A recombinant microorganism and application of reducing sigma factor activity or inactivating sigma factor in improving yield of threonine produced by microbial fermentation

By genetically engineering the reduction or inactivation of the σ factor and the removal of feedback inhibition, the efficiency of microbial fermentation for threonine production was improved, solving the problem of low threonine yield in existing technologies and achieving a significant increase in yield.

CN122168491APending Publication Date: 2026-06-09MEIHUA BIOTECH LANGFANG CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202411798327.8
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-12-09
Publication Date
2026-06-09

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In existing technologies, the efficiency of microbial fermentation for producing threonine is relatively low, and new methods need to be explored to increase yield.

Method used

By using genetic engineering techniques to reduce or inactivate the activity of the σ factor (sigH) and relieve the feedback inhibition of the key genes lysC and hom in threonine synthesis, the gene thrABC in the threonine terminal synthesis pathway is expressed, and a recombinant microorganism is constructed.

Benefits of technology

The fermentation production of threonine was significantly increased, and the production efficiency of the microorganism was improved. In particular, the threonine production of the modified strains SMCT301, SMCT302 and SMCT303 was increased by 240.8%, 246.2% and 262.3% respectively.

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Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of genetic engineering, and particularly discloses a recombinant microorganism and application of a sigma factor with reduced activity or inactivated sigma factor in improving the yield of threonine produced by microbial fermentation. The present application finds that the effect of microbial fermentation for producing threonine can be improved after knocking out or weakening the coding gene sigH of the sigma factor, and further proposes a recombinant microorganism, wherein the activity of the sigma factor is reduced or inactivated, and the coding gene of the sigma factor is sigH. The present application provides a new recombinant microorganism and method for improving the efficiency of threonine fermentation.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of genetic engineering technology, and more specifically, to a recombinant microorganism and its application in reducing or inactivating σ factor activity to increase the yield of threonine produced by microbial fermentation. Background Technology

[0002] L-Threonine, chemically known as β-hydroxy-α-aminobutyric acid, has the molecular formula C4H9NO3 and a relative molecular mass of 119.12. Threonine is a white orthorhombic or crystalline powder. It is odorless, has a slightly sweet taste, and melts and decomposes at 253℃. It is soluble in water at high temperatures, with a solubility of 20.5 g / 100 ml at 25℃, and an isoelectric point of 5.6. It is insoluble in ethanol, ether, and chloroform. As an essential amino acid, L-Threonine has various physiological functions and is widely used in food, feed, and pharmaceuticals, with market demand increasing year by year. L-Threonine is currently the third most produced amino acid industrially via microbial fermentation, after L-glutamic acid and L-lysine.

[0003] Corynebacterium glutamicum ( Corynebacterium glutamicum Corynebacterium glutamicum is a Gram-positive microorganism characterized by rapid growth, non-pathogenicity, and weak ability to degrade its own metabolites. As a traditional industrial microorganism, Corynebacterium glutamicum is widely used in the production of various amino acids, nucleotides, and other organic acids.

[0004] The efficient production of amino acids can be achieved through various pathways, such as removing feedback inhibition of the product, enhancing key enzymes in the terminal synthesis pathway, strengthening the supply of cofactors for related enzymes, optimizing the carbon flux allocation in central metabolism, and blocking competing pathways. However, due to the highly complex metabolic networks of microorganisms, in addition to these established modification strategies, there are still other unknown mutations, including point mutations and gene deletions, that can interfere with microbial anabolic and catabolistic metabolisms, causing either positive or negative effects. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate more methods to improve the yield of target substances produced by microorganisms. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a new recombinant microorganism and method for improving the efficiency of threonine fermentation production.

[0006] The present invention provides a recombinant microorganism, which, compared with the starting strain, has reduced or inactivated σ factor activity, wherein the encoding gene of the σ factor is sigH.

[0007] Based on years of research, this invention discovered that the absence of certain selective σ factors can have a positive effect on the accumulation of L-threonine metabolites in Corynebacterium glutamicum, and further verified this finding, thus completing this invention.

