1
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Yang Z, Li B, Bu R, Wang Z, Xin Z, Li Z, Zhang L, Wang W. A highly efficient method for genomic deletion across diverse lengths in thermophilic Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius. Synth Syst Biotechnol 2024; 9:658-666. [PMID: 38817825 PMCID: PMC11137367 DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2024.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius is emerging as a highly promising thermophilic organism for metabolic engineering. The utilization of CRISPR-Cas technologies has facilitated programmable genetic manipulation in P. thermoglucosidasius. However, the absence of thermostable NHEJ enzymes limited the capability of the endogenous type I CRISPR-Cas system to generate a variety of extensive genomic deletions. Here, two thermophilic NHEJ enzymes were identified and combined with the endogenous type I CRISPR-Cas system to develop a genetic manipulation tool that can achieve long-range genomic deletion across various lengths. By optimizing this tool-through adjusting the expression level of NHEJ enzymes and leveraging our discovery of a negative correlation between GC content of the guide RNA (gRNA) and deletion efficacy-we streamlined a comprehensive gRNA selection manual for whole-genome editing, achieving a 100 % success rate in randomly selecting gRNAs. Notably, using just one gRNA, we achieved genomic deletions spanning diverse length, exceeding 200 kilobases. This tool will facilitate the genomic manipulation of P. thermoglucosidasius for both fundamental research and applied engineering studies, further unlocking its potential as a thermophilic cell factory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiheng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Bixiao Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic/Electrophotonic Conversion Materials, Key Laboratory of Cluster Science, Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for High Energy Material, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Ruihong Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zhengduo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenguo Xin
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zilong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Lixin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Weishan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
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2
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van Rosmalen R, Moreno-Paz S, Duman-Özdamar Z, Suarez-Diez M. CFSA: Comparative flux sampling analysis as a guide for strain design. Metab Eng Commun 2024; 19:e00244. [PMID: 39072282 PMCID: PMC11283130 DOI: 10.1016/j.mec.2024.e00244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Genome-scale metabolic models of microbial metabolism have extensively been used to guide the design of microbial cell factories, still, many of the available strain design algorithms often fail to produce a reduced list of targets for improved performance that can be implemented and validated in a step-wise manner. We present Comparative Flux Sampling Analysis (CFSA), a strain design method based on the extensive comparison of complete metabolic spaces corresponding to maximal or near-maximal growth and production phenotypes. The comparison is complemented by statistical analysis to identify reactions with altered flux that are suggested as targets for genetic interventions including up-regulations, down-regulations and gene deletions. We applied CFSA to the production of lipids by Cutaneotrichosporon oleaginosus and naringenin by Saccharomyces cerevisiae identifying engineering targets in agreement with previous studies as well as new interventions. CFSA is an easy-to-use, robust method that suggests potential metabolic engineering targets for growth-uncoupled production that can be applied to the design of microbial cell factories.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Z.E. Duman-Özdamar
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Stippeneng 4 6708 WE Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - M. Suarez-Diez
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Stippeneng 4 6708 WE Wageningen, the Netherlands
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3
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Mao J, Zhang H, Chen Y, Wei L, Liu J, Nielsen J, Chen Y, Xu N. Relieving metabolic burden to improve robustness and bioproduction by industrial microorganisms. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 74:108401. [PMID: 38944217 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108401] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic burden is defined by the influence of genetic manipulation and environmental perturbations on the distribution of cellular resources. The rewiring of microbial metabolism for bio-based chemical production often leads to a metabolic burden, followed by adverse physiological effects, such as impaired cell growth and low product yields. Alleviating the burden imposed by undesirable metabolic changes has become an increasingly attractive approach for constructing robust microbial cell factories. In this review, we provide a brief overview of metabolic burden engineering, focusing specifically on recent developments and strategies for diminishing the burden while improving robustness and yield. A variety of examples are presented to showcase the promise of metabolic burden engineering in facilitating the design and construction of robust microbial cell factories. Finally, challenges and limitations encountered in metabolic burden engineering are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwei Mao
- Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, SE412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hongyu Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, PR China; College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Yu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Liang Wei
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, PR China
| | - Jun Liu
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, PR China; Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, PR China
| | - Jens Nielsen
- Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, SE412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden; BioInnovation Institute, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, DK2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, SE412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden; Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, DK2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Ning Xu
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, PR China; College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China; Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, PR China.
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4
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Moon JH, Nam S, Jeung K, Noh MH, Jung GY. Biosensor-Assisted Engineering for Diverse Microbial Cellular Physiologies. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:18321-18334. [PMID: 39107094 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c04619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
Recent advancements in biosensor technology have revolutionized the field of microbial engineering, enabling efficient and precise optimization of strains for the production of valuable chemicals. This review comprehensively explores the innovative integration of biosensors to enhance microbial cell factories, with a particular emphasis on the crucial role of high-throughput biosensor-assisted screening. Biosensor-assisted approaches have enabled the identification of novel transporters, the elucidation of underlying transport mechanisms, and the fine-tuning of metabolic pathways for enhanced production. Furthermore, this review illustrates the utilization of biosensors for manipulating cellular behaviors, including interactions with environmental factors, and the reduction of nongenetic cell-to-cell variations. This review highlights the indispensable role of biosensors in advancing the field of microbial engineering through the modulation and exploitation of diverse cellular physiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo Hyun Moon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, Korea
| | - Sunghyun Nam
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, Korea
| | - Kumyoung Jeung
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, Korea
| | - Myung Hyun Noh
- Research Center for Bio-based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), 406-30, Jongga-ro, Jung-gu, Ulsan 44429, Korea
| | - Gyoo Yeol Jung
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, Korea
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, Korea
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5
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Rosch T, Tenhaef J, Stoltmann T, Redeker T, Kösters D, Hollmann N, Krumbach K, Wiechert W, Bott M, Matamouros S, Marienhagen J, Noack S. AutoBioTech─A Versatile Biofoundry for Automated Strain Engineering. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:2227-2237. [PMID: 38975718 PMCID: PMC11264319 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00298] [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: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
The inevitable transition from petrochemical production processes to renewable alternatives has sparked the emergence of biofoundries in recent years. Manual engineering of microbes will not be sufficient to meet the ever-increasing demand for novel producer strains. Here we describe the AutoBioTech platform, a fully automated laboratory system with 14 devices to perform operations for strain construction without human interaction. Using modular workflows, this platform enables automated transformations of Escherichia coli with plasmids assembled via modular cloning. A CRISPR/Cas9 toolbox compatible with existing modular cloning frameworks allows automated and flexible genome editing of E. coli. In addition, novel workflows have been established for the fully automated transformation of the Gram-positive model organism Corynebacterium glutamicum by conjugation and electroporation, with the latter proving to be the more robust technique. Overall, the AutoBioTech platform excels at versatility due to the modularity of workflows and seamless transitions between modules. This will accelerate strain engineering of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias
Michael Rosch
- Institute
of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Julia Tenhaef
- Institute
of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Tim Stoltmann
- Institute
of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Till Redeker
- Institute
of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Dominic Kösters
- Institute
of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany
- Institute
of Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 3, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Niels Hollmann
- Institute
of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany
- Institute
of Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 3, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Karin Krumbach
- Institute
of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wiechert
- Institute
of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Michael Bott
- Institute
of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany
- The
Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC), Forschungszentrum
Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Susana Matamouros
- Institute
of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Jan Marienhagen
- Institute
of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany
- Institute
of Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 3, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Stephan Noack
- Institute
of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany
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6
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Zhu Q, Wang S, Fu G, Guo F, Huang W, Zhang T, Dong H, Jin Z, Zhang D. Highly flexible cell membranes are the key to efficient production of lipophilic compounds. J Lipid Res 2024; 65:100597. [PMID: 39029799 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2024.100597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Lipophilic compounds have a variety of positive effects on human physiological functions and exhibit good effects in the prevention and treatment of clinical diseases. This has led to significant interest in the technical applications of synthetic biology for the production of lipophilic compounds. However, the strict selective permeability of the cell membrane and the hydrophobic nature of lipophilic compounds pose significant challenges to their production. During fermentation, lipophilic compounds tend to accumulate within cell membrane compartments rather than being secreted extracellularly. The toxic effects of excessive lipophilic compound accumulation can threaten cell viability, while the limited space within the cell membrane restricts further increases in production yield. Consequently, to achieve efficient production of lipophilic compounds, research is increasingly focused on constructing robust and multifunctional microbial cell factories. Utilizing membrane engineering techniques to construct highly flexible cell membranes is considered an effective strategy to break through the upper limit of lipophilic compound production. Currently, there are two main approaches to cell membrane modification: constructing artificial storage compartments for lipophilic compounds and engineering the cell membrane structure to facilitate product outflow. This review summarizes recent cell membrane engineering strategies applied in microbial cell factories for the production of liposoluble compounds, discussing the challenges and future prospects. These strategies enhance membrane flexibility and effectively promote the production of liposoluble compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyao Zhu
- School of Biological Engineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China; Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Sijia Wang
- School of Biological Engineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China; Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Gang Fu
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China; Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China; National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China.
