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Ernst P, Wirtz A, Wynands B, Wierckx N. Establishing an itaconic acid production process with Ustilago species on the low-cost substrate starch. FEMS Yeast Res 2024; 24:foae023. [PMID: 39038994 PMCID: PMC11312366 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foae023] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Ustilago maydis and Ustilago cynodontis are natural producers of a broad range of valuable molecules including itaconate, malate, glycolipids, and triacylglycerols. Both Ustilago species are insensitive toward medium impurities, and have previously been engineered for efficient itaconate production and stabilized yeast-like growth. Due to these features, these strains were already successfully used for the production of itaconate from different alternative feedstocks such as molasses, thick juice, and crude glycerol. Here, we analyzed the amylolytic capabilities of Ustilago species for metabolization of starch, a highly abundant and low-cost polymeric carbohydrate widely utilized as a substrate in several biotechnological processes. Ustilago cynodontis was found to utilize gelatinized potato starch for both growth and itaconate production, confirming the presence of extracellular amylolytic enzymes in Ustilago species. Starch was rapidly degraded by U. cynodontis, even though no α-amylase was detected. Further experiments indicate that starch hydrolysis is caused by the synergistic action of glucoamylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. The enzymes showed a maximum activity of around 0.5 U ml-1 at the fifth day after inoculation, and also released glucose from additional substrates, highlighting potential broader applications. In contrast to U. cynodontis, U. maydis showed no growth on starch accompanied with no detectable amylolytic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Ernst
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Astrid Wirtz
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Benedikt Wynands
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Nick Wierckx
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428 Jülich, Germany
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2
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Yao RA, Reyre JL, Tamburrini KC, Haon M, Tranquet O, Nalubothula A, Mukherjee S, Le Gall S, Grisel S, Longhi S, Madhuprakash J, Bissaro B, Berrin JG. The Ustilago maydis AA10 LPMO is active on fungal cell wall chitin. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0057323. [PMID: 37702503 PMCID: PMC10617569 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00573-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) can perform oxidative cleavage of glycosidic bonds in carbohydrate polymers (e.g., cellulose, chitin), making them more accessible to hydrolytic enzymes. While most studies have so far mainly explored the role of LPMOs in a (plant) biomass conversion context, alternative roles and paradigms begin to emerge. The AA10 LPMOs are active on chitin and/or cellulose and mostly found in bacteria and in some viruses and archaea. Interestingly, AA10-encoding genes are also encountered in some pathogenic fungi of the Ustilaginomycetes class, such as Ustilago maydis, responsible for corn smut disease. Transcriptomic studies have shown the overexpression of the AA10 gene during the infectious cycle of U. maydis. In fact, U. maydis has a unique AA10 gene that codes for a catalytic domain appended with a C-terminal disordered region. To date, there is no public report on fungal AA10 LPMOs. In this study, we successfully produced the catalytic domain of this LPMO (UmAA10_cd) in Pichia pastoris and carried out its biochemical characterization. Our results show that UmAA10_cd oxidatively cleaves α- and β-chitin with C1 regioselectivity and boosts chitin hydrolysis by a GH18 chitinase from U. maydis (UmGH18A). Using a biologically relevant substrate, we show that UmAA10_cd exhibits enzymatic activity on U. maydis fungal cell wall chitin and promotes its hydrolysis by UmGH18A. These results represent an important step toward the understanding of the role of LPMOs in the fungal cell wall remodeling process during the fungal life cycle.IMPORTANCELytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) have been mainly studied in a biotechnological context for the efficient degradation of recalcitrant polysaccharides. Only recently, alternative roles and paradigms begin to emerge. In this study, we provide evidence that the AA10 LPMO from the phytopathogen Ustilago maydis is active against fungal cell wall chitin. Given that chitin-active LPMOs are commonly found in microbes, it is important to consider fungal cell wall as a potential target for this enigmatic class of enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roseline Assiah Yao
- INRAE, Aix Marseille Univ, UMR 1163 Biodiversité et Biotechnologie Fongiques (BBF), Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Lou Reyre
- INRAE, Aix Marseille Univ, UMR 1163 Biodiversité et Biotechnologie Fongiques (BBF), Marseille, France
- IFP Energies Nouvelles, Rueil-Malmaison, France
| | - Ketty C. Tamburrini
- INRAE, Aix Marseille Univ, UMR 1163 Biodiversité et Biotechnologie Fongiques (BBF), Marseille, France
- CNRS, Aix Marseille Univ, UMR 7257 Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques (AFMB), Marseille, France
| | - Mireille Haon
- INRAE, Aix Marseille Univ, UMR 1163 Biodiversité et Biotechnologie Fongiques (BBF), Marseille, France
- INRAE, Aix Marseille Univ, 3PE Platform, Marseille, France
| | - Olivier Tranquet
- INRAE, Aix Marseille Univ, UMR 1163 Biodiversité et Biotechnologie Fongiques (BBF), Marseille, France
| | - Akshay Nalubothula
- Department of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Saumashish Mukherjee
- Department of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Sophie Le Gall
- INRAE, UR1268 BIA, Nantes, France
- INRAE, PROBE Research Infrastructure, BIBS Facility, Nantes, France
| | - Sacha Grisel
- INRAE, Aix Marseille Univ, UMR 1163 Biodiversité et Biotechnologie Fongiques (BBF), Marseille, France
- INRAE, Aix Marseille Univ, 3PE Platform, Marseille, France
| | - Sonia Longhi
- CNRS, Aix Marseille Univ, UMR 7257 Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques (AFMB), Marseille, France
| | - Jogi Madhuprakash
- Department of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Bastien Bissaro
- INRAE, Aix Marseille Univ, UMR 1163 Biodiversité et Biotechnologie Fongiques (BBF), Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Guy Berrin
- INRAE, Aix Marseille Univ, UMR 1163 Biodiversité et Biotechnologie Fongiques (BBF), Marseille, France
- INRAE, Aix Marseille Univ, 3PE Platform, Marseille, France
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3
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Volkmar M, Maus AL, Weisbrodt M, Bohlender J, Langsdorf A, Holtmann D, Ulber R. Municipal green waste as substrate for the microbial production of platform chemicals. BIORESOUR BIOPROCESS 2023; 10:43. [PMID: 38647939 PMCID: PMC10991188 DOI: 10.1186/s40643-023-00663-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In Germany alone, more than 5·106 tons of municipal green waste is produced each year. So far, this material is not used in an economically worthwhile way. In this work, grass clippings and tree pruning as examples of municipal green waste were utilized as feedstock for the microbial production of platform chemicals. A pretreatment procedure depending on the moisture and lignin content of the biomass was developed. The suitability of grass press juice and enzymatic hydrolysate of lignocellulosic biomass pretreated with an organosolv process as fermentation medium or medium supplement for the cultivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis, Ustilago maydis, and Clostridium acetobutylicum was demonstrated. Product concentrations of 9.4 gethanol L-1, 16.9 glactic acid L-1, 20.0 gitaconic acid L-1, and 15.5 gsolvents L-1 were achieved in the different processes. Yields were in the same range as or higher than those of reference processes grown in established standard media. By reducing the waste arising in cities and using municipal green waste as feedstock to produce platform chemicals, this work contributes to the UN sustainability goals and supports the transition toward a circular bioeconomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Volkmar
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße 49, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Maus
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße 49, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Martin Weisbrodt
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße 49, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Jonathan Bohlender
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße 49, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Alexander Langsdorf
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen, Wiesenstraße 14, 35390, Giessen, Germany
| | - Dirk Holtmann
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen, Wiesenstraße 14, 35390, Giessen, Germany
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Process Engineering in Life Sciences, Kaiserstraße 12, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Roland Ulber
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße 49, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany.
