Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli for production of fatty acid short-chain esters through combination of the fatty acid and 2-keto acid pathways

Metab Eng. 2014 Mar:22:69-75. doi: 10.1016/j.ymben.2014.01.003. Epub 2014 Jan 16.

Abstract

Fatty acid short-chain esters (FASEs) are biodiesels that are renewable, nontoxic, and biodegradable biofuels. A novel approach for the biosynthesis of FASEs has been developed using metabolically-engineered E. coli through combination of the fatty acid and 2-keto acid pathways. Several genetic engineering strategies were also developed to increase fatty acyl-CoA availability to improve FASEs production. Fed-batch cultivation of the engineered E. coli resulted in a titer of 1008 mg/L FASEs. Since the fatty acid and 2-keto acid pathways are native microbial synthesis pathways, this strategy can be implemented in a variety of microorganisms to produce various FASEs from cheap and readily-available, renewable, raw materials such as sugars and cellulose in the future.

Keywords: 2-keto acid decarboxylase; Acyltransferase; Alcohol dehydrogenase; Fatty acid short-chain esters; Short-chain alcohols.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acyl Coenzyme A / genetics
  • Acyl Coenzyme A / metabolism
  • Biofuels*
  • Escherichia coli* / genetics
  • Escherichia coli* / metabolism
  • Fatty Acids / biosynthesis*
  • Fatty Acids / genetics
  • Keto Acids / metabolism*
  • Metabolic Engineering / methods*

Substances

  • Acyl Coenzyme A
  • Biofuels
  • Fatty Acids
  • Keto Acids