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Fang L, Han Z, Feng X, Hao X, Liu M, Song H, Cao Y. Identification of crucial roles of transcription factor IhfA on high production of free fatty acids in Escherichia coli. Synth Syst Biotechnol 2024; 9:144-151. [PMID: 38322110 PMCID: PMC10844884 DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2024.01.007] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor engineering has unique advantages in improving the performance of microbial cell factories due to the global regulation of gene transcription. Omics analyses and reverse engineering enable learning and subsequent incorporation of novel design strategies for further engineering. Here, we identify the role of the global regulator IhfA for overproduction of free fatty acids (FFAs) using CRISPRi-facilitated reverse engineering and cellular physiological characterization. From the differentially expressed genes in the ihfAL- strain, a total of 14 beneficial targets that enhance FFAs production by above 20 % are identified, which involve membrane function, oxidative stress, and others. For membrane-related genes, the engineered strains obtain lower cell surface hydrophobicity and increased average length of membrane lipid tails. For oxidative stress-related genes, the engineered strains present decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. These gene modulations enhance cellular robustness and save cellular resources, contributing to FFAs production. This study provides novel targets and strategies for engineering microbial cell factories with improved FFAs bioproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixia Fang
- Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
- Frontiers Research Institute for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin University, China
| | - Ziyi Han
- Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
- Frontiers Research Institute for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin University, China
| | - Xueru Feng
- Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
- Frontiers Research Institute for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin University, China
| | - Xueyan Hao
- Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
- Frontiers Research Institute for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin University, China
| | - Mengxiao Liu
- Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
- Frontiers Research Institute for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin University, China
| | - Hao Song
- Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
- Frontiers Research Institute for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin University, China
| | - Yingxiu Cao
- Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
- Frontiers Research Institute for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin University, China
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