[0008] Compared with the starting strain, the recombinant microorganism of the present invention has the feedback inhibition of the key genes lysC and hom for threonine synthesis relieved, and expresses the gene thrABC for the threonine terminal synthesis pathway.

[0009] Preferably, compared with the starting strain, the recombinant microorganism has a threonine mutation at position 311 of the lysC protein sequence to isoleucine, and a glycine mutation at position 378 of the hom protein to glutamic acid.

[0010] The starting strain of the recombinant microorganism of the present invention is a Corynebacterium that can ferment to produce threonine, preferably Corynebacterium glutamicum.

[0011] This invention specifically uses three Corynebacterium glutamicum model strains, ATCC 13032, ATCC 13869, and ATCC 14067, as test subjects. Through genetic engineering, the L-threonine terminal synthesis pathway was introduced and the feedback inhibition of key genes was relieved, resulting in three L-threonine-producing strains, named SMCT301, SMCT302, and SMCT303, respectively. The mutant strains carrying these genetically engineered modifications were then subjected to shake-flask fermentation for L-threonine production.

[0012] Further, using model strains ATCC 13032, ATCC 13869, and ATCC 14067, and three threonine-producing strains SMCT301, SMCT302, and SMCT303 as subjects, the coding gene for the wild-type σ factor in the producing strains was knocked out using genetic engineering methods, thus completing the gene inactivation modification. The modified strains showed an increased L-threonine yield after shake-flask fermentation.

[0013] Using three threonine-producing strains, SMCT301, SMCT302, and SMCT303, as subjects, the wild-type σ factor of the producing strains was weakened through genetic engineering, thus completing the gene weakening modification. After shake-flask fermentation, the modified strains showed an increased L-threonine yield.

[0014] That is, Corynebacterium glutamicum that has inactivated σ factor or carries a weakened σ factor can be used to produce L-amino acids, especially L-threonine.

[0015] Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032, ATCC 13869, and ATCC 14067 are model strains of Corynebacterium glutamicum, well-known in the field. These strains can be purchased publicly or obtained from relevant research institutes. Their genome sequences are publicly available and can be found on the NCBI website. Escherichia coli MG1655 is a model strain of Escherichia coli, well-known in the field. This strain can be purchased publicly or obtained from relevant research institutes. Its genome sequence is publicly available and can be found on the NCBI website.

[0016] The present invention also provides a method for constructing recombinant microorganisms, wherein the activity of the σ factor is reduced or inactivated compared with the starting strain, and the encoding gene of the σ factor is sigH.

[0017] In the method of the present invention, the activity of the σ factor can be reduced or inactivated by one or more base mutations or deletions in the coding region, or by replacing the weak promoter.

[0018] In the method of the present invention, the feedback inhibition of the key genes lysC and hom for threonine synthesis in the recombinant microorganism is further relieved compared with the starting strain, and the gene thrABC for the threonine terminal synthesis pathway is expressed. And / or, the starting strain is a Corynebacterium that can ferment to produce threonine, preferably Corynebacterium glutamicum.

[0019] The present invention also provides a DNA molecule having a nucleotide sequence as shown in any one of SEQ ID No. 25-27.

[0020] The DNA molecule encodes a σ factor mutant with an amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID No. 30 or 31.

[0021] The present invention also provides biological materials containing the above-mentioned DNA molecules, wherein the biological materials are expression cassettes, vectors or host cells.

[0022] The present invention also provides a σ factor mutant, the amino acid sequence of which is shown in SEQ ID No. 30 or 31.

[0023] The mutant of this invention can weaken the activity of the σ factor.

[0024] The present invention also provides the use of the above-mentioned recombinant microorganisms, or DNA molecules, or biological materials, or σ factor mutants in any of the following aspects: (1) L-threonine fermentation production; (2) Genetic breeding of microorganisms for L-threonine fermentation production; (3) Increase the fermentation yield of L-threonine.

