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Qin J, Kurt E, LBassi T, Sa L, Xie D. Biotechnological production of omega-3 fatty acids: current status and future perspectives. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1280296. [PMID: 38029217 PMCID: PMC10662050 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1280296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Omega-3 fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acids (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have shown major health benefits, but the human body's inability to synthesize them has led to the necessity of dietary intake of the products. The omega-3 fatty acid market has grown significantly, with a global market from an estimated USD 2.10 billion in 2020 to a predicted nearly USD 3.61 billion in 2028. However, obtaining a sufficient supply of high-quality and stable omega-3 fatty acids can be challenging. Currently, fish oil serves as the primary source of omega-3 fatty acids in the market, but it has several drawbacks, including high cost, inconsistent product quality, and major uncertainties in its sustainability and ecological impact. Other significant sources of omega-3 fatty acids include plants and microalgae fermentation, but they face similar challenges in reducing manufacturing costs and improving product quality and sustainability. With the advances in synthetic biology, biotechnological production of omega-3 fatty acids via engineered microbial cell factories still offers the best solution to provide a more stable, sustainable, and affordable source of omega-3 fatty acids by overcoming the major issues associated with conventional sources. This review summarizes the current status, key challenges, and future perspectives for the biotechnological production of major omega-3 fatty acids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Dongming Xie
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, United States
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2
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Weng C, Peng X, Han Y. From methane to value-added bioproducts: microbial metabolism, enzymes, and metabolic engineering. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2023; 124:119-146. [PMID: 37597946 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aambs.2023.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Methane is abundant in nature, and excessive emissions will cause the greenhouse effect. Methane is also an ideal carbon and energy feedstock for biosynthesis. In the review, the microorganisms, metabolism, and enzymes for methane utilization, and the advances of conversion to value-added bioproducts were summarized. First, the physiological characteristics, classification, and methane oxidation process of methanotrophs were introduced. The metabolic pathways for methane utilization and key intermediate metabolites of native and synthetic methanotrophs were summarized. Second, the enzymatic properties, crystal structures, and catalytic mechanisms of methane-oxidizing and metabolizing enzymes in methanotrophs were described. Third, challenges and prospects in metabolic pathways and enzymatic catalysis for methane utilization and conversion to value-added bioproducts were discussed. Finally, metabolic engineering of microorganisms for methane biooxidation and bioproducts synthesis based on different pathways were summarized. Understanding the metabolism and challenges of microbial methane utilization will provide insights into possible strategies for efficient methane-based synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caihong Weng
- National Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China; School of Chemical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Xiaowei Peng
- National Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China; School of Chemical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Yejun Han
- National Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China; School of Chemical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China.
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3
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Thi Quynh Le H, Yeol Lee E. Methanotrophs: Metabolic versatility from utilization of methane to multi-carbon sources and perspectives on current and future applications. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023:129296. [PMID: 37302766 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The development of biorefineries for a sustainable bioeconomy has been driven by the concept of utilizing environmentally friendly and cost-effective renewable energy sources. Methanotrophic bacteria with a unique capacity to utilize methane as a carbon and energy source can serve as outstanding biocatalysts to develop C1 bioconversion technology. By establishing the utilization of diverse multi-carbon sources, integrated biorefinery platforms can be created for the concept of the circular bioeconomy. An understanding of physiology and metabolism could help to overcome challenges for biomanufacturing. This review summaries fundamental gaps for methane oxidation and the capability to utilize multi-carbon sources in methanotrophic bacteria. Subsequently, breakthroughs and challenges in harnessing methanotrophs as robust microbial chassis for industrial biotechnology were compiled and overviewed. Finally, capabilities to exploit the inherent advantages of methanotrophs to synthesize various target products in higher titers are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoa Thi Quynh Le
- Department of Chemical Engineering (BK21 FOUR Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Yeol Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering (BK21 FOUR Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Republic of Korea.