| | - Fengming Guo
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Tengyue Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Huina Dong
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China; Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China; National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhaoxia Jin
- School of Biological Engineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China.
| | - Dawei Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China; Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China; National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China.
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7
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Severinsen MM, Bachleitner S, Modenese V, Ata Ö, Mattanovich D. Efficient production of itaconic acid from the single-carbon substrate methanol with engineered Komagataella phaffii. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2024; 17:98. [PMID: 39010147 PMCID: PMC11251334 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-024-02541-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amidst the escalating carbon dioxide levels resulting from fossil fuel consumption, there is a pressing need for sustainable, bio-based alternatives to underpin future global economies. Single-carbon feedstocks, derived from CO2, represent promising substrates for biotechnological applications. Especially, methanol is gaining prominence for bio-production of commodity chemicals. RESULTS In this study, we show the potential of Komagataella phaffii as a production platform for itaconic acid using methanol as the carbon source. Successful integration of heterologous genes from Aspergillus terreus (cadA, mttA and mfsA) alongside fine-tuning of the mfsA gene expression, led to promising initial itaconic acid titers of 28 g·L-1 after 5 days of fed-batch cultivation. Through the combined efforts of process optimization and strain engineering strategies, we further boosted the itaconic acid production reaching titers of 55 g·L-1 after less than 5 days of methanol feed, while increasing the product yield on methanol from 0.06 g·g-1 to 0.24 g·g-1. CONCLUSION Our results highlight the potential of K. phaffii as a methanol-based platform organism for sustainable biochemical production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manja Mølgaard Severinsen
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, BOKU University, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simone Bachleitner
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, BOKU University, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Viola Modenese
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, BOKU University, 1190, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Özge Ata
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, BOKU University, 1190, Vienna, Austria
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Diethard Mattanovich
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, BOKU University, 1190, Vienna, Austria.
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, 1190, Vienna, Austria.
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8
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Jones EM, Marken JP, Silver PA. Synthetic microbiology in sustainability applications. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024; 22:345-359. [PMID: 38253793 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-023-01007-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Microorganisms are a promising means to address many societal sustainability challenges owing to their ability to thrive in diverse environments and interface with the microscale chemical world via diverse metabolic capacities. Synthetic biology can engineer microorganisms by rewiring their regulatory networks or introducing new functionalities, enhancing their utility for target applications. In this Review, we provide a broad, high-level overview of various research efforts addressing sustainability challenges through synthetic biology, emphasizing foundational microbiological research questions that can accelerate the development of these efforts. We introduce an organizational framework that categorizes these efforts along three domains - factory, farm and field - that are defined by the extent to which the engineered microorganisms interface with the natural external environment. Different application areas within the same domain share many fundamental challenges, highlighting productive opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaborations between researchers working in historically disparate fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan M Jones
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John P Marken
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Resnick Sustainability Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Pamela A Silver
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
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9
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Son SH, Kang J, Shin Y, Lee C, Sung BH, Lee JY, Lee W. Sustainable production of natural products using synthetic biology: Ginsenosides. J Ginseng Res 2024; 48:140-148. [PMID: 38465212 PMCID: PMC10920010 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2023.12.006] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Synthetic biology approaches offer potential for large-scale and sustainable production of natural products with bioactive potency, including ginsenosides, providing a means to produce novel compounds with enhanced therapeutic properties. Ginseng, known for its non-toxic and potent qualities in traditional medicine, has been used for various medical needs. Ginseng has shown promise for its antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, and it has been used as a potential agent to boost immunity against various infections when used together with other drugs and vaccines. Given the increasing demand for ginsenosides and the challenges associated with traditional extraction methods, synthetic biology holds promise in the development of therapeutics. In this review, we discuss recent developments in microorganism producer engineering and ginsenoside production in microorganisms using synthetic biology approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- So-Hee Son
- Research Center for Bio-Based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Kang
- Synthetic Biology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Biosystems and Bioengineering Program, Korea National University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - YuJin Shin
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - ChaeYoung Lee
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong Hyun Sung
- Synthetic Biology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Biosystems and Bioengineering Program, Korea National University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Engineering Biology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Young Lee
- Research Center for Bio-Based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonsik Lee
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
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10
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Smith JJ, Valentino TR, Ablicki AH, Banerjee R, Colligan AR, Eckert DM, Desjardins GA, Diehl KL. A genetically-encoded fluorescent biosensor for visualization of acetyl-CoA in live cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.12.31.573774. [PMID: 38260544 PMCID: PMC10802309 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.31.573774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Acetyl-coenzyme A is a central metabolite that participates in many cellular pathways. Evidence suggests that acetyl-CoA production and consumption are highly compartmentalized in mammalian cells. Yet methods to measure acetyl-CoA in living cells are lacking. In this work, we engineer an acetyl-CoA biosensor from the bacterial protein PanZ and circularly permuted green fluorescent protein (cpGFP). We biochemically characterize the sensor and demonstrate its selectivity for acetyl-CoA over other CoA species. We then deploy the biosensor in E. coli and HeLa cells to demonstrate its utility in living cells. In E. coli, we show that the biosensor enables detection of rapid changes in acetyl-CoA levels. In human cells, we show that the biosensor enables subcellular detection and reveals the compartmentalization of acetyl-CoA metabolism.