[0025] The present invention also provides the application of reducing or inactivating the σ factor in microorganisms in increasing the yield of L-threonine produced by microbial fermentation, wherein the gene encoding the σ factor is sigH; Preferably, the feedback inhibition of the key genes lysC and hom for threonine synthesis in the microorganism is further relieved, and the gene thrABC for the threonine terminal synthesis pathway is expressed; And / or, the microorganism can ferment to produce threonine, preferably Corynebacterium glutamicum.

[0026] The present invention also provides a fermentation production method for L-threonine, which uses the above-mentioned recombinant microorganisms for fermentation production.

[0027] The beneficial effects of this invention are at least as follows: This invention provides a novel and efficient recombinant microorganism and method for fermentation production of threonine, and offers new insights into the genetic breeding of threonine-producing strains. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to specific examples. It should be understood that the following examples are given for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and substitutions to the present invention without departing from its spirit and essence.

[0029] Unless otherwise specified, the experimental methods used in the following examples are conventional methods. Unless otherwise specified, the materials and reagents used in the following examples are commercially available or prepared according to conventional methods in the art.

[0030] The key gene for threonine synthesis described in this invention, lysC (NCBI ID NCgl0247 in ATCC13032, BBD29_01500 in ATCC13869, and CEY17_01500 in ATCC14067), encodes aspartate kinase, and hom (NCBI ID NCgl1136 in ATCC13032, BBD29_06325 in ATCC13869, and C in ATCC14067) encodes aspartate kinase. EY17_0645 encodes homoserine dehydrogenase, which is relieved by point mutation of threonine feedback inhibition. The threonine terminal synthesis pathway is achieved by referencing the thrABC operon from E. coli MG1655 (thrA, thrB, and thrC are numbered IEU92_RS00010, IEU92_RS00015, and IEU92_RS00020 in NCBI). Among them, thrA encodes a bifunctional enzyme, namely aspartate kinase and homoserine dehydrogenase, thrB encodes homoserine kinase, and thrC encodes threonine synthase.

[0031] The gene encoding the σ factor described in this invention (sigH, encoding the σ factor of RNA polymerase) is NCBI number NCgl0733 in ATCC13032, and its corresponding amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID No. 28; it is numbered BBD29_04235 in ATCC13869, and its corresponding amino acid sequence is the same as that in ATCC13032; and it is numbered CEY17_04120 in ATCC14067, and its corresponding amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID No. 29. The primer sequence information used in the examples is shown in Table 1.

[0032] The plasmid pk18mobsacB-speC used in the specific embodiments of this invention is prepared by replacing the kanamycin resistance gene of the pK18mobsacB plasmid (GenBank: FJ1287239.1; available for purchase from public channels) with the spectinomycin resistance gene through metabolic engineering.

[0033] The embodiments of this invention are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Where specific techniques or conditions are not specified in the embodiments, they should be performed according to the techniques or conditions described in the literature in this field, or according to the product instructions. Reagents or instruments whose manufacturers are not specified are all conventional products that can be purchased from legitimate channels.

[0034] Table 1 Primer sequence information (SEQ ID No. 1-24) Example 1: Construction of an engineered plasmid carrying the thrABC metabolic pathway (threonine terminal pathway). Using the whole genome of *Escherichia coli* MG1655 as a template, PCR amplification was performed using the thrABC-f / thrABC-r primer pair. The PCR products were purified by gel electrophoresis and gel extraction. The PCR product contained the thrABC sequence carrying the threonine terminal metabolic pathway.

[0035] The plasmid vector was pVWEx1 (GenBank: MF034723.1; purchased from public sources). This vector was linearized by PCR amplification using the pVWEx1-f / pVWEx1-r primer pair. The PCR product was purified by gel electrophoresis and gel extraction for later use.

[0036] The vectors carrying the thrABC sequence and linearized were then circularized and assembled. The assembly method used was a single-fragment assembly kit from Novizan. Specific instructions for the kit can be found in the kit's manual. Transformants were screened on kanamycin plates, and the resulting transformants were cultured overnight in LB liquid medium. Plasmids were extracted the following day and sequenced. The correctly sequenced plasmid was named pVWEx1-thrABC.

