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Matsumoto K. Toward the production of block copolymers in microbial cells: achievements and perspectives. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:164. [PMID: 38252290 PMCID: PMC10803391 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12973-8] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The microbial production of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) block copolymers has attracted research interests because they can be expected to exhibit excellent physical properties. Although post-polymerization conjugation and/or extension have been used for PHA block copolymer synthesis, the discovery of the first sequence-regulating PHA synthase, PhaCAR, enabled the direct synthesis of PHA-PHA type block copolymers in microbial cells. PhaCAR spontaneously synthesizes block copolymers from a mixture of substrates. To date, Escherichia coli and Ralstonia eutropha have been used as host strains, and therefore, sequence regulation is not a host-specific phenomenon. The monomer sequence greatly influences the physical properties of the polymer. For example, a random copolymer of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 2-hydroxybutyrate deforms plastically, while a block copolymer of approximately the same composition exhibits elastic deformation. The structure of the PHA block copolymer can be expanded by in vitro evolution of the sequence-regulating PHA synthase. An engineered variant of PhaCAR can synthesize poly(D-lactate) as a block copolymer component, which allows for greater flexibility in the molecular design of block copolymers. Therefore, creating sequence-regulating PHA synthases with a further broadened substrate range will expand the variety of properties of PHA materials. This review summarizes and discusses the sequence-regulating PHA synthase, analytical methods for verifying block sequence, properties of block copolymers, and mechanisms of sequence regulation. KEY POINTS: • Spontaneous monomer sequence regulation generates block copolymers • Poly(D-lactate) segment can be synthesized using a block copolymerization system • Block copolymers exhibit characteristic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken'ichiro Matsumoto
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kitaku, Sapporo, N13W8060-8628, Japan.
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Hildenbrand JC, Sprenger GA, Teleki A, Takors R, Jendrossek D. Polyphosphate Kinases Phosphorylate Thiamine Phosphates. Microb Physiol 2022; 33:1-11. [PMID: 36041408 DOI: 10.1159/000526662] [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: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Polyphosphate kinases (PPKs) catalyze the reversible transfer of the γ-phosphate moiety of ATP (or of another nucleoside triphosphate) to a growing chain of polyphosphate (polyP). In this study, we describe that PPKs of various sources are additionally able to phosphorylate thiamine diphosphate (ThP2) to produce thiamine triphosphate (ThP3) and even thiamine tetraphosphate in vitro using polyP as phosphate donor. Furthermore, all tested PPK2s, but not PPK1s, were able to phosphorylate thiamine monophosphate (ThP1) to ThP2 and ThP3 although at low efficiency. The predicted masses and identities of the mono- and oligo-phosphorylated thiamine metabolites were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Moreover, the biological activity of ThP2, that was synthesized by phosphorylation of ThP1 with polyP and PPK, as a cofactor of ThP2-dependent enzymes (here transketolase TktA from Escherichia coli) was confirmed in a coupled enzyme assay. Our study shows that PPKs are promiscuous enzymes in vitro that could be involved in the formation of a variety of phosphorylated metabolites in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Georg A Sprenger
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Attila Teleki
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Ralf Takors
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Dieter Jendrossek
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
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Neville N, Roberge N, Jia Z. Polyphosphate Kinase 2 (PPK2) Enzymes: Structure, Function, and Roles in Bacterial Physiology and Virulence. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020670. [PMID: 35054854 PMCID: PMC8776046 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) has been implicated in an astonishing array of biological functions, ranging from phosphorus storage to molecular chaperone activity to bacterial virulence. In bacteria, polyP is synthesized by polyphosphate kinase (PPK) enzymes, which are broadly subdivided into two families: PPK1 and PPK2. While both enzyme families are capable of catalyzing polyP synthesis, PPK1s preferentially synthesize polyP from nucleoside triphosphates, and PPK2s preferentially consume polyP to phosphorylate nucleoside mono- or diphosphates. Importantly, many pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii encode at least one of each PPK1 and PPK2, suggesting these enzymes may be attractive targets for antibacterial drugs. Although the majority of bacterial polyP studies to date have focused on PPK1s, PPK2 enzymes have also begun to emerge as important regulators of bacterial physiology and downstream virulence. In this review, we specifically examine the contributions of PPK2s to bacterial polyP homeostasis. Beginning with a survey of the structures and functions of biochemically characterized PPK2s, we summarize the roles of PPK2s in the bacterial cell, with a particular emphasis on virulence phenotypes. Furthermore, we outline recent progress on developing drugs that inhibit PPK2 enzymes and discuss this strategy as a novel means of combatting bacterial infections.
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Kageyama Y, Tomita H, Isono T, Satoh T, Matsumoto K. Artificial polyhydroxyalkanoate poly[2-hydroxybutyrate-block-3-hydroxybutyrate] elastomer-like material. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22446. [PMID: 34789822 PMCID: PMC8599675 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01828-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The first polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) block copolymer poly(2-hydroxybutyrate-b-3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(2HB-b-3HB)] was previously synthesized using engineered Escherichia coli expressing a chimeric PHA synthase PhaCAR with monomer sequence-regulating capacity. In the present study, the physical properties of the block copolymer and its relevant random copolymer P(2HB-ran-3HB) were evaluated. Stress-strain tests on the P(88 mol% 2HB-b-3HB) film showed an increasing stress value during elongation up to 393%. In addition, the block copolymer film exhibited slow contraction behavior after elongation, indicating that P(2HB-b-3HB) is an elastomer-like material. In contrast, the P(92 mol% 2HB-ran-3HB) film, which was stretched up to 692% with nearly constant stress, was stretchable but not elastic. The differential scanning calorimetry and wide-angle X-ray diffraction analyses indicated that the P(2HB-b-3HB) contained the amorphous P(2HB) phase and the crystalline P(3HB) phase, whereas P(2HB-ran-3HB) was wholly amorphous. Therefore, the elasticity of P(2HB-b-3HB) can be attributed to the presence of the crystalline P(3HB) phase and a noncovalent crosslinked structure by the crystals. These results show the potential of block PHAs as elastic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Kageyama
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, N13W8, Kitaku, Sapporo, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Hiroya Tomita
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, N13W8, Kitaku, Sapporo, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Takuya Isono
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, N13W8, Kitaku, Sapporo, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Satoh
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, N13W8, Kitaku, Sapporo, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Ken'ichiro Matsumoto
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, N13W8, Kitaku, Sapporo, 060-8628, Japan.
