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Wang P, Li D, Sun M, Yin J, Zheng T. Microalgae enhanced co-metabolism of sulfamethoxazole using aquacultural feedstuff components: Co-metabolic pathways and enzymatic mechanisms. J Hazard Mater 2024; 470:134279. [PMID: 38613960 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
The application of antibiotics in freshwater aquaculture leads to increased contamination of aquatic environments. However, limited information is available on the co-metabolic biodegradation of antibiotics by microalgae in aquaculture. Feedstuffs provide multiple organic substrates for microalgae-mediated co-metabolism. Herein, we investigated the co-metabolism of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) by Chlorella pyrenoidosa when adding main components of feedstuff (glucose and lysine). Results showed that lysine had an approximately 1.5-fold stronger enhancement on microalgae-mediated co-metabolism of SMX than glucose, with the highest removal rate (68.77% ± 0.50%) observed in the 9-mM-Lys co-metabolic system. Furthermore, we incorporated reactive sites predicted by density functional theory calculations, 14 co-metabolites identified by mass spectrometry, and the roles of 18 significantly activated enzymes to reveal the catalytic reaction mechanisms underlying the microalgae-mediated co-metabolism of SMX. In lysine- and glucose-treated groups, five similar co-metabolic pathways were proposed, including bond breaking on the nucleophilic sulfur atom, ring cleavage and hydroxylation at multiple free radical reaction sites, together with acylation and glutamyl conjugation on electrophilic nitrogen atoms. Cytochrome P450, serine hydrolase, and peroxidase play crucial roles in catalyzing hydroxylation, bond breaking, and ring cleavage of SMX. These findings provide theoretical support for better utilization of microalgae-driven co-metabolism to reduce sulfonamide antibiotic residues in aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peifang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resources Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China
| | - Dingxin Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resources Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Sun
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resources Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jinbao Yin
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resources Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianming Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resources Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China
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Tüllinghoff A, Toepel J, Bühler B. Enlighting Electron Routes In Oxyfunctionalizing Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202300475. [PMID: 37994522 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Phototrophic microorganisms, like cyanobacteria, are gaining attention as host organisms for biocatalytic processes with light as energy source and water as electron source. Redox enzymes, especially oxygenases, can profit from in-situ supply of co-substrates, i. e., reduction equivalents and O2 , by the photosynthetic light reaction. The electron transfer downstream of PS I to heterologous electron consuming enzymes in principle can involve NADPH, NADH, and/or ferredoxin, whereas most direct and efficient transfer is desirable. Here, we use the model organism Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 to investigate, to what extent host and/or heterologous constituents are involved in electron transfer to a heterologous cytochrome P450 monooxygenase from Acidovorax sp. CHX100. Interestingly, in this highly active light-fueled cycloalkane hydroxylating biocatalyst, host-intrinsic enzymes were found capable of completely substituting the function of the Acidovorax ferredoxin reductase. To a certain extent (20 %), this also was true for the Acidovorax ferredoxin. These results indicate the presence of a versatile set of electron carriers in cyanobacteria, enabling efficient and direct coupling of electron consuming reactions to photosynthetic water oxidation. This will both simplify and promote the use of phototrophic microorganisms for sustainable production processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Tüllinghoff
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jörg Toepel
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Bruno Bühler
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
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Tüllinghoff A, Djaya‐Mbissam H, Toepel J, Bühler B. Light-driven redox biocatalysis on gram-scale in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 via an in vivo cascade. Plant Biotechnol J 2023; 21:2074-2083. [PMID: 37439151 PMCID: PMC10502755 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The photosynthetic light reaction in cyanobacteria constitutes a highly attractive tool for productive biocatalysis, as it can provide redox reactions with high-energy reduction equivalents using sunlight and water as sources of energy and electrons, respectively. Here, we describe the first artificial light-driven redox cascade in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 to convert cyclohexanone to the polymer building block 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid (6-HA). Co-expression of a Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase (BVMO) and a lactonase, both from Acidovorax sp. CHX100, enabled this two-step conversion with an activity of up to 63.1 ± 1.0 U/gCDW without accumulating inhibitory ε-caprolactone. Thereby, one of the key limitations of biocatalytic reactions, that is, reactant inhibition or toxicity, was overcome. In 2 L stirred-tank-photobioreactors, the process could be stabilized for 48 h, forming 23.50 ± 0.84 mm (3.11 ± 0.12 g/L) 6-HA. The high specificity enabling a product yield (YP/S ) of 0.96 ± 0.01 mol/mol and the remarkable biocatalyst-related yield of 3.71 ± 0.21 g6-HA /gCDW illustrate the potential of producing this non-toxic product in a synthetic cascade. The fine-tuning of the energy burden on the catalyst was found to be crucial, which indicates a limitation by the metabolic capacity of the cells possibly being compromised by biocatalysis-related reductant withdrawal. Intriguingly, energy balancing revealed that the biotransformation could tap surplus electrons derived from the photosynthetic light reaction and thereby relieve photosynthetic sink limitation. This study shows the feasibility of light-driven biocatalytic cascade operation in cyanobacteria and highlights respective metabolic limitations and engineering targets to unleash the full potential of photosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Tüllinghoff
- Helmholtz‐Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, PermoserstrLeipzigGermany
| | | | - Jörg Toepel
- Helmholtz‐Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, PermoserstrLeipzigGermany
| | - Bruno Bühler
- Helmholtz‐Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, PermoserstrLeipzigGermany
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Ma J, Wang Q, Wei LL, Zhao Y, Zhang GZ, Wang J, Gu CH. Responses of the tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa, Paeoniaceae) cultivar 'Yu Hong' to heat stress revealed by iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomics. Proteome Sci 2022; 20:18. [PMID: 36578066 PMCID: PMC9798725 DOI: 10.1186/s12953-022-00202-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Horticulture productivity has been increasingly restricted by heat stress from growing global warming, making it far below the optimum production capacity. As a popular ornamental cultivar of tree peony, Paeonia suffruticosa 'Yu Hong' has also been suffering from heat stress not suitable for its optimal growth. To better understand the response mechanisms against heat stress of tree peony, investigations of phenotypic changes, physiological responses, and quantitative proteomics were conducted. Phenotypic and physiological changes indicated that 24 h of exposure to heat stress (40 °C) was the critical duration of heat stress in tree peony. The proteomic analyses revealed a total of 100 heat-responsive proteins (HRPs). According to bioinformatic analysis of HRPs, the heat tolerance of tree peony might be related to signal transduction, synthesis/degradation, heat kinetic proteins, antioxidants, photosynthesis, energy conversion, and metabolism. Our research will provide some new insights into the molecular mechanism under the response against the heat stress of tree peony, which will benefit the future breeding of heat-resistant ornamental plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Ma
- grid.443483.c0000 0000 9152 7385College of Landscape and Architecture, Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University, Hangzhou, 311300 China ,grid.443483.c0000 0000 9152 7385Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Utilization for Garden Plants, Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University, Hangzhou, 311300 China ,grid.443483.c0000 0000 9152 7385Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration On Germplasm Innovation and Utilization for Southern Garden Plants, Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University, Hangzhou, 311300 China
| | - Qun Wang
- grid.443483.c0000 0000 9152 7385College of Landscape and Architecture, Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University, Hangzhou, 311300 China ,grid.443483.c0000 0000 9152 7385Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Utilization for Garden Plants, Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University, Hangzhou, 311300 China ,grid.443483.c0000 0000 9152 7385Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration On Germplasm Innovation and Utilization for Southern Garden Plants, Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University, Hangzhou, 311300 China
| | - Ling-Ling Wei
- grid.443483.c0000 0000 9152 7385Institute of Ecological Civilization, Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University, Hangzhou, 311300 China ,grid.66741.320000 0001 1456 856XSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083 China
| | - Yu Zhao
- grid.443483.c0000 0000 9152 7385College of Landscape and Architecture, Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University, Hangzhou, 311300 China ,grid.443483.c0000 0000 9152 7385Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Utilization for Garden Plants, Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University, Hangzhou, 311300 China ,grid.443483.c0000 0000 9152 7385Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration On Germplasm Innovation and Utilization for Southern Garden Plants, Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University, Hangzhou, 311300 China
| | - Guo-Zhe Zhang
- grid.443483.c0000 0000 9152 7385College of Landscape and Architecture, Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University, Hangzhou, 311300 China ,grid.443483.c0000 0000 9152 7385Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Utilization for Garden Plants, Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University, Hangzhou, 311300 China ,grid.443483.c0000 0000 9152 7385Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration On Germplasm Innovation and Utilization for Southern Garden Plants, Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University, Hangzhou, 311300 China
| | - Jie Wang