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4
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Liu S, Dong H, Hong K, Meng J, Lin L, Wu X. Improving Methanol Utilization by Reducing Alcohol Oxidase Activity and Adding Co-Substrate of Sodium Citrate in Pichia pastoris. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:422. [PMID: 37108877 PMCID: PMC10142128 DOI: 10.3390/jof9040422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Methanol, which produced in large quantities from low-quality coal and the hydrogenation of CO2, is a potentially renewable one-carbon (C1) feedstock for biomanufacturing. The methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris is an ideal host for methanol biotransformation given its natural capacity as a methanol assimilation system. However, the utilization efficiency of methanol for biochemical production is limited by the toxicity of formaldehyde. Therefore, reducing the toxicity of formaldehyde to cells remains a challenge to the engineering design of a methanol metabolism. Based on genome-scale metabolic models (GSMM) calculations, we speculated that reducing alcohol oxidase (AOX) activity would re-construct the carbon metabolic flow and promote balance between the assimilation and dissimilation of formaldehyde metabolism processes, thereby increasing the biomass formation of P. pastoris. According to experimental verification, we proved that the accumulation of intracellular formaldehyde can be decreased by reducing AOX activity. The reduced formaldehyde formation upregulated methanol dissimilation and assimilation and the central carbon metabolism, which provided more energy for the cells to grow, ultimately leading to an increased conversion of methanol to biomass, as evidenced by phenotypic and transcriptome analysis. Significantly, the methanol conversion rate of AOX-attenuated strain PC110-AOX1-464 reached 0.364 g DCW/g, representing a 14% increase compared to the control strain PC110. In addition, we also proved that adding a co-substrate of sodium citrate could further improve the conversion of methanol to biomass in the AOX-attenuated strain. It was found that the methanol conversion rate of the PC110-AOX1-464 strain with the addition of 6 g/L sodium citrate reached 0.442 g DCW/g, representing 20% and 39% increases compared to AOX-attenuated strain PC110-AOX1-464 and control strain PC110 without sodium citrate addition, respectively. The study described here provides insight into the molecular mechanism of efficient methanol utilization by regulating AOX. Reducing AOX activity and adding sodium citrate as a co-substrate are potential engineering strategies to regulate the production of chemicals from methanol in P. pastoris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shufan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Haofan Dong
- Laboratory of Nutrient Resources and Synthetic Biology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Kai Hong
- Laboratory of Nutrient Resources and Synthetic Biology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Jiao Meng
- Laboratory of Nutrient Resources and Synthetic Biology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Liangcai Lin
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Xin Wu
- Laboratory of Nutrient Resources and Synthetic Biology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
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5
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Kosiorowska KE, Moreno AD, Iglesias R, Leluk K, Mirończuk AM. Production of PETase by engineered Yarrowia lipolytica for efficient poly(ethylene terephthalate) biodegradation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 846:157358. [PMID: 35850328 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
There has been a growing interest in poly(ethylene terephthalate) PET degradation studies in the last few years due to its widespread use and large-scale plastic waste accumulation in the environment. One of the most promising enzymatic methods in the context of PET degradation is the use of PETase from Ideonella sakaiensis, which has been reported to be an efficient enzyme for hydrolysing ester bonds in PET. In our study, we expressed a codon-optimized PETase gene in the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica. The obtained strain was tested for its ability to degrade PET directly in culture, and a screening of different supplements that might raise the level of PET hydrolysis was performed. We also carried out long-term cultures with PET film, the surface of which was examined by scanning electron microscopy. The efficiency of PET degradation was tested based on the concentration of degradation products released, and the results showed that supplementation of the culture with olive oil resulted in 66 % higher release of terephthalic acid into the medium compared to the mutant culture without supplementation. The results indicate the possibility of ethylene glycol uptake by both strains, and, additionally, the PETase produced by the newly engineered strain hydrolyses MHET. The structure of the PET film after culture with the modified strain, meanwhile, had numerous surface defects, cracks, and deformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna E Kosiorowska
- Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Department of Biotechnology and Food Microbiology, Chełmońskiego 37, 51-630 Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Antonio D Moreno
- Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Unit, Department of Energy, Research Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT), Avda. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Raquel Iglesias
- Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Unit, Department of Energy, Research Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT), Avda. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Karol Leluk
- Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Aleksandra M Mirończuk
- Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Department of Biotechnology and Food Microbiology, Chełmońskiego 37, 51-630 Wrocław, Poland.
