1
|
Wei M, Han C, Zhou X, Tong T, Zhang J, Ji X, Zhang P, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Zhang X, Cai T, Xie C. Filamentous morphology engineering of bacteria by iron metabolism modulation through MagR expression. Synth Syst Biotechnol 2024; 9:522-530. [PMID: 38645975 PMCID: PMC11031723 DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2024.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The morphology is the consequence of evolution and adaptation. Escherichia coli is rod-shaped bacillus with regular dimension of about 1.5 μm long and 0.5 μm wide. Many shape-related genes have been identified and used in morphology engineering of this bacteria. However, little is known about if specific metabolism and metal irons could modulate bacteria morphology. Here in this study, we discovered filamentous shape change of E. coli cells overexpressing pigeon MagR, a putative magnetoreceptor and extremely conserved iron-sulfur protein. Comparative transcriptomic analysis strongly suggested that the iron metabolism change and iron accumulation due to the overproduction of MagR was the key to the morphological change. This model was further validated, and filamentous morphological change was also achieved by supplement E. coli cells with iron in culture medium or by increase the iron uptake genes such as entB and fepA. Our study extended our understanding of morphology regulation of bacteria, and may also serves as a prototype of morphology engineering by modulating the iron metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengke Wei
- Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, 230039, China
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Science Island, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, China
| | - Chenyang Han
- Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, 230039, China
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Science Island, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, China
| | - Xiujuan Zhou
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Science Island, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, China
- Science Island Branch of Graduate School, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Tianyang Tong
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Science Island, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, China
- Department of Anatomy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Science Island, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, China
- Science Island Branch of Graduate School, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Xinmiao Ji
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Science Island, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Science Island, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, China
- Science Island Branch of Graduate School, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Yanqi Zhang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Science Island, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, China
- Science Island Branch of Graduate School, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Yan Liu
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Science Island, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, China
- Department of Anatomy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, 230039, China
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Science Island, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, China
- Science Island Branch of Graduate School, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Tiantian Cai
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Science Island, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, China
- Science Island Branch of Graduate School, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
- Institute of Quantum Sensing, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310027, China
| | - Can Xie
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Science Island, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, China
- Science Island Branch of Graduate School, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
- Institute of Quantum Sensing, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310027, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Snoeck S, Guidi C, De Mey M. "Metabolic burden" explained: stress symptoms and its related responses induced by (over)expression of (heterologous) proteins in Escherichia coli. Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:96. [PMID: 38555441 PMCID: PMC10981312 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02370-9] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Engineering bacterial strains to redirect the metabolism towards the production of a specific product has enabled the development of industrial biotechnology. However, rewiring the metabolism can have severe implications for a microorganism, rendering cells with stress symptoms such as a decreased growth rate, impaired protein synthesis, genetic instability and an aberrant cell size. On an industrial scale, this is reflected in processes that are not economically viable. MAIN TEXT In literature, most stress symptoms are attributed to "metabolic burden", however the actual triggers and stress mechanisms involved are poorly understood. Therefore, in this literature review, we aimed to get a better insight in how metabolic engineering affects Escherichia coli and link the observed stress symptoms to its cause. Understanding the possible implications that chosen engineering strategies have, will help to guide the reader towards optimising the envisioned process more efficiently. CONCLUSION This review addresses the gap in literature and discusses the triggers and effects of stress mechanisms that can be activated when (over)expressing (heterologous) proteins in Escherichia coli. It uncovers that the activation of the different stress mechanisms is complex and that many are interconnected. The reader is shown that care has to be taken when (over)expressing (heterologous) proteins as the cell's metabolism is tightly regulated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Snoeck
- Department of Biotechnology, Centre for Synthetic Biology, Coupure Links 653, Gent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Chiara Guidi
- Department of Biotechnology, Centre for Synthetic Biology, Coupure Links 653, Gent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Marjan De Mey
- Department of Biotechnology, Centre for Synthetic Biology, Coupure Links 653, Gent, 9000, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|