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Lim SE, Cho S, Choi Y, Na JG, Lee J. High production of ectoine from methane in genetically engineered Methylomicrobium alcaliphilum 20Z by preventing ectoine degradation. Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:127. [PMID: 38698430 PMCID: PMC11067125 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02404-2] [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: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methane is a greenhouse gas with a significant potential to contribute to global warming. The biological conversion of methane to ectoine using methanotrophs represents an environmentally and economically beneficial technology, combining the reduction of methane that would otherwise be combusted and released into the atmosphere with the production of value-added products. RESULTS In this study, high ectoine production was achieved using genetically engineered Methylomicrobium alcaliphilum 20Z, a methanotrophic ectoine-producing bacterium, by knocking out doeA, which encodes a putative ectoine hydrolase, resulting in complete inhibition of ectoine degradation. Ectoine was confirmed to be degraded by doeA to N-α-acetyl-L-2,4-diaminobutyrate under nitrogen depletion conditions. Optimal copper and nitrogen concentrations enhanced biomass and ectoine production, respectively. Under optimal fed-batch fermentation conditions, ectoine production proportionate with biomass production was achieved, resulting in 1.0 g/L of ectoine with 16 g/L of biomass. Upon applying a hyperosmotic shock after high-cell-density culture, 1.5 g/L of ectoine was obtained without further cell growth from methane. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests the optimization of a method for the high production of ectoine from methane by preventing ectoine degradation. To our knowledge, the final titer of ectoine obtained by M. alcaliphilum 20ZDP3 was the highest in the ectoine production from methane to date. This is the first study to propose ectoine production from methane applying high cell density culture by preventing ectoine degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Eun Lim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sogang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sukhyeong Cho
- C1 Gas Refinery R&D Center, Sogang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yejin Choi
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sogang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Geol Na
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sogang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinwon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sogang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- C1 Gas Refinery R&D Center, Sogang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Hu Q, Sun S, Zhang Z, Liu W, Yi X, He H, Scrutton NS, Chen GQ. Ectoine hyperproduction by engineered Halomonas bluephagenesis. Metab Eng 2024; 82:238-249. [PMID: 38401747 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2024.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Ectoine, a crucial osmoprotectant for salt adaptation in halophiles, has gained growing interest in cosmetics and medical industries. However, its production remains challenged by stringent fermentation process in model microorganisms and low production level in its native producers. Here, we systematically engineered the native ectoine producer Halomonas bluephagenesis for ectoine production by overexpressing ectABC operon, increasing precursors availability, enhancing product transport system and optimizing its growth medium. The final engineered H. bluephagenesis produced 85 g/L ectoine in 52 h under open unsterile incubation in a 7 L bioreactor in the absence of plasmid, antibiotic or inducer. Furthermore, it was successfully demonstrated the feasibility of decoupling salt concentration with ectoine synthesis and co-production with bioplastic P(3HB-co-4HB) by the engineered H. bluephagenesis. The unsterile fermentation process and significantly increased ectoine titer indicate that H. bluephagenesis as the chassis of Next-Generation Industrial Biotechnology (NGIB), is promising for the biomanufacturing of not only intracellular bioplastic PHA but also small molecular compound such as ectoine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qitiao Hu
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Simian Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Zhongnan Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Wei Liu
- PhaBuilder Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Shunyi District, Beijing 101309, China
| | - Xueqing Yi
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Hongtao He
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Nigel S Scrutton
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Guo-Qiang Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK; Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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Huang M, Zhang H, Ren M, Ji B, Sun K. The synthesis of ectoine enhance the assimilation of ammonia nitrogen in hypersaline wastewater by the salt-tolerant assimilation bacteria sludge. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 913:169694. [PMID: 38160842 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
