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Samanta D, Rauniyar S, Saxena P, Sani RK. From genome to evolution: investigating type II methylotrophs using a pangenomic analysis. mSystems 2024; 9:e0024824. [PMID: 38695578 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00248-24] [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: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/19/2024] Open
Abstract
A comprehensive pangenomic approach was employed to analyze the genomes of 75 type II methylotrophs spanning various genera. Our investigation revealed 256 exact core gene families shared by all 75 organisms, emphasizing their crucial role in the survival and adaptability of these organisms. Additionally, we predicted the functionality of 12 hypothetical proteins. The analysis unveiled a diverse array of genes associated with key metabolic pathways, including methane, serine, glyoxylate, and ethylmalonyl-CoA (EMC) metabolic pathways. While all selected organisms possessed essential genes for the serine pathway, Methylooceanibacter marginalis lacked serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT), and Methylobacterium variabile exhibited both isozymes of SHMT, suggesting its potential to utilize a broader range of carbon sources. Notably, Methylobrevis sp. displayed a unique serine-glyoxylate transaminase isozyme not found in other organisms. Only nine organisms featured anaplerotic enzymes (isocitrate lyase and malate synthase) for the glyoxylate pathway, with the rest following the EMC pathway. Methylovirgula sp. 4MZ18 stood out by acquiring genes from both glyoxylate and EMC pathways, and Methylocapsa sp. S129 featured an A-form malate synthase, unlike the G-form found in the remaining organisms. Our findings also revealed distinct phylogenetic relationships and clustering patterns among type II methylotrophs, leading to the proposal of a separate genus for Methylovirgula sp. 4M-Z18 and Methylocapsa sp. S129. This pangenomic study unveils remarkable metabolic diversity, unique gene characteristics, and distinct clustering patterns of type II methylotrophs, providing valuable insights for future carbon sequestration and biotechnological applications. IMPORTANCE Methylotrophs have played a significant role in methane-based product production for many years. However, a comprehensive investigation into the diverse genetic architectures across different genera of methylotrophs has been lacking. This study fills this knowledge gap by enhancing our understanding of core hypothetical proteins and unique enzymes involved in methane oxidation, serine, glyoxylate, and ethylmalonyl-CoA pathways. These findings provide a valuable reference for researchers working with other methylotrophic species. Furthermore, this study not only unveils distinctive gene characteristics and phylogenetic relationships but also suggests a reclassification for Methylovirgula sp. 4M-Z18 and Methylocapsa sp. S129 into separate genera due to their unique attributes within their respective genus. Leveraging the synergies among various methylotrophic organisms, the scientific community can potentially optimize metabolite production, increasing the yield of desired end products and overall productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipayan Samanta
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota, USA
- BuG ReMeDEE Consortium, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota, USA
| | - Shailabh Rauniyar
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota, USA
- 2-Dimensional Materials for Biofilm Engineering, Science and Technology, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota, USA
| | - Priya Saxena
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota, USA
- Data Driven Material Discovery Center for Bioengineering Innovation, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota, USA
| | - Rajesh K Sani
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota, USA
- BuG ReMeDEE Consortium, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota, USA
- 2-Dimensional Materials for Biofilm Engineering, Science and Technology, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota, USA
- Data Driven Material Discovery Center for Bioengineering Innovation, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota, USA
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Tucci FJ, Rosenzweig AC. Direct Methane Oxidation by Copper- and Iron-Dependent Methane Monooxygenases. Chem Rev 2024; 124:1288-1320. [PMID: 38305159 PMCID: PMC10923174 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to climate change and is primarily regulated in Nature by methanotrophic bacteria, which consume methane gas as their source of energy and carbon, first by oxidizing it to methanol. The direct oxidation of methane to methanol is a chemically difficult transformation, accomplished in methanotrophs by complex methane monooxygenase (MMO) enzyme systems. These enzymes use iron or copper metallocofactors and have been the subject of detailed investigation. While the structure, function, and active site architecture of the copper-dependent particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) have been investigated extensively, its putative quaternary interactions, regulation, requisite cofactors, and mechanism remain enigmatic. The iron-dependent soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) has been characterized biochemically, structurally, spectroscopically, and, for the most part, mechanistically. Here, we review the history of MMO research, focusing on recent developments and providing an outlook for future directions of the field. Engineered biological catalysis systems and bioinspired synthetic catalysts may continue to emerge along with a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms of biological methane oxidation. Harnessing the power of these enzymes will necessitate combined efforts in biochemistry, structural biology, inorganic chemistry, microbiology, computational biology, and engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank J Tucci
