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Title: Comparative transcriptomics elucidates adaptive phenol tolerance and utilization in lipid-accumulating Rhodococcus opacus PD630

Journal Article · · Nucleic Acids Research
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkw055· OSTI ID:1255221
 [1];  [2];  [1];  [2];  [1];  [2];  [1];  [2];  [3]; ORCiD logo [2]
  1. Washington Univ., St. Louis, MO (United States). St. Louis School of Medicine
  2. Washington Univ., St. Louis, MO (United States)
  3. Washington Univ., St. Louis, MO (United States). St. Louis School of Medicine; Washington Univ., St. Louis, MO (United States)

Lignin-derived (e.g. phenolic) compounds can compromise the bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fuels and chemicals due to their toxicity and recalcitrance. The lipid-accumulating bacterium Rhodococcus opacus PD630 has recently emerged as a promising microbial host for lignocellulose conversion to value-added products due to its natural ability to tolerate and utilize phenolics. To gain a better understanding of its phenolic tolerance and utilization mechanisms, we adaptively evolved R. opacus over 40 passages using phenol as its sole carbon source (up to 373% growth improvement over wild-type), and extensively characterized two strains from passages 33 and 40. The two adapted strains showed higher phenol consumption rates (~20 mg/l/h) and ~2-fold higher lipid production from phenol than the wild-type strain.Whole-genome sequencing and comparative transcriptomics identified highly-upregulated degradation pathways and putative transporters for phenol in both adapted strains, highlighting the important linkage between mechanisms of regulated phenol uptake, utilization, and evolved tolerance. Our study shows that the R. opacus mutants are likely to use their transporters to import phenol rather than export them, suggesting a new aromatic tolerance mechanism. The identified tolerance genes and pathways are promising candidates for future metabolic engineering in R. opacus for improved lignin conversion to lipid-based products.

Research Organization:
Washington Univ., St. Louis, MO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0012705
OSTI ID:
1255221
Journal Information:
Nucleic Acids Research, Vol. 44, Issue 5; ISSN 0305-1048
Publisher:
Oxford University PressCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 72 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Selection of stable reference genes for RT-qPCR in Rhodococcus opacus PD630 journal April 2018
Passive membrane transport of lignin-related compounds journal October 2019
Mechanism of High-Level Daptomycin Resistance in Corynebacterium striatum journal August 2018
Metabolism of aromatics by Trichosporon oleaginosus while remaining oleaginous journal November 2017
Microalgae for the production of lipid and carotenoids: a review with focus on stress regulation and adaptation journal October 2018
Lipid metabolism of phenol-tolerant Rhodococcus opacus strains for lignin bioconversion journal December 2018
Development of Rhodococcus opacus as a chassis for lignin valorization and bioproduction of high-value compounds journal August 2019
Genome Sequencing and Comparative Transcriptomics Provide a Holistic View of 4-Nitrophenol Degradation and Concurrent Fatty Acid Catabolism by Rhodococcus sp. Strain BUPNP1 journal January 2019
A new Rhodococcus aetherivorans strain isolated from lubricant-contaminated soil as a prospective phenol-biodegrading agent journal February 2020
Development of Chemical and Metabolite Sensors for Rhodococcus opacus PD630 journal June 2017
Re: Urinary Tract Colonization is Enhanced by a Plasmid that Regulates Uropathogenic Acinetobacter baumannii Chromosomal Genes journal December 2019