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Gao J, Ali MY, Kamaraj Y, Zhang Z, Weike L, Sethupathy S, Zhu D. A comprehensive review on biological funnel mechanism in lignin valorization: Pathways and enzyme dynamics. Microbiol Res 2024; 287:127835. [PMID: 39032264 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127835] [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: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Lignin, a significant byproduct of the paper and pulp industry, is attracting interest due to its potential utilization in biomaterial-based sectors and biofuel production. Investigating biological methods for converting lignin into valuable products is crucial for effective utilization and has recently gained growing attention. Several microorganisms effectively decomposed low molecular weight lignins, transforming them into intermediate compounds via upper and lower metabolic pathways. This review focuses on assessing bacterial metabolic pathways involved in the breakdown of lignin into aromatic compounds and their subsequent utilization by different bacteria through various metabolic pathways. Understanding these pathways is essential for developing efficient synthetic metabolic systems to valorize lignin and obtain valuable industrial aromatic chemicals. The concept of "biological funneling," which involves examining key enzymes, their interactions, and the complex metabolic pathways associated with lignin conversion, is crucial in lignin valorization. By manipulating lignin metabolic pathways and utilizing biological routes, many aromatic compounds can be synthesized within cellular factories. Although there is insufficient evidence regarding the complete metabolism of polyaromatic hydrocarbons by particular microorganisms, understanding lignin-degrading enzymes, regulatory mechanisms, and interactions among various enzyme systems is essential for optimizing lignin valorization. This review highlights recent advancements in lignin valorization, bio-funneling, multi-omics, and analytical characterization approaches for aromatic utilization. It provides up-to-date information and insights into the latest research findings and technological innovations. The review offers valuable insights into the future potential of biological routes for lignin valorization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayue Gao
- Biofuels Institute, School of Emergency Management, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Mohamed Yassin Ali
- Biofuels Institute, School of Emergency Management, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, Fayoum 63514, Egypt
| | - Yoganathan Kamaraj
- Biofuels Institute, School of Emergency Management, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Zhenghao Zhang
- Biofuels Institute, School of Emergency Management, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Li Weike
- Biofuels Institute, School of Emergency Management, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Sivasamy Sethupathy
- Biofuels Institute, School of Emergency Management, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Daochen Zhu
- Biofuels Institute, School of Emergency Management, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China.
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Liu A, Ellis D, Mhatre A, Brahmankar S, Seto J, Nielsen DR, Varman AM. Biomanufacturing of value-added chemicals from lignin. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 89:103178. [PMID: 39098292 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103178] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Lignin valorization faces persistent biomanufacturing challenges due to the heterogeneous and toxic carbon substrates derived from lignin depolymerization. To address the heterogeneous nature of aromatic feedstocks, plant cell wall engineering and 'lignin first' pretreatment methods have recently emerged. Next, to convert the resulting aromatic substrates into value-added chemicals, diverse microbial host systems also continue to be developed. This includes microbes that (1) lack aromatic metabolism, (2) metabolize aromatics but not sugars, and (3) co-metabolize both aromatics and sugars, each system presenting unique pros and cons. Considering the intrinsic complexity of lignin-derived substrate mixtures, emerging and non-model microbes with native metabolism for aromatics appear poised to provide the greatest impacts on lignin valorization via biomanufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arren Liu
- Biological Design Program, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Dylan Ellis
- Chemical Engineering Program, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Apurv Mhatre
- Chemical Engineering Program, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Sumant Brahmankar
- Chemical Engineering Program, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Jong Seto
- Chemical Engineering Program, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - David R Nielsen
- Biological Design Program, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA; Chemical Engineering Program, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Arul M Varman
- Biological Design Program, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA; Chemical Engineering Program, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
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Yoshida A, Kurnia I, Higuchi Y, Osaka Y, Yasuta C, Sakamoto C, Tamura M, Takamatsu T, Kamimura N, Masai E, Sonoki T. Direct catalytic oxidation of rice husk lignin with hydroxide nanorod-modified copper foam and muconate production by engineered Pseudomonas sp. NGC7. J Biosci Bioeng 2024:S1389-1723(24)00227-5. [PMID: 39191570 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2024.07.016] [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: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
For the direct alkaline oxidation of rice husk lignin, we developed a copper foam-based heterogeneous catalyst that offers advantages in its recovery after the reaction mixture. The depolymerized products were utilized for muconate production by an engineered Pseudomonas sp. NGC7-based strain. A hydroxide nanorod-modified copper foam was prepared by the surface oxidation of copper foam, followed by alkaline oxidation of rice husk lignin over the catalyst. The catalyst was easily separated from the cellulosic residues in the reaction mixture, and the residues were then recovered by filtration. The resulting lignin stream was composed of a variety of aromatic monomers containing p-hydroxyphenyl, guaiacyl, and syringyl compounds. The catabolic activity of Pseudomonas sp. NGC7 was demonstrated to be more suitable for muconate production from a mixture comprising 4-hydroxybenzoate (a typical p-hydroxyphenyl compound), vanillate (a guaiacyl compound), and syringate (a syringyl compound), owing to its natural ability to grow on syringate. Thus, it was applied to produce muconate from a rice husk lignin stream prepared through hydroxide nanorod-modified copper foam-catalyzed alkaline oxidation by conferring the genes responsible for converting the acetophenone derivatives to their corresponding aromatic acids and protocatechuate decarboxylase to an NGC7-based strain deficient in protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase and muconate cycloisomerase. As a result, the engineered NGC7-based muconate-producing strain produced muconate selectively from the rice husk lignin stream at 93.7 mol% yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiro Yoshida
- Institute of Regional Innovation (IRI), Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8561, Japan; Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8561, Japan
| | - Irwan Kurnia
- Institute of Regional Innovation (IRI), Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8561, Japan; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jl. Raya Bandung-Sumedang Km. 21 Jatinangor, Sumedang 45363, Indonesia
| | - Yudai Higuchi
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8561, Japan
| | - Yuta Osaka
- Institute of Regional Innovation (IRI), Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8561, Japan
| | - Chieko Yasuta
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8561, Japan
| | - Chiho Sakamoto
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8561, Japan
| | - Mina Tamura
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8561, Japan
| | - Tsubasa Takamatsu
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8561, Japan
| | - Naofumi Kamimura
- Department of Materials Science and Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan
| | - Eiji Masai
- Department of Materials Science and Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan
| | - Tomonori Sonoki
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8561, Japan.