- Departments of Molecular Biosciences and of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Amy C Rosenzweig
- Departments of Molecular Biosciences and of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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Wutkowska M, Tláskal V, Bordel S, Stein LY, Nweze JA, Daebeler A. Leveraging genome-scale metabolic models to understand aerobic methanotrophs. THE ISME JOURNAL 2024; 18:wrae102. [PMID: 38861460 PMCID: PMC11195481 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) are valuable tools serving systems biology and metabolic engineering. However, GEMs are still an underestimated tool in informing microbial ecology. Since their first application for aerobic gammaproteobacterial methane oxidizers less than a decade ago, GEMs have substantially increased our understanding of the metabolism of methanotrophs, a microbial guild of high relevance for the natural and biotechnological mitigation of methane efflux to the atmosphere. Particularly, GEMs helped to elucidate critical metabolic and regulatory pathways of several methanotrophic strains, predicted microbial responses to environmental perturbations, and were used to model metabolic interactions in cocultures. Here, we conducted a systematic review of GEMs exploring aerobic methanotrophy, summarizing recent advances, pointing out weaknesses, and drawing out probable future uses of GEMs to improve our understanding of the ecology of methane oxidizers. We also focus on their potential to unravel causes and consequences when studying interactions of methane-oxidizing bacteria with other methanotrophs or members of microbial communities in general. This review aims to bridge the gap between applied sciences and microbial ecology research on methane oxidizers as model organisms and to provide an outlook for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Wutkowska
- Institute of Soil Biology and Biogeochemistry, Biology Centre CAS, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtěch Tláskal
- Institute of Soil Biology and Biogeochemistry, Biology Centre CAS, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Sergio Bordel
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Valladolid, Valladolid 47011, Spain
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, Valladolid 47011, Spain
| | - Lisa Y Stein
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Justus Amuche Nweze
- Institute of Soil Biology and Biogeochemistry, Biology Centre CAS, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Ecosystem Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria
| | - Anne Daebeler
- Institute of Soil Biology and Biogeochemistry, Biology Centre CAS, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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Kulyashov MA, Kolmykov SK, Khlebodarova TM, Akberdin IR. State-of the-Art Constraint-Based Modeling of Microbial Metabolism: From Basics to Context-Specific Models with a Focus on Methanotrophs. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2987. [PMID: 38138131 PMCID: PMC10745598 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122987] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Methanotrophy is the ability of an organism to capture and utilize the greenhouse gas, methane, as a source of energy-rich carbon. Over the years, significant progress has been made in understanding of mechanisms for methane utilization, mostly in bacterial systems, including the key metabolic pathways, regulation and the impact of various factors (iron, copper, calcium, lanthanum, and tungsten) on cell growth and methane bioconversion. The implementation of -omics approaches provided vast amount of heterogeneous data that require the adaptation or development of computational tools for a system-wide interrogative analysis of methanotrophy. The genome-scale mathematical modeling of its metabolism has been envisioned as one of the most productive strategies for the integration of muti-scale data to better understand methane metabolism and enable its biotechnological implementation. Herein, we provide an overview of various computational strategies implemented for methanotrophic systems. We highlight functional capabilities as well as limitations of the most popular web resources for the reconstruction, modification and optimization of the genome-scale metabolic models for methane-utilizing bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail A. Kulyashov
- Department of Computational Biology, Scientific Center for Information Technologies and Artificial Intelligence, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia; (M.A.K.); (S.K.K.); (T.M.K.)
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Semyon K. Kolmykov
- Department of Computational Biology, Scientific Center for Information Technologies and Artificial Intelligence, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia; (M.A.K.); (S.K.K.); (T.M.K.)
| | - Tamara M. Khlebodarova
- Department of Computational Biology, Scientific Center for Information Technologies and Artificial Intelligence, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia; (M.A.K.); (S.K.K.); (T.M.K.)
