Ectoine hyperproduction by engineered Halomonas bluephagenesis.

Qitiao Hu, Simian Sun, Zhongnan Zhang, Wei Liu, Xueqing Yi, Hongtao He, Nigel S Scrutton, Guo-Qiang Chen

Metabolic engineering 2024 Mar

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Ectoine, a crucial osmoprotectant for salt adaptation in halophiles, has gained growing interest in cosmetics and medical industries. However, its production remains challenged by stringent fermentation process in model microorganisms and low production level in its native producers. Here, we systematically engineered the native ectoine producer Halomonas bluephagenesis for ectoine production by overexpressing ectABC operon, increasing precursors availability, enhancing product transport system and optimizing its growth medium. The final engineered H. bluephagenesis produced 85 g/L ectoine in 52 h under open unsterile incubation in a 7 L bioreactor in the absence of plasmid, antibiotic or inducer. Furthermore, it was successfully demonstrated the feasibility of decoupling salt concentration with ectoine synthesis and co-production with bioplastic P(3HB-co-4HB) by the engineered H. bluephagenesis. The unsterile fermentation process and significantly increased ectoine titer indicate that H. bluephagenesis as the chassis of Next-Generation Industrial Biotechnology (NGIB), is promising for the biomanufacturing of not only intracellular bioplastic PHA but also small molecular compound such as ectoine. Copyright © 2024 International Metabolic Engineering Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Citation

Qitiao Hu, Simian Sun, Zhongnan Zhang, Wei Liu, Xueqing Yi, Hongtao He, Nigel S Scrutton, Guo-Qiang Chen. Ectoine hyperproduction by engineered Halomonas bluephagenesis. Metabolic engineering. 2024 Mar;82:238-249