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Becker J, Liebal UW, Phan AN, Ullmann L, Blank LM. Renewable carbon sources to biochemicals and -fuels: contributions of the smut fungi Ustilaginaceae. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 79:102849. [PMID: 36446145 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The global demand for food, fuels, and chemicals increases annually. Using renewable C-sources (i.e. biomass, CO2, and organic waste) is a prerequisite for a future free of fossil carbon. The smut fungi Ustilaginaceae naturally produce a versatile spectrum of valuable products, such as organic acids, polyols, and glycolipids, applicable in the food, energy, chemistry, and pharmaceutical sector. Combined with the use of alternative (co-)substrates (e.g. acetate, butanediol, formate, and glycerol), these microorganisms offer excellent potential for industrial biotechnology, thereby overcoming central challenges humankind faces, including CO2 release and land use. Here, we provide insight into fundamental production capacities, present genetic modifications that improve the biotechnical application, and review recent high-performance engineering of Ustilaginaceae toward relevant platform chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Becker
- iAMB - Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt - Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Ulf W Liebal
- iAMB - Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt - Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - An Nt Phan
- iAMB - Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt - Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Lena Ullmann
- iAMB - Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt - Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Lars M Blank
- iAMB - Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt - Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
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5
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Besaury L, Rémond C. Culturable and metagenomic approaches of wheat bran and wheat straw phyllosphere's highlight new lignocellulolytic microorganisms. Lett Appl Microbiol 2022; 74:840-850. [PMID: 35158407 DOI: 10.1111/lam.13676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The phyllosphere, defined as the aerial parts of plants, is one of the most prevalent microbial habitats on earth. The microorganisms present on the phyllosphere can have several interactions with the plant. The phyllosphere represents then a unique niche where microorganisms have evolved through time in that stressful environment and may have acquired the ability to degrade lignocellulosic plant cell walls in order to survive to oligotrophic conditions. The dynamic lignocellulolytic potential of two phyllospheric microbial consortia (wheat straw and wheat bran) has been studied. The microbial diversity rapidly changed between the native phyllospheres and the final degrading microbial consortia after 48 hours of culture. Indeed, the initial microbial consortia was dominated by the Ralstonia (35.8%) and Micrococcus (75.2%) genera for the wheat bran and wheat straw whereas they were dominated by Candidatus phytoplasma (59%) and Acinetobacter (31.8%) in the final degrading microbial consortia respectively. Culturable experiments leading to the isolation of several new lignocellulolytic isolates (belonging to Moraxella and Atlantibacter genera) and metagenomic reconstruction of the microbial consortia highlighted the existence of an unpredicted microbial diversity involved in lignocellulose fractionation but also the existence of new pathways in known genera (presence of CE2 for Acinetobacter,several AAs for Pseudomonas and several GHs for Bacillus in different Metagenomes Assembled Genomes). The phyllosphere from agricultural co-products represents then a new niche as a lignocellulolytic degrading ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Besaury
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, INRAE, FARE, UMR A 614, Chaire AFERE, 51097, Reims, France
| | - Caroline Rémond
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, INRAE, FARE, UMR A 614, Chaire AFERE, 51097, Reims, France
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6
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Ustilago maydis Secreted Endo-Xylanases Are Involved in Fungal Filamentation and Proliferation on and Inside Plants. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7121081. [PMID: 34947062 PMCID: PMC8706147 DOI: 10.3390/jof7121081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant pathogenic fungi must be able to degrade host cell walls in order to penetrate and invade plant tissues. Among the plant cell wall degrading enzymes (PCWDEs) produced, xylanases are of special interest since its degradation target, xylan, is one of the main structural polysaccharides in plant cell walls. In the biotrophic fungus Ustilago maydis, attempts to characterize PCWDEs required for virulence have been unsuccessful, most likely due to functional redundancy. In previous high-throughput screening, we found one xylanase to be important for U. maydis infection. Here, we characterize the entire U. maydis endo-xylanase family, comprising two enzymes from the glycoside hydrolase (GH) 10 family, Xyn1 and Xyn2, one from GH11, Xyn11A, and one from GH43, Xyn3. We show that all endo-xylanases except Xyn3 are secreted and involved in infection in a non-redundant manner, suggesting different roles for each xylanase in this process. Taking a closer look inside the plant during the pathogenic process, we observed that all secreted xylanases were necessary for fungal proliferation. Finally, we found that at least Xyn11A accumulated in the apoplast of the infected plant after three days, highlighting the role of these enzymes as important secreted proteins during fungal proliferation inside plant tissues.
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7
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Wu N, Zhang J, Ou W, Chen Y, Wang R, Li K, Sun XM, Li Y, Xu Q, Huang H. Transcriptome analysis of Rhizopus oryzae seed pellet formation using triethanolamine. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2021; 14:230. [PMID: 34863259 PMCID: PMC8645130 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-021-02081-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Rhizopus oryzae (R. oryzae) can effectively produce organic acids, and its pellet formation in seed cultures has been shown to significantly enhance subsequent fermentation processes. Despite advances in strain development, simple and effective methods for inducing pellet morphology and a basic understanding of the mechanisms controlling this process could facilitate substantial increases in efficiency and product output. Here, we report that 1.5% triethanolamine (TEOA) in seed culture medium can activate the growth of R. oryzae spores in compact and uniform pellets which is optimal for fermentation conditions. Analysis of fermentation kinetics showed that the production of fumaric and L-malic acid increases 293% and 177%, respectively. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that exposure of R. oryzae to 1.5% TEOA during the seed culture activated the phosphatidylinositol and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. Theses pathways subsequently stimulated the downstream carbohydrate-active synthases and hydrolases that required for cell wall component synthesis and reconstruction. Our results thus provide insight into the regulatory pathways controlling pellet morphology germane to the viability of seed cultures, and provide valuable reference data for subsequent optimization of organic acid fermentation by R. oryzae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Wu
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiahui Zhang
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wen Ou
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yaru Chen
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ru Wang
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ke Li
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao-Man Sun
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yingfeng Li
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qing Xu
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
| | - He Huang
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
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8
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Current Progress in Production of Building-Block Organic Acids by Consolidated Bioprocessing of Lignocellulose. FERMENTATION-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/fermentation7040248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Several organic acids have been indicated among the top value chemicals from biomass. Lignocellulose is among the most attractive feedstocks for biorefining processes owing to its high abundance and low cost. However, its highly complex nature and recalcitrance to biodegradation hinder development of cost-competitive fermentation processes. Here, current progress in development of single-pot fermentation (i.e., consolidated bioprocessing, CBP) of lignocellulosic biomass to high value organic acids will be examined, based on the potential of this approach to dramatically reduce process costs. Different strategies for CBP development will be considered such as: (i) design of microbial consortia consisting of (hemi)cellulolytic and valuable-compound producing strains; (ii) engineering of microorganisms that combine biomass-degrading and high-value compound-producing properties in a single strain. The present review will mainly focus on production of organic acids with application as building block chemicals (e.g., adipic, cis,cis-muconic, fumaric, itaconic, lactic, malic, and succinic acid) since polymer synthesis constitutes the largest sector in the chemical industry. Current research advances will be illustrated together with challenges and perspectives for future investigations. In addition, attention will be dedicated to development of acid tolerant microorganisms, an essential feature for improving titer and productivity of fermentative production of acids.