In contrast to nitrification-denitrification microorganisms that convert ammonia nitrogen in hypersaline wastewater into nitrogen for discharge, this research utilizes sludge enriched with salt-tolerant assimilation bacteria (STAB) to assimilate organic matter and ammonia nitrogen in hypersaline wastewater into ectoine - a biomass with high economic value and resistance to external osmotic pressure. The study investigates the relationship between the synthesis of ectoine and nitrogen removal efficiency of STAB sludge in three sequencing batch reactors (SBR) operated at different salinities (50, 75, and 100 g/L) and organic matter concentrations. The research reveals that, under low concentration carbon sources (TOC/N = 4, NH4+-N = 60 mg/L), the ammonia nitrogen removal efficiency of SBR reactors increased by 14.51 % and 17.25 % within 5 d and 2 d, respectively, when salinity increased from 50 g/L to 75 g/L and 100 g/L. Under high concentration carbon sources (TOC/N = 8, NH4+-N = 60 mg/L), the ammonia nitrogen removal efficiency of STAB sludge in the three reactors stabilized at 80.20 %, 76.71 %, and 72.87 %, and the total nitrogen removal efficiency was finally stabilized at 80.47 %, 73.15 %, and 65.53 %, respectively. The nitrogen removal performance by ammonium-assimilating of STAB sludge is more sustainable under low salinity, while it is more short-term explosive under high salinity. Moreover, the intracellular ectoine concentration of STAB sludge was found to be related to this behavior. Empirical formulas confirm that STAB sludge synthesizes ectoine from nutrients in wastewater through assimilation, and intracellular ectoine has a threshold defect (150 mg/gVss). The ectoine metabolism pathways of STAB sludge was constructed using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). The ammonia nitrogen in sewage is converted into glutamic acid under the action of assimilation genes. It then undergoes a tricarboxylic acid cycle to synthesize the crucial precursor of ectoine - aspartic acid. Subsequently, ectoine is produced through ectoine synthase. The findings suggest that when the synthesis of intracellular ectoine reaches saturation, it inhibits the continuous nitrogen removal performance of STAB sludge under high salinity. STAB sludge does not actively release ectoine through channels under stable external osmotic pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minglei Huang
- Zhejiang University, 310013, China; NingboTech University, 315100, China
| | | | - Min Ren
- Ningbo Marine Center, Ministry of Natural Resources, 315100, China
| | - Bixiao Ji
- NingboTech University, 315100, China
| | - Keying Sun
- Zhejiang University, 310013, China; NingboTech University, 315100, China
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Kang NK, Chau THT, Lee EY. Engineered methane biocatalysis: strategies to assimilate methane for chemical production. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 85:103031. [PMID: 38101295 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Methane (CH4), one of the greenhouse gases, is considered a promising feedstock for the biological production of fuels and chemicals. Although recent studies have demonstrated the capability of methanotrophs to convert CH4 into various bioproducts by metabolic engineering, the productivity has not reached commercial levels. As such, there is a growing interest in synthetic methanotrophic systems as an alternative. This review summarizes the strategies for enhancing native CH4 assimilation and discusses the challenges for the construction of synthetic methanotrophy into nonmethanotrophic industrial strains. Additionally, we suggest a mixed heterotrophic approach that integrates CH4 assimilation with glucose and xylose metabolism to improve productivity. The synthetic methanotrophic system presented in this review could pave the way for sustainable and efficient biomanufacturing using CH4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nam Kyu Kang
- Department of Chemical Engineering (BK21 FOUR Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, 17104 Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Tin Hoang Trung Chau
- Department of Chemical Engineering (BK21 FOUR Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, 17104 Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Eun Yeol Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering (BK21 FOUR Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, 17104 Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
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Feng Y, Qiu M, Shao L, Jiang Y, Zhang W, Jiang W, Xin F, Jiang M. Strategies for the biological production of ectoine by using different chassis strains. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 70:108306. [PMID: 38157997 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
As an amino acid derivative and a typical compatible solute, ectoine can assist microorganisms in resisting high osmotic pressure. Own to its long-term moisturizing effects, ectoine shows extensive applications in cosmetics, medicine and other fields. With the rapid development of synthetic biology and fermentation engineering, many biological strategies have been developed to improve the ectoine production and simplify the production process. Currently, the microbial fermentation has been widely used for large scaling ectoine production. Accordingly, this review will introduce the metabolic pathway for ectoine synthesis and also comprehensively evaluate both wild-type and genetically modified strains for ectoine production. Furthermore, process parameters affecting the ectoine production efficiency and adoption of low cost substrates will be evaluated. Lastly, future prospects on the improvement of ectoine production will be proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China
| | - Min Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China
| | - Lei Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China
| | - Yujia Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China; Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China
| | - Wenming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China; Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China
| | - Wankui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China.