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García-Romero I, de Dios R, Reyes-Ramírez F. An improved genome editing system for Sphingomonadaceae. Access Microbiol 2024; 6:000755.v3. [PMID: 38868378 PMCID: PMC11165598 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000755.v3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The sphingomonads encompass a diverse group of bacteria within the family Sphingomonadaceae, with the presence of sphingolipids on their cell surface instead of lipopolysaccharide as their main common feature. They are particularly interesting for bioremediation purposes due to their ability to degrade or metabolise a variety of recalcitrant organic pollutants. However, research and development on their full bioremediation potential has been hampered because of the limited number of tools available to investigate and modify their genome. Here, we present a markerless genome editing method for Sphingopyxis granuli TFA, which can be further optimised for other sphingomonads. This procedure is based on a double recombination triggered by a DNA double-strand break in the chromosome. The strength of this protocol lies in forcing the second recombination rather than favouring it by pressing a counterselection marker, thus avoiding laborious restreaking or passaging screenings. Additionally, we introduce a modification with respect to the original protocol to increase the efficiency of the screening after the first recombination event. We show this procedure step by step and compare our modified method with respect to the original one by deleting ecfG2, the master regulator of the general stress response in S. granuli TFA. This adds to the genetic tool repertoire that can be applied to sphingomonads and stands as an efficient option for fast genome editing of this bacterial group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada García-Romero
- Departamento de Biología Molecular e Ingeniería Bioquímica, Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Junta de Andalucía, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rubén de Dios
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, Centre of Inflammation Research and Translational Medicine, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences,, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
| | - Francisca Reyes-Ramírez
- Departamento de Biología Molecular e Ingeniería Bioquímica, Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Junta de Andalucía, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
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Vilbert AC, Kontur WS, Gille D, Noguera DR, Donohue TJ. Engineering Novosphingobium aromaticivorans to produce cis,cis-muconic acid from biomass aromatics. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0166023. [PMID: 38117061 PMCID: PMC10807440 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01660-23] [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: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The platform chemical cis,cis-muconic acid (ccMA) provides facile access to a number of monomers used in the synthesis of commercial plastics. It is also a metabolic intermediate in the β-ketoadipic acid pathway of many bacteria and, therefore, a current target for microbial production from abundant renewable resources via metabolic engineering. This study investigates Novosphingobium aromaticivorans DSM12444 as a chassis for the production of ccMA from biomass aromatics. The N. aromaticivorans genome predicts that it encodes a previously uncharacterized protocatechuic acid (PCA) decarboxylase and a catechol 1,2-dioxygenase, which would be necessary for the conversion of aromatic metabolic intermediates to ccMA. This study confirmed the activity of these two enzymes in vitro and compared their activity to ones that have been previously characterized and used in ccMA production. From these results, we generated one strain that is completely derived from native genes and a second that contains genes previously used in microbial engineering synthesis of this compound. Both of these strains exhibited stoichiometric production of ccMA from PCA and produced greater than 100% yield of ccMA from the aromatic monomers that were identified in liquor derived from alkaline pretreated biomass. Our results show that a strain completely derived from native genes and one containing homologs from other hosts are both capable of stoichiometric production of ccMA from biomass aromatics. Overall, this work combines previously unknown aspects of aromatic metabolism in N. aromaticivorans and the genetic tractability of this organism to generate strains that produce ccMA from deconstructed biomass.IMPORTANCEThe production of commodity chemicals from renewable resources is an important goal toward increasing the environmental and economic sustainability of industrial processes. The aromatics in plant biomass are an underutilized and abundant renewable resource for the production of valuable chemicals. However, due to the chemical composition of plant biomass, many deconstruction methods generate a heterogeneous mixture of aromatics, thus making it difficult to extract valuable chemicals using current methods. Therefore, recent efforts have focused on harnessing the pathways of microorganisms to convert a diverse set of aromatics into a single product. Novosphingobium aromaticivorans DSM12444 has the native ability to metabolize a wide range of aromatics and, thus, is a potential chassis for conversion of these abundant compounds to commodity chemicals. This study reports on new features of N. aromaticivorans that can be used to produce the commodity chemical cis,cis-muconic acid from renewable and abundant biomass aromatics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avery C. Vilbert