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9
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Teleky BE, Vodnar DC. Recent Advances in Biotechnological Itaconic Acid Production, and Application for a Sustainable Approach. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:3574. [PMID: 34685333 PMCID: PMC8539575 DOI: 10.3390/polym13203574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Intense research has been conducted to produce environmentally friendly biopolymers obtained from renewable feedstock to substitute fossil-based materials. This is an essential aspect for implementing the circular bioeconomy strategy, expressly declared by the European Commission in 2018 in terms of "repair, reuse, and recycling". Competent carbon-neutral alternatives are renewable biomass waste for chemical element production, with proficient recyclability properties. Itaconic acid (IA) is a valuable platform chemical integrated into the first 12 building block compounds the achievement of which is feasible from renewable biomass or bio-wastes (agricultural, food by-products, or municipal organic waste) in conformity with the US Department of Energy. IA is primarily obtained through fermentation with Aspergillus terreus, but nowadays several microorganisms are genetically engineered to produce this organic acid in high quantities and on different substrates. Given its trifunctional structure, IA allows the synthesis of various novel biopolymers, such as drug carriers, intelligent food packaging, antimicrobial biopolymers, hydrogels in water treatment and analysis, and superabsorbent polymers binding agents. In addition, IA shows antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activity. Moreover, this biopolymer retains qualities like environmental effectiveness, biocompatibility, and sustainability. This manuscript aims to address the production of IA from renewable sources to create a sustainable circular economy in the future. Moreover, being an essential monomer in polymer synthesis it possesses a continuous provocation in the biopolymer chemistry domain and technologies, as defined in the present review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadette-Emőke Teleky
- Institute of Life Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Calea Mănăstur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Dan Cristian Vodnar
- Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Institute of Life Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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10
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Weiermüller J, Akermann A, Laudensack W, Chodorski J, Blank LM, Ulber R. Brewers' spent grain as carbon source for itaconate production with engineered Ustilago maydis. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 336:125262. [PMID: 34044241 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Brewers' spent grain (BSG) is produced worldwide in millions of tons during the beer brewing process. Due to its high content of structural carbohydrates, BSG is a promising material for being valorised in biorefineries. In this study three process routes for producing itaconate from BSG hydrolysates are presented using the previously engineered smut fungi UstilagomaydisMB215Δcyp3ΔPria1::Petef as whole-cell biocatalyst. Using a fermentation medium based on BSG hydrolysate a yield of 0.38gIta/gSugar and a productivity of 0.11gIta/(L·h) were achieved. The addition of detoxified hydrothermal supernatant to the fermentation medium did not result in improved performance parameters but resulted in a decreased yield (0.29gIta/gSugar) and productivity (0.053 gIta/(L·h)). Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation with hydrothermal pretreated BSG is possible, although at lower rate. In summary, the valorisation of BSG in fungal fermentations might complement the end-of-life options of this industrial side product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Weiermüller
- TU Kaiserslautern, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Chair of Bioprocess Engineering, Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße 49, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Alexander Akermann
- TU Kaiserslautern, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Chair of Bioprocess Engineering, Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße 49, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Laudensack
- TU Kaiserslautern, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Chair of Bioprocess Engineering, Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße 49, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Jonas Chodorski
- TU Kaiserslautern, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Chair of Bioprocess Engineering, Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße 49, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Lars M Blank
- Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology - ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Roland Ulber
- TU Kaiserslautern, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Chair of Bioprocess Engineering, Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße 49, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany.
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11
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Perspectives for the application of Ustilaginaceae as biotech cell factories. Essays Biochem 2021; 65:365-379. [PMID: 33860800 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20200141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Basidiomycetes fungi of the family Ustilaginaceae are mainly known as plant pathogens causing smut disease on crops and grasses. However, they are also natural producers of value-added substances like glycolipids, organic acids, polyols, and harbor secretory enzymes with promising hydrolytic activities. These attributes recently evoked increasing interest in their biotechnological exploitation. The corn smut fungus Ustilago maydis is the best characterized member of the Ustilaginaceae. After decades of research in the fields of genetics and plant pathology, a broad method portfolio and detailed knowledge on its biology and biochemistry are available. As a consequence, U. maydis has developed into a versatile model organism not only for fundamental research but also for applied biotechnology. Novel genetic, synthetic biology, and process development approaches have been implemented to engineer yields and product specificity as well as for the expansion of the repertoire of produced substances. Furthermore, research on U. maydis also substantially promoted the interest in other members of the Ustilaginaceae, for which the available tools can be adapted. Here, we review the latest developments in applied research on Ustilaginaceae towards their establishment as future biotech cell factories.
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Jagadeeswaran G, Veale L, Mort AJ. Do Lytic Polysaccharide Monooxygenases Aid in Plant Pathogenesis and Herbivory? TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 26:142-155. [PMID: 33097402 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2020.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs), copper-dependent enzymes mainly found in fungi, bacteria, and viruses, are responsible for enabling plant infection and degradation processes. Since their discovery 10 years ago, significant progress has been made in understanding the major role these enzymes play in biomass conversion. The recent discovery of additional LPMO families in fungi and oomycetes (AA16) as well as insects (AA15) strongly suggests that LPMOs might also be involved in biological processes such as overcoming plant defenses. In this review, we aim to give a comprehensive overview of the potential role of different LPMO families from the perspective of plant defense and their multiple implications in devising new strategies for achieving crop protection from plant pathogens and insect pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guru Jagadeeswaran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Lawrie Veale
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Andrew J Mort
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA.