- Department of Systems Biology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Kurchatov Genomics Center, Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Ilya R. Akberdin
- Department of Computational Biology, Scientific Center for Information Technologies and Artificial Intelligence, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia; (M.A.K.); (S.K.K.); (T.M.K.)
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
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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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Naizabekov S, Hyun SW, Na JG, Yoon S, Lee OK, Lee EY. Comparative genomic analysis of Methylocystis sp. MJC1 as a platform strain for polyhydroxybutyrate biosynthesis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0284846. [PMID: 37163531 PMCID: PMC10171618 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Biodegradable polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) can be produced from methane by some type II methanotroph such as the genus Methylocystis. This study presents the comparative genomic analysis of a newly isolated methanotroph, Methylocystis sp. MJC1 as a biodegradable PHB-producing platform strain. Methylocystis sp. MJC1 accumulates up to 44.5% of PHB based on dry cell weight under nitrogen-limiting conditions. To facilitate its development as a PHB-producing platform strain, the complete genome sequence of Methylocystis sp. MJC1 was assembled, functionally annotated, and compared with genomes of other Methylocystis species. Phylogenetic analysis has shown that Methylocystis parvus to be the closest species to Methylocystis sp. MJC1. Genome functional annotation revealed that Methylocystis sp. MJC1 contains all major type II methanotroph biochemical pathways such as the serine cycle, EMC pathway, and Krebs cycle. Interestingly, Methylocystis sp. MJC1 has both particulate and soluble methane monooxygenases, which are not commonly found among Methylocystis species. In addition, this species also possesses most of the RuMP pathway reactions, a characteristic of type I methanotrophs, and all PHB biosynthetic genes. These comparative analysis would open the possibility of future practical applications such as the development of organism-specific genome-scale models and application of metabolic engineering strategies to Methylocystis sp. MJC1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanzhar Naizabekov
- Department of Chemical Engineering (BK21 FOUR Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Woon Hyun
- Department of Chemical Engineering (BK21 FOUR Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Geol Na
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sogang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sukhwan Yoon
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ok Kyung Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering (BK21 FOUR Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Yeol Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering (BK21 FOUR Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
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Khmelenina VN, But SY, Rozova ON, Oshkin IY, Pimenov NV, Dedysh SN. Genome Editing in Methanotrophic Bacteria: Potential Targets and Available Tools. Microbiology (Reading) 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026261722602196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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Integrative Genome-Scale Metabolic Modeling Reveals Versatile Metabolic Strategies for Methane Utilization in Methylomicrobium album BG8. mSystems 2022; 7:e0007322. [PMID: 35258342 PMCID: PMC9040813 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00073-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylomicrobium album BG8 is an aerobic methanotrophic bacterium with promising features as a microbial cell factory for the conversion of methane to value-added chemicals. However, the lack of a genome-scale metabolic model (GEM) of M. album BG8 has hindered the development of systems biology and metabolic engineering of this methanotroph. To fill this gap, a high-quality GEM was constructed to facilitate a system-level understanding of the biochemistry of M. album BG8. Flux balance analysis, constrained with time-series data derived from experiments with various levels of methane, oxygen, and biomass, was used to investigate the metabolic states that promote the production of biomass and the excretion of carbon dioxide, formate, and acetate. The experimental and modeling results indicated that M. album BG8 requires a ratio of ∼1.5:1 between the oxygen- and methane-specific uptake rates for optimal growth. Integrative modeling revealed that at ratios of >2:1 oxygen-to-methane uptake flux, carbon dioxide and formate were the preferred excreted compounds, while at ratios of <1.5:1 acetate accounted for a larger fraction of the total excreted flux. Our results showed a coupling between biomass production and the excretion of carbon dioxide that was linked to the ratio between the oxygen- and methane-specific uptake rates. In contrast, acetate excretion was experimentally detected during exponential growth only when the initial biomass concentration was increased. A relatively lower growth rate was also observed when acetate was produced in the exponential phase, suggesting a trade-off between biomass and acetate production. IMPORTANCE A genome-scale metabolic model (GEM) is an integrative platform that enables the incorporation of a wide range of experimental data. It is used to reveal system-level metabolism and, thus, clarify the link between the genotype and phenotype. The lack of a GEM for Methylomicrobium album BG8, an aerobic methane-oxidizing bacterium, has hindered its use in environmental and industrial biotechnology applications. The diverse metabolic states indicated by the GEM developed in this study demonstrate the versatility in the methane metabolic processes used by this strain. The integrative GEM presented here will aid the implementation of the design-build-test-learn paradigm in the metabolic engineering of M. album BG8. This advance will facilitate the development of a robust methane bioconversion platform and help to mitigate methane emissions from environmental systems.
