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Lyu X, Nuhu M, Candry P, Wolfanger J, Betenbaugh M, Saldivar A, Zuniga C, Wang Y, Shrestha S. Top-down and bottom-up microbiome engineering approaches to enable biomanufacturing from waste biomass. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 51:kuae025. [PMID: 39003244 PMCID: PMC11287213 DOI: 10.1093/jimb/kuae025] [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: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Growing environmental concerns and the need to adopt a circular economy have highlighted the importance of waste valorization for resource recovery. Microbial consortia-enabled biotechnologies have made significant developments in the biomanufacturing of valuable resources from waste biomass that serve as suitable alternatives to petrochemical-derived products. These microbial consortia-based processes are designed following a top-down or bottom-up engineering approach. The top-down approach is a classical method that uses environmental variables to selectively steer an existing microbial consortium to achieve a target function. While high-throughput sequencing has enabled microbial community characterization, the major challenge is to disentangle complex microbial interactions and manipulate the structure and function accordingly. The bottom-up approach uses prior knowledge of the metabolic pathway and possible interactions among consortium partners to design and engineer synthetic microbial consortia. This strategy offers some control over the composition and function of the consortium for targeted bioprocesses, but challenges remain in optimal assembly methods and long-term stability. In this review, we present the recent advancements, challenges, and opportunities for further improvement using top-down and bottom-up approaches for microbiome engineering. As the bottom-up approach is relatively a new concept for waste valorization, this review explores the assembly and design of synthetic microbial consortia, ecological engineering principles to optimize microbial consortia, and metabolic engineering approaches for efficient conversion. Integration of top-down and bottom-up approaches along with developments in metabolic modeling to predict and optimize consortia function are also highlighted. ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY This review highlights the microbial consortia-driven waste valorization for biomanufacturing through top-down and bottom-up design approaches and describes strategies, tools, and unexplored opportunities to optimize the design and stability of such consortia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejiao Lyu
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Mujaheed Nuhu
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Pieter Candry
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jenna Wolfanger
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Michael Betenbaugh
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Alexis Saldivar
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182-4614, USA
| | - Cristal Zuniga
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182-4614, USA
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, TX 77843, USA
| | - Shilva Shrestha
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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Rodriguez A, Hirakawa MP, Geiselman GM, Tran-Gyamfi MB, Light YK, George A, Sale KL. Prospects for utilizing microbial consortia for lignin conversion. FRONTIERS IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fceng.2023.1086881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Naturally occurring microbial communities are able to decompose lignocellulosic biomass through the concerted production of a myriad of enzymes that degrade its polymeric components and assimilate the resulting breakdown compounds by members of the community. This process includes the conversion of lignin, the most recalcitrant component of lignocellulosic biomass and historically the most difficult to valorize in the context of a biorefinery. Although several fundamental questions on microbial conversion of lignin remain unanswered, it is known that some fungi and bacteria produce enzymes to break, internalize, and assimilate lignin-derived molecules. The interest in developing efficient biological lignin conversion approaches has led to a better understanding of the types of enzymes and organisms that can act on different types of lignin structures, the depolymerized compounds that can be released, and the products that can be generated through microbial biosynthetic pathways. It has become clear that the discovery and implementation of native or engineered microbial consortia could be a powerful tool to facilitate conversion and valorization of this underutilized polymer. Here we review recent approaches that employ isolated or synthetic microbial communities for lignin conversion to bioproducts, including the development of methods for tracking and predicting the behavior of these consortia, the most significant challenges that have been identified, and the possibilities that remain to be explored in this field.