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Becker J, Hosseinpour Tehrani H, Ernst P, Blank LM, Wierckx N. An Optimized Ustilago maydis for Itaconic Acid Production at Maximal Theoretical Yield. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 7:20. [PMID: 33396473 PMCID: PMC7824378 DOI: 10.3390/jof7010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ustilago maydis, a member of the Ustilaginaceae family, is a promising host for the production of several metabolites including itaconic acid. This dicarboxylate has great potential as a bio-based building block in the polymer industry, and is of special interest for pharmaceutical applications. Several itaconate overproducing Ustilago strains have been generated by metabolic and morphology engineering. This yielded stabilized unicellular morphology through fuz7 deletion, reduction of by-product formation through deletion of genes responsible for itaconate oxidation and (glyco)lipid production, and the overexpression of the regulator of the itaconate cluster ria1 and the mitochondrial tricarboxylate transporter encoded by mttA from Aspergillus terreus. In this study, itaconate production was further optimized by consolidating these different optimizations into one strain. The combined modifications resulted in itaconic acid production at theoretical maximal yield, which was achieved under biotechnologically relevant fed-batch fermentations with continuous feed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Becker
- iAMB—Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt—Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (J.B.); (H.H.T.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Hamed Hosseinpour Tehrani
- iAMB—Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt—Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (J.B.); (H.H.T.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Philipp Ernst
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany;
| | - Lars Mathias Blank
- iAMB—Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt—Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (J.B.); (H.H.T.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Nick Wierckx
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany;
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Schlembach I, Hosseinpour Tehrani H, Blank LM, Büchs J, Wierckx N, Regestein L, Rosenbaum MA. Consolidated bioprocessing of cellulose to itaconic acid by a co-culture of Trichoderma reesei and Ustilago maydis. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2020; 13:207. [PMID: 33317635 PMCID: PMC7737373 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-020-01835-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Itaconic acid is a bio-derived platform chemical with uses ranging from polymer synthesis to biofuel production. The efficient conversion of cellulosic waste streams into itaconic acid could thus enable the sustainable production of a variety of substitutes for fossil oil based products. However, the realization of such a process is currently hindered by an expensive conversion of cellulose into fermentable sugars. Here, we present the stepwise development of a fully consolidated bioprocess (CBP), which is capable of directly converting recalcitrant cellulose into itaconic acid without the need for separate cellulose hydrolysis including the application of commercial cellulases. The process is based on a synthetic microbial consortium of the cellulase producer Trichoderma reesei and the itaconic acid producing yeast Ustilago maydis. A method for process monitoring was developed to estimate cellulose consumption, itaconic acid formation as well as the actual itaconic acid production yield online during co-cultivation. RESULTS The efficiency of the process was compared to a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation setup (SSF). Because of the additional substrate consumption of T. reesei in the CBP, the itaconic acid yield was significantly lower in the CBP than in the SSF. In order to increase yield and productivity of itaconic acid in the CBP, the population dynamics was manipulated by varying the inoculation delay between T. reesei and U. maydis. Surprisingly, neither inoculation delay nor inoculation density significantly affected the population development or the CBP performance. Instead, the substrate availability was the most important parameter. U. maydis was only able to grow and to produce itaconic acid when the cellulose concentration and thus, the sugar supply rate, was high. Finally, the metabolic processes during fed-batch CBP were analyzed in depth by online respiration measurements. Thereby, substrate availability was again identified as key factor also controlling itaconic acid yield. In summary, an itaconic acid titer of 34 g/L with a total productivity of up to 0.07 g/L/h and a yield of 0.16 g/g could be reached during fed-batch cultivation. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the feasibility of consortium-based CBP for itaconic acid production and also lays the fundamentals for the development and improvement of similar microbial consortia for cellulose-based organic acid production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Schlembach
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans-Knöll-Institute, Jena, Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany
| | - Hamed Hosseinpour Tehrani
- Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology - ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Lars M. Blank
- Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology - ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jochen Büchs
- AVT‑Biochemical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Nick Wierckx
- Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology - ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Lars Regestein
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans-Knöll-Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Miriam A. Rosenbaum
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans-Knöll-Institute, Jena, Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany
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Chettri D, Verma AK, Verma AK. Innovations in CAZyme gene diversity and its modification for biorefinery applications. BIOTECHNOLOGY REPORTS (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2020; 28:e00525. [PMID: 32963975 PMCID: PMC7490808 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2020.e00525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
For sustainable growth, concept of biorefineries as recourse to the "fossil derived" energy source is important. Here, the Carbohydrate Active enZymes (CAZymes) play decisive role in generation of biofuels and related sugar-based products utilizing lignocellulose as a carbon source. Given their industrial significance, extensive studies on the evolution of CAZymes have been carried out. Various bacterial and fungal organisms have been scrutinized for the development of CAZymes, where advance techniques for strain enhancement such as CRISPR and analysis of specific expression systems have been deployed. Specific Omic-based techniques along with protein engineering have been adopted to unearth novel CAZymes and improve applicability of existing enzymes. In-Silico computational research and functional annotation of new CAZymes to synergy experiments are being carried out to devise cocktails of enzymes for use in biorefineries. Thus, with the establishment of these technologies, increased diversity of CAZymes with broad span of functions and applications is seen.