| | - Fengxue Xin
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China; Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China.
| | - Min Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China; Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China
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Rodero MDR, Carmona-Martínez AA, Martínez-Fraile C, Herrero-Lobo R, Rodríguez E, García-Encina PA, Peña M, Muñoz R. Ectoines production from biogas in pilot bubble column bioreactors and their subsequent extraction via bio-milking. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 245:120665. [PMID: 37801795 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite the potential of biogas from waste/wastewater treatment as a renewable energy source, the presence of pollutants and the rapid decrease in the levelized cost of solar and wind power constrain the use of biogas for energy generation. Biogas conversion into ectoine, one of the most valuable bioproducts (1000 €/kg), constitutes a new strategy to promote a competitive biogas market. The potential for a stand-alone 20 L bubble column bioreactor operating at 6% NaCl and two 10 L interconnected bioreactors (at 0 and 6% NaCl, respectively) for ectoine production from biogas was comparatively assessed. The stand-alone reactor supported the best process performance due to its highest robustness and efficiency for ectoine accumulation (20-52 mgectoine/gVSS) and CH4 degradation (up to 84%). The increase in N availability and internal gas recirculation did not enhance ectoine synthesis. However, a 2-fold increase in the internal gas recirculation resulted in an approximately 1.3-fold increase in CH4 removal efficiency. Finally, the recovery of ectoine through bacterial bio-milking resulted in efficiencies of >70% without any negative impact of methanotrophic cell recycling to the bioreactors on CH4 biodegradation or ectoine synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Del Rosario Rodero
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, Valladolid 47011, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid 47011, Spain
| | - Alessandro A Carmona-Martínez
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, Valladolid 47011, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid 47011, Spain
| | - Cristina Martínez-Fraile
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, Valladolid 47011, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid 47011, Spain
| | - Raquel Herrero-Lobo
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, Valladolid 47011, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid 47011, Spain
| | - Elisa Rodríguez
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, Valladolid 47011, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid 47011, Spain
| | - Pedro A García-Encina
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, Valladolid 47011, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid 47011, Spain
| | - Mar Peña
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, Valladolid 47011, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid 47011, Spain
| | - Raúl Muñoz
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, Valladolid 47011, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid 47011, Spain.
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Shu Z, Zhang X, Wang R, Xing J, Li Y, Zhu D, Shen G. Metabolic engineering of Halomonas campaniensis strain XH26 to remove competing pathways to enhance ectoine production. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9732. [PMID: 37322079 PMCID: PMC10272175 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36975-8] [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: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Ectoine has gained considerable attention as a high-value chemical with significant application potential and market demand. This study aimed to increase ectoine yields by blocking the metabolic shunt pathway of L-aspartate-4-semialdehyde, the precursor substrate in ectoine synthesis. The homoserine dehydrogenase encoded by hom in H. campaniensis strain XH26 is responsible for the metabolic shunt of L-aspartate-4-semialdehyde to glycine. CRISPR/Cas9 technology was used to seamlessly knockout hom, blocking the metabolic shunt pathway to increase ectoine yields. The ectoine yield of XH26/Δhom was 351.13 mg (g CDW)-1 after 48 h of incubation in 500 mL shake flasks using optimal medium with 1.5 mol L-1 NaCl, which was significantly higher than the 239.18 mg (g CDW)-1 of the wild-type strain. Additionally, the absence of the ectoine metabolic shunt pathway affects betaine synthesis, and thus the betaine yields of XH26/Δhom was 19.98 mg (g CDW)-1, considerably lower than the 69.58 mg (g CDW)-1 of the wild-type strain. Batch fermentation parameters were optimized, and the wild-type strain and XH26/Δhom were fermented in 3 L fermenters, resulting in a high ectoine yield of 587.09 mg (g CDW)-1 for the defective strain, which was significantly greater than the ectoine yield of 385.03 mg (g CDW)-1 of the wild-type strain. This study showed that blocking the metabolic shunt of synthetic substrates effectively increases ectoine production, and a reduction in the competitively compatible solute betaine appears to promote increased ectoine synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwan Shu
- Research Center of Basic Medical Science, Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, 810016, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Research Center of Basic Medical Science, Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, 810016, China
| | - Rong Wang
- Research Center of Basic Medical Science, Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, 810016, China
| | - Jiangwa Xing
- Research Center of Basic Medical Science, Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, 810016, China
| | - Yongzhen Li
- Research Center of Basic Medical Science, Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, 810016, China
| | - Derui Zhu
- Research Center of Basic Medical Science, Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, 810016, China
| | - Guoping Shen
- Research Center of Basic Medical Science, Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, 810016, China.