- Kunpeng Institute of Modern Agriculture at Foshan, Guangdong Foshan, 528200 China ,grid.1025.60000 0004 0436 6763College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150 Australia
| | - Cui-Hua Gu
- grid.443483.c0000 0000 9152 7385College of Landscape and Architecture, Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University, Hangzhou, 311300 China ,grid.443483.c0000 0000 9152 7385Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Utilization for Garden Plants, Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University, Hangzhou, 311300 China ,grid.443483.c0000 0000 9152 7385Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration On Germplasm Innovation and Utilization for Southern Garden Plants, Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University, Hangzhou, 311300 China
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Theodosiou E, Tüllinghoff A, Toepel J, Bühler B. Exploitation of Hetero- and Phototrophic Metabolic Modules for Redox-Intensive Whole-Cell Biocatalysis. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:855715. [PMID: 35497353 PMCID: PMC9043136 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.855715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The successful realization of a sustainable manufacturing bioprocess and the maximization of its production potential and capacity are the main concerns of a bioprocess engineer. A main step towards this endeavor is the development of an efficient biocatalyst. Isolated enzyme(s), microbial cells, or (immobilized) formulations thereof can serve as biocatalysts. Living cells feature, beside active enzymes, metabolic modules that can be exploited to support energy-dependent and multi-step enzyme-catalyzed reactions. Metabolism can sustainably supply necessary cofactors or cosubstrates at the expense of readily available and cheap resources, rendering external addition of costly cosubstrates unnecessary. However, for the development of an efficient whole-cell biocatalyst, in depth comprehension of metabolic modules and their interconnection with cell growth, maintenance, and product formation is indispensable. In order to maximize the flux through biosynthetic reactions and pathways to an industrially relevant product and respective key performance indices (i.e., titer, yield, and productivity), existing metabolic modules can be redesigned and/or novel artificial ones established. This review focuses on whole-cell bioconversions that are coupled to heterotrophic or phototrophic metabolism and discusses metabolic engineering efforts aiming at 1) increasing regeneration and supply of redox equivalents, such as NAD(P/H), 2) blocking competing fluxes, and 3) increasing the availability of metabolites serving as (co)substrates of desired biosynthetic routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Theodosiou
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Adrian Tüllinghoff
- Department of Solar Materials, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH—UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jörg Toepel
- Department of Solar Materials, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH—UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Bruno Bühler
- Department of Solar Materials, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH—UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
- *Correspondence: Bruno Bühler,
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Zheng S, Guo J, Cheng F, Gao Z, Du L, Meng C, Li S, Zhang X. Cytochrome P450s in algae: Bioactive natural product biosynthesis and light-driven bioproduction. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:2832-2844. [PMID: 35755277 PMCID: PMC9214053 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Algae are a large group of photosynthetic organisms responsible for approximately half of the earth's total photosynthesis. In addition to their fundamental ecological roles as oxygen producers and as the food base for almost all aquatic life, algae are also a rich source of bioactive natural products, including several clinical drugs. Cytochrome P450 enzymes (P450s) are a superfamily of biocatalysts that are extensively involved in natural product biosynthesis by mediating various types of reactions. In the post-genome era, a growing number of P450 genes have been discovered from algae, indicating their important roles in algal life-cycle. However, the functional studies of algal P450s remain limited. Benefitting from the recent technical advances in algae cultivation and genetic manipulation, the researches on P450s in algal natural product biosynthesis have been approaching to a new stage. Moreover, some photoautotrophic algae have been developed into “photo-bioreactors” for heterologous P450s to produce high-value added pharmaceuticals and chemicals in a carbon-neutral or carbon-negative manner. Here, we comprehensively review these advances of P450 studies in algae from 2000 to 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanmin Zheng
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Jiawei Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Fangyuan Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Zhengquan Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Lei Du
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Chunxiao Meng
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China
- Corresponding authors. Tel./fax: +86 532 58632496.
| | - Shengying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
- Corresponding authors. Tel./fax: +86 532 58632496.
| | - Xingwang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
- Corresponding authors. Tel./fax: +86 532 58632496.
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Jin H, Wang Y, Zhao P, Wang L, Zhang S, Meng D, Yang Q, Cheong LZ, Bi Y, Fu Y. Potential of Producing Flavonoids Using Cyanobacteria As a Sustainable Chassis. J Agric Food Chem 2021; 69:12385-12401. [PMID: 34649432 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c04632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Numerous plant secondary metabolites have remarkable impacts on both food supplements and pharmaceuticals for human health improvement. However, higher plants can only generate small amounts of these chemicals with specific temporal and spatial arrangements, which are unable to satisfy the expanding market demands. Cyanobacteria can directly utilize CO2, light energy, and inorganic nutrients to synthesize versatile plant-specific photosynthetic intermediates and organic compounds in large-scale photobioreactors with outstanding economic merit. Thus, they have been rapidly developed as a "green" chassis for the synthesis of bioproducts. Flavonoids, chemical compounds based on aromatic amino acids, are considered to be indispensable components in a variety of nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications. In contrast to heterotrophic metabolic engineering pioneers, such as yeast and Escherichia coli, information about the biosynthesis flavonoids and their derivatives is less comprehensive than that of their photosynthetic counterparts. Here, we review both benefits and challenges to promote cyanobacterial cell factories for flavonoid biosynthesis. With increasing concerns about global environmental issues and food security, we are confident that energy self-supporting cyanobacteria will attract increasing attention for the generation of different kinds of bioproducts. We hope that the work presented here will serve as an index and encourage more scientists to join in the relevant research area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haojie Jin
- College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Yan Wang
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, P.R. China
| | - Pengquan Zhao
- College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Litao Wang
- College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Su Zhang
- College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Dong Meng
- College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Qing Yang
- College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Ling-Zhi Cheong
- Zhejiang-Malaysia Joint Research Laboratory for Agricultural Product Processing and Nutrition, College of Food and Pharmaceutical Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Yonghong Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Fresh Water Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430070, P.R. China
| | - Yujie Fu
- College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
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Santos-Merino M, Torrado A, Davis GA, Röttig A, Bibby TS, Kramer DM, Ducat DC. Improved photosynthetic capacity and photosystem I oxidation via heterologous metabolism engineering in cyanobacteria. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2021523118. [PMID: 33836593 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2021523118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria have been increasingly explored as a biotechnological platform, although their economic feasibility relies in part on the capacity to maximize their photosynthetic, solar-to-biomass energy conversion efficiency. Here we show that cyanobacterial photosynthetic capacity can be increased by diverting cellular resources toward heterologous, energy-storing metabolic pathways and by reducing electron flow to photoprotective, but energy-dissipating, oxygen reduction reactions. We further show that these heterologous sinks can partially contribute to photosystem I (PSI) oxidation, suggesting an engineering strategy to improve both energy storage capacity and robustness by selective diversion of excess photosynthetic capacity to productive processes. Cyanobacteria must prevent imbalances between absorbed light energy (source) and the metabolic capacity (sink) to utilize it to protect their photosynthetic apparatus against damage. A number of photoprotective mechanisms assist in dissipating excess absorbed energy, including respiratory terminal oxidases and flavodiiron proteins, but inherently reduce photosynthetic efficiency. Recently, it has been hypothesized that some engineered metabolic pathways may improve photosynthetic performance by correcting source/sink imbalances. In the context of this subject, we explored the interconnectivity between endogenous electron valves, and the activation of one or more heterologous metabolic sinks. We coexpressed two heterologous metabolic pathways that have been previously shown to positively impact photosynthetic activity in cyanobacteria, a sucrose production pathway (consuming ATP and reductant) and a reductant-only consuming cytochrome P450. Sucrose export was associated with improved quantum yield of phtotosystem II (PSII) and enhanced electron transport chain flux, especially at lower illumination levels, while cytochrome P450 activity led to photosynthetic enhancements primarily observed under high light. Moreover, coexpression of these two heterologous sinks showed additive impacts on photosynthesis, indicating that neither sink alone was capable of utilizing the full “overcapacity” of the electron transport chain. We find that heterologous sinks may partially compensate for the loss of photosystem I (PSI) oxidizing mechanisms even under rapid illumination changes, although this compensation is incomplete. Our results provide support for the theory that heterologous metabolism can act as a photosynthetic sink and exhibit some overlapping functionality with photoprotective mechanisms, while potentially conserving energy within useful metabolic products that might otherwise be “lost.”