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Lee J, Hilgers F, Loeschke A, Jaeger KE, Feldbrügge M. Ustilago maydis Serves as a Novel Production Host for the Synthesis of Plant and Fungal Sesquiterpenoids. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1655. [PMID: 32849341 PMCID: PMC7396576 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sesquiterpenoids are important secondary metabolites with various pharma- and nutraceutical properties. In particular, higher basidiomycetes possess a versatile biosynthetic repertoire for these bioactive compounds. To date, only a few microbial production systems for fungal sesquiterpenoids have been established. Here, we introduce Ustilago maydis as a novel production host. This model fungus is a close relative of higher basidiomycetes. It offers the advantage of metabolic compatibility and potential tolerance for substances toxic to other microorganisms. We successfully implemented a heterologous pathway to produce the carotenoid lycopene that served as a straightforward read-out for precursor pathway engineering. Overexpressing genes encoding enzymes of the mevalonate pathway resulted in increased lycopene levels. Verifying the subcellular localization of the relevant enzymes revealed that initial metabolic reactions might take place in peroxisomes: despite the absence of a canonical peroxisomal targeting sequence, acetyl-CoA C-acetyltransferase Aat1 localized to peroxisomes. By expressing the plant (+)-valencene synthase CnVS and the basidiomycete sesquiterpenoid synthase Cop6, we succeeded in producing (+)-valencene and α-cuprenene, respectively. Importantly, the fungal compound yielded about tenfold higher titers in comparison to the plant substance. This proof of principle demonstrates that U. maydis can serve as promising novel chassis for the production of terpenoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungho Lee
- Bioeconomy Science Centre, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Institute for Microbiology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Fabienne Hilgers
- Institute for Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, and Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1, Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Anita Loeschke
- Institute for Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, and Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1, Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Karl-Erich Jaeger
- Institute for Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, and Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1, Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Michael Feldbrügge
- Bioeconomy Science Centre, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Institute for Microbiology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Müntjes K, Philipp M, Hüsemann L, Heucken N, Weidtkamp-Peters S, Schipper K, Zurbriggen MD, Feldbrügge M. Establishing Polycistronic Expression in the Model Microorganism Ustilago maydis. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1384. [PMID: 32670239 PMCID: PMC7326815 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic microorganisms use monocistronic mRNAs to encode proteins. For synthetic biological approaches like metabolic engineering, precise co-expression of several proteins in space and time is advantageous. A straightforward approach is the application of viral 2A peptides to design synthetic polycistronic mRNAs in eukaryotes. During translation of these peptides the ribosome stalls, the peptide chain is released and the ribosome resumes translation. Thus, two independent polypeptide chains can be encoded from a single mRNA when a 2A peptide sequence is placed inbetween the two open reading frames. Here, we establish such a system in the well-studied model microorganism Ustilago maydis. Using two fluorescence reporter proteins, we compared the activity of five viral 2A peptides. Their activity was evaluated in vivo using fluorescence microscopy and validated using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Activity ranged from 20 to 100% and the best performing 2A peptide was P2A from porcine teschovirus-1. As proof of principle, we followed regulated gene expression efficiently over time and synthesised a tri-cistronic mRNA encoding biosynthetic enzymes to produce mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs). In essence, we evaluated 2A peptides in vivo and demonstrated the applicability of 2A peptide technology for U. maydis in basic and applied science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira Müntjes
- Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Bioeconomy Science Centre, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Magnus Philipp
- Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Bioeconomy Science Centre, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lisa Hüsemann
- Institute of Synthetic Biology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Bioeconomy Science Centre, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Nicole Heucken
- Institute of Synthetic Biology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Bioeconomy Science Centre, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Kerstin Schipper
- Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Bioeconomy Science Centre, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Matias D. Zurbriggen
- Institute of Synthetic Biology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Bioeconomy Science Centre, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Michael Feldbrügge
- Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Bioeconomy Science Centre, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Abstract
Itaconic acid is an industrial produced chemical by the sensitive filamentous fungus Aspergillus terreus and can replace petrochemical-based monomers for polymer industry. To produce itaconic acid with alternative renewable substrates, such as lignocellulosic based hydrolysates, a robust microorganism is needed due to varying compositions and impurities. Itaconic acid producing basidiomycetous yeasts of the family Ustilaginaceae provide this required characteristic and the species Ustilago rabenhorstiana was examined in this study. By an optimization of media components, process parameters, and a fed-batch mode with glucose the final titer increased from maximum 33.3 g·L−1 in shake flasks to 50.3 g·L−1 in a bioreactor. Moreover, itaconic acid was produced from different sugar monomers based on renewable feedstocks by U. rabenhorstiana and the robustness against weak acids as sugar degradation products was confirmed. Based on these findings, U. rabenhorstiana has a high potential as alternative natural itaconic acid producer besides the well-known U. maydis and A. terreus.
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Complementing the intrinsic repertoire of Ustilago maydis for degradation of the pectin backbone polygalacturonic acid. J Biotechnol 2020; 307:148-163. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2019.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Kameshwar AKS, Ramos LP, Qin W. CAZymes-based ranking of fungi (CBRF): an interactive web database for identifying fungi with extrinsic plant biomass degrading abilities. BIORESOUR BIOPROCESS 2019. [DOI: 10.1186/s40643-019-0286-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractCarbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) are industrially important enzymes, which are involved in synthesis and breakdown of carbohydrates. CAZymes secreted by microorganisms especially fungi are widely used in industries. However, identifying an ideal fungal candidate is costly and time-consuming process. In this regard, we have developed a web-database “CAZymes Based Ranking of Fungi (CBRF)”, for sorting and selecting an ideal fungal candidate based on their genome-wide distribution of CAZymes. We have retrieved the complete annotated proteomic data of 443 published fungal genomes from JGI-MycoCosm web-repository, for the CBRF web-database construction. CBRF web-database was developed using open source computing programing languages such as MySQL, HTML, CSS, bootstrap, jQuery, JavaScript and Ajax frameworks. CBRF web-database sorts complete annotated list of fungi based on three selection functionalities: (a) to sort either by ascending (or) descending orders; (b) to sort the fungi based on a selected CAZy group and class; (c) to sort fungi based on their individual lignocellulolytic abilities. We have also developed a simple and basic webpage “S-CAZymes” using HTML, CSS and Java script languages. The global search functionality of S-CAZymes enables the users to understand and retrieve information about a specific carbohydrate-active enzyme and its current classification in the corresponding CAZy family. The S-CAZymes is a supporting web page which can be used in complementary with the CBRF web-database (knowing the classification of specific CAZyme in S-CAZyme and use this information further to sort fungi using CBRF web-database). The CBRF web-database and S-CAZymes webpage are hosted through Amazon® Web Services (AWS) available at http://13.58.192.177/RankEnzymes/about. We strongly believe that CBRF web-database simplifies the process of identifying a suitable fungus both in academics and industries. In future, we intend to update the CBRF web-database with the public release of new annotated fungal genomes.