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Galisteo C, de la Haba RR, Sánchez-Porro C, Ventosa A. A step into the rare biosphere: genomic features of the new genus Terrihalobacillus and the new species Aquibacillus salsiterrae from hypersaline soils. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1192059. [PMID: 37228371 PMCID: PMC10203224 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1192059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypersaline soils are a source of prokaryotic diversity that has been overlooked until very recently. The phylum Bacillota, which includes the genus Aquibacillus, is one of the 26 phyla that inhabit the heavy metal contaminated soils of the Odiel Saltmarshers Natural Area (Southwest Spain), according to previous research. In this study, we isolated a total of 32 strains closely related to the genus Aquibacillus by the traditional dilution-plating technique. Phylogenetic studies clustered them into two groups, and comparative genomic analyses revealed that one of them represents a new species within the genus Aquibacillus, whereas the other cluster constitutes a novel genus of the family Bacillaceae. We propose the designations Aquibacillus salsiterrae sp. nov. and Terrihalobacillus insolitus gen. nov., sp. nov., respectively, for these two new taxa. Genome mining analysis revealed dissimilitude in the metabolic traits of the isolates and their closest related genera, remarkably the distinctive presence of the well-conserved pathway for the biosynthesis of molybdenum cofactor in the species of the genera Aquibacillus and Terrihalobacillus, along with genes that encode molybdoenzymes and molybdate transporters, scarcely found in metagenomic dataset from this area. In-silico studies of the osmoregulatory strategy revealed a salt-out mechanism in the new species, which harbor the genes for biosynthesis and transport of the compatible solutes ectoine and glycine betaine. Comparative genomics showed genes related to heavy metal resistance, which seem required due to the contamination in the sampling area. The low values in the genome recruitment analysis indicate that the new species of the two genera, Terrihalobacillus and Aquibacillus, belong to the rare biosphere of representative hypersaline environments.
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Ma Z, Wu C, Zhu L, Chang R, Ma W, Deng Y, Chen X. Bioactivity profiling of the extremolyte ectoine as a promising protectant and its heterologous production. 3 Biotech 2022; 12:331. [PMID: 36311375 PMCID: PMC9606177 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-022-03370-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Ectoine is a compatible solutes that is diffusely dispersed in bacteria and archaea. It plays a significant role as protectant against various external pressures, such as high temperature, high osmolarity, dryness and radiation, in cells. Ectoine can be utilized in cosmetics due to its properties of moisturizing and antiultraviolet. It can also be used in the pharmaceutical industry for treating various diseases. Therefore, strong protection of ectoine creates a high commercial value. Its current market value is approximately US$1000 kg-1. However, traditional ectoine production in high-salinity media causes high costs of equipment loss and wastewater treatment. There is a growing attention to reduce the salinity of the fermentation broth without sacrificing the production of ectoine. Thus, heterologous production of ectoine in nonhalophilic microorganisms may represent the new generation of the industrial production of ectoine. In this review, we summarized and discussed the biological activities of ectoine on cell and human health protection and its heterologous production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Ma
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014 People’s Republic of China
| | - Chutian Wu
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014 People’s Republic of China
| | - Linjiang Zhu
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014 People’s Republic of China
| | - Renjie Chang
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014 People’s Republic of China
| | - Weilin Ma
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yanfeng Deng
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaolong Chen
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014 People’s Republic of China