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Sørensen M, Møller BL. Metabolic Engineering of Photosynthetic Cells – in Collaboration with Nature. Metab Eng 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/9783527823468.ch21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Jackson HO, Taunt HN, Mordaka PM, Smith AG, Purton S. The Algal Chloroplast as a Testbed for Synthetic Biology Designs Aimed at Radically Rewiring Plant Metabolism. Front Plant Sci 2021; 12:708370. [PMID: 34630459 PMCID: PMC8497815 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.708370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Sustainable and economically viable support for an ever-increasing global population requires a paradigm shift in agricultural productivity, including the application of biotechnology to generate future crop plants. Current genetic engineering approaches aimed at enhancing the photosynthetic efficiency or composition of the harvested tissues involve relatively simple manipulations of endogenous metabolism. However, radical rewiring of central metabolism using new-to-nature pathways, so-called "synthetic metabolism", may be needed to really bring about significant step changes. In many cases, this will require re-programming the metabolism of the chloroplast, or other plastids in non-green tissues, through a combination of chloroplast and nuclear engineering. However, current technologies for sophisticated chloroplast engineering ("transplastomics") of plants are limited to just a handful of species. Moreover, the testing of metabolic rewiring in the chloroplast of plant models is often impractical given their obligate phototrophy, the extended time needed to create stable non-chimeric transplastomic lines, and the technical challenges associated with regeneration of whole plants. In contrast, the unicellular green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a facultative heterotroph that allows for extensive modification of chloroplast function, including non-photosynthetic designs. Moreover, chloroplast engineering in C. reinhardtii is facile, with the ability to generate novel lines in a matter of weeks, and a well-defined molecular toolbox allows for rapid iterations of the "Design-Build-Test-Learn" (DBTL) cycle of modern synthetic biology approaches. The recent development of combinatorial DNA assembly pipelines for designing and building transgene clusters, simple methods for marker-free delivery of these clusters into the chloroplast genome, and the pre-existing wealth of knowledge regarding chloroplast gene expression and regulation in C. reinhardtii further adds to the versatility of transplastomics using this organism. Herein, we review the inherent advantages of the algal chloroplast as a simple and tractable testbed for metabolic engineering designs, which could then be implemented in higher plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry O. Jackson
- Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Henry N. Taunt
- Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pawel M. Mordaka
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Alison G. Smith
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Saul Purton
- Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Saul Purton
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Kannchen D, Zabret J, Oworah-Nkruma R, Dyczmons-Nowaczyk N, Wiegand K, Löbbert P, Frank A, Nowaczyk MM, Rexroth S, Rögner M. Remodeling of photosynthetic electron transport in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 for future hydrogen production from water. Biochim Biophys Acta Bioenerg 2020; 1861:148208. [PMID: 32339488 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2020.148208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Photosynthetic microorganisms such as the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (Synechocystis) can be exploited for the light-driven synthesis of valuable compounds. Thermodynamically, it is most beneficial to branch-off photosynthetic electrons at ferredoxin (Fd), which provides electrons for a variety of fundamental metabolic pathways in the cell, with the ferredoxin-NADP+ Oxido-Reductase (FNR, PetH) being the main target. In order to re-direct electrons from Fd to another consumer, the high electron transport rate between Fd and FNR has to be reduced. Based on our previous in vitro experiments, corresponding FNR-mutants at position FNR_K190 (Wiegand, K., et al.: "Rational redesign of the ferredoxin-NADP-oxido-reductase/ferredoxin-interaction for photosynthesis-dependent H2-production". Biochim Biophys Acta, 2018) have been generated in Synechocystis cells to study their impact on the cellular metabolism and their potential for a future hydrogen-producing design cell. Out of two promising candidates, mutation FNR_K190D proved to be lethal due to oxidative stress, while FNR_K190A was successfully generated and characterized: The light induced NADPH formation is clearly impaired in this mutant and it shows also major metabolic adaptations like a higher glucose metabolism as evidenced by quantitative mass spectrometric analysis. These results indicate a high potential for the future use of photosynthetic electrons in engineered design cells - for instance for hydrogen production. They also show substantial differences of interacting proteins in an in vitro environment vs. physiological conditions in whole cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Kannchen
- Plant Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Jure Zabret
- Plant Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Regina Oworah-Nkruma
- Plant Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Nina Dyczmons-Nowaczyk
- Plant Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Katrin Wiegand
- Plant Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Pia Löbbert
- Plant Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Anna Frank
- Plant Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Marc Michael Nowaczyk
- Plant Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Sascha Rexroth
- Plant Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Matthias Rögner
- Plant Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany.