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11
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Guo H, Chen T, Zhu H, Wang H, Huo YX. Engineering amino acid residues of pentacyclic triterpene synthases for improving the activity. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:195. [PMID: 38324205 PMCID: PMC10850208 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13030-8] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Pentacyclic triterpenoids exhibit a wide range of biological activities which have wide applications in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. High-performance chassis strains have been developed for the production of various pentacyclic triterpenoids, e.g., lupane-type and oleanane-type triterpenoids. The production of common pentacyclic triterpenes and their derivatives is limited by the poor activity of typical pentacyclic triterpene synthases (PTSs). However, a general strategy applicable to typical PTSs is still lacking. As typical pentacyclic triterpenes are derived from the baccharenyl cation, engineering the non-active-site residues in the MXXXXR motif might be beneficial for the catalytic efficiencies of typical PTSs by the stabilization of the baccharenyl cation. Here, we develop a general strategy for improving the activity of typical PTSs. As a proof of concept, the activity of three PTSs such as lupeol synthase, β-amyrin synthase, and α-amyrin synthases was significantly increased up to 7.3-fold by site-directed saturation mutagenesis. This strategy could be applied to improve the activity of various typical PTSs. KEY POINTS: • The strategy could be applied to typical PTSs for improving the activity. • The catalytic activity of typical PTSs was significantly increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Guo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, No. 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Tongtong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, No. 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Hanrong Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, No. 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Huiyan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, No. 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yi-Xin Huo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, No. 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Beijing, 100081, China.
- Beijing Institute of Technology (Tangshan), Translational Research Center, Hebei, China.
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12
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Su Y, Mangus AM, Cordell WT, Pfleger BF. Overcoming barriers to medium-chain fatty alcohol production. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 85:103063. [PMID: 38219523 PMCID: PMC10922944 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103063] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Medium-chain fatty alcohols (mcFaOHs) are aliphatic primary alcohols containing six to twelve carbons that are widely used in materials, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Microbial biosynthesis has been touted as a route to less-abundant chain-length molecules and as a sustainable alternative to current petrochemical processes. Several metabolic engineering strategies for producing mcFaOHs have been demonstrated in the literature, yet processes continue to suffer from poor selectivity and mcFaOH toxicity, leading to reduced titers, rates, and yields of the desired compounds. This opinion examines the current state of microbial mcFaOH biosynthesis, summarizing engineering efforts to tailor selectivity and improve product tolerance by implementing engineering strategies that circumvent or overcome mcFaOH toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Su
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Anna M Mangus
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - William T Cordell
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Brian F Pfleger
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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13
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Gupta A, Kang K, Pathania R, Saxton L, Saucedo B, Malik A, Torres-Tiji Y, Diaz CJ, Dutra Molino JV, Mayfield SP. Harnessing genetic engineering to drive economic bioproduct production in algae. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1350722. [PMID: 38347913 PMCID: PMC10859422 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1350722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Our reliance on agriculture for sustenance, healthcare, and resources has been essential since the dawn of civilization. However, traditional agricultural practices are no longer adequate to meet the demands of a burgeoning population amidst climate-driven agricultural challenges. Microalgae emerge as a beacon of hope, offering a sustainable and renewable source of food, animal feed, and energy. Their rapid growth rates, adaptability to non-arable land and non-potable water, and diverse bioproduct range, encompassing biofuels and nutraceuticals, position them as a cornerstone of future resource management. Furthermore, microalgae's ability to capture carbon aligns with environmental conservation goals. While microalgae offers significant benefits, obstacles in cost-effective biomass production persist, which curtails broader application. This review examines microalgae compared to other host platforms, highlighting current innovative approaches aimed at overcoming existing barriers. These approaches include a range of techniques, from gene editing, synthetic promoters, and mutagenesis to selective breeding and metabolic engineering through transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Gupta
- Mayfield Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Kalisa Kang
- Mayfield Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Ruchi Pathania
- Mayfield Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Lisa Saxton
- Mayfield Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Barbara Saucedo
- Mayfield Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Ashleyn Malik
- Mayfield Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Yasin Torres-Tiji
- Mayfield Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Crisandra J. Diaz
- Mayfield Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - João Vitor Dutra Molino
- Mayfield Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Stephen P. Mayfield
- Mayfield Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- California Center for Algae Biotechnology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
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14
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Peng B, Weintraub SJ, Lu Z, Evans S, Shen Q, McDonnell L, Plan M, Collier T, Cheah LC, Ji L, Howard CB, Anderson W, Trau M, Dumsday G, Bredeweg EL, Young EM, Speight R, Vickers CE. Integration of Yeast Episomal/Integrative Plasmid Causes Genotypic and Phenotypic Diversity and Improved Sesquiterpene Production in Metabolically Engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:141-156. [PMID: 38084917 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00363] [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: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The variability in phenotypic outcomes among biological replicates in engineered microbial factories presents a captivating mystery. Establishing the association between phenotypic variability and genetic drivers is important to solve this intricate puzzle. We applied a previously developed auxin-inducible depletion of hexokinase 2 as a metabolic engineering strategy for improved nerolidol production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and biological replicates exhibit a dichotomy in nerolidol production of either 3.5 or 2.5 g L-1 nerolidol. Harnessing Oxford Nanopore's long-read genomic sequencing, we reveal a potential genetic cause─the chromosome integration of a 2μ sequence-based yeast episomal plasmid, encoding the expression cassettes for nerolidol synthetic enzymes. This finding was reinforced through chromosome integration revalidation, engineering nerolidol and valencene production strains, and generating a diverse pool of yeast clones, each uniquely fingerprinted by gene copy numbers, plasmid integrations, other genomic rearrangements, protein expression levels, growth rate, and target product productivities. Τhe best clone in two strains produced 3.5 g L-1 nerolidol and ∼0.96 g L-1 valencene. Comparable genotypic and phenotypic variations were also generated through the integration of a yeast integrative plasmid lacking 2μ sequences. Our work shows that multiple factors, including plasmid integration status, subchromosomal location, gene copy number, sesquiterpene synthase expression level, and genome rearrangement, together play a complicated determinant role on the productivities of sesquiterpene product. Integration of yeast episomal/integrative plasmids may be used as a versatile method for increasing the diversity and optimizing the efficiency of yeast cell factories, thereby uncovering metabolic control mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingyin Peng
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
- Centre of Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sarah J Weintraub
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609, United States of America
| | - Zeyu Lu
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
- Centre of Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Samuel Evans
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
- Centre of Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Qianyi Shen
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
- Centre of Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences (SCMB), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| | - Liam McDonnell
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
- Centre of Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Manuel Plan
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Metabolomics Australia (Queensland Node), Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Thomas Collier
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Li Chen Cheah
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Lei Ji
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Ecology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250103, PR China
| | - Christopher B Howard
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Will Anderson
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Matt Trau
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences (SCMB), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| | | | - Erin L Bredeweg
- Functional and Systems Biology Group, Environmental Molecular Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Eric M Young
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609, United States
| | - Robert Speight
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
- Centre of Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Advanced Engineering Biology Future Science Platform, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Black Mountain, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Claudia E Vickers
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
- Centre of Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
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15
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Hassan Z, Westerhoff HV. Arsenic Contamination of Groundwater Is Determined by Complex Interactions between Various Chemical and Biological Processes. TOXICS 2024; 12:89. [PMID: 38276724 PMCID: PMC11154318 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12010089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
At a great many locations worldwide, the safety of drinking water is not assured due to pollution with arsenic. Arsenic toxicity is a matter of both systems chemistry and systems biology: it is determined by complex and intertwined networks of chemical reactions in the inanimate environment, in microbes in that environment, and in the human body. We here review what is known about these networks and their interconnections. We then discuss how consideration of the systems aspects of arsenic levels in groundwater may open up new avenues towards the realization of safer drinking water. Along such avenues, both geochemical and microbiological conditions can optimize groundwater microbial ecology vis-à-vis reduced arsenic toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahid Hassan
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, A-Life, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Jagannath University, Dhaka 1100, Bangladesh
| | - Hans V. Westerhoff
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, A-Life, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
- Synthetic Systems Biology and Nuclear Organization, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Stellenbosch Institute of Advanced Studies (STIAS), Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
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16
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Chadha A, Padhi SK, Stella S, Venkataraman S, Saravanan T. Microbial alcohol dehydrogenases: recent developments and applications in asymmetric synthesis. Org Biomol Chem 2024; 22:228-251. [PMID: 38050738 DOI: 10.1039/d3ob01447a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol dehydrogenases are a well-known group of enzymes in the class of oxidoreductases that use electron transfer cofactors such as NAD(P)+/NAD(P)H for oxidation or reduction reactions of alcohols or carbonyl compounds respectively. These enzymes are utilized mainly as purified enzymes and offer some advantages in terms of green chemistry. They are environmentally friendly and a sustainable alternative to traditional chemical synthesis of bulk and fine chemicals. Industry has implemented several whole-cell biocatalytic processes to synthesize pharmaceutically active ingredients by exploring the high selectivity of enzymes. Unlike the whole cell system where cofactor regeneration is well conserved within the cellular environment, purified enzymes require additional cofactors or a cofactor recycling system in the reaction, even though cleaner reactions can be carried out with fewer downstream work-up problems. The challenge of producing purified enzymes in large quantities has been solved in large part by the use of recombinant enzymes. Most importantly, recombinant enzymes find applications in many cascade biotransformations to produce several important chiral precursors. Inevitably, several dehydrogenases were engineered as mere recombinant enzymes could not meet the industrial requirements for substrate and stereoselectivity. In recent years, a significant number of engineered alcohol dehydrogenases have been employed in asymmetric synthesis in industry. In a parallel development, several enzymatic and non-enzymatic methods have been established for regenerating expensive cofactors (NAD+/NADP+) to make the overall enzymatic process more efficient and economically viable. In this review article, recent developments and applications of microbial alcohol dehydrogenases are summarized by emphasizing notable examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anju Chadha
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, 600 036, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Santosh Kumar Padhi
- Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500 046, Telangana, India.