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Wegat V, Fabarius JT, Sieber V. Synthetic methylotrophic yeasts for the sustainable fuel and chemical production. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2022; 15:113. [PMID: 36273178 PMCID: PMC9587593 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-022-02210-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Global energy-related emissions, in particular carbon dioxide, are rapidly increasing. Without immediate and strong reductions across all sectors, limiting global warming to 1.5 °C and thus mitigating climate change is beyond reach. In addition to the expansion of renewable energies and the increase in energy efficiency, the so-called Carbon Capture and Utilization technologies represent an innovative approach for closing the carbon cycle and establishing a circular economy. One option is to combine CO2 capture with microbial C1 fermentation. C1-molecules, such as methanol or formate are considered as attractive alternative feedstock for biotechnological processes due to their sustainable production using only CO2, water and renewable energy. Native methylotrophic microorganisms can utilize these feedstock for the production of value-added compounds. Currently, constraints exist regarding the understanding of methylotrophic metabolism and the available genetic engineering tools are limited. For this reason, the development of synthetic methylotrophic cell factories based on the integration of natural or artificial methanol assimilation pathways in biotechnologically relevant microorganisms is receiving special attention. Yeasts like Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Yarrowia lipolytica are capable of producing important products from sugar-based feedstock and the switch to produce these in the future from methanol is important in order to realize a CO2-based economy that is independent from land use. Here, we review historical biotechnological applications, the metabolism and the characteristics of methylotrophic yeasts. Various studies demonstrated the production of a broad set of promising products from fine chemicals to bulk chemicals by applying methylotrophic yeasts. Regarding synthetic methylotrophy, the deep understanding of the methylotrophic metabolism serves as the basis for microbial strain engineering and paves the way towards a CO2-based circular bioeconomy. We highlight design aspects of synthetic methylotrophy and discuss the resulting chances and challenges using non-conventional yeasts as host organisms. We conclude that the road towards synthetic methylotrophic yeasts can only be achieved through a combination of methods (e.g., metabolic engineering and adaptive laboratory evolution). Furthermore, we presume that the installation of metabolic regeneration cycles such as supporting carbon re-entry towards the pentose phosphate pathway from C1-metabolism is a pivotal target for synthetic methylotrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Wegat
- grid.469831.10000 0000 9186 607XFraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology, Straubing branch Biocat, Schulgasse 11a, 94315 Straubing, Germany ,grid.6936.a0000000123222966Technical University of Munich, Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Schulgasse 16, 94315 Straubing, Germany
| | - Jonathan T. Fabarius
- grid.469831.10000 0000 9186 607XFraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology, Straubing branch Biocat, Schulgasse 11a, 94315 Straubing, Germany
| | - Volker Sieber
- grid.469831.10000 0000 9186 607XFraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology, Straubing branch Biocat, Schulgasse 11a, 94315 Straubing, Germany ,grid.6936.a0000000123222966Technical University of Munich, Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Schulgasse 16, 94315 Straubing, Germany
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7
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Peiro C, Vicente CM, Jallet D, Heux S. From a Hetero- to a Methylotrophic Lifestyle: Flash Back on the Engineering Strategies to Create Synthetic Methanol-User Strains. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:907861. [PMID: 35757790 PMCID: PMC9214030 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.907861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineering microorganisms to grow on alternative feedstocks is crucial not just because of the indisputable biotechnological applications but also to deepen our understanding of microbial metabolism. One-carbon (C1) substrate metabolism has been the focus of extensive research for the prominent role of C1 compounds in establishing a circular bioeconomy. Methanol in particular holds great promise as it can be produced directly from greenhouse gases methane and carbon dioxide using renewable resources. Synthetic methylotrophy, i.e. introducing a non-native methanol utilization pathway into a model host, has therefore been the focus of long-time efforts and is perhaps the pinnacle of metabolic engineering. It entails completely changing a microorganism's lifestyle, from breaking up multi-carbon nutrients for growth to building C-C bonds from a single-carbon molecule to obtain all metabolites necessary to biomass formation as well as energy. The frontiers of synthetic methylotrophy have been pushed further than ever before and in this review, we outline the advances that paved the way for the more recent accomplishments. These include optimizing the host's metabolism, "copy and pasting" naturally existing methylotrophic pathways, "mixing and matching" enzymes to build new pathways, and even creating novel enzymatic functions to obtain strains that are able to grow solely on methanol. Finally, new approaches are contemplated to further advance the field and succeed in obtaining a strain that efficiently grows on methanol and allows C1-based production of added-value compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Peiro