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Wayne S. Kontur
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Derek Gille
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Daniel R. Noguera
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Timothy J. Donohue
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Higuchi Y, Ishimaru H, Yoshikawa T, Masuda T, Sakamoto C, Kamimura N, Masai E, Takeuchi D, Sonoki T. Successful selective production of vanillic acid from depolymerized sulfite lignin and its application to poly(ethylene vanillate) synthesis. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023:129450. [PMID: 37406831 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Towards lignin upgrading, vanillic acid (VA), a lignin-derived guaiacyl compound, was produced from sulfite lignin for successfully synthesizing poly(ethylene vanillate), an aromatic polymer. The engineered Sphingobium sp. SYK-6-based strain in which the genes responsible for VA/3-O-methyl gallic acid O-demethylase and syringic acid O-demethylase were disrupted was able to produce vanillic acid (VA) from the mixture consisting of acetovanillone, vanillin, VA, and other low-molecular-weight aromatics obtained by Cu(OH)2-catalyzed alkaline depolymerization of sulfite lignin and membrane fractionation. From the bio-based VA, methyl-4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-3-methoxybenzoate was synthesized via methylesterification, hydroxyethylation, and distillation, and then it was subjected to polymerization catalyzed by titanium tetraisopropoxide. The molecular weight of the obtained poly(ethylene vanillate) was evaluated to be Mw = 13,000 (Mw/Mn = 1.99) and its melting point was 261°C. The present work proved that poly(ethylene vanillate) is able to be synthesized using VA produced from lignin for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudai Higuchi
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8561, Japan
| | - Hiroya Ishimaru
- Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan
| | - Takuya Yoshikawa
- Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan; Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Takao Masuda
- Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan
| | - Chiho Sakamoto
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8561, Japan
| | - Naofumi Kamimura
- Department of Materials Science and Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan
| | - Eiji Masai
- Department of Materials Science and Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan
| | - Daisuke Takeuchi
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8561, Japan
| | - Tomonori Sonoki
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8561, Japan.
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Abstract
Upgrading lignin, an underutilized component of biomass, is essential for sustainable biorefining. Biocatalysis has considerable potential for upgrading lignin, but our lack of knowledge of relevant enzymes and pathways has limited its application. Herein, we describe a microbial pathway that catabolizes acetovanillone, a major component of several industrial lignin streams. This pathway is unusual in that it involves phosphorylation and carboxylation before conversion to the intermediate, vanillate, which is degraded via the β-ketoadipate pathway. Importantly, the hydroxyphenylethanone catabolic pathway enables bacterial growth on softwood lignin pretreated by oxidative catalytic fractionation. Overall, these insights greatly facilitate the engineering of bacteria to biocatalytically upgrade lignin. Bacterial catabolic pathways have considerable potential as industrial biocatalysts for the valorization of lignin, a major component of plant-derived biomass. Here, we describe a pathway responsible for the catabolism of acetovanillone, a major component of several industrial lignin streams. Rhodococcus rhodochrous GD02 was previously isolated for growth on acetovanillone. A high-quality genome sequence of GD02 was generated. Transcriptomic analyses revealed a cluster of eight genes up-regulated during growth on acetovanillone and 4-hydroxyacetophenone, as well as a two-gene cluster up-regulated during growth on acetophenone. Bioinformatic analyses predicted that the hydroxyphenylethanone (Hpe) pathway proceeds via phosphorylation and carboxylation, before β-elimination yields vanillate from acetovanillone or 4-hydroxybenzoate from 4-hydroxyacetophenone. Consistent with this prediction, the kinase, HpeHI, phosphorylated acetovanillone and 4-hydroxyacetophenone. Furthermore, HpeCBA, a biotin-dependent enzyme, catalyzed the ATP-dependent carboxylation of 4-phospho-acetovanillone but not acetovanillone. The carboxylase’s specificity for 4-phospho-acetophenone (kcat/KM = 34 ± 2 mM−1 s−1) was approximately an order of magnitude higher than for 4-phospho-acetovanillone. HpeD catalyzed the efficient dephosphorylation of the carboxylated products. GD02 grew on a preparation of pine lignin produced by oxidative catalytic fractionation, depleting all of the acetovanillone, vanillin, and vanillate. Genomic and metagenomic searches indicated that the Hpe pathway occurs in a relatively small number of bacteria. This study facilitates the design of bacterial strains for biocatalytic applications by identifying a pathway for the degradation of acetovanillone.
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