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12
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Knoot CJ, Khatri Y, Hohlman RM, Sherman DH, Pakrasi HB. Engineered Production of Hapalindole Alkaloids in the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. UTEX 2973. ACS Synth Biol 2019; 8:1941-1951. [PMID: 31284716 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria produce numerous valuable bioactive secondary metabolites (natural products) including alkaloids, isoprenoids, nonribosomal peptides, and polyketides. However, the genomic organization of the biosynthetic gene clusters, complex gene expression patterns, and low compound yields synthesized by the native producers currently limits access to the vast majority of these valuable molecules for detailed studies. Molecular cloning and expression of such clusters in heterotrophic hosts is often precarious owing to genetic and biochemical incompatibilities. Production of such biomolecules in photoautotrophic hosts analogous to the native producers is an attractive alternative that has been under-explored. Here, we describe engineering of the fast-growing cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973 to produce key compounds of the hapalindole family of indole-isonitrile alkaloids. Engineering of the 42-kbp "fam" hapalindole pathway from the cyanobacterium Fischerella ambigua UTEX 1903 into S2973 was accomplished by rationally reconstructing six to seven core biosynthetic genes into synthetic operons. The resulting Synechococcus strains afforded controllable production of indole-isonitrile biosynthetic intermediates and hapalindoles H and 12-epi-hapalindole U at a titer of 0.75-3 mg/L. Exchanging genes encoding fam cyclase enzymes in the synthetic operons was employed to control the stereochemistry of the resulting product. Establishing a robust expression system provides a facile route to scalable levels of similar natural and new forms of bioactive hapalindole derivatives and its structural relatives (e.g., fischerindoles, welwitindolinones). Moreover, this versatile expression system represents a promising tool for exploring other functional characteristics of orphan gene products that mediate the remarkable biosynthesis of this important family of natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory J. Knoot
- Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Yogan Khatri
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Robert M. Hohlman
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - David H. Sherman
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Himadri B. Pakrasi
- Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
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Hoschek A, Toepel J, Hochkeppel A, Karande R, Bühler B, Schmid A. Light‐Dependent and Aeration‐Independent Gram‐Scale Hydroxylation of Cyclohexane to Cyclohexanol by CYP450 Harboring
Synechocystis
sp. PCC 6803. Biotechnol J 2019; 14:e1800724. [DOI: 10.1002/biot.201800724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Hoschek
- Department of Solar MaterialsHelmholtz‐Centre for Environmental Research GmbH‐UFZ Permoserstrasse 15 04318 Leipzig Germany
| | - Jörg Toepel
- Department of Solar MaterialsHelmholtz‐Centre for Environmental Research GmbH‐UFZ Permoserstrasse 15 04318 Leipzig Germany
| | - Adrian Hochkeppel
- Department of Solar MaterialsHelmholtz‐Centre for Environmental Research GmbH‐UFZ Permoserstrasse 15 04318 Leipzig Germany
| | - Rohan Karande
- Department of Solar MaterialsHelmholtz‐Centre for Environmental Research GmbH‐UFZ Permoserstrasse 15 04318 Leipzig Germany
| | - Bruno Bühler
- Department of Solar MaterialsHelmholtz‐Centre for Environmental Research GmbH‐UFZ Permoserstrasse 15 04318 Leipzig Germany
| | - Andreas Schmid
- Department of Solar MaterialsHelmholtz‐Centre for Environmental Research GmbH‐UFZ Permoserstrasse 15 04318 Leipzig Germany
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14
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Hoschek A, Bühler B, Schmid A. Stabilization and scale‐up of photosynthesis‐driven ω‐hydroxylation of nonanoic acid methyl ester by two‐liquid phase whole‐cell biocatalysis. Biotechnol Bioeng 2019; 116:1887-1900. [DOI: 10.1002/bit.27006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Hoschek
- Department of Solar MaterialsHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH‐UFZLeipzig Germany
| | - Bruno Bühler
- Department of Solar MaterialsHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH‐UFZLeipzig Germany
| | - Andreas Schmid
- Department of Solar MaterialsHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH‐UFZLeipzig Germany
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Russo DA, Zedler JAZ, Jensen PE. A force awakens: exploiting solar energy beyond photosynthesis. J Exp Bot 2019; 70:1703-1710. [PMID: 30773590 PMCID: PMC6436153 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erz054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, efforts to exploit sunlight, a free and abundant energy source, have sped up dramatically. Oxygenic photosynthetic organisms, such as higher plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, can convert solar energy into chemical energy very efficiently using water as an electron donor. By providing organic building blocks for life in this way, photosynthesis is undoubtedly one of the most important processes on Earth. The aim of light-driven catalysis is to harness solar energy, in the form of reducing power, to drive enzymatic reactions requiring electrons for their catalytic cycle. Light-driven enzymes have been shown to have a large number of biotechnological applications, ranging from the production of high-value secondary metabolites to the development of green chemistry processes. Here, we highlight recent key developments in the field of light-driven catalysis using biological components. We will also discuss strategies to design and optimize light-driven systems in order to develop the next generation of sustainable solutions in biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Russo
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Julie A Z Zedler
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Poul Erik Jensen
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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16
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Leister D. Genetic Engineering, Synthetic Biology and the Light Reactions of Photosynthesis. Plant Physiol 2019; 179:778-793. [PMID: 29991483 PMCID: PMC6393809 DOI: 10.1104/pp.18.00360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Applications of synthetic biology to photosynthesis currently range from exchanging photosynthetic proteins to the utilization of photosynthesis as a source of electrons for entirely unrelated reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Leister
- Plant Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, D-82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
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17
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Grund M, Jakob T, Wilhelm C, Bühler B, Schmid A. Electron balancing under different sink conditions reveals positive effects on photon efficiency and metabolic activity of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Biotechnol Biofuels 2019; 12:43. [PMID: 30858880 PMCID: PMC6391784 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-019-1378-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cyanobacteria are ideal model organisms to exploit photosynthetically derived electrons or fixed carbon for the biotechnological synthesis of high value compounds and energy carriers. Much effort is spent on the rational design of heterologous pathways to produce value-added chemicals. Much less focus is drawn on the basic physiological responses and potentials of phototrophs to deal with natural or artificial electron and carbon sinks. However, an understanding of how electron sinks influence or regulate cellular physiology is essential for the efficient application of phototrophic organisms in an industrial setting, i.e., to achieve high productivities and product yields. RESULTS The physiological responses of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 to electron sink variation were investigated in a systematic and quantitative manner. A variation in electron demand was achieved by providing two N sources with different degrees of reduction. By additionally varying light and CO2 availabilities, steady state conditions with strongly differing source-sink ratios were established. Balancing absorbed photons and electrons used for different metabolic processes revealed physiological responses to sink/source ratio variation. Surprisingly, an additional electron sink under light and thus energy limitation was found not to hamper growth, but was compensated by improved photosynthetic efficiency and activity. In the absence of carbon and light limitation, an increase in electron demand even stimulated carbon assimilation and growth. CONCLUSION The metabolism of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is highly flexible regarding the compensation of additional electron demands. Under light limitation, photosynthesis obviously does not necessarily run at its maximal capacity, possibly for the sake of robustness. Increased electron demands can even boost photosynthetic activity and growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Grund
- Department of Solar Materials, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research GmbH–UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Torsten Jakob
- Plant Physiology Group, Institute for Biology, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 21-23, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christian Wilhelm
- Plant Physiology Group, Institute for Biology, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 21-23, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Bruno Bühler
- Department of Solar Materials, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research GmbH–UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andreas Schmid
- Department of Solar Materials, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research GmbH–UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
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18
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Lauersen KJ, Wichmann J, Baier T, Kampranis SC, Pateraki I, Møller BL, Kruse O. Phototrophic production of heterologous diterpenoids and a hydroxy-functionalized derivative from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Metab Eng 2018; 49:116-127. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2018.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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19