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Gladkov GV, Kimeklis AK, Afonin AM, Lisina TO, Orlova OV, Aksenova TS, Kichko AA, Pinaev AG, Andronov EE. The Structure of Stable Cellulolytic Consortia Isolated from Natural Lignocellulosic Substrates. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810779. [PMID: 36142684 PMCID: PMC9501375 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Recycling plant matter is one of the challenges facing humanity today and depends on efficient lignocellulose degradation. Although many bacterial strains from natural substrates demonstrate cellulolytic activities, the CAZymes (Carbohydrate-Active enZYmes) responsible for these activities are very diverse and usually distributed among different bacteria in one habitat. Thus, using microbial consortia can be a solution to rapid and effective decomposition of plant biomass. Four cellulolytic consortia were isolated from enrichment cultures from composting natural lignocellulosic substrates—oat straw, pine sawdust, and birch leaf litter. Enrichment cultures facilitated growth of similar, but not identical cellulose-decomposing bacteria from different substrates. Major components in all consortia were from Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota and Bacteroidota, but some were specific for different substrates—Verrucomicrobiota and Myxococcota from straw, Planctomycetota from sawdust and Firmicutes from leaf litter. While most members of the consortia were involved in the lignocellulose degradation, some demonstrated additional metabolic activities. Consortia did not differ in the composition of CAZymes genes, but rather in axillary functions, such as ABC-transporters and two-component systems, usually taxon-specific and associated with CAZymes. Our findings show that enrichment cultures can provide reproducible cellulolytic consortia from various lignocellulosic substrates, the stability of which is ensured by tight microbial relations between its components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grigory V. Gladkov
- All-Russian Research Institute of Agricultural Microbiology, 196608 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-921-402-65-16
| | - Anastasiia K. Kimeklis
- All-Russian Research Institute of Agricultural Microbiology, 196608 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Department of Applied Ecology, Saint-Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alexey M. Afonin
- All-Russian Research Institute of Agricultural Microbiology, 196608 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Tatiana O. Lisina
- All-Russian Research Institute of Agricultural Microbiology, 196608 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Olga V. Orlova
- All-Russian Research Institute of Agricultural Microbiology, 196608 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Tatiana S. Aksenova
- All-Russian Research Institute of Agricultural Microbiology, 196608 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Arina A. Kichko
- All-Russian Research Institute of Agricultural Microbiology, 196608 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alexander G. Pinaev
- All-Russian Research Institute of Agricultural Microbiology, 196608 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Evgeny E. Andronov
- All-Russian Research Institute of Agricultural Microbiology, 196608 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Dokuchaev Soil Science Institute, 119017 Moscow, Russia
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Lee S, Jung YJ, Park SJ, Ryu MH, Kim JE, Song HM, Kang KH, Song BK, Sung BH, Kim YH, Kim HT, Joo JC. Microbial production of 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid from lignin derivatives in an engineered Pseudomonas putida and its application for the synthesis of bio-based polyester. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 352:127106. [PMID: 35378283 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Lignin valorization depends on microbial upcycling of various aromatic compounds in the form of a complex mixture, including p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid. In this study, an engineered Pseudomonas putida strain utilizing lignin-derived monomeric compounds via biological funneling was developed to produce 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC), which has been considered a promising building block for bioplastics. The biosynthetic pathway for PDC production was established by introducing the heterologous ligABC genes under the promoter Ptac in a strain lacking pcaGH genes to accumulate a precursor of PDC, i.e., protocatechuic acid. Based on the culture optimization, fed-batch fermentation of the final strain resulted in 22.7 g/L PDC with a molar yield of 1.0 mol/mol and productivity of 0.21 g/L/h. Subsequent purification of PDC at high purity was successfully implemented, which was consequently applied for the novel polyester.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siseon Lee
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do 14662, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye Jean Jung
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do 14662, Republic of Korea
| | - Si Jae Park
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Graduate Program in System Health Science & Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Hee Ryu
- Green Carbon Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Eon Kim
- Research Center for Bio-based Chemicals, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Min Song
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Graduate Program in System Health Science & Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung Hee Kang
- Research Center for Bio-based Chemicals, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong Keun Song
- Research Center for Bio-based Chemicals, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong Hyun Sung
- Synthetic Biology and Bioengineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Hwan Kim
- Department of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Taek Kim
- Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Chan Joo
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do 14662, Republic of Korea; Research Center for Bio-based Chemicals, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea.