| | - Selvaraj Stella
- Department of Chemistry, Sarah Tucker College (Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University), Tirunelveli-627007, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Sowmyalakshmi Venkataraman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Pharmacy, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research, Chennai, 600116, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Thangavelu Saravanan
- School of Chemistry, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500 046, Telangana, India.
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17
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Teng Y, Jiang T, Yan Y. The expanded CRISPR toolbox for constructing microbial cell factories. Trends Biotechnol 2024; 42:104-118. [PMID: 37500408 PMCID: PMC10808275 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Microbial cell factories (MCFs) convert low-cost carbon sources into valuable compounds. The CRISPR/Cas9 system has revolutionized MCF construction as a remarkable genome editing tool with unprecedented programmability. Recently, the CRISPR toolbox has been significantly expanded through the exploration of new CRISPR systems, the engineering of Cas effectors, and the incorporation of other effectors, enabling multi-level regulation and gene editing free of double-strand breaks. This expanded CRISPR toolbox powerfully promotes MCF construction by facilitating pathway construction, enzyme engineering, flux redistribution, and metabolic burden control. In this article, we summarize different CRISPR tool designs and their applications in MCF construction for gene editing, transcriptional regulation, and enzyme modulation. Finally, we also discuss future perspectives for the development and application of the CRISPR toolbox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxi Teng
- School of Chemical, Materials and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Tian Jiang
- School of Chemical, Materials and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Yajun Yan
- School of Chemical, Materials and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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18
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Ba F, Zhang Y, Ji X, Liu WQ, Ling S, Li J. Expanding the toolbox of probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 for synthetic biology. Biotechnol J 2024; 19:e2300327. [PMID: 37800393 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202300327] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) is a probiotic microbe that has the potential to be developed as a promising chassis for synthetic biology applications. However, the molecular tools and techniques for utilizing EcN remain to be further explored. To address this opportunity, the EcN-based toolbox was systematically expanded, enabling EcN as a powerful platform for more applications. First, two EcN cryptic plasmids and other compatible plasmids were genetically engineered to enrich the manipulable plasmid toolbox for multiple gene coexpression. Next, two EcN-based technologies were developed, including the conjugation strategy for DNA transfer, and quantification of protein expression capability. Finally, the EcN-based applications were further expanded by developing EcN native integrase-mediated genetic engineering and establishing an in vitro cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) system. Overall, this study expanded the toolbox for manipulating and making full use of EcN as a commonly used probiotic chassis, providing several simplified, dependable, and predictable strategies for researchers working in synthetic biology fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Ba
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yufei Zhang
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangyang Ji
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wan-Qiu Liu
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengjie Ling
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Li
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
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19
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Su B, Deng MR, Zhu H. Advances in the Discovery and Engineering of Gene Targets for Carotenoid Biosynthesis in Recombinant Strains. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1747. [PMID: 38136618 PMCID: PMC10742120 DOI: 10.3390/biom13121747] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Carotenoids are naturally occurring pigments that are abundant in the natural world. Due to their excellent antioxidant attributes, carotenoids are widely utilized in various industries, including the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic industries, and others. Plants, algae, and microorganisms are presently the main sources for acquiring natural carotenoids. However, due to the swift progress in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, along with the continuous and thorough investigation of carotenoid biosynthetic pathways, recombinant strains have emerged as promising candidates to produce carotenoids. The identification and manipulation of gene targets that influence the accumulation of the desired products is a crucial challenge in the construction and metabolic regulation of recombinant strains. In this review, we provide an overview of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway, followed by a summary of the methodologies employed in the discovery of gene targets associated with carotenoid production. Furthermore, we focus on discussing the gene targets that have shown potential to enhance carotenoid production. To facilitate future research, we categorize these gene targets based on their capacity to attain elevated levels of carotenoid production.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ming-Rong Deng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application (MARA), Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiome (MARA), State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China;
| | - Honghui Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application (MARA), Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiome (MARA), State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China;
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20
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Sokolova N, Peng B, Haslinger K. Design and engineering of artificial biosynthetic pathways-where do we stand and where do we go? FEBS Lett 2023; 597:2897-2907. [PMID: 37777818 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14745] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
The production of commodity and specialty chemicals relies heavily on fossil fuels. The negative impact of this dependency on our environment and climate has spurred a rising demand for more sustainable methods to obtain such chemicals from renewable resources. Herein, biotransformations of these renewable resources facilitated by enzymes or (micro)organisms have gained significant attention, since they can occur under mild conditions and reduce waste. These biotransformations typically leverage natural metabolic processes, which limits the scope and production capacity of such processes. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of advancements made in the past 5 years to expand the repertoire of biotransformations in engineered microorganisms. This ranges from redesign of existing pathways driven by retrobiosynthesis and computational design to directed evolution of enzymes and de novo pathway design to unlock novel routes for the synthesis of desired chemicals. We highlight notable examples of pathway designs for the production of commodity and specialty chemicals, showcasing the potential of these approaches. Lastly, we provide an outlook on future pathway design approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nika Sokolova
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bo Peng
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kristina Haslinger
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
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21
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Valenzuela-Ortega M, Suitor JT, White MFM, Hinchcliffe T, Wallace S. Microbial Upcycling of Waste PET to Adipic Acid. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2023; 9:2057-2063. [PMID: 38033806 PMCID: PMC10683474 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.3c00414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Microorganisms can be genetically engineered to transform abundant waste feedstocks into value-added small molecules that would otherwise be manufactured from diminishing fossil resources. Herein, we report the first one-pot bio-upcycling of PET plastic waste into the prolific platform petrochemical and nylon precursor adipic acid in the bacterium Escherichia coli. Optimizing heterologous gene expression and enzyme activity enabled increased flux through the de novo pathway, and immobilization of whole cells in alginate hydrogels increased the stability of the rate-limiting enoate reductase BcER. The pathway enzymes were also interfaced with hydrogen gas generated by engineered E. coli DD-2 in combination with a biocompatible Pd catalyst to enable adipic acid synthesis from metabolic cis,cis-muconic acid. Together, these optimizations resulted in a one-pot conversion to adipic acid from terephthalic acid, including terephthalate samples isolated from industrial PET waste and a post-consumer plastic bottle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Valenzuela-Ortega
- Institute
of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of
Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Alexander Crum Brown Road, King’s
Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9
3FF, U.K.