- TBI, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Denis Jallet
- TBI, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, Toulouse, France
| | - Stephanie Heux
- TBI, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, Toulouse, France
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8
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Yu YF, Yang J, Zhao F, Lin Y, Han S. Comparative transcriptome and metabolome analyses reveal the methanol dissimilation pathway of Pichia pastoris. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:366. [PMID: 35549850 PMCID: PMC9103059 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08592-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pichia pastoris (Komagataella phaffii) is a model organism widely used for the recombinant expression of eukaryotic proteins, and it can metabolize methanol as its sole carbon and energy source. Methanol is oxidized to formaldehyde by alcohol oxidase (AOX). In the dissimilation pathway, formaldehyde is oxidized to CO2 by formaldehyde dehydrogenase (FLD), S-hydroxymethyl glutathione hydrolase (FGH) and formate dehydrogenase (FDH). RESULTS The transcriptome and metabolome of P. pastoris were determined under methanol cultivation when its dissimilation pathway cut off. Firstly, Δfld and Δfgh were significantly different compared to the wild type (GS115), with a 60.98% and 23.66% reduction in biomass, respectively. The differential metabolites between GS115 and Δfld were mainly enriched in ABC transporters, amino acid biosynthesis, and protein digestion and absorption. Secondly, comparative transcriptome between knockout and wild type strains showed that oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis and the TCA cycle were downregulated, while alcohol metabolism, proteasomes, autophagy and peroxisomes were upregulated. Interestingly, the down-regulation of the oxidative phosphorylation pathway was positively correlated with the gene order of dissimilation pathway knockdown. In addition, there were significant differences in amino acid metabolism and glutathione redox cycling that raised our concerns about formaldehyde sorption in cells. CONCLUSIONS This is the first time that integrity of dissimilation pathway analysis based on transcriptomics and metabolomics was carried out in Pichia pastoris. The blockage of dissimilation pathway significantly down-regulates the level of oxidative phosphorylation and weakens the methanol assimilation pathway to the point where deficiencies in energy supply and carbon fixation result in inefficient biomass accumulation and genetic replication. In addition, transcriptional upregulation of the proteasome and autophagy may be a stress response to resolve formaldehyde-induced DNA-protein crosslinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Fan Yu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jiashuo Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Fengguang Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Ying Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Shuangyan Han
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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9
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Modelling of the Citric Acid Production from Crude Glycerol by Wild-Type Yarrowia lipolytica DSM 8218 Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12050621. [PMID: 35629288 PMCID: PMC9147156 DOI: 10.3390/life12050621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Crude glycerol is the main by-product of the biodiesel manufacturing industry (10% w/w). Its use as a substrate in microbial fermentations is a concrete strategy to efficiently address its market surplus. In this study, the conversion of crude glycerol to citric acid, a key biochemical in the emerging bioeconomy, by a wild-type yeast Yarrowia lipolytica DSM 8218 was modelled using the Response Surface Methodology. The model relates C/N mass ratio and crude glycerol concentration to maximize the citric acid yield in flask scale using two different N sources, yeast extract and ammonium sulphate. Under the optimal conditions (yeast extract, C/N 141, glycerol 33 g/L), the conversion yield was 0.249 g/g. The optimal conditions were used for up-scaling a fed-batch fermentation in a 2 L bioreactor highlighting a metabolic shift from mannitol to citric acid when high stirring rates were applied (800 rpm). In these conditions, a morphic transition from pseudo-mycelial form to round-shaped yeast-like cells was observed too.