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Lee JA, Stolyar S, Marx CJ. Aerobic Methoxydotrophy: Growth on Methoxylated Aromatic Compounds by Methylobacteriaceae. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:849573. [PMID: 35359736 PMCID: PMC8963497 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.849573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophs have long been studied for their ability to grow on reduced single-carbon (C1) compounds. The C1 groups that support methylotrophic growth may come from a variety of sources. Here, we describe a group of Methylobacterium strains that can engage in methoxydotrophy: they can metabolize the methoxy groups from several aromatic compounds that are commonly the product of lignin depolymerization. Furthermore, these organisms can utilize the full aromatic ring as a growth substrate, a phenotype that has rarely been described in Methylobacterium. We demonstrated growth on p-hydroxybenzoate, protocatechuate, vanillate, and ferulate in laboratory culture conditions. We also used comparative genomics to explore the evolutionary history of this trait, finding that the capacity for aromatic catabolism is likely ancestral to two clades of Methylobacterium, but has also been acquired horizontally by closely related organisms. In addition, we surveyed the published metagenome data to find that the most abundant group of aromatic-degrading Methylobacterium in the environment is likely the group related to Methylobacterium nodulans, and they are especially common in soil and root environments. The demethoxylation of lignin-derived aromatic monomers in aerobic environments releases formaldehyde, a metabolite that is a potent cellular toxin but that is also a growth substrate for methylotrophs. We found that, whereas some known lignin-degrading organisms excrete formaldehyde as a byproduct during growth on vanillate, Methylobacterium do not. This observation is especially relevant to our understanding of the ecology and the bioengineering of lignin degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A. Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
- Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
- Space Biosciences Research Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Jessica A. Lee,
| | - Sergey Stolyar
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
- Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
| | - Christopher J. Marx
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
- Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
- Christopher J. Marx,
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Liang Y, Ma A, Zhuang G. Construction of Environmental Synthetic Microbial Consortia: Based on Engineering and Ecological Principles. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:829717. [PMID: 35283862 PMCID: PMC8905317 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.829717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In synthetic biology, engineering principles are applied to system design. The development of synthetic microbial consortia represents the intersection of synthetic biology and microbiology. Synthetic community systems are constructed by co-cultivating two or more microorganisms under certain environmental conditions, with broad applications in many fields including ecological restoration and ecological theory. Synthetic microbial consortia tend to have high biological processing efficiencies, because the division of labor reduces the metabolic burden of individual members. In this review, we focus on the environmental applications of synthetic microbial consortia. Although there are many strategies for the construction of synthetic microbial consortia, we mainly introduce the most widely used construction principles based on cross-feeding. Additionally, we propose methods for constructing synthetic microbial consortia based on traits and spatial structure from the perspective of ecology to provide a basis for future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Resource and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Anzhou Ma
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Resource and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guoqiang Zhuang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Resource and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Lin L. Bottom-up synthetic ecology study of microbial consortia to enhance lignocellulose bioconversion. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2022; 15:14. [PMID: 35418100 PMCID: PMC8822760 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-022-02113-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Lignocellulose is the most abundant organic carbon polymer on the earth. Its decomposition and conversion greatly impact the global carbon cycle. Furthermore, it provides feedstock for sustainable fuel and other value-added products. However, it continues to be underutilized, due to its highly recalcitrant and heterogeneric structure. Microorganisms, which have evolved versatile pathways to convert lignocellulose, undoubtedly are at the heart of lignocellulose conversion. Numerous studies that have reported successful metabolic engineering of individual strains to improve biological lignin valorization. Meanwhile, the bottleneck of single strain modification is becoming increasingly urgent in the conversion of complex substrates. Alternatively, increased attention has been paid to microbial consortia, as they show advantages over pure cultures, e.g., high efficiency and robustness. Here, we first review recent developments in microbial communities for lignocellulose bioconversion. Furthermore, the emerging area of synthetic ecology, which is an integration of synthetic biology, ecology, and computational biology, provides an opportunity for the bottom-up construction of microbial consortia. Then, we review different modes of microbial interaction and their molecular mechanisms, and discuss considerations of how to employ these interactions to construct synthetic consortia via synthetic ecology, as well as highlight emerging trends in engineering microbial communities for lignocellulose bioconversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Lin
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, Shandong, China.
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