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Systems Metabolic Engineering of Methanotrophic Bacteria for Biological Conversion of Methane to Value-Added Compounds. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 180:91-126. [DOI: 10.1007/10_2021_184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Nguyen TT, Lee EY. Methane-based biosynthesis of 4-hydroxybutyrate and P(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) using engineered Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 335:125263. [PMID: 34020156 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
4-Hydroxybutyric acid (4-HB) is a key platform chemical that serves as a precursor in a wide variety of industrial applications including 1,4-butanediol and bioplastics production. In this study, we reconstructed 4-HB biosynthetic pathway including CoA-dependent succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase and NADPH-dependent succinate semialdehyde reductase in Type II methanotrophs, Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b, to synthesize 4-HB. These engineered strains were able to synthesize 4-HB from methane via tricarboxylic acid cycle. 4-HB synthesis was further improved to 10.5 mg/L by overexpressing phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, isocitrate dehydrogenase and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase genes in M. trichosporium OB3b. We combined the native poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) metabolic pathway and reconstructed 4-HB biosynthetic pathway to synthesize P(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) copolymer from structurally unrelated substrate methane as a single carbon source. These engineered strains could synthesize P(3HB-co-4HB) copolymer with 3.08 mol% 4-HB from methane. This study provides several engineering strategies to synthesize polyhydroxyalkanoates and their monomers from methane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thu Thi Nguyen
- Department of Chemical Engineering (Integrated Engineering), Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Yeol Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering (Integrated Engineering), Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Republic of Korea.
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Dhakar K, Zarecki R, van Bommel D, Knossow N, Medina S, Öztürk B, Aly R, Eizenberg H, Ronen Z, Freilich S. Strategies for Enhancing in vitro Degradation of Linuron by Variovorax sp. Strain SRS 16 Under the Guidance of Metabolic Modeling. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:602464. [PMID: 33937210 PMCID: PMC8084104 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.602464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Phenyl urea herbicides are being extensively used for weed control in both agricultural and non-agricultural applications. Linuron is one of the key herbicides in this family and is in wide use. Like other phenyl urea herbicides, it is known to have toxic effects as a result of its persistence in the environment. The natural removal of linuron from the environment is mainly carried through microbial biodegradation. Some microorganisms have been reported to mineralize linuron completely and utilize it as a carbon and nitrogen source. Variovorax sp. strain SRS 16 is one of the known efficient degraders with a recently sequenced genome. The genomic data provide an opportunity to use a genome-scale model for improving biodegradation. The aim of our study is the construction of a genome-scale metabolic model following automatic and manual protocols and its application for improving its metabolic potential through iterative simulations. Applying flux balance analysis (FBA), growth and degradation performances of SRS 16 in different media considering the influence of selected supplements (potential carbon and nitrogen sources) were simulated. Outcomes are predictions for the suitable media modification, allowing faster degradation of linuron by SRS 16. Seven metabolites were selected for in vitro validation of the predictions through laboratory experiments confirming the degradation-promoting effect of specific amino acids (glutamine and asparagine) on linuron degradation and SRS 16 growth. Overall, simulations are shown to be efficient in predicting the degradation potential of SRS 16 in the presence of specific supplements. The generated information contributes to the understanding of the biochemistry of linuron degradation and can be further utilized for the development of new cleanup solutions without any genetic manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kusum Dhakar
- Newe Ya'ar Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Ramat Yishai, Israel.,Department of Environmental Hydrology & Microbiology, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Raphy Zarecki
- Newe Ya'ar Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Ramat Yishai, Israel.,Department of Environmental Hydrology & Microbiology, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Daniella van Bommel
- lbert Katz School for Desert Studies Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Nadav Knossow
- Department of Environmental Hydrology & Microbiology, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Shlomit Medina
- Newe Ya'ar Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Ramat Yishai, Israel
| | - Basak Öztürk
- Junior Research Group Microbial Biotechnology, Leibniz Institute DSMZ, German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Radi Aly
- Newe Ya'ar Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Ramat Yishai, Israel
| | - Hanan Eizenberg
- Newe Ya'ar Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Ramat Yishai, Israel
| | - Zeev Ronen
- Department of Environmental Hydrology & Microbiology, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Shiri Freilich
- Newe Ya'ar Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Ramat Yishai, Israel
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Abstract