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10
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Chen Y, Li F, Nielsen J. Genome-scale modeling of yeast metabolism: retrospectives and perspectives. FEMS Yeast Res 2022; 22:foac003. [PMID: 35094064 PMCID: PMC8862083 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foac003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Yeasts have been widely used for production of bread, beer and wine, as well as for production of bioethanol, but they have also been designed as cell factories to produce various chemicals, advanced biofuels and recombinant proteins. To systematically understand and rationally engineer yeast metabolism, genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) have been reconstructed for the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and nonconventional yeasts. Here, we review the historical development of yeast GEMs together with their recent applications, including metabolic flux prediction, cell factory design, culture condition optimization and multi-yeast comparative analysis. Furthermore, we present an emerging effort, namely the integration of proteome constraints into yeast GEMs, resulting in models with improved performance. At last, we discuss challenges and perspectives on the development of yeast GEMs and the integration of proteome constraints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Feiran Li
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jens Nielsen
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
- BioInnovation Institute, DK2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
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Wang G, Olofsson-Dolk M, Hansson FG, Donati S, Li X, Chang H, Cheng J, Dahlin J, Borodina I. Engineering Yeast Yarrowia lipolytica for Methanol Assimilation. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:3537-3550. [PMID: 34797975 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Conferring methylotrophy on industrial microorganisms would enable the production of diverse products from one-carbon feedstocks and contribute to establishing a low-carbon society. Rebuilding methylotrophs, however, requires a thorough metabolic refactoring and is highly challenging. Only recently was synthetic methylotrophy achieved in model microorganisms─Escherichia coli and baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here, we have engineered industrially important yeast Yarrowia lipolytica to assimilate methanol. Through rationally constructing a chimeric assimilation pathway, rewiring the native metabolism for improved precursor supply, and laboratory evolution, we improved the methanol assimilation from undetectable to a level of 1.1 g/L per 72 h and enabled methanol-supported cellular maintenance. By transcriptomic analysis, we further found that fine-tuning of methanol assimilation and ribulose monophosphate/xylulose monophosphate (RuMP/XuMP) regeneration and strengthening formate dehydrogenation and the serine pathway were beneficial for methanol assimilation. This work paves the way for creating synthetic methylotrophic yeast cell factories for low-carbon economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guokun Wang
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Mattis Olofsson-Dolk
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Frederik Gleerup Hansson
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Stefano Donati
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Xiaolin Li
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Hong Chang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Jian Cheng
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Jonathan Dahlin
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Irina Borodina
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
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12
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Gregory GJ, Bennett RK, Papoutsakis ET. Recent advances toward the bioconversion of methane and methanol in synthetic methylotrophs. Metab Eng 2021; 71:99-116. [PMID: 34547453 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2021.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Abundant natural gas reserves, along with increased biogas production, have prompted recent interest in harnessing methane as an industrial feedstock for the production of liquid fuels and chemicals. Methane can either be used directly for fermentation or first oxidized to methanol via biological or chemical means. Methanol is advantageous due to its liquid state under normal conditions. Methylotrophy, defined as the ability of microorganisms to utilize reduced one-carbon compounds like methane and methanol as sole carbon and energy sources for growth, is widespread in bacterial communities. However, native methylotrophs lack the extensive and well-characterized synthetic biology toolbox of platform microorganisms like Escherichia coli, which results in slow and inefficient design-build-test cycles. If a heterologous production pathway can be engineered, the slow growth and uptake rates of native methylotrophs generally limit their industrial potential. Therefore, much focus has been placed on engineering synthetic methylotrophs, or non-methylotrophic platform microorganisms, like E. coli, that have been engineered with synthetic methanol utilization pathways. These platform hosts allow for rapid design-build-test cycles and are well-suited for industrial application at the current time. In this review, recent progress made toward synthetic methylotrophy (including methanotrophy) is discussed. Specifically, the importance of amino acid metabolism and alternative one-carbon assimilation pathways are detailed. A recent study that has achieved methane bioconversion to liquid chemicals in a synthetic E. coli methanotroph is also briefly discussed. We also discuss strategies for the way forward in order to realize the industrial potential of synthetic methanotrophs and methylotrophs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwendolyn J Gregory
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA; The Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
| | - R Kyle Bennett