| | - Jack T. Suitor
- Institute
of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of
Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Alexander Crum Brown Road, King’s
Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9
3FF, U.K.
| | - Mirren F. M. White
- Institute
of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of
Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Alexander Crum Brown Road, King’s
Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9
3FF, U.K.
| | - Trevor Hinchcliffe
- Impact
Solutions Ltd., Impact Technology Centre, Fraser Road, Kirkton Campus, Livingston, EH54 7BU, U.K.
| | - Stephen Wallace
- Institute
of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of
Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Alexander Crum Brown Road, King’s
Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9
3FF, U.K.
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22
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Hui CY, Ma BC, Wang YQ, Yang XQ, Cai JM. Designed bacteria based on natural pbr operons for detecting and detoxifying environmental lead: A mini-review. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 267:115662. [PMID: 37939554 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb), a naturally occurring element, is redistributed in the environment mainly due to anthropogenic activities. Pb pollution is a crucial public health problem worldwide due to its adverse effects. Environmental bacteria have evolved various protective mechanisms against high levels of Pb. The pbr operon, first identified in Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34, encodes a unique Pb(II) resistance mechanism involving transport, efflux, sequestration, biomineralization, and precipitation. Similar pbr operons are gradually found in diverse bacterial strains. This review focuses on the pbr-encoded Pb(II) resistance system. It summarizes various whole-cell biosensors harboring artificially designed pbr operons for Pb(II) biomonitoring with fluorescent, luminescent, and colorimetric signal output. Optimization of genetic circuits, employment of pigment-based reporters, and screening of host cells are promising in improving the sensitivity, selectivity, and response range of whole-cell biosensors. Engineered bacteria displaying Pb(II) binding and sequestration proteins, including PbrR and its derivatives, PbrR2 and PbrD, for adsorption are involved. Although synthetic bacteria show great potential in determining and removing Pb at the nanomolar level for environmental protection and food safety, some challenges must be addressed to meet demanding application requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Ye Hui
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen 518020, China.
| | - Bing-Chan Ma
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen 518020, China; School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yong-Qiang Wang
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen 518020, China
| | - Xue-Qin Yang
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen 518020, China
| | - Jin-Min Cai
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen 518020, China
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23
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Cai P, Liu S, Zhang D, Hu QN. MCF2Chem: A manually curated knowledge base of biosynthetic compound production. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2023; 16:167. [PMID: 37925500 PMCID: PMC10625697 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-023-02419-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microbes have been used as cell factories to synthesize various chemical compounds. Recent advances in synthetic biological technologies have accelerated the increase in the number and capacity of microbial cell factories; the variety and number of synthetic compounds produced via these cell factories have also grown substantially. However, no database is available that provides detailed information on the microbial cell factories and the synthesized compounds. RESULTS In this study, we established MCF2Chem, a manually curated knowledge base on the production of biosynthetic compounds using microbial cell factories. It contains 8888 items of production records related to 1231 compounds that were synthesizable by 590 microbial cell factories, including the production data of compounds (titer, yield, productivity, and content), strain culture information (culture medium, carbon source/precursor/substrate), fermentation information (mode, vessel, scale, and condition), and other information (e.g., strain modification method). The database contains statistical analyses data of compounds and microbial species. The data statistics of MCF2Chem showed that bacteria accounted for 60% of the species and that "fatty acids", "terpenoids", and "shikimates and phenylpropanoids" accounted for the top three chemical products. Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Yarrowia lipolytica, and Corynebacterium glutamicum synthesized 78% of these chemical compounds. Furthermore, we constructed a system to recommend microbial cell factories suitable for synthesizing target compounds and vice versa by combining MCF2Chem data, additional strain- and compound-related data, the phylogenetic relationships between strains, and compound similarities. CONCLUSIONS MCF2Chem provides a user-friendly interface for querying, browsing, and visualizing detailed statistical information on microbial cell factories and their synthesizable compounds. It is publicly available at https://mcf.lifesynther.com . This database may serve as a useful resource for synthetic biologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengli Cai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Sheng Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Dachuan Zhang
- Ecological Systems Design, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Qian-Nan Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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Ryu G, Kim GB, Yu T, Lee SY. Deep learning for metabolic pathway design. Metab Eng 2023; 80:130-141. [PMID: 37734652 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2023.09.012] [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: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
The establishment of a bio-based circular economy is imperative in tackling the climate crisis and advancing sustainable development. In this realm, the creation of microbial cell factories is central to generating a variety of chemicals and materials. The design of metabolic pathways is crucial in shaping these microbial cell factories, especially when it comes to producing chemicals with yet-to-be-discovered biosynthetic routes. To aid in navigating the complexities of chemical and metabolic domains, computer-supported tools for metabolic pathway design have emerged. In this paper, we evaluate how digital strategies can be employed for pathway prediction and enzyme discovery. Additionally, we touch upon the recent strides made in using deep learning techniques for metabolic pathway prediction. These computational tools and strategies streamline the design of metabolic pathways, facilitating the development of microbial cell factories. Leveraging the capabilities of deep learning in metabolic pathway design is profoundly promising, potentially hastening the advent of a bio-based circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gahyeon Ryu
- Metabolic and Biomolecular Engineering National Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 Four), KAIST Institute for BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea; Systems Metabolic Engineering and Systems Healthcare Cross-Generation Collaborative Laboratory, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Gi Bae Kim
- Metabolic and Biomolecular Engineering National Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 Four), KAIST Institute for BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea; Systems Metabolic Engineering and Systems Healthcare Cross-Generation Collaborative Laboratory, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeho Yu
- Metabolic and Biomolecular Engineering National Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 Four), KAIST Institute for BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea; Systems Metabolic Engineering and Systems Healthcare Cross-Generation Collaborative Laboratory, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Yup Lee
- Metabolic and Biomolecular Engineering National Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 Four), KAIST Institute for BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea; Systems Metabolic Engineering and Systems Healthcare Cross-Generation Collaborative Laboratory, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea; BioProcess Engineering Research Center and BioInformatics Research Center, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea; Graduate School of Engineering Biology, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
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25
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Yang Z, Li Z, Li B, Bu R, Tan GY, Wang Z, Yan H, Xin Z, Zhang G, Li M, Xiang H, Zhang L, Wang W. A thermostable type I-B CRISPR-Cas system for orthogonal and multiplexed genetic engineering. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6193. [PMID: 37794017 PMCID: PMC10551041 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41973-5] [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: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Thermophilic cell factories have remarkably broad potential for industrial applications, but are limited by a lack of genetic manipulation tools and recalcitrance to transformation. Here, we identify a thermophilic type I-B CRISPR-Cas system from Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius and find it displays highly efficient transcriptional repression or DNA cleavage activity that can be switched by adjusting crRNA length to less than or greater than 26 bp, respectively, without ablating Cas3 nuclease. We then develop an orthogonal tool for genome editing and transcriptional repression using this type I-B system in both thermophile and mesophile hosts. Empowered by this tool, we design a strategy to screen the genome-scale targets involved in transformation efficiency and established dynamically controlled supercompetent P. thermoglucosidasius cells with high efficiency ( ~ 108 CFU/μg DNA) by temporal multiplexed repression. We also demonstrate the construction of thermophilic riboflavin cell factory with hitherto highest titers in high temperature fermentation by genome-scale identification and combinatorial manipulation of multiple targets. This work enables diverse high-efficiency genetic manipulation in P. thermoglucosidasius and facilitates the engineering of thermophilic cell factories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiheng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, and School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), 200237, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Zilong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Bixiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Ruihong Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, China
| | - Gao-Yi Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, and School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengduo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, and School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenguo Xin
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Guojian Zhang
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, China
| | - Ming Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Lixin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, and School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), 200237, Shanghai, China.
| | - Weishan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China.