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Berepiki A, Gittins JR, Moore CM, Bibby TS. Rational engineering of photosynthetic electron flux enhances light-powered cytochrome P450 activity. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2018; 3:ysy009. [PMID: 32995517 PMCID: PMC7445785 DOI: 10.1093/synbio/ysy009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we exploited a modified photosynthetic electron transfer chain (PET) in the model cyanobacterium Synechococcus PCC 7002, where electrons derived from water-splitting are used to power reactions catalyzed by a heterologous cytochrome P450 (CYP1A1). A simple in vivo fluorescent assay for CYP1A1 activity was employed to determine the impact of rationally engineering of photosynthetic electron flow. This showed that knocking out a subunit of the type I NADH dehydrogenase complex (NDH-1), suggested to be involved in cyclic photosynthetic electron flow (ΔndhD2), can double the activity of CYP1A1, with a concomitant increase in the flux of electrons from photosynthesis. This also resulted in an increase in cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the ATP/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) ratio, suggesting that expression of a heterologous electron sink in photosynthetic organisms can be used to modify the bioenergetic landscape of the cell. We therefore demonstrate that CYP1A1 is limited by electron supply and that photosynthesis can be re-engineered to increase heterologous P450 activity for the production of high-value bioproducts. The increase in cellular ATP achieved could be harnessed to support metabolically demanding heterologous processes. Furthermore, this experimental system could provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of photosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adokiye Berepiki
- Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK.,Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Princess St, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
| | - John R Gittins
- Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK
| | - C Mark Moore
- Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK
| | - Thomas S Bibby
- Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK
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20
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Mellor SB, Vavitsas K, Nielsen AZ, Jensen PE. Photosynthetic fuel for heterologous enzymes: the role of electron carrier proteins. Photosynth Res 2017; 134:329-342. [PMID: 28285375 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-017-0364-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Plants, cyanobacteria, and algae generate a surplus of redox power through photosynthesis, which makes them attractive for biotechnological exploitations. While central metabolism consumes most of the energy, pathways introduced through metabolic engineering can also tap into this source of reducing power. Recent work on the metabolic engineering of photosynthetic organisms has shown that the electron carriers such as ferredoxin and flavodoxin can be used to couple heterologous enzymes to photosynthetic reducing power. Because these proteins have a plethora of interaction partners and rely on electrostatically steered complex formation, they form productive electron transfer complexes with non-native enzymes. A handful of examples demonstrate channeling of photosynthetic electrons to drive the activity of heterologous enzymes, and these focus mainly on hydrogenases and cytochrome P450s. However, competition from native pathways and inefficient electron transfer rates present major obstacles, which limit the productivity of heterologous reactions coupled to photosynthesis. We discuss specific approaches to address these bottlenecks and ensure high productivity of such enzymes in a photosynthetic context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silas Busck Mellor
- Copenhagen Plant Science Center, Center for Synthetic Biology 'bioSYNergy', Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Konstantinos Vavitsas
- Copenhagen Plant Science Center, Center for Synthetic Biology 'bioSYNergy', Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Agnieszka Zygadlo Nielsen
- Copenhagen Plant Science Center, Center for Synthetic Biology 'bioSYNergy', Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Poul Erik Jensen
- Copenhagen Plant Science Center, Center for Synthetic Biology 'bioSYNergy', Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
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21
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Henriques de Jesus MPR, Zygadlo Nielsen A, Busck Mellor S, Matthes A, Burow M, Robinson C, Erik Jensen P. Tat proteins as novel thylakoid membrane anchors organize a biosynthetic pathway in chloroplasts and increase product yield 5-fold. Metab Eng 2017; 44:108-116. [PMID: 28962875 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2017.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Photosynthesis drives the production of ATP and NADPH, and acts as a source of carbon for primary metabolism. NADPH is also used in the production of many natural bioactive compounds. These are usually synthesized in low quantities and are often difficult to produce by chemical synthesis due to their complex structures. Some of the crucial enzymes catalyzing their biosynthesis are the cytochromes P450 (P450s) situated in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), powered by electron transfers from NADPH. Dhurrin is a cyanogenic glucoside and its biosynthesis involves a dynamic metabolon formed by two P450s, a UDP-glucosyltransferase (UGT) and a P450 oxidoreductase (POR). Its biosynthetic pathway has been relocated to the chloroplast where ferredoxin, reduced through the photosynthetic electron transport chain, serves as an efficient electron donor to the P450s, bypassing the involvement of POR. Nevertheless, translocation of the pathway from the ER to the chloroplast creates other difficulties, such as the loss of metabolon formation and intermediate diversion into other metabolic pathways. We show here that co-localization of these enzymes in the thylakoid membrane leads to a significant increase in product formation, with a concomitant decrease in off-pathway intermediates. This was achieved by exchanging the membrane anchors of the dhurrin pathway enzymes to components of the Twin-arginine translocation pathway, TatB and TatC, which have self-assembly properties. Consequently, we show 5-fold increased titers of dhurrin and a decrease in the amounts of intermediates and side products in Nicotiana benthamiana. Further, results suggest that targeting the UGT to the membrane is a key factor to achieve efficient substrate channeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Perestrello Ramos Henriques de Jesus
- Copenhagen Plant Science Center, Center for Synthetic Biology "bioSYNergy", Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Agnieszka Zygadlo Nielsen
- Copenhagen Plant Science Center, Center for Synthetic Biology "bioSYNergy", Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Silas Busck Mellor
- Copenhagen Plant Science Center, Center for Synthetic Biology "bioSYNergy", Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Annemarie Matthes
- Copenhagen Plant Science Center, Center for Synthetic Biology "bioSYNergy", Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Meike Burow
- DynaMo Center, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Colin Robinson
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Poul Erik Jensen
- Copenhagen Plant Science Center, Center for Synthetic Biology "bioSYNergy", Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
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22
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Abstract
Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic prokaryotes showing great promise as biocatalysts for the direct conversion of CO2 into fuels, chemicals, and other value-added products. Introduction of just a few heterologous genes can endow cyanobacteria with the ability to transform specific central metabolites into many end products. Recent engineering efforts have centered around harnessing the potential of these microbial biofactories for sustainable production of chemicals conventionally produced from fossil fuels. Here, we present an overview of the unique chemistry that cyanobacteria have been co-opted to perform. We highlight key lessons learned from these engineering efforts and discuss advantages and disadvantages of various approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory J Knoot
- From the Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130 and
| | - Justin Ungerer
- From the Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130 and
| | - Pramod P Wangikar
- the Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Himadri B Pakrasi
- From the Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130 and
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23
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Vavitsas K, Rue EØ, Stefánsdóttir LK, Gnanasekaran T, Blennow A, Crocoll C, Gudmundsson S, Jensen PE. Responses of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 to heterologous biosynthetic pathways. Microb Cell Fact 2017; 16:140. [PMID: 28806958 PMCID: PMC5556357 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-017-0757-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There are an increasing number of studies regarding genetic manipulation of cyanobacteria to produce commercially interesting compounds. The majority of these works study the expression and optimization of a selected heterologous pathway, largely ignoring the wholeness and complexity of cellular metabolism. Regulation and response mechanisms are largely unknown, and even the metabolic pathways themselves are not fully elucidated. This poses a clear limitation in exploiting the rich biosynthetic potential of cyanobacteria. Results In this work, we focused on the production of two different compounds, the cyanogenic glucoside dhurrin and the diterpenoid 13R-manoyl oxide in Synechocystis PCC 6803. We used genome-scale metabolic modelling to study fluxes in individual reactions and pathways, and we determined the concentrations of key metabolites, such as amino acids, carotenoids, and chlorophylls. This allowed us to identify metabolic crosstalk between the native and the introduced metabolic pathways. Most results and simulations highlight the metabolic robustness of cyanobacteria, suggesting that the host organism tends to keep metabolic fluxes and metabolite concentrations steady, counteracting the effects of the heterologous pathway. However, the amino acid concentrations of the dhurrin-producing strain show an unexpected profile, where the perturbation levels were high in seemingly unrelated metabolites. Conclusions There is a wealth of information that can be derived by combining targeted metabolite identification and computer modelling as a frame of understanding. Here we present an example of how strain engineering approaches can be coupled to ‘traditional’ metabolic engineering with systems biology, resulting in novel and more efficient manipulation strategies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12934-017-0757-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Vavitsas