Methanotrophic bacteria represent a potential route to methane utilization and mitigation of methane emissions. In the first step of their metabolic pathway, aerobic methanotrophs use methane monooxygenases (MMOs) to activate methane, oxidizing it to methanol. There are two types of MMOs: a particulate, membrane-bound enzyme (pMMO) and a soluble, cytoplasmic enzyme (sMMO). The two MMOs are completely unrelated, with different architectures, metal cofactors, and mechanisms. The more prevalent of the two, pMMO, is copper-dependent, but the identity of its copper active site remains unclear. By contrast, sMMO uses a diiron active site, the catalytic cycle of which is well understood. Here we review the current state of knowledge for both MMOs, with an emphasis on recent developments and emerging hypotheses. In addition, we discuss obstacles to developing expression systems, which are needed to address outstanding questions and to facilitate future protein engineering efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher W Koo
- Departments of Molecular Biosciences and of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
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13
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Nguyen DTN, Lee OK, Nguyen TT, Lee EY. Type II methanotrophs: A promising microbial cell-factory platform for bioconversion of methane to chemicals. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 47:107700. [PMID: 33548453 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Methane, the predominant element in natural gas and biogas, represents a promising alternative to carbon feedstocks in the biotechnological industry due to its low cost and high abundance. The bioconversion of methane to value-added products can enhance the value of gas and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Methanotrophs, methane-utilizing bacteria, can make a significant contribution to the production of various valuable biofuels and chemicals from methane. Type II methanotrophs in comparison with Type I methanotrophs have distinct advantages, including high acetyl-CoA flux and the co-incorporation of two important greenhouse gases (methane and CO2), making it a potential microbial cell-factory platform for methane-derived biomanufacturing. Herein, we review the most recent advances in Type II methanotrophs related to multi-omics studies and metabolic engineering. Representative examples and prospects of metabolic engineering strategies for the production of suitable products are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diep Thi Ngoc Nguyen
- Department of Chemical Engineering (Integrated Engineering), Kyung Hee University, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Ok Kyung Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering (Integrated Engineering), Kyung Hee University, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Thu Thi Nguyen
- Department of Chemical Engineering (Integrated Engineering), Kyung Hee University, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Yeol Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering (Integrated Engineering), Kyung Hee University, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Republic of Korea.
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14
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Jawaharraj K, Sudha Dhiman S, Bedwell S, Vemuri B, Islam J, Sani RK, Gadhamshetty V. Electricity from methane by Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) and Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 321:124398. [PMID: 33257167 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Given the difficulties valorizing methane (CH4) via catalytic routes, this study explores use of CH4-oxidizing bacteria ("methanotrophs") for generating electricity directly from CH4. A preconditioned methanotrophic biofilm on 3D nickel foam with reduced graphene oxide (rGO/Ni) was used as the anode in two-compartment microbial fuel cells (MFCs). This study demonstrates a proof of concept for turning CH4 into electricity by two model methanotrophs including Methylosinus trichosposium OB3b and Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath). Both OB3b (205 mW.m-2) and Bath (110 mW.m-2) strains yielded a higher electricity from CH4 when grown on rGO/Ni compared to graphite felt electrodes. Based on electrochemistry tests, molecular dynamics simulations, genome annotations and interaction analysis, a mechanistic understanding of reasons behind enhanced performance of methanotrophs grown on rGO/Ni are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalimuthu Jawaharraj
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD, USA; BuG ReMeDEE Consortia, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD, USA; 2D-materials for Biofilm Engineering, Science and Technology (2DBEST) Center, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD 57701, USA
| | - Saurabh Sudha Dhiman
- BuG ReMeDEE Consortia, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD, USA; Chemical and Biological Engineering, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD 57701, USA; 2D-materials for Biofilm Engineering, Science and Technology (2DBEST) Center, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD 57701, USA
| | - Sierra Bedwell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Culbertson Hall, 100, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Bhuvan Vemuri
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD, USA; BuG ReMeDEE Consortia, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD, USA
| | - Jamil Islam
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD, USA; BuG ReMeDEE Consortia, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD, USA
| | - Rajesh Kumar Sani
- BuG ReMeDEE Consortia, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD, USA; Chemical and Biological Engineering, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD 57701, USA; 2D-materials for Biofilm Engineering, Science and Technology (2DBEST) Center, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD 57701, USA
| | - Venkataramana Gadhamshetty
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD, USA; BuG ReMeDEE Consortia, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD, USA; 2D-materials for Biofilm Engineering, Science and Technology (2DBEST) Center, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD 57701, USA.