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Rosigkeit H, Kneißle L, Obruča S, Jendrossek D. The Multiple Roles of Polyphosphate in Ralstonia eutropha and Other Bacteria. Microb Physiol 2021; 31:163-177. [PMID: 34015783 DOI: 10.1159/000515741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
An astonishing variety of functions has been attributed to polyphosphate (polyP) in prokaryotes. Besides being a reservoir of phosphorus, functions in exopolysaccharide formation, motility, virulence and in surviving various forms of stresses such as exposure to heat, extreme pH, oxidative agents, high osmolarity, heavy metals and others have been ascribed to polyP. In this contribution, we will provide a historical overview on polyP, will then describe the key proteins of polyP synthesis, the polyP kinases, before we will critically assess of the underlying data on the multiple functions of polyP and provide evidence that - with the exception of a P-storage-function - most other functions of polyP are not relevant for survival of Ralstonia eutropha, a biotechnologically important beta-proteobacterial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Rosigkeit
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Lea Kneißle
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Stanislav Obruča
- Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czechia
| | - Dieter Jendrossek
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
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Frank C, Teleki A, Jendrossek D. Characterization of Agrobacterium tumefaciens PPKs reveals the formation of oligophosphorylated products up to nucleoside nona-phosphates. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:9683-9692. [PMID: 33025129 PMCID: PMC7595981 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10891-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Agrobacterium tumefaciens synthesizes polyphosphate (polyP) in the form of one or two polyP granules per cell during growth. The A. tumefaciens genome codes for two polyphosphate kinase genes, ppk1AT and ppk2AT, of which only ppk1AT is essential for polyP granule formation in vivo. Biochemical characterization of the purified PPK1AT and PPK2AT proteins revealed a higher substrate specificity of PPK1AT (in particular for adenine nucleotides) than for PPK2AT. In contrast, PPK2AT accepted all nucleotides at comparable rates. Most interestingly, PPK2AT catalyzed also the formation of tetra-, penta-, hexa-, hepta-, and octa-phosphorylated nucleosides from guanine, cytosine, desoxy-thymidine, and uridine nucleotides and even nona-phosphorylated adenosine. Our data-in combination with in vivo results-suggest that PPK1AT is important for the formation of polyP whereas PPK2AT has the function to replenish nucleoside triphosphate pools during times of enhanced demand. The potential physiological function(s) of the detected oligophosphorylated nucleotides await clarification. KEY POINTS: •PPK1AT and PPK2AT have different substrate specificities, •PPK2AT is a subgroup 1 member of PPK2s, •PPK2AT catalyzes the formation of polyphosphorylated nucleosides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celina Frank
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Attila Teleki
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Dieter Jendrossek
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Hildenbrand JC, Teleki A, Jendrossek D. A universal polyphosphate kinase: PPK2c of Ralstonia eutropha accepts purine and pyrimidine nucleotides including uridine diphosphate. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:6659-6667. [PMID: 32500270 PMCID: PMC7347700 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10706-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Polyphosphosphate kinases (PPKs) catalyse the reversible transfer of the γ-phosphate group of a nucleoside-triphosphate to a growing chain of polyphosphate. Most known PPKs are specific for ATP, but some can also use GTP as a phosphate donor. In this study, we describe the properties of a PPK2-type PPK of the β-proteobacterium Ralstonia eutropha. The purified enzyme (PPK2c) is highly unspecific and accepts purine nucleotides as well as the pyridine nucleotides including UTP as substrates. The presence of a polyP primer is not necessary for activity. The corresponding nucleoside diphosphates and microscopically detectable polyphosphate granules were identified as reaction products. PPK2c also catalyses the formation of ATP, GTP, CTP, dTTP and UTP from the corresponding nucleoside diphosphates, if polyP is present as a phosphate donor. Remarkably, the nucleoside-tetraphosphates AT(4)P, GT(4)P, CT(4)P, dTT(4)P and UT(4)P were also detected in substantial amounts. The low nucleotide specificity of PPK2c predestines this enzyme in combination with polyP to become a powerful tool for the regeneration of ATP and other nucleotides in biotechnological applications. As an example, PPK2c and polyP were used to replace ATP and to fuel the hexokinase-catalysed phosphorylation of glucose with only catalytic amounts of ADP. KEY POINTS: • PPK2c of R. eutropha can be used for regeneration of any NTP or dNTP. • PPK2c is highly unspecific and accepts all purine and pyrimidine nucleotides. • PPK2c forms polyphosphate granules in vitro from any NTP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennie C Hildenbrand
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Attila Teleki
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Dieter Jendrossek
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Qiang Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology (CSSB), Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Ann-Christine Albertsson
- Department of Fiber and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
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