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Emil Østergaard Rue
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | | | - Thiyagarajan Gnanasekaran
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.,ISBP-INSA de Toulouse, Avenue de Rangueil, 31077, Toulouse, France
| | - Andreas Blennow
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Christoph Crocoll
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Steinn Gudmundsson
- Center for Systems Biology, University of Iceland, Sturlugata 8, 101, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Poul Erik Jensen
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
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24
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Moses T, Mehrshahi P, Smith AG, Goossens A. Synthetic biology approaches for the production of plant metabolites in unicellular organisms. J Exp Bot 2017; 68:4057-4074. [PMID: 28449101 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erx119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology is the repurposing of biological systems for novel objectives and applications. Through the co-ordinated and balanced expression of genes, both native and those introduced from other organisms, resources within an industrial chassis can be siphoned for the commercial production of high-value commodities. This developing interdisciplinary field has the potential to revolutionize natural product discovery from higher plants, by providing a diverse array of tools, technologies, and strategies for exploring the large chemically complex space of plant natural products using unicellular organisms. In this review, we emphasize the key features that influence the generation of biorefineries and highlight technologies and strategic solutions that can be used to overcome engineering pitfalls with rational design. Also presented is a succinct guide to assist the selection of unicellular chassis most suited for the engineering and subsequent production of the desired natural product, in order to meet the global demand for plant natural products in a safe and sustainable manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Moses
- Ghent University, Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Payam Mehrshahi
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA, UK
| | - Alison G Smith
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA, UK
| | - Alain Goossens
- Ghent University, Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
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Kopka J, Schmidt S, Dethloff F, Pade N, Berendt S, Schottkowski M, Martin N, Dühring U, Kuchmina E, Enke H, Kramer D, Wilde A, Hagemann M, Friedrich A. Systems analysis of ethanol production in the genetically engineered cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002. Biotechnol Biofuels 2017; 10:56. [PMID: 28286551 PMCID: PMC5340023 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-017-0741-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Future sustainable energy production can be achieved using mass cultures of photoautotrophic microorganisms, which are engineered to synthesize valuable products directly from CO2 and sunlight. As cyanobacteria can be cultivated in large scale on non-arable land, these phototrophic bacteria have become attractive organisms for production of biofuels. Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002, one of the cyanobacterial model organisms, provides many attractive properties for biofuel production such as tolerance of seawater and high light intensities. RESULTS Here, we performed a systems analysis of an engineered ethanol-producing strain of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002, which was grown in artificial seawater medium over 30 days applying a 12:12 h day-night cycle. Biosynthesis of ethanol resulted in a final accumulation of 0.25% (v/v) ethanol, including ethanol lost due to evaporation. The cultivation experiment revealed three production phases. The highest production rate was observed in the initial phase when cells were actively growing. In phase II growth of the producer strain stopped, but ethanol production rate was still high. Phase III was characterized by a decrease of both ethanol production and optical density of the culture. Metabolomics revealed that the carbon drain due to ethanol diffusion from the cell resulted in the expected reduction of pyruvate-based intermediates. Carbon-saving strategies successfully compensated the decrease of central intermediates of carbon metabolism during the first phase of fermentation. However, during long-term ethanol production the producer strain showed clear indications of intracellular carbon limitation. Despite the decreased levels of glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, soluble sugars and even glycogen accumulated in the producer strain. The changes in carbon assimilation patterns are partly supported by proteome analysis, which detected decreased levels of many enzymes and also revealed the stress phenotype of ethanol-producing cells. Strategies towards improved ethanol production are discussed. CONCLUSIONS Systems analysis of ethanol production in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 revealed initial compensation followed by increasing metabolic limitation due to excessive carbon drain from primary metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Kopka
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Stefanie Schmidt
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Frederik Dethloff
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstraße 2-10, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Nadin Pade
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Plant Physiology, University of Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Str. 3, 18059 Rostock, Germany
| | - Susanne Berendt
- Algenol Biofuels Germany GmbH, Magnusstraße 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Nico Martin
- Algenol Biofuels Germany GmbH, Magnusstraße 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulf Dühring
- Algenol Biofuels Germany GmbH, Magnusstraße 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ekaterina Kuchmina
- Institute of Biology III, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestr. 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Heike Enke
- Algenol Biofuels Germany GmbH, Magnusstraße 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
- Cyano Biotech GmbH, Magnusstraße 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dan Kramer
- Algenol Biofuels Germany GmbH, Magnusstraße 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
- Cyano Biotech GmbH, Magnusstraße 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Annegret Wilde
- Institute of Biology III, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestr. 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Martin Hagemann
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Plant Physiology, University of Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Str. 3, 18059 Rostock, Germany
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26
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Abstract
Increasing the efficiency of the conversion of light energy to products by photosynthesis represents a grand challenge in biotechnology. Photosynthesis is limited by the carbon-fixing enzyme Rubisco resulting in much of the absorbed energy being wasted as heat or fluorescence or lost as excess reductant via alternative electron dissipation pathways. To harness this wasted reductant, we engineered the model cyanobacterium Synechococcus PCC 7002 to express the mammalian cytochrome P450 CYP1A1 to serve as an artificial electron sink for excess electrons derived from light-catalyzed water-splitting. This improved photosynthetic efficiency by increasing the maximum rate of photosynthetic electron flow by 31.3%. A simple fluorescent assay for CYP1A1 activity demonstrated that the P450 was functional in the absence of its native reductase, that activity was light-dependent and scaled with irradiance. We show for the first time in live cells that photosynthetic reductant can be redirected to power a heterologous cytochrome P450. Furthermore, Synechococcus PCC 7002 expressing CYP1A1 degraded the herbicide atrazine, which is a widespread environmental pollutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adokiye Berepiki
- Ocean
and Earth Sciences, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Hitchcock
- Department
of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - C. Mark Moore
- Ocean
and Earth Sciences, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas S. Bibby
- Ocean
and Earth Sciences, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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Bavishi K, Laursen T, Martinez KL, Møller BL, Della Pia EA. Application of nanodisc technology for direct electrochemical investigation of plant cytochrome P450s and their NADPH P450 oxidoreductase. Sci Rep 2016; 6:29459. [PMID: 27386958 PMCID: PMC4937447 DOI: 10.1038/srep29459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct electrochemistry of cytochrome P450 containing systems has primarily focused on investigating enzymes from microbes and animals for bio-sensing applications. Plant P450s receive electrons from NADPH P450 oxidoreductase (POR) to orchestrate the bio-synthesis of a plethora of commercially valuable compounds. In this report, full length CYP79A1, CYP71E1 and POR of the dhurrin pathway in Sorghum bicolor were reconstituted individually in nanoscale lipid patches, "nanodiscs", and directly immobilized on unmodified gold electrodes. Cyclic voltammograms of CYP79A1 and CYP71E1 revealed reversible redox peaks with average midpoint potentials of 80 ± 5 mV and 72 ± 5 mV vs. Ag/AgCl, respectively. POR yielded two pairs of redox peaks with midpoint potentials of 90 ± 5 mV and -300 ± 10 mV, respectively. The average heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant was calculated to be ~1.5 s(-1). POR was electro-catalytically active while the P450s generated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). These nanodisc-based investigations lay the prospects and guidelines for construction of a simplified platform to perform mediator-free, direct electrochemistry of non-engineered cytochromes P450 under native-like conditions. It is also a prelude for driving plant P450 systems electronically for simplified and cost-effective screening of potential substrates/inhibitors and fabrication of nano-bioreactors for synthesis of high value natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krutika Bavishi