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15
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Nguyen AD, Lee EY. Engineered Methanotrophy: A Sustainable Solution for Methane-Based Industrial Biomanufacturing. Trends Biotechnol 2020; 39:381-396. [PMID: 32828555 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Methane is a promising feedstock with high abundance and low cost for the sustainable production of biochemicals and biofuels. Methanotrophic bacteria are particularly interesting platforms for methane bioconversion as they can utilize methane as a carbon substrate. Recently, breakthroughs in the understanding of methane metabolism in methanotrophs as well as critical advances in systems metabolic engineering of methanotrophic bacteria have been reported. Here, we discuss the important gaps in the understanding of methanotrophic metabolism that have been uncovered recently and the current trends in systems metabolic engineering in both methanotrophic bacteria and non-native hosts to advance the potential of methane-based biomanufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh Duc Nguyen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17104, South Korea
| | - Eun Yeol Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17104, South Korea.
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16
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Islam MM, Le T, Daggumati SR, Saha R. Investigation of microbial community interactions between Lake Washington methanotrophs using -------genome-scale metabolic modeling. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9464. [PMID: 32655999 PMCID: PMC7333651 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The role of methane in global warming has become paramount to the environment and the human society, especially in the past few decades. Methane cycling microbial communities play an important role in the global methane cycle, which is why the characterization of these communities is critical to understand and manipulate their behavior. Methanotrophs are a major player in these communities and are able to oxidize methane as their primary carbon source. Results Lake Washington is a freshwater lake characterized by a methane-oxygen countergradient that contains a methane cycling microbial community. Methanotrophs are a major part of this community involved in assimilating methane from lake water. Two significant methanotrophic species in this community are Methylobacter and Methylomonas. In this work, these methanotrophs are computationally studied via developing highly curated genome-scale metabolic models. Each model was then integrated to form a community model with a multi-level optimization framework. The competitive and mutualistic metabolic interactions among Methylobacter and Methylomonas were also characterized. The community model was next tested under carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen limited conditions in addition to a nutrient-rich condition to observe the systematic shifts in the internal metabolic pathways and extracellular metabolite exchanges. Each condition showed variations in the methane oxidation pathway, pyruvate metabolism, and the TCA cycle as well as the excretion of formaldehyde and carbon di-oxide in the community. Finally, the community model was simulated under fixed ratios of these two members to reflect the opposing behavior in the two-member synthetic community and in sediment-incubated communities. The community simulations predicted a noticeable switch in intracellular carbon metabolism and formaldehyde transfer between community members in sediment-incubated vs. synthetic condition. Conclusion In this work, we attempted to predict the response of a simplified methane cycling microbial community from Lake Washington to varying environments and also provide an insight into the difference of dynamics in sediment-incubated microcosm community and synthetic co-cultures. Overall, this study lays the ground for in silico systems-level studies of freshwater lake ecosystems, which can drive future efforts of understanding, engineering, and modifying these communities for dealing with global warming issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mazharul Islam
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States of America
| | - Tony Le
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States of America
| | - Shardhat R Daggumati
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States of America
| | - Rajib Saha
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States of America
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