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Aschenbroich J, Hussnaetter KP, Stoffels P, Langner T, Zander S, Sandrock B, Bölker M, Feldbrügge M, Schipper K. The germinal centre kinase Don3 is crucial for unconventional secretion of chitinase Cts1 in Ustilago maydis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2019; 1867:140154. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2018.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Hosseinpour Tehrani H, Becker J, Bator I, Saur K, Meyer S, Rodrigues Lóia AC, Blank LM, Wierckx N. Integrated strain- and process design enable production of 220 g L -1 itaconic acid with Ustilago maydis. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2019; 12:263. [PMID: 31709012 PMCID: PMC6833137 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-019-1605-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Itaconic acid is an unsaturated, dicarboxylic acid which finds a wide range of applications in the polymer industry and as a building block for fuels, solvents and pharmaceuticals. Currently, Aspergillus terreus is used for industrial production, with titers above 100 g L-1 depending on the conditions. Besides A. terreus, Ustilago maydis is also a promising itaconic acid production host due to its yeast-like morphology. Recent strain engineering efforts significantly increased the yield, titer and rate of production. RESULTS In this study, itaconate production by U. maydis was further increased by integrated strain- and process engineering. Next-generation itaconate hyper-producing strains were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 and FLP/FRT genome editing tools for gene deletion, promoter replacement, and overexpression of genes. The handling and morphology of this engineered strain were improved by deletion of fuz7, which is part of a regulatory cascade that governs morphology and pathogenicity. These strain modifications enabled the development of an efficient fermentation process with in situ product crystallization with CaCO3. This integrated approach resulted in a maximum itaconate titer of 220 g L-1, with a total acid titer of 248 g L-1, which is a significant improvement compared to best published itaconate titers reached with U. maydis and with A. terreus. CONCLUSION In this study, itaconic acid production could be enhanced significantly by morphological- and metabolic engineering in combination with process development, yielding the highest titer reported with any microorganism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Hosseinpour Tehrani
- iAMB-Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt-Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Johanna Becker
- iAMB-Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt-Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Isabel Bator
- iAMB-Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt-Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Katharina Saur
- iAMB-Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt-Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Svenja Meyer
- iAMB-Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt-Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Ana Catarina Rodrigues Lóia
- iAMB-Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt-Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Lars M. Blank
- iAMB-Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt-Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Nick Wierckx
- iAMB-Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt-Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Wilhelm-Johnen-Str., 52425 Jülich, Germany
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Teleky BE, Vodnar DC. Biomass-Derived Production of Itaconic Acid as a Building Block in Specialty Polymers. Polymers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1035. [PMID: 31212656 PMCID: PMC6630286 DOI: 10.3390/polym11061035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomass, the only source of renewable organic carbon on Earth, offers an efficient substrate for bio-based organic acid production as an alternative to the leading petrochemical industry based on non-renewable resources. Itaconic acid (IA) is one of the most important organic acids that can be obtained from lignocellulose biomass. IA, a 5-C dicarboxylic acid, is a promising platform chemical with extensive applications; therefore, it is included in the top 12 building block chemicals by the US Department of Energy. Biotechnologically, IA production can take place through fermentation with fungi like Aspergillus terreus and Ustilago maydis strains or with metabolically engineered bacteria like Escherichia coli and Corynebacterium glutamicum. Bio-based IA represents a feasible substitute for petrochemically produced acrylic acid, paints, varnishes, biodegradable polymers, and other different organic compounds. IA and its derivatives, due to their trifunctional structure, support the synthesis of a wide range of innovative polymers through crosslinking, with applications in special hydrogels for water decontamination, targeted drug delivery (especially in cancer treatment), smart nanohydrogels in food applications, coatings, and elastomers. The present review summarizes the latest research regarding major IA production pathways, metabolic engineering procedures, and the synthesis and applications of novel polymeric materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadette-Emőke Teleky
- Institute of Life Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Dan Cristian Vodnar
- Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Institute of Life Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
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New Insights of Ustilago maydis as Yeast Model for Genetic and Biotechnological Research: A Review. Curr Microbiol 2019; 76:917-926. [DOI: 10.1007/s00284-019-01629-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Llanos A, Déjean S, Neugnot-Roux V, François JM, Parrou JL. Carbon sources and XlnR-dependent transcriptional landscape of CAZymes in the industrial fungus Talaromyces versatilis: when exception seems to be the rule. Microb Cell Fact 2019; 18:14. [PMID: 30691469 PMCID: PMC6348686 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-019-1062-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Research on filamentous fungi emphasized the remarkable redundancy in genes encoding hydrolytic enzymes, the similarities but also the large differences in their expression, especially through the role of the XlnR/XYR1 transcriptional activator. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the specificities of the industrial fungus Talaromyces versatilis, getting clues into the role of XlnR and the importance of glucose repression at the transcriptional level, to provide further levers for cocktail production. Results By studying a set of 62 redundant genes representative of several categories of enzymes, our results underlined the huge plasticity of transcriptional responses when changing nutritional status. As a general trend, the more heterogeneous the substrate, the more efficient to trigger activation. Genetic modifications of xlnR led to significant reorganisation of transcriptional patterns. Just a minimal set of genes actually fitted in a simplistic model of regulation by a transcriptional activator, and this under specific substrates. On the contrary, the diversity of xlnR+ versus ΔxlnR responses illustrated the existence of complex and unpredicted patterns of co-regulated genes that were highly dependent on the culture condition, even between genes that encode members of a functional category of enzymes. They notably revealed a dual, substrate-dependant repressor-activator role of XlnR, with counter-intuitive transcripts regulations that targeted specific genes. About glucose, it appeared as a formal repressive sugar as we observed a massive repression of most genes upon glucose addition to the mycelium grown on wheat straw. However, we also noticed a positive role of this sugar on the basal expression of a few genes, (notably those encoding cellulases), showing again the strong dependence of these regulatory mechanisms upon promoter and nutritional contexts. Conclusions The diversity of transcriptional patterns appeared to be the rule, while common and stable behaviour, both within gene families and with fungal literature, the exception. The setup of a new biotechnological process to reach optimized, if not customized expression patterns of enzymes, hence appeared tricky just relying on published data that can lead, in the best scenario, to approximate trends. We instead encourage preliminary experimental assays, carried out in the context of interest to reassess gene responses, as a mandatory step before thinking in (genetic) strategies for the improvement of enzyme production in fungi.![]() Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12934-019-1062-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustina Llanos
- LISBP, Université de Toulouse, INSA, INRA, CNRS, Toulouse, France.,Adisseo France S.A.S, 135 Avenue de Rangueil, 31077, Toulouse, France
| | - Sébastien Déjean
- Institut de Mathématiques de Toulouse, UMR5219-Université de Toulouse; CNRS-UPS, 31062, Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | | | - Jean M François
- LISBP, Université de Toulouse, INSA, INRA, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Luc Parrou
- LISBP, Université de Toulouse, INSA, INRA, CNRS, Toulouse, France.
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26
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A Potential Lock-Type Mechanism for Unconventional Secretion in Fungi. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20030460. [PMID: 30678160 PMCID: PMC6386918 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20030460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein export in eukaryotes can either occur via the classical pathway traversing the endomembrane system or exploit alternative routes summarized as unconventional secretion. Besides multiple examples in higher eukaryotes, unconventional secretion has also been described for fungal proteins with diverse functions in important processes such as development or virulence. Accumulating molecular insights into the different export pathways suggest that unconventional secretion in fungal microorganisms does not follow a common scheme but has evolved multiple times independently. In this study, we review the most prominent examples with a focus on the chitinase Cts1 from the corn smut Ustilago maydis. Cts1 participates in cell separation during budding growth. Recent evidence indicates that the enzyme might be actively translocated into the fragmentation zone connecting dividing mother and daughter cells, where it supports cell division by the degradation of remnant chitin. Importantly, a functional fragmentation zone is prerequisite for Cts1 release. We summarize in detail what is currently known about this potential lock-type mechanism of Cts1 secretion and its connection to the complex regulation of fragmentation zone assembly and cell separation.