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Haaring R, Kang PW, Guo Z, Lee JW, Lee H. Developing Catalysts Integrated in Gas-Diffusion Electrodes for CO 2 Electrolyzers. Acc Chem Res 2023; 56:2595-2605. [PMID: 37698057 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.3c00349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
ConspectusAs the demand for a carbon-neutral society grows rapidly, research on CO2 electrolysis has become very active. Many catalysts are reported for converting CO2 into value-added products by electrochemical reactions, which have to perform at high Faradaic and energy efficiency to become commercially viable. Various types of CO2 electrolyzers have been used in this effort, such as the H-cell, flow cell, and zero-gap membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) cell. H-cell studies are conducted with electrodes immersed in CO2-saturated electrolyte and have been used to elucidate reaction pathways and kinetic parameters of electrochemical CO2 reduction on many types of catalytic surfaces. From a transport phenomenological perspective, the low solubility and diffusion of CO2 to the electrode surface severely limit the maximum attainable current density, and this metric has been shown to have significant influence on the product spectrum. Flow and MEA cells provide a solution in the form of gas-diffusion electrodes (GDEs) that enable gaseous CO2 to closely reach the catalyst layer and yield record-high current densities. Because GDEs involve a complicated interface consisting of the catalyst surface, gaseous CO2, polymer overlayers, and liquid electrolyte, catalysts with high intrinsic activity might not show high performance in these GDE-based electrolyzers. Catalysts showing low overpotentials at low current densities may suffer from poor electron conductivity and mass transfer limitations at high current densities. Furthermore, the stability of the GDE-based catalysts is often compromised as CO2 electrolysis is pursued with high activity, most notoriously by electrolyte flooding.In this Account, we introduce recent examples where the electrocatalysts were integrated in GDEs, achieving high production rates. The performance of such systems is contingent on both GDE and cell design, and various parameters that affect the cell performance are discussed. Gaseous products, such as carbon monoxide, methane, and ethylene, and liquid products, such as formate and ethanol, have been mainly reported with high partial current density using the flow or MEA cells. Different strategies to this end are described, such as controlling microenvironments by the use of polymers mixed within the catalyst layer or the functionalization of catalyst surfaces with ligands to increase local concentrations of intermediates. Unique CO2 electrolyzer designs are also treated, including the incorporation of light-responsive plasmonic catalysts in the GDE, and combining the electrolyzer with a fermenter utilizing a microbial biocatalyst to synthesize complex multicarbon products. Basic conditions which the catalyst should satisfy to be adapted in the GDEs are listed, and our perspective is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Haaring
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Phil Woong Kang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Zunmin Guo
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Won Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunjoo Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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27
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Jiang S, Wu H, Yao Z, Li R, Ma Q, Xie X. Phenotype-genotype mapping reveals the betaine-triggered L-arginine overproduction mechanism in Escherichia coli. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 386:129540. [PMID: 37488018 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
The production phenotype improvement of industrial microbes is extremely needed and challenging. Environmental factors optimization provides insightful ideas to trigger the superior production phenotype by activating potential genetic determiners. Here, phenotype-genotype mapping was used to dissect the betaine-triggered L-arginine overproduction mechanism and mine beneficial genes for further improving production phenotype. The comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed a novel role for betaine in modulating global gene transcription. Guided by this finding, 4 novel genes (cynX, cynT, pyrB, and rhaB) for L-arginine biosynthesis were identified via reverse engineering. Moreover, the rhaB deletion was demonstrated as a common metabolic engineering strategy to improve ATP pool in E. coli. By combinatorial genes manipulation, the L-arginine titer and yield increased by 17.9% and 28.9% in a 5-L bioreactor without betaine addition. This study revealed the molecular mechanism of gene transcription regulation by betaine and developed a superior L-arginine overproducer that does not require betaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China; College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China
| | - Heyun Wu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China; College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China
| | - Zhuoyue Yao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China; College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China
| | - Ran Li
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China; College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China
| | - Qian Ma
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China; College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China
| | - Xixian Xie
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China; College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China.
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28
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Makris C, Leckrone JK, Butler A. Tistrellabactins A and B Are Photoreactive C-Diazeniumdiolate Siderophores from the Marine-Derived Strain Tistrella mobilis KA081020-065. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2023; 86:1770-1778. [PMID: 37341506 PMCID: PMC10391617 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00230] [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: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
The C-diazeniumdiolate group in the amino acid graminine is emerging as a new microbially produced Fe(III) coordinating ligand in siderophores, which is photoreactive. While the few siderophores reported from this class have only been isolated from soil-associated microbes, here we report the first C-diazeniumdiolate siderophores tistrellabactins A and B, isolated from the bioactive marine-derived strain Tistrella mobilis KA081020-065. The structural characterization of the tistrellabactins reveals unique biosynthetic features including an NRPS module iteratively loading glutamine residues and a promiscuous adenylation domain yielding either tistrellabactin A with an asparagine residue or tistrellabactin B with an aspartic acid residue at analogous positions. Beyond the function of scavenging Fe(III) for growth, these siderophores are photoreactive upon irradiation with UV light, releasing the equivalent of nitric oxide (NO) and an H atom from the C-diazeniumdiolate group. Fe(III)-tistrellabactin is also photoreactive, with both the C-diazeniumdiolate and the β-hydroxyaspartate residues undergoing photoreactions, resulting in a photoproduct without the ability to chelate Fe(III).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Makris
- Department of Chemistry &
Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-9510, United States
| | - Jamie K. Leckrone
- Department of Chemistry &
Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-9510, United States
| | - Alison Butler
- Department of Chemistry &
Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-9510, United States
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29
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Yang J, Yue HR, Pan LY, Feng JX, Zhao S, Suwannarangsee S, Chempreda V, Liu CG, Zhao XQ. Fungal strain improvement for efficient cellulase production and lignocellulosic biorefinery: Current status and future prospects. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023:129449. [PMID: 37406833 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) has been recognized as a valuable carbon source for the sustainable production of biofuels and value-added biochemicals. Crude enzymes produced by fungal cell factories benefit economic LCB degradation. However, high enzyme production cost remains a great challenge. Filamentous fungi have been widely used to produce cellulolytic enzymes. Metabolic engineering of fungi contributes to efficient cellulase production for LCB biorefinery. Here the latest progress in utilizing fungal cell factories for cellulase production was summarized, including developing genome engineering tools to improve the efficiency of fungal cell factories, manipulating promoters, and modulating transcription factors. Multi-omics analysis of fungi contributes to identifying novel genetic elements for enhancing cellulase production. Furthermore, the importance of translation regulation of cellulase production are emphasized. Efficient development of fungal cell factories based on integrative strain engineering would benefit the overall bioconversion efficacy of LCB for sustainable bioproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Hou-Ru Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Li-Ya Pan
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Research Center for Microbial and Enzyme Engineering Technology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Jia-Xun Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Research Center for Microbial and Enzyme Engineering Technology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Shuai Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Research Center for Microbial and Enzyme Engineering Technology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Surisa Suwannarangsee
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), 113 Thailand Science Park, Phaholyothin Road, Khlong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Verawat Chempreda
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), 113 Thailand Science Park, Phaholyothin Road, Khlong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Chen-Guang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xin-Qing Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
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Zhang Y, Sun T, Wu T, Li J, Hu D, Liu D, Li J, Tian C. Consolidated bioprocessing for bioethanol production by metabolically engineered cellulolytic fungus Myceliophthora thermophila. Metab Eng 2023; 78:192-199. [PMID: 37348810 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2023.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Using cellulosic ethanol as fuel is one way to help achieve the world's decarbonization goals. However, the economics of the present technology are unfavorable, especially the cost of cellulose degradation. Here, we reprogram the thermophilic cellulosic fungus Myceliophthora thermophila to directly ferment cellulose into ethanol by mimicking the aerobic ethanol fermentation of yeast (the Crabtree effect), including optimizing the synthetic pathway, enhancing the glycolytic rate, inhibiting mitochondrial NADH shuttles, and knocking out ethanol consumption pathway. The final engineered strain produced 52.8 g/L ethanol directly from cellulose, and 39.8 g/L from corncob, without the need for any added cellulase, while the starting strain produced almost no ethanol. We also demonstrate that as the ethanol fermentation by engineered M. thermophila increases, the composition and expression of cellulases that facilitate the degradation of cellulose, especially cellobiohydrolases, changes. The simplified production process and significantly increased ethanol yield indicate that the fungal consolidated bioprocessing technology that we develop here (one-step, one-strain ethanol production) is promising for fueling sustainable carbon-neutral biomanufacturing in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongli Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China; National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, 300308, China.
