Title: Expression of benzoyl-CoA metabolism genes in the lignocellulolytic host Caldicellulosiruptor bescii

Abstract

Genes responsible for the anaerobic catabolism of benzoate in the thermophilic archaeon Ferroglobus placidus were expressed in the thermophilic lignocellulose-degrading bacterium Caldicellulosiruptor bescii, as a first step to engineering this bacterium to degrade this lignin metabolite. The benzoyl-CoA ligase gene was expressed individually, and in combination with benzoyl-CoA reductase and a putative benzoate transporter. This effort also assessed heterologous expression from a synthetically designed operon whereby each coding sequence was proceeded by a unique C. bescii ribosome binding site sequence. The F. placidicus benzoyl-CoA ligase gene was expressed in C. bescii to produce a full-length protein with catalytic activity. A synthetic 6-gene operon encoding three enzymes involved in benzoate degradation was also successfully expressed in C. bescii as determined by RNA analysis, though the protein products of only four of the genes were detected. The discord between the mRNA and protein measurements, especially considering the two genes lacking apparent protein abundance, suggests variable effectiveness of the ribosome binding site sequences utilized in this synthetic operon. The engineered strains did not degrade benzoate. Although the heterologously expressed gene encoding benzoyl-CoA ligase yielded a protein that was catalytically active in vitro, expression in C. bescii of six benzoate catabolism-related genes combined inmore » a synthetic operon yielded mixed results. More effective expression and in vivo activity might be brought about by validating and using different ribosome binding sites and different promoters. Expressing additional pathway components may alleviate any pathway inhibition and enhance benzoyl-CoA reductase activity.Keywords« less

Authors:

Sander, Kyle ;

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Yeary, Meredith; Mahan, Kristina; Whitham, Jason; Giannone, Richard J.; Brown, Steven D.; Rodriguez, Jr., Miguel; Graham, David E.; Hankoua, Bertrand

Publication Date:

Sat May 04 00:00:00 EDT 2019

Research Org.:

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)

OSTI Identifier:

1619378

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1542243

Grant/Contract Number:  

ASTRO Program; Bioenergy Research Center - BioEnergy Science Center (BESC); Visiting Faculty Program; Higher Education Research Experiences; AC05-00OR22725

Resource Type:

Published Article

Journal Name:

AMB Express

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Name: AMB Express Journal Volume: 9 Journal Issue: 1; Journal ID: ISSN 2191-0855

Publisher:

Springer Science + Business Media

Country of Publication:

Germany

Language:

English

Subject:

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES; 59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES; Caldicellulosiruptor bescii; Aromatic; Benzoyl-CoA; Heterologous expression