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Cho S, Lee YS, Chai H, Lim SE, Na JG, Lee J. Enhanced production of ectoine from methane using metabolically engineered Methylomicrobium alcaliphilum 20Z. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2022; 15:5. [PMID: 35418141 PMCID: PMC8759281 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-022-02104-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background Ectoine (1,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid) is an attractive compatible solute because of its wide industrial applications. Previous studies on the microbial production of ectoine have focused on sugar fermentation. Alternatively, methane can be used as an inexpensive and abundant resource for ectoine production by using the halophilic methanotroph, Methylomicrobium alcaliphilum 20Z. However, there are some limitations, including the low production of ectoine from methane and the limited tools for the genetic manipulation of methanotrophs to facilitate their use as industrial strains. Results We constructed M. alcaliphilum 20ZDP with a high conjugation efficiency and stability of the episomal plasmid by the removal of its native plasmid. To improve the ectoine production in M. alcaliphilum 20Z from methane, the ectD (encoding ectoine hydroxylase) and ectR (transcription repressor of the ectABC-ask operon) were deleted to reduce the formation of by-products (such as hydroxyectoine) and induce ectoine production. When the double mutant was batch cultured with methane, ectoine production was enhanced 1.6-fold compared to that obtained with M. alcaliphilum 20ZDP (45.58 mg/L vs. 27.26 mg/L) without growth inhibition. Notably, a maximum titer of 142.32 mg/L was reached by the use of an optimized medium for ectoine production containing 6% NaCl and 0.05 μM of tungsten without hydroxyectoine production. This result demonstrates the highest ectoine production from methane to date. Conclusions Ectoine production was significantly enhanced by the disruption of the ectD and ectR genes in M. alcaliphilum 20Z under optimized conditions favoring ectoine accumulation. We demonstrated effective genetic engineering in a methanotrophic bacterium, with enhanced production of ectoine from methane as the sole carbon source. This study suggests a potentially transformational path to commercial sugar-based ectoine production. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13068-022-02104-2.
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Chen SY, Peng TC, Huang SZ, Chien CC. Isolation of an ectoine-producing Sinobaca sp. and identification of genes that are involved in ectoine biosynthesis. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2022; 369:6596284. [PMID: 35641156 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnac046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A moderate halophilic bacterium that could accumulate ectoine and hydroxyectoine was isolated from soil near a salt mine and was identified as a Sinobaca sp. (designed strain H24) according to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The bacterium grew well in the presence of 1 to 2 M NaCl, while growth in a medium that contained 2 M NaCl led to higher accumulation of ectoines. The yields of ectoine and hydroxyectoine by Sinobaca sp. H24 reached 11.27 mg/L and 1.34 mg/L, respectively, when cultured in the following medium: NaCl (2 M), peptone (5 g/L), yeast extract (1 g/L), NH4Cl (0.02 M), KH2PO4 (1 M), K2HPO4 (0.1 M) and glycerol (1% w/v). Genes that are involved in ectoine biosynthesis of Sinobaca sp. H24 were also identified, and their sequences were determined by a metagenomics approach. The results demonstrated that Sinobaca sp. H24 possesses ectoine metabolism genes for both ectoine biosynthesis (ectA, ectB, ectC and ectD) and ectoine degradation (doeA). Genes that are related to ectoine biosynthesis, such as lysC and asd, were also characterized. The identification and characterization results for ectoine/hydroxyectoine biosynthesis genes are in agreement with the physiology of Sinobaca sp. H24 as a potential candidate for ectoine production for industrial applications. This report established for the first time the accumulation of ectoine/hydroxyectoine in Sinobaca sp. and characterized the genes that are involved in ectoine/hydroxyectoine biosynthesis in Sinobaca sp. H24.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Yu Chen
- Graduate School of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Chia Peng
- Graduate School of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Shan-Ze Huang
- Graduate School of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Ching Chien
- Graduate School of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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12
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Hermann L, Dempwolff F, Steinchen W, Freibert SA, Smits SHJ, Seubert A, Bremer E. The MocR/GabR Ectoine and Hydroxyectoine Catabolism Regulator EnuR: Inducer and DNA Binding. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:764731. [PMID: 35003002 PMCID: PMC8739950 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.764731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The compatible solutes ectoine and 5-hydroxyectoine are widely synthesized by bacteria as osmostress protectants. These nitrogen-rich tetrahydropyrimidines can also be exploited as nutrients by microorganisms. Many ectoine/5-hydroxyectoine catabolic gene clusters are associated with a regulatory gene (enuR: ectoine nutrient utilization regulator) encoding a repressor protein belonging to the MocR/GabR sub-family of GntR-type transcription factors. Focusing on EnuR from the marine bacterium Ruegeria pomeroyi, we show that the dimerization of EnuR is mediated by its aminotransferase domain. This domain can fold independently from its amino-terminal DNA reading head and can incorporate pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (PLP) as cofactor. The covalent attachment of PLP to residue Lys302 of EnuR was proven by mass-spectrometry. PLP interacts with system-specific, ectoine and 5-hydroxyectoine-derived inducers: alpha-acetyldiaminobutyric acid (alpha-ADABA), and hydroxy-alpha-acetyldiaminobutyric acid (hydroxy-alpha-ADABA), respectively. These inducers are generated in cells actively growing with ectoines as sole carbon and nitrogen sources, by the EutD hydrolase and targeted metabolic analysis allowed their detection. EnuR binds these effector molecules with affinities in the low micro-molar range. Studies addressing the evolutionary conservation of EnuR, modelling of the EnuR structure, and docking experiments with the inducers provide an initial view into the cofactor and effector binding cavity. In this cavity, the two high-affinity inducers for EnuR, alpha-ADABA and hydroxy-alpha-ADABA, are positioned such that their respective primary nitrogen group can chemically interact with PLP. Purified EnuR bound with micro-molar affinity to a 48 base pair DNA fragment containing the sigma-70 type substrate-inducible promoter for the ectoine/5-hydroxyectoine importer and catabolic gene cluster. Consistent with the function of EnuR as a repressor, the core elements of the promoter overlap with two predicted EnuR operators. Our data lend themselves to a straightforward regulatory model for the initial encounter of EnuR-possessing ectoine/5-hydroxyectoine consumers with environmental ectoines and for the situation when the external supply of these compounds has been exhausted by catabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Hermann
- Faculty of Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Department of Biochemistry and Synthetic Metabolism, Max-Planck-Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Felix Dempwolff
- SYNMIKRO Research Center, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Wieland Steinchen
- SYNMIKRO Research Center, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Sven-Andreas Freibert
- Department of Medicine, Institute for Cytobiology and Cytopathology, and SYNMIKRO Research Center, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Sander H J Smits
- Institute of Biochemistry, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Center for Structural Studies (CSS), Faculty of Biochemistry, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Andreas Seubert
- Faculty of Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Erhard Bremer
- Faculty of Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,SYNMIKRO Research Center, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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13
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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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14
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Kang JY, Lee B, Kim JA, Kim MS, Kim CH. Identification and characterization of an ectoine biosynthesis gene cluster from Aestuariispira ectoiniformans sp. nov., isolated from seawater. Microbiol Res 2021; 254:126898. [PMID: 34710834 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2021.126898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
An ectoine-producing bacterium, designated SWCN16T, was isolated from seawater and could be grown in a medium containing up to 12 % NaCl. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SWCN16T belonged to the genus Aestuariispira, class Alphaproteobacteria, and shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 96.8% with Aestuariispira insulae CECT 8488T. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genotypic characteristics findings of this study suggested that strain SWCN16T represented a novel species of the genus Aestuariispira. We propose the name Aestuariispira ectoiniformans sp. nov. for this species. Whole-genome sequencing analysis of the isolate revealed a putative ectABC gene cluster for ectoine biosynthesis. These genes were found to be functional using ectoine synthesis testing and S16-ectBAC cells, which were pET21a-ectBAC-transformed E. coli BL21 cells. We found that S16-ectBAC synthesized about 1.67 g/L extracellular ectoine and about 0.59 g/L intracellular ectoine via bioconversion at optimum conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Young Kang
- Industrial Microbiology and Bioprocess Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup-si, 580-185, Republic of Korea.
| | - Binna Lee
- Industrial Microbiology and Bioprocess Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup-si, 580-185, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jeong Ah Kim
- Industrial Microbiology and Bioprocess Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup-si, 580-185, Republic of Korea.
| | - Min-Soo Kim
- Industrial Microbiology and Bioprocess Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup-si, 580-185, Republic of Korea.
| | - Chul Ho Kim
- Industrial Microbiology and Bioprocess Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup-si, 580-185, Republic of Korea.
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