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA; The Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
| | - Eleftherios T Papoutsakis
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA; The Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
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Zhan C, Li X, Yang Y, Nielsen J, Bai Z, Chen Y. Strategies and challenges with the microbial conversion of methanol to high-value chemicals. Biotechnol Bioeng 2021; 118:3655-3668. [PMID: 34133022 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
As alternatives to traditional fermentation substrates, methanol (CH3 OH), carbon dioxide (CO2 ) and methane (CH4 ) represent promising one-carbon (C1) sources that are readily available at low-cost and share similar metabolic pathway. Of these C1 compounds, methanol is used as a carbon and energy source by native methylotrophs, and can be obtained from CO2 and CH4 by chemical catalysis. Therefore, constructing and rewiring methanol utilization pathways may enable the use of one-carbon sources for microbial fermentations. Recent bioengineering efforts have shown that both native and nonnative methylotrophic organisms can be engineered to convert methanol, together with other carbon sources, into biofuels and other commodity chemicals. However, many challenges remain and must be overcome before industrial-scale bioprocessing can be established using these engineered cell refineries. Here, we provide a comprehensive summary and comparison of methanol metabolic pathways from different methylotrophs, followed by a review of recent progress in engineering methanol metabolic pathways in vitro and in vivo to produce chemicals. We discuss the major challenges associated with establishing efficient methanol metabolic pathways in microbial cells, and propose improved designs for future engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunjun Zhan
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Xiaowei Li
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Yankun Yang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Jens Nielsen
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.,BioInnovation Institute, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Zhonghu Bai
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Mota MN, Martins LC, Sá-Correia I. The Identification of Genetic Determinants of Methanol Tolerance in Yeast Suggests Differences in Methanol and Ethanol Toxicity Mechanisms and Candidates for Improved Methanol Tolerance Engineering. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:90. [PMID: 33513997 PMCID: PMC7911966 DOI: 10.3390/jof7020090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Methanol is a promising feedstock for metabolically competent yeast strains-based biorefineries. However, methanol toxicity can limit the productivity of these bioprocesses. Therefore, the identification of genes whose expression is required for maximum methanol tolerance is important for mechanistic insights and rational genomic manipulation to obtain more robust methylotrophic yeast strains. The present chemogenomic analysis was performed with this objective based on the screening of the Euroscarf Saccharomyces cerevisiae haploid deletion mutant collection to search for susceptibility phenotypes in YPD medium supplemented with 8% (v/v) methanol, at 35 °C, compared with an equivalent ethanol concentration (5.5% (v/v)). Around 400 methanol tolerance determinants were identified, 81 showing a marked phenotype. The clustering of the identified tolerance genes indicates an enrichment of functional categories in the methanol dataset not enriched in the ethanol dataset, such as chromatin remodeling, DNA repair and fatty acid biosynthesis. Several genes involved in DNA repair (eight RAD genes), identified as specific for methanol toxicity, were previously reported as tolerance determinants for formaldehyde, a methanol detoxification pathway intermediate. This study provides new valuable information on genes and potential regulatory networks involved in overcoming methanol toxicity. This knowledge is an important starting point for the improvement of methanol tolerance in yeasts capable of catabolizing and copying with methanol concentrations present in promising bioeconomy feedstocks, including industrial residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta N. Mota
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal; (M.N.M.); (L.C.M.)
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luís C. Martins
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal; (M.N.M.); (L.C.M.)
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Isabel Sá-Correia
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal; (M.N.M.); (L.C.M.)
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
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15
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Zhang Y, Nielsen J, Liu Z. Yeast based biorefineries for oleochemical production. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2020; 67:26-34. [PMID: 33360103 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2020.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Biosynthesis of oleochemicals enables sustainable production of natural and unnatural alternatives from renewable feedstocks. Yeast cell factories have been extensively studied and engineered to produce a variety of oleochemicals, focusing on both central carbon metabolism and lipid metabolism. Here, we review recent progress towards oleochemical synthesis in yeast based biorefineries, as well as utilization of alternative renewable feedstocks, such as xylose and l-arabinose. We also review recent studies of C1 compound utilization or co-utilization and discuss how these studies can lead to third generation yeast based biorefineries for oleochemical production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jens Nielsen
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China; Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden; BioInnovation Institute, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, DK2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.
| | - Zihe Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China.
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