- Plant Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- VILLUM Research Center for Plant Plasticity, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Synthetic Biology ‘bioSYNergy’, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tomas Laursen
- Plant Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- VILLUM Research Center for Plant Plasticity, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Synthetic Biology ‘bioSYNergy’, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Feedstocks Division, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA
| | - Karen L. Martinez
- Center for Synthetic Biology ‘bioSYNergy’, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- Bio-Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry & Nano-Science Center, Universitetparken 5, DK-2100, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Birger Lindberg Møller
- Plant Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- VILLUM Research Center for Plant Plasticity, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Synthetic Biology ‘bioSYNergy’, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eduardo Antonio Della Pia
- Bio-Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry & Nano-Science Center, Universitetparken 5, DK-2100, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
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28
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Nielsen AZ, Mellor SB, Vavitsas K, Wlodarczyk AJ, Gnanasekaran T, Perestrello Ramos H de Jesus M, King BC, Bakowski K, Jensen PE. Extending the biosynthetic repertoires of cyanobacteria and chloroplasts. Plant J 2016; 87:87-102. [PMID: 27005523 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.13173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Revised: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Chloroplasts in plants and algae and photosynthetic microorganisms such as cyanobacteria are emerging hosts for sustainable production of valuable biochemicals, using only inorganic nutrients, water, CO2 and light as inputs. In the past decade, many bioengineering efforts have focused on metabolic engineering and synthetic biology in the chloroplast or in cyanobacteria for the production of fuels, chemicals and complex, high-value bioactive molecules. Biosynthesis of all these compounds can be performed in photosynthetic organelles/organisms by heterologous expression of the appropriate pathways, but this requires optimization of carbon flux and reducing power, and a thorough understanding of regulatory pathways. Secretion or storage of the compounds produced can be exploited for the isolation or confinement of the desired compounds. In this review, we explore the use of chloroplasts and cyanobacteria as biosynthetic compartments and hosts, and we estimate the levels of production to be expected from photosynthetic hosts in light of the fraction of electrons and carbon that can potentially be diverted from photosynthesis. The supply of reducing power, in the form of electrons derived from the photosynthetic light reactions, appears to be non-limiting, but redirection of the fixed carbon via precursor molecules presents a challenge. We also discuss the available synthetic biology tools and the need to expand the molecular toolbox to facilitate cellular reprogramming for increased production yields in both cyanobacteria and chloroplasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Zygadlo Nielsen
- Copenhagen Plant Science Center, VILLUM Research Center for Plant Plasticity, Center for Synthetic Biology 'bioSYNergy', Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Silas Busck Mellor
- Copenhagen Plant Science Center, VILLUM Research Center for Plant Plasticity, Center for Synthetic Biology 'bioSYNergy', Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Konstantinos Vavitsas
- Copenhagen Plant Science Center, VILLUM Research Center for Plant Plasticity, Center for Synthetic Biology 'bioSYNergy', Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Artur Jacek Wlodarczyk
- Copenhagen Plant Science Center, VILLUM Research Center for Plant Plasticity, Center for Synthetic Biology 'bioSYNergy', Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Thiyagarajan Gnanasekaran
- Copenhagen Plant Science Center, VILLUM Research Center for Plant Plasticity, Center for Synthetic Biology 'bioSYNergy', Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Maria Perestrello Ramos H de Jesus
- Copenhagen Plant Science Center, VILLUM Research Center for Plant Plasticity, Center for Synthetic Biology 'bioSYNergy', Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Brian Christopher King
- Copenhagen Plant Science Center, VILLUM Research Center for Plant Plasticity, Center for Synthetic Biology 'bioSYNergy', Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Kamil Bakowski
- Copenhagen Plant Science Center, VILLUM Research Center for Plant Plasticity, Center for Synthetic Biology 'bioSYNergy', Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Poul Erik Jensen
- Copenhagen Plant Science Center, VILLUM Research Center for Plant Plasticity, Center for Synthetic Biology 'bioSYNergy', Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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29
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Wlodarczyk A, Gnanasekaran T, Nielsen AZ, Zulu NN, Mellor SB, Luckner M, Thøfner JFB, Olsen CE, Mottawie MS, Burow M, Pribil M, Feussner I, Møller BL, Jensen PE. Metabolic engineering of light-driven cytochrome P450 dependent pathways into Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Metab Eng 2016; 33:1-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2015.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Revised: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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30
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Gnanasekaran T, Vavitsas K, Andersen-Ranberg J, Nielsen AZ, Olsen CE, Hamberger B, Jensen PE. Heterologous expression of the isopimaric acid pathway in Nicotiana benthamiana and the effect of N-terminal modifications of the involved cytochrome P450 enzyme. J Biol Eng 2015; 9:24. [PMID: 26702299 PMCID: PMC4688937 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-015-0022-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Plant terpenoids are known for their diversity, stereochemical complexity, and their commercial interest as pharmaceuticals, food additives, and cosmetics. Developing biotechnology approaches for the production of these compounds in heterologous hosts can increase their market availability, reduce their cost, and provide sustainable production platforms. In this context, we aimed at producing the antimicrobial diterpenoid isopimaric acid from Sitka spruce. Isopimaric acid is synthesized using geranylgeranyl diphosphate as a precursor molecule that is cyclized by a diterpene synthase in the chloroplast and subsequently oxidized by a cytochrome P450, CYP720B4. Results We transiently expressed the isopimaric acid pathway in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves and enhanced its productivity by the expression of two rate-limiting steps in the pathway (providing the general precursor of diterpenes). This co-expression resulted in 3-fold increase in the accumulation of both isopimaradiene and isopimaric acid detected using GC-MS and LC-MS methodology. We also showed that modifying or deleting the transmembrane helix of CYP720B4 does not alter the enzyme activity and led to successful accumulation of isopimaric acid in the infiltrated leaves. Furthermore, we demonstrated that a modified membrane anchor is a prerequisite for a functional CYP720B4 enzyme when the chloroplast targeting peptide is added. We report the accumulation of 45–55 μg/g plant dry weight of isopimaric acid four days after the infiltration with the modified enzymes. Conclusions It is possible to localize a diterpenoid pathway from spruce fully within the chloroplast of N. benthamiana and a few modifications of the N-terminal sequences of the CYP720B4 can facilitate the expression of plant P450s in the plastids. The coupling of terpene biosynthesis closer to photosynthesis paves the way for light-driven biosynthesis of valuable terpenoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiyagarajan Gnanasekaran
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, UNIK Center for Synthetic Biology, Villum Research Center "Plant Plasticity", University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Konstantinos Vavitsas
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, UNIK Center for Synthetic Biology, Villum Research Center "Plant Plasticity", University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Johan Andersen-Ranberg
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, UNIK Center for Synthetic Biology, Villum Research Center "Plant Plasticity", University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Present address: Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, 371 Koshland Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Agnieszka Zygadlo Nielsen
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, UNIK Center for Synthetic Biology, Villum Research Center "Plant Plasticity", University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carl Erik Olsen
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, UNIK Center for Synthetic Biology, Villum Research Center "Plant Plasticity", University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Björn Hamberger
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, UNIK Center for Synthetic Biology, Villum Research Center "Plant Plasticity", University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Poul Erik Jensen
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, UNIK Center for Synthetic Biology, Villum Research Center "Plant Plasticity", University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
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31
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Englund E, Andersen-Ranberg J, Miao R, Hamberger B, Lindberg P. Metabolic Engineering of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 for Production of the Plant Diterpenoid Manoyl Oxide. ACS Synth Biol 2015; 4:1270-8. [PMID: 26133196 PMCID: PMC4685428 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.5b00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Forskolin is a high value diterpenoid with a broad range of pharmaceutical applications, naturally found in root bark of the plant Coleus forskohlii. Because of its complex molecular structure, chemical synthesis of forskolin is not commercially attractive. Hence, the labor and resource intensive extraction and purification from C. forskohlii plants remains the current source of the compound. We have engineered the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 to produce the forskolin precursor 13R-manoyl oxide (13R-MO), paving the way for light driven biotechnological production of this high value compound. In the course of this work, a new series of integrative vectors for use in Synechocystis was developed and used to create stable lines expressing chromosomally integrated CfTPS2 and CfTPS3, the enzymes responsible for the formation of 13R-MO in C. forskohlii. The engineered strains yielded production titers of up to 0.24 mg g(-1) DCW 13R-MO. To increase the yield, 13R-MO producing strains were further engineered by introduction of selected enzymes from C. forskohlii, improving the titer to 0.45 mg g(-1) DCW. This work forms a basis for further development of production of complex plant diterpenoids in cyanobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Englund