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Müller MJ, Stachurski S, Stoffels P, Schipper K, Feldbrügge M, Büchs J. Online evaluation of the metabolic activity of Ustilago maydis on (poly)galacturonic acid. J Biol Eng 2018; 12:34. [PMID: 30574186 PMCID: PMC6299674 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-018-0128-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pectin is a rather complex and highly branched polysaccharide strengthening the plant cell wall. Thus, many different pectinases are required for an efficient microbial conversion of biomass waste streams with a high pectin content like citrus peel, apple pomace or sugar beet pulp. The screening and optimization of strains growing on pectic substrates requires both, quantification of the residual substrate and an accurate determination of the enzymatic activity. Galacturonic acid, the main sugar unit of pectin, is an uncommon substrate for microbial fermentations. Thus, growth and enzyme production of the applied strain has to be characterized in detail to understand the microbial system. An essential step to reach this goal is the development of online monitoring tools. Results In this study, a method for the online determination of residual substrate was developed for the growth of the plant pathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis on pectic substrates such as galacturonic acid. To this end, an U. maydis strain was used that expressed a heterologous exo-polygalacturonase for growth on polygalacturonic acid. The growth behavior on galacturonic acid was analyzed by online measurement of the respiration activity. A method for the online prediction of the residual galacturonic acid concentration during the cultivation, based on the overall oxygen consumption, was developed and verified by offline sampling. This sensitive method was extended towards polygalacturonic acid, which is challenging to quantify via offline measurements. Finally, the enzymatic activity in the culture supernatant was calculated and the enzyme stability during the course of the cultivation was confirmed. Conclusion The introduced method can reliably predict the residual (poly)galacturonic acid concentration based on the overall oxygen consumption. Based on this method, the enzymatic activity of the culture broth of an U. maydis strain expressing a heterologous exo-polygalacturonase could be calculated. It was demonstrated that the method is especially advantageous for determination of low enzymatic activities. In future, it will be applied to U. maydis strains in which the number of produced hydrolytic enzymes is increased for more efficient degradation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13036-018-0128-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Jan Müller
- 1AVT - Biochemical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Jochen Büchs, Forckenbeckstr. 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC), 52426 Jülich, Germany
| | - Sarah Stachurski
- 1AVT - Biochemical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Jochen Büchs, Forckenbeckstr. 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Peter Stoffels
- 2Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.,Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC), 52426 Jülich, Germany
| | - Kerstin Schipper
- 2Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.,Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC), 52426 Jülich, Germany
| | - Michael Feldbrügge
- 2Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.,Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC), 52426 Jülich, Germany
| | - Jochen Büchs
- 1AVT - Biochemical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Jochen Büchs, Forckenbeckstr. 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC), 52426 Jülich, Germany
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28
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Regestein L, Klement T, Grande P, Kreyenschulte D, Heyman B, Maßmann T, Eggert A, Sengpiel R, Wang Y, Wierckx N, Blank LM, Spiess A, Leitner W, Bolm C, Wessling M, Jupke A, Rosenbaum M, Büchs J. From beech wood to itaconic acid: case study on biorefinery process integration. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2018; 11:279. [PMID: 30337958 PMCID: PMC6180396 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-018-1273-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Renewable raw materials in sustainable biorefinery processes pose new challenges to the manufacturing routes of platform chemicals. Beside the investigations of individual unit operations, the research on process chains, leading from plant biomass to the final products like lactic acid, succinic acid, and itaconic acid is increasing. This article presents a complete process chain from wooden biomass to the platform chemical itaconic acid. The process starts with the mechanical pretreatment of beech wood, which subsequently is subjected to chemo-catalytic biomass fractionation (OrganoCat) into three phases, which comprise cellulose pulp, aqueous hydrolyzed hemicellulose, and organic lignin solutions. Lignin is transferred to further chemical valorization. The aqueous phase containing oxalic acid as well as hemi-cellulosic sugars is treated by nanofiltration to recycle the acid catalyst back to the chemo-catalytic pretreatment and to concentrate the sugar hydrolysate. In a parallel step, the cellulose pulp is enzymatically hydrolyzed to yield glucose, which-together with the pentose-rich stream-can be used as a carbon source in the fermentation. The fermentation of the sugar fraction into itaconic acid can either be performed with the established fungi Aspergillus terreus or with Ustilago maydis. Both fermentation concepts were realized and evaluated. For purification, (in situ) filtration, (in situ) extraction, and crystallization were investigated. The presented comprehensive examination and discussion of the itaconate synthesis process-as a case study-demonstrates the impact of realistic process conditions on product yield, choice of whole cell catalyst, chemocatalysts and organic solvent system, operation mode, and, finally, the selection of a downstream concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Regestein
- AVT—Bio-chemical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstr. 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 23, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Tobias Klement
- AVT—Bio-chemical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstr. 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Center of Molecular Transformations, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Philipp Grande
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52064 Aachen, Germany
- Institut für Bio- und Geowissenschaften, Pflanzenwissenschaften (IBG-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Dirk Kreyenschulte
- AVT—Bio-chemical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstr. 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Benedikt Heyman
- AVT—Bio-chemical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstr. 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Tim Maßmann
- AVT—Fluid Process Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstr. 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Armin Eggert
- AVT—Fluid Process Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstr. 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Robert Sengpiel
- AVT—Chemical Process Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstr. 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Yumei Wang
- AVT—Enzyme Process Technology, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstr. 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Nick Wierckx
- iAMB-Institute of Applied Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52064 Aachen, Germany
| | - Lars M. Blank
- iAMB-Institute of Applied Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52064 Aachen, Germany
| | - Antje Spiess
- AVT—Enzyme Process Technology, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstr. 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Institut für Bioverfahrenstechnik, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106 Brunswick, Germany
| | - Walter Leitner
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52064 Aachen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstraße 34-36, 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Carsten Bolm
- Institut für Organische Chemie, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Matthias Wessling
- AVT—Chemical Process Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstr. 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Andreas Jupke
- AVT—Fluid Process Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstr. 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Miriam Rosenbaum
- iAMB-Institute of Applied Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52064 Aachen, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 23, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Jochen Büchs
- AVT—Bio-chemical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstr. 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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29
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Hartmann SK, Stockdreher Y, Wandrey G, Hosseinpour Tehrani H, Zambanini T, Meyer AJ, Büchs J, Blank LM, Schwarzländer M, Wierckx N. Online in vivo monitoring of cytosolic NAD redox dynamics in Ustilago maydis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2018; 1859:1015-1024. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2018.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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30
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Terfrüchte M, Wewetzer S, Sarkari P, Stollewerk D, Franz-Wachtel M, Macek B, Schlepütz T, Feldbrügge M, Büchs J, Schipper K. Tackling destructive proteolysis of unconventionally secreted heterologous proteins in Ustilago maydis. J Biotechnol 2018; 284:37-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2018.07.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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31
