Two large, related, cryptic plasmids from geographically distinct isolates of Sulfobacillus thermotolerans

Enzymatic Synthesis of l-threo-β-Hydroxy-α-Amino Acids via Asymmetric Hydroxylation Using 2-Oxoglutarate-Dependent Hydroxylase from Sulfobacillus thermotolerans Y0017

β-Hydroxy-α-amino acids are useful compounds for pharmaceutical development. Enzymatic synthesis of β-hydroxy-α-amino acids has attracted considerable interest as a selective, sustainable, and environmentally benign process. In this study, we identified a novel amino acid hydroxylase, AEP14369, from Sulfobacillus thermotolerans Y0017, which is included in a previously constructed CAS-like superfamily protein library, to widen the variety of amino acid hydroxylases. The detailed structures determined by nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray crystallography analysis of the enzymatically produced compounds revealed that AEP14369 catalyzed threo-β-selective hydroxylation of l-His and l-Gln in a 2-oxoglutarate-dependent manner. Furthermore, the production of l-threo-β-hydroxy-His and l-threo-β-hydroxy-Gln was achieved using Escherichia coli expressing the gene encoding AEP14369 as a whole-cell biocatalyst. Under optimized reaction conditions, 137 mM (23.4 g L^-1) l-threo-β-hydroxy-His and 150 mM l-threo-β-hydroxy-Gln (24.3 g L^-1) were obtained, indicating that the enzyme is applicable for preparative-scale production. AEP14369, an l-His/l-Gln threo-β-hydroxylase, increases the availability of 2-oxoglutarate-dependent hydroxylase and opens the way for the practical production of β-hydroxy-α-amino acids in the future. The amino acids produced in this study would also contribute to the structural diversification of pharmaceuticals that affect important bioactivities. Importance Owing to an increasing concern for sustainability, enzymatic approaches for producing industrially useful compounds have attracted considerable attention as a powerful complement to chemical synthesis for environment-friendly synthesis. In this study, we developed a bioproduction method for β-hydroxy-α-amino acid synthesis using a newly discovered enzyme. AEP14369 from the moderate thermophilic bacterium Sulfobacillus thermotolerans Y0017 catalyzed the hydroxylation of l-His and l-Gln in a regioselective and stereoselective fashion. Furthermore, we biotechnologically synthesized both l-threo-β-hydroxy-His and l-threo-β-hydroxy-Gln with a titer of over 20 g L^-1 through whole-cell bioconversion using recombinant Escherichia coli cells. As β-hydroxy-α-amino acids are important compounds for pharmaceutical development, this achievement would facilitate future sustainable and economical industrial applications.

Sulfobacillus thermotolerans: new insights into resistance and metabolic capacities of acidophilic chemolithotrophs

The first complete genome of the biotechnologically important species Sulfobacillus thermotolerans has been sequenced. Its 3 317 203-bp chromosome contains an 83 269-bp plasmid-like region, which carries heavy metal resistance determinants and the rusticyanin gene. Plasmid-mediated metal resistance is unusual for acidophilic chemolithotrophs. Moreover, most of their plasmids are cryptic and do not contribute to the phenotype of the host cells. A polyphosphate-based mechanism of metal resistance, which has been previously unknown in the genus Sulfobacillus or other Gram-positive chemolithotrophs, potentially operates in two Sulfobacillus species. The methylcitrate cycle typical for pathogens and identified in the genus Sulfobacillus for the first time can fulfill the energy and/or protective function in S. thermotolerans Kr1 and two other Sulfobacillus species, which have incomplete glyoxylate cycles. It is notable that the TCA cycle, disrupted in all Sulfobacillus isolates under optimal growth conditions, proved to be complete in the cells enduring temperature stress. An efficient antioxidant defense system gives S. thermotolerans another competitive advantage in the microbial communities inhabiting acidic metal-rich environments. The genomic comparisons revealed 80 unique genes in the strain Kr1, including those involved in lactose/galactose catabolism. The results provide new insights into metabolism and resistance mechanisms in the Sulfobacillus genus and other acidophiles.