- Department
of Chemistry-Ångström, Uppsala University, Box 523, SE-751
20 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johan Andersen-Ranberg
- Department
of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Center for Synthetic Biology
bioSYNergy, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej
40, 1871 Frederiksberg
C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rui Miao
- Department
of Chemistry-Ångström, Uppsala University, Box 523, SE-751
20 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Björn Hamberger
- Department
of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Center for Synthetic Biology
bioSYNergy, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej
40, 1871 Frederiksberg
C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pia Lindberg
- Department
of Chemistry-Ångström, Uppsala University, Box 523, SE-751
20 Uppsala, Sweden
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Abstract
Synthetic biology (SB) is an emerging discipline, which is slowly reorienting the field of drug discovery. For thousands of years, living organisms such as plants were the major source of human medicines. The difficulty in resynthesizing natural products, however, often turned pharmaceutical industries away from this rich source for human medicine. More recently, progress on transformation through genetic manipulation of biosynthetic units in microorganisms has opened the possibility of in-depth exploration of the large chemical space of natural products derivatives. Success of SB in drug synthesis culminated with the bioproduction of artemisinin by microorganisms, a tour de force in protein and metabolic engineering. Today, synthetic cells are not only used as biofactories but also used as cell-based screening platforms for both target-based and phenotypic-based approaches. Engineered genetic circuits in synthetic cells are also used to decipher disease mechanisms or drug mechanism of actions and to study cell–cell communication within bacteria consortia. This review presents latest developments of SB in the field of drug discovery, including some challenging issues such as drug resistance and drug toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pablo Carbonell
- Faculty of Life Sciences, SYNBIOCHEM Centre, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK ; Department of Experimental and Health Sciences (DCEXS), Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
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33
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Gangl D, Zedler JAZ, Rajakumar PD, Martinez EMR, Riseley A, Włodarczyk A, Purton S, Sakuragi Y, Howe CJ, Jensen PE, Robinson C. Biotechnological exploitation of microalgae. J Exp Bot 2015; 66:6975-90. [PMID: 26400987 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erv426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae are a diverse group of single-cell photosynthetic organisms that include cyanobacteria and a wide range of eukaryotic algae. A number of microalgae contain high-value compounds such as oils, colorants, and polysaccharides, which are used by the food additive, oil, and cosmetic industries, among others. They offer the potential for rapid growth under photoautotrophic conditions, and they can grow in a wide range of habitats. More recently, the development of genetic tools means that a number of species can be transformed and hence used as cell factories for the production of high-value chemicals or recombinant proteins. In this article, we review exploitation use of microalgae with a special emphasis on genetic engineering approaches to develop cell factories, and the use of synthetic ecology approaches to maximize productivity. We discuss the success stories in these areas, the hurdles that need to be overcome, and the potential for expanding the industry in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Gangl
- Centre for Molecular Processing, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Julie A Z Zedler
- Centre for Molecular Processing, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Priscilla D Rajakumar
- Institute of Structural & Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Erick M Ramos Martinez
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anthony Riseley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Artur Włodarczyk
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Saul Purton
- Institute of Structural & Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Yumiko Sakuragi
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Poul Erik Jensen
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Colin Robinson
- Centre for Molecular Processing, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK
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34
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Giessen TW, Silver PA. Encapsulation as a Strategy for the Design of Biological Compartmentalization. J Mol Biol 2016; 428:916-27. [PMID: 26403362 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2015.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Revised: 08/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Compartmentalization is one of the defining features of life. Through intracellular spatial control, cells are able to organize and regulate their metabolism. One of the most broadly used organizational principles in nature is encapsulation. Cellular processes can be encapsulated within either membrane-bound organelles or proteinaceous compartments that create distinct microenvironments optimized for a given task. Further challenges addressed through intracellular compartmentalization are toxic or volatile pathway intermediates, slow turnover rates and competing side reactions. This review highlights a selection of naturally occurring membrane- and protein-based encapsulation systems in microbes and their recent applications and emerging opportunities in synthetic biology. We focus on examples that use engineered cellular organization to control metabolic pathway flux for the production of useful compounds and materials.
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35
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Gangl D, Zedler JAZ, Włodarczyk A, Jensen PE, Purton S, Robinson C. Expression and membrane-targeting of an active plant cytochrome P450 in the chloroplast of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Phytochemistry 2015; 110:22-8. [PMID: 25556316 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2014.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2014] [Revised: 11/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has potential as a cell factory for the production of recombinant proteins and other compounds, but mainstream adoption has been hindered by a scarcity of genetic tools and a need to identify products that can be generated in a cost-effective manner. A promising strategy is to use algal chloroplasts as a site for synthesis of high value bioactive compounds such as diterpenoids since these are derived from metabolic building blocks that occur naturally within the organelle. However, synthesis of these complex plant metabolites requires the introduction of membrane-associated enzymes including cytochrome P450 enzymes (P450s). Here, we show that a gene (CYP79A1) encoding a model P450 can be introduced into the C. reinhardtii chloroplast genome using a simple transformation system. The gene is stably expressed and the P450 is efficiently targeted into chloroplast membranes by means of its endogenous N-terminal anchor domain, where it is active and accounts for 0.4% of total cell protein. These results provide proof of concept for the introduction of diterpenoid synthesis pathways into the chloroplast of C. reinhardtii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Gangl
- Centre for Molecular Processing, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, United Kingdom
| | - Julie A Z Zedler
- Centre for Molecular Processing, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, United Kingdom
| | - Artur Włodarczyk
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Poul Erik Jensen
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Saul Purton
- Institute of Structural & Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Colin Robinson
- Centre for Molecular Processing, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, United Kingdom.
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Pateraki I, Heskes AM, Hamberger B. Cytochromes P450 for Terpene Functionalisation and Metabolic Engineering. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2015; 148:107-39. [DOI: 10.1007/10_2014_301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Abstract
Terpenoids, or isoprenoids, are a family of compounds with great structural diversity which are essential for all living organisms. In cyanobacteria, they are synthesized from the methylerythritol-phosphate (MEP) pathway, using glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and pyruvate produced by photosynthesis as substrates. The products of the MEP pathway are the isomeric five-carbon compounds isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate, which in turn form the basic building blocks for formation of all terpenoids. Many terpenoid compounds have useful properties and are of interest in the fields of pharmaceuticals and nutrition, and even potentially as future biofuels. The MEP pathway, its function and regulation, and the subsequent formation of terpenoids have not been fully elucidated in cyanobacteria, despite its relevance for biotechnological applications. In this review, we summarize the present knowledge about cyanobacterial terpenoid biosynthesis, both regarding the native metabolism and regarding metabolic engineering of cyanobacteria for heterologous production of non-native terpenoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bagmi Pattanaik
- Department of Chemistry-Ångström, Uppsala University, Box 523, SE-751 20 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Pia Lindberg
- Department of Chemistry-Ångström, Uppsala University, Box 523, SE-751 20 Uppsala, Sweden.
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