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Geiser E, Hosseinpour Tehrani H, Meyer S, Blank LM, Wierckx N. Evolutionary freedom in the regulation of the conserved itaconate cluster by Ria1 in related Ustilaginaceae. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2018; 5:14. [PMID: 30065845 PMCID: PMC6064134 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-018-0058-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Itaconate is getting growing biotechnological significance, due to its use as a platform compound for the production of bio-based polymers, chemicals, and novel fuels. Currently, Aspergillus terreus is used for its industrial production. The Ustilaginaceae family of smut fungi, especially Ustilago maydis, has gained biotechnological interest, due to its ability to naturally produce this dicarboxylic acid. The unicellular, non-filamentous growth form makes these fungi promising alternative candidates for itaconate production. Itaconate production was also observed in other Ustilaginaceae species such as U. cynodontis, U. xerochloae, and U. vetiveriae. The investigated species and strains varied in a range of 0-8 g L-1 itaconate. The genes responsible for itaconate biosynthesis are not known for these strains and therefore not characterized to explain this variability. Results Itaconate production of 13 strains from 7 species known as itaconate producers among the family Ustilaginaceae were further characterized. The sequences of the gene cluster for itaconate synthesis were analyzed by a complete genome sequencing and comparison to the annotated itaconate cluster of U. maydis. Additionally, the phylogenetic relationship and inter-species transferability of the itaconate cluster transcription factor Ria1 was investigated in detail. Doing so, itaconate production could be activated or enhanced by overexpression of Ria1 originating from a related species, showing their narrow phylogenetic relatedness. Conclusion Itaconate production by Ustilaginaceae species can be considerably increased by changing gene cluster regulation by overexpression of the Ria1 protein, thus contributing to the industrial application of these fungi for the biotechnological production of this valuable biomass derived chemical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Geiser
- 1iAMB - Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt - Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,BioSC, c/o Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Hamed Hosseinpour Tehrani
- 1iAMB - Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt - Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Svenja Meyer
- 1iAMB - Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt - Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Lars M Blank
- 1iAMB - Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt - Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Nick Wierckx
- 1iAMB - Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt - Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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32
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Zambanini T, Hartmann SK, Schmitz LM, Büttner L, Hosseinpour Tehrani H, Geiser E, Beudels M, Venc D, Wandrey G, Büchs J, Schwarzländer M, Blank LM, Wierckx N. Promoters from the itaconate cluster of Ustilago maydis are induced by nitrogen depletion. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2017; 4:11. [PMID: 29209508 PMCID: PMC5706154 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-017-0040-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ustilago maydis is known for its natural potential to produce a broad range of valuable chemicals, such as itaconate, from both industrial carbon waste streams and renewable biomass. Production of itaconate, and many other secondary metabolites, is induced by nitrogen limitation in U. maydis. The clustered genes responsible for itaconate production have recently been identified, enabling the development of new expression tools that are compatible with biotechnological processes. Results Here we report on the investigation of two of the native promoters, Ptad1 and Pmtt1, from the itaconate cluster of U. maydis MB215. For both promoters the specific activation upon nitrogen limitation, which is known to be the trigger for itaconate production in Ustilago, could be demonstrated by gfp expression. The promoters cover a broad range of expression levels, especially when combined with the possibility to create single- and multicopy construct integration events. In addition, these reporter constructs enable a functional characterization of gene induction patterns associated with itaconate production. Conclusions The promoters are well suited to induce gene expression in response to nitrogen limitation, coupled to the itaconate production phase, which contributes towards the further improvement of organic acid production with Ustilago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiemo Zambanini
- Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology - ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, Aachen, 52074 Germany
| | - Sandra K Hartmann
- Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology - ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, Aachen, 52074 Germany.,BioSC, c/o Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Lisa M Schmitz
- Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology - ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, Aachen, 52074 Germany
| | - Linda Büttner
- Department of Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 8, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Hamed Hosseinpour Tehrani
- Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology - ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, Aachen, 52074 Germany
| | - Elena Geiser
- Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology - ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, Aachen, 52074 Germany
| | - Melanie Beudels
- Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology - ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, Aachen, 52074 Germany
| | - Dominik Venc
- Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology - ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, Aachen, 52074 Germany
| | - Georg Wandrey
- AVT-Aachener Verfahrenstechnik, Biochemical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstraße 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Jochen Büchs
- AVT-Aachener Verfahrenstechnik, Biochemical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstraße 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Markus Schwarzländer
- BioSC, c/o Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany.,Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, 53113 Bonn, Germany.,Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology (IBBP), Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, 48143 Münster, Germany
| | - Lars M Blank
- Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology - ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, Aachen, 52074 Germany
| | - Nick Wierckx
- Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology - ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, Aachen, 52074 Germany
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33
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Biotechnological production of value-added compounds by ustilaginomycetous yeasts. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2017; 101:7789-7809. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-017-8516-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Revised: 09/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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34
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Zambanini T, Hosseinpour Tehrani H, Geiser E, Merker D, Schleese S, Krabbe J, Buescher JM, Meurer G, Wierckx N, Blank LM. Efficient itaconic acid production from glycerol with Ustilago vetiveriae TZ1. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2017; 10:131. [PMID: 28533815 PMCID: PMC5438567 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-017-0809-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The family of Ustilaginaceae is known for their capability to naturally produce industrially valuable chemicals from different carbon sources. Recently, several Ustilaginaceae were reported to produce organic acids from glycerol, which is the main side stream in biodiesel production. RESULTS In this study, we present Ustilago vetiveriae as new production organism for itaconate synthesis from glycerol. In a screening of 126 Ustilaginaceae, this organism reached one of the highest titers for itaconate combined with a high-glycerol uptake rate. By adaptive laboratory evolution, the production characteristics of this strain could be improved. Further medium optimization with the best single colony, U. vetiveriae TZ1, in 24-deep well plates resulted in a maximal itaconate titer of 34.7 ± 2.5 g L-1 produced at a rate of 0.09 ± 0.01 g L-1 h-1 from 196 g L-1 glycerol. Simultaneously, this strain produced 46.2 ± 1.4 g L-1 malate at a rate of 0.12 ± 0.00 g L-1 h-1. Due to product inhibition, the itaconate titer in NaOH-titrated bioreactor cultivations was lower (24 g L-1). Notably, an acidic pH value of 5.5 resulted in decreased itaconate production, however, completely abolishing malate production. Overexpression of ria1 or mtt1, encoding a transcriptional regulator and mitochondrial transporter, respectively, from the itaconate cluster of U. maydis resulted in a 2.0-fold (ria1) and 1.5-fold (mtt1) higher itaconate titer in comparison to the wild-type strain, simultaneously reducing malate production by 75 and 41%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The observed production properties of U. vetiveriae TZ1 make this strain a promising candidate for microbial itaconate production. The outcome of the overexpression experiments, which resulted in reduced malate production in favor of an increased itaconate titer, clearly strengthens its potential for industrial itaconate production from glycerol as major side stream of biodiesel production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiemo Zambanini
- Institute of Applied Microbiology-iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology-ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Hamed Hosseinpour Tehrani
- Institute of Applied Microbiology-iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology-ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Elena Geiser
- Institute of Applied Microbiology-iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology-ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Dorothee Merker
- Institute of Applied Microbiology-iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology-ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Sarah Schleese
- Institute of Applied Microbiology-iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology-ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Judith Krabbe
- Institute of Applied Microbiology-iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology-ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Guido Meurer
- BRAIN AG, Darmstädter Straße 34, 64673 Zwingenberg, Germany
| | - Nick Wierckx
- Institute of Applied Microbiology-iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology-ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Lars M. Blank
- Institute of Applied Microbiology-iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology-ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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35
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Geiser E, Przybilla SK, Engel M, Kleineberg W, Büttner L, Sarikaya E, Hartog TD, Klankermayer J, Leitner W, Bölker M, Blank LM, Wierckx N. Genetic and biochemical insights into the itaconate pathway of Ustilago maydis enable enhanced production. Metab Eng 2016; 38:427-435. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2016.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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