomanufacturing as a whole.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Orsi
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Pablo Ivan Nikel
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Lars Keld Nielsen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, 4072, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Stefano Donati
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Krüsemann JL, Rainaldi V, Cotton CA, Claassens NJ, Lindner SN. The cofactor challenge in synthetic methylotrophy: bioengineering and industrial applications. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 82:102953. [PMID: 37320962 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.102953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Methanol is a promising feedstock for industrial bioproduction: it can be produced renewably and has high solubility and limited microbial toxicity. One of the key challenges for its bio-industrial application is the first enzymatic oxidation step to formaldehyde. This reaction is catalysed by methanol dehydrogenases (MDH) that can use NAD+, O2 or pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) as an electron acceptor. While NAD-dependent MDH are simple to express and have the highest energetic efficiency, they exhibit mediocre kinetics and poor thermodynamics at ambient temperatures. O2-dependent methanol oxidases require high oxygen concentrations, do not conserve energy and thus produce excessive heat as well as toxic H2O2. PQQ-dependent MDH provide a good compromise between energy efficiency and good kinetics that support fast growth rates without any drawbacks for process engineering. Therefore, we argue that this enzyme class represents a promising solution for industry and outline engineering strategies for the implementation of these complex systems in heterologous hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan L Krüsemann
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Biochemistry, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Synthetic Metabolism, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Vittorio Rainaldi
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Nico J Claassens
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Steffen N Lindner
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Biochemistry, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|