| | - Tao Sun
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China; National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, 300308, China.
| | - Taju Wu
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China; National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, 300308, China.
| | - Jinyang Li
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China; National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, 300308, China.
| | - Die Hu
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China; National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, 300308, China.
| | - Defei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China; National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, 300308, China.
| | - Jingen Li
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China; National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, 300308, China.
| | - Chaoguang Tian
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China; National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, 300308, China.
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31
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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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32
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Wu Y, Deng J, Zheng Z, Chen N, Luo X, Tang H. Engineering an Efficient Expression Using Heterologous GAL Promoters and Transcriptional Activators in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:1859-1867. [PMID: 37224271 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00243] [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: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Galactose-inducible (GAL) promoters have been widely used in metabolic engineering in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for production of valuable products. Endogenous GAL promoters and GAL transcription factors have often been engineered to improve GAL promoter activities. Heterologous GAL promoters and GAL activator (Gal4p-like transcriptional activators), although existing in other yeasts or fungi, have not been well explored. In this study, we comprehensively characterized the activation effects of Gal4p activators from different yeasts or fungi on a variant of GAL promoters. Overexpressing endogenous Gal4p driven by PHHF1 increased the activities of native PGAL1 and heterologous PSkGAL2 by 131.20% and 72.45%, respectively. Furthermore, eight transcriptional activators from different organisms were characterized and most of them exhibited functions that were consistent with ScGal4p. Expression of KlLac9p from Kluyveromyces lactis further increased the activity of PScGAL1 and PSkGAL2 by 41.56% and 100.63%, respectively, compared to ScGal4p expression, and was able to evade Gal80p inhibition. This optimized GAL expression system can be used to increase the production of β-carotene by 9.02-fold in S. cerevisiae. Our study demonstrated that a combination of heterologous transcriptional activators and GAL promoters provided novel insights into the optimization of the GAL expression system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanling Wu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for the Intelligent Microbial Manufacturing of Medicines, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Center for Synthetic Biochemistry, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jiliang Deng
- Center for Synthetic Biochemistry, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhaohui Zheng
- Center for Synthetic Biochemistry, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Nanzhu Chen
- Center for Synthetic Biochemistry, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiaozhou Luo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for the Intelligent Microbial Manufacturing of Medicines, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Center for Synthetic Biochemistry, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Hongting Tang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for the Intelligent Microbial Manufacturing of Medicines, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Center for Synthetic Biochemistry, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
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Hui CY, Hu SY, Yang XQ, Guo Y. A panel of visual bacterial biosensors for the rapid detection of genotoxic and oxidative damage: A proof of concept study. MUTATION RESEARCH. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2023; 888:503639. [PMID: 37188434 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2023.503639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of new compounds during the past decade requires a high-throughput screening method for toxicity assay. The stress-responsive whole-cell biosensor is a powerful tool to evaluate direct or indirect damages of biological macromolecules induced by toxic chemicals. In this proof-of-concept study, nine well-characterized stress-responsive promoters were first selected to assemble a set of blue indigoidine-based biosensors. The PuspA-based, PfabA-based, and PgrpE-based biosensors were eliminated due to their high background. A dose-dependent increase of visible blue signal was observed in PrecA-, PkatG-, and PuvrA-based biosensors, responsive to potent mutagens, including mitomycin and nalidixic acid, but not to genotoxic lead and cadmium. The PrecA, PkatG, and Ppgi gene promoters were further fused to a purple deoxyviolacein synthetic enzyme cluster. Although high basal production of deoxyviolacein is unavoidable, an enhanced visible purple signal in response to mitomycin and nalidixic acid was observed as dose-dependent, especially in PkatG-based biosensors. The study shows that a set of stress-responsive biosensors employing visible pigment as a reporter is pre-validating in detecting extensive DNA damage and intense oxidative stress. Unlike widely-used fluorescent and bioluminescent biosensors, the visual pigment-based biosensor can become a novel, low-cost, mini-equipment, and high-throughput colorimetric device for the toxicity assessment of chemicals. However, combining multiple improvements can further improve the biosensing performance in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Ye Hui
- Department of Pathology & Toxicology, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shun-Yu Hu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xue-Qin Yang
- Department of Pathology & Toxicology, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan Guo
- National Key Clinical Specialty of Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China.
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Jiang S, Wang R, Wang D, Zhao C, Ma Q, Wu H, Xie X. Metabolic reprogramming and biosensor-assisted mutagenesis screening for high-level production of L-arginine in Escherichia coli. Metab Eng 2023; 76:146-157. [PMID: 36758663 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2023.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
L-arginine is a value-added amino acid with promising applications in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Further unleashing the potential of microbial cell factories to make L-arginine production more competitive remains challenging due to the sophisticated intracellular interaction networks and the insufficient knowledge of global metabolic regulation. Here, we combined multilevel rational metabolic engineering with biosensor-assisted mutagenesis screening to exploit the L-arginine production potential of Escherichia coli. First, multiple metabolic pathways were systematically reprogrammed to redirect the metabolic flux into L-arginine synthesis, including the L-arginine biosynthesis, TCA cycle, and L-arginine export. Specifically, a toggle switch responding to special cellular physiological conditions was designed to dynamically control the expression of sucA and pull more carbon flux from the TCA cycle toward L-arginine biosynthesis. Subsequently, a biosensor-assisted high-throughput screening platform was designed and applied to further exploit the L-arginine production potential. The best-engineered ARG28 strain produced 132 g/L L-arginine in a 5-L bioreactor with a yield of 0.51 g/g glucose and productivity of 2.75 g/(L ⋅ h), which were the highest values reported so far. Through whole genome sequencing and reverse engineering, Frc frameshift mutant, PqiB A78P mutant, and RpoB P564T mutant were revealed for enhancing the L-arginine biosynthesis. Our study exhibited the power of coupling rational metabolic reprogramming and biosensor-assisted mutagenesis screening to unleash the cellular potential for value-added metabolite production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, PR China; College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, PR China
| | - Ruirui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, PR China; College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, PR China
| | - Dehu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, PR China; College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, PR China
| | - Chunguang Zhao
- Ningxia Eppen Biotech Co., Ltd, Ningxia, 750000, PR China
| | - Qian Ma
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, PR China; College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, PR China
| | - Heyun Wu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, PR China; College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, PR China.
| | - Xixian Xie
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, PR China; College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, PR China.
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Kim GB, Choi SY, Cho IJ, Ahn DH, Lee SY. Metabolic engineering for sustainability and health. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:425-451. [PMID: 36635195 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Bio-based production of chemicals and materials has attracted much attention due to the urgent need to establish sustainability and enhance human health. Metabolic engineering (ME) allows purposeful modification of cellular metabolic, regulatory, and signaling networks to achieve enhanced production of desired chemicals and degradation of environmentally harmful chemicals. ME has significantly progressed over the past 30 years through further integration of the strategies of synthetic biology, systems biology, evolutionary engineering, and data science aided by artificial intelligence. Here we review the field of ME from its emergence to the current state-of-the-art, highlighting its contribution to sustainable production of chemicals, health, and the environment through representative examples. Future challenges of ME and perspectives are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gi Bae Kim
- Metabolic and Biomolecular Engineering National Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 four), Institute for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; Systems Metabolic Engineering and Systems Healthcare Cross-Generation Collaborative Laboratory, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - So Young Choi
- Metabolic and Biomolecular Engineering National Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 four), Institute for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; Systems Metabolic Engineering and Systems Healthcare Cross-Generation Collaborative Laboratory, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - In Jin Cho
- Metabolic and Biomolecular Engineering National Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 four), Institute for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; Systems Metabolic Engineering and Systems Healthcare Cross-Generation Collaborative Laboratory, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; BioProcess Engineering Research Center and BioInformatics Research Center, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Da-Hee Ahn
- Metabolic and Biomolecular Engineering National Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 four), Institute for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; Systems Metabolic Engineering and Systems Healthcare Cross-Generation Collaborative Laboratory, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Yup Lee
- Metabolic and Biomolecular Engineering National Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 four), Institute for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; Systems Metabolic Engineering and Systems Healthcare Cross-Generation Collaborative Laboratory, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; BioProcess Engineering Research Center and BioInformatics Research Center, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
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36
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Microbial Production of Human Milk Oligosaccharides. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28031491. [PMID: 36771155 PMCID: PMC9921495 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are complex nonnutritive sugars present in human milk. These sugars possess prebiotic, immunomodulatory, and antagonistic properties towards pathogens and therefore are important for the health and well-being of newborn babies. Lower prevalence of breastfeeding around the globe, rising popularity of nutraceuticals, and low availability of HMOs have inspired efforts to develop economically feasible and efficient industrial-scale production platforms for HMOs. Recent progress in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering tools has enabled microbial systems to be a production system of HMOs. In this regard, the model organism Escherichia coli has emerged as the preferred production platform. Herein, we summarize the remarkable progress in the microbial production of HMOs and discuss the challenges and future opportunities in unraveling the scope of production of complex HMOs. We focus on the microbial production of five HMOs that have been approved for their commercialization.
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37
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Shi TQ, Darvishi F, Cao M, Ji B, Ji XJ. Editorial: Design and construction of microbial cell factories for the production of fuels and chemicals. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1198317. [PMID: 37152641 PMCID: PMC10154672 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1198317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Qiong Shi
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Tian-Qiong Shi, ; Farshad Darvishi, , ; Mingfeng Cao, ; Boyang Ji, ; Xiao-Jun Ji,
| | - Farshad Darvishi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
- Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology (CAMB), Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
- *Correspondence: Tian-Qiong Shi, ; Farshad Darvishi, , ; Mingfeng Cao, ; Boyang Ji, ; Xiao-Jun Ji,
| | - Mingfeng Cao
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Fujian, China
- *Correspondence: Tian-Qiong Shi, ; Farshad Darvishi, , ; Mingfeng Cao, ; Boyang Ji, ; Xiao-Jun Ji,
| | - Boyang Ji
- BioInnovation InstituteCopenhagen, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Tian-Qiong Shi, ; Farshad Darvishi, , ; Mingfeng Cao, ; Boyang Ji, ; Xiao-Jun Ji,
| | - Xiao-Jun Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Tian-Qiong Shi, ; Farshad Darvishi, , ; Mingfeng Cao, ; Boyang Ji, ; Xiao-Jun Ji,
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Zabed HM, Akter S, Rupani PF, Akor J, Zhang Y, Zhao M, Zhang C, Ragauskas AJ, Qi X. Biocatalytic gateway to convert glycerol into 3-hydroxypropionic acid in waste-based biorefineries: Fundamentals, limitations, and potential research strategies. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 62:108075. [PMID: 36502965 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.108075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Microbial conversion of bioenergy-derived waste glycerol into value-added chemicals has emerged as an important bioprocessing technology due to its eco-friendliness, feasible technoeconomics, and potential to provide sustainability in biodiesel and bioethanol production. Glycerol is an abundant liquid waste from bioenergy plants with a projected volume of 6 million tons by 2025, accounting for about 10% of biodiesel and 2.5% of bioethanol yields. 3-Hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) is a major product of glycerol bioconversion, which is the third largest biobased platform compound with expected market size and value of 3.6 million tons/year and USD 10 billion/year, respectively. Despite these biorefinery values, 3-HP biosynthesis from glycerol is still at an immature stage of commercial exploitation. The main challenges behind this immaturity are the toxic effects of 3-HPA on cells, the distribution of carbon flux to undesirable pathways, low tolerance of cells to glycerol and 3-HP, co-factor dependence of enzymes, low enzyme activity and stability, and the problems of substrate inhibition and specificity of enzymes. To address these challenges, it is necessary to understand the fundamentals of glycerol bioconversion and 3-HP production in terms of metabolic pathways, related enzymes, cell factories, midstream process configurations, and downstream 3-HP recovery, as discussed in this review critically and comprehensively. It is equally important to know the current challenges and limitations in 3-HP production, which are discussed in detail along with recent research efforts and remaining gaps. Finally, possible research strategies are outlined considering the recent technological advances in microbial biosynthesis, aiming to attract further research efforts to achieve a sustainable and industrially exploitable 3-HP production technology. By discussing the use of advanced tools and strategies to overcome the existing challenges in 3-HP biosynthesis, this review will attract researchers from many other similar biosynthesis technologies and provide a common gateway for their further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossain M Zabed
- School of Food & Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Suely Akter
- School of Food & Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Parveen Fatemah Rupani
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ku Luven, Jan De Nayerlaan 5, 2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium
| | - Joseph Akor
- School of Food & Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yufei Zhang
- School of Food & Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Mei Zhao
- School of Food & Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Cunsheng Zhang
- School of Food & Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Arthur J Ragauskas
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; Department of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries, Center for Renewable Carbon, The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; UTK-ORNL Joint Institute for Biological Science, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA.
| | - Xianghui Qi
- School of Food & Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu Province, China; School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510,006, Guangdong Province, China.
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