[0037] Example 2: Carrying the key gene lysC for threonine synthesis T311I Construction of 3 engineered plasmids Using the fully synthesized lysC gene sequence of ATCC13032 as a template, PCR amplification was performed using the lysC-f-1 / lysC-r-1 primer pair. The PCR product was purified by gel electrophoresis and gel extraction. The PCR product was a lysC gene carrying the homologous recombination sequence of the Corynebacterium glutamicum model strain ATCC13032. T311I (It encodes a mutant of the lysC protein). Using the fully synthesized lysC gene sequence of ATCC13869 as a template, PCR amplification was performed using the lysC-f-2 / lysC-r-2 primer pair. The PCR product was purified by gel electrophoresis and gel extraction. The PCR product was lysC carrying the homologous recombination sequence of the Corynebacterium glutamicum model strain ATCC13869. T311I (It encodes a mutant of the lysC protein). Using the fully synthesized lysC gene sequence of ATCC14067 as a template, PCR amplification was performed using the lysC-f-3 / lysC-r-3 primer pair. The PCR product was purified by gel electrophoresis and gel extraction. The PCR product was lysC carrying the homologous recombination sequence of the Corynebacterium glutamicum model strain ATCC14067. T311I (It encodes a mutant lysC protein). In all of the above-mentioned mutant lysC proteins, the wild-type lysC protein has a threonine residue at position 311 that is mutated to isoleucine.

[0038] The plasmid vector was pK18mobsacB-speC, which had been pre-linearized by double enzyme digestion. The restriction endonucleases were EcoRI and HindIII from NEB. The vector was purified by enzyme digestion and then used for later use.

[0039] The lysC carrying the above-mentioned homologous recombination sequences of ATCC13032, ATCC13869 and ATCC14067 T311IThe linearized vectors were then circularized and assembled. Assembly was performed using a single-fragment assembly kit from Novizan. Specific instructions were provided in the kit's manual. Transformants were screened on spectinomycin plates, and the resulting transformants were cultured overnight in LB liquid medium. Plasmids were extracted the following day and sequenced. LysC vectors correctly sequenced and carrying homologous recombination sequences of ATCC13032, ATCC13869, or ATCC14067 were identified. T311I The plasmids were named pK18mobsacB-speC-lysC, respectively. T311I -1、pK18mobsacB-speC-lysC T311I -2 and pK18mob sacB-speC-lysC T311I -3.

[0040] Example 3: Carrying the key gene hom for threonine synthesis G378E Construction of 3 engineered plasmids Using the fully synthesized hom gene sequence of ATCC13032 as a template, PCR amplification was performed using the hom-f-1 / hom-r-1 primer pair. The PCR product was purified by gel electrophoresis and gel extraction. The PCR product was a hom gene carrying the homologous recombination sequence of the Corynebacterium glutamicum model strain ATCC13032. G378E (It encodes a mutant hom protein). Using the fully synthesized hom gene sequence of ATCC13869 as a template, PCR amplification was performed using the hom-f-2 / hom-r-2 primer pair. The PCR product was purified by gel electrophoresis and gel extraction. The PCR product was a hom protein carrying the homologous recombination sequence of the Corynebacterium glutamicum model strain ATCC13869. G378E (It encodes a mutant hom protein). Using the fully synthesized hom gene sequence of ATCC13869 as a template, PCR amplification was performed using the hom-f-3 / hom-r-3 primer pair. The PCR product was purified by gel electrophoresis and gel extraction. The PCR product was a hom protein carrying the homologous recombination sequence of the Corynebacterium glutamicum model strain ATCC13869. G378E (It encodes a mutant hom protein). In all of the above hom protein mutants, the wild-type hom protein has a glycine-to-glutamic acid mutation at position 378.

[0041] The plasmid vector was pK18mobsacB-speC, which had been pre-linearized by double enzyme digestion. The restriction endonucleases were EcoRI and HindIII from NEB. The vector was purified by enzyme digestion and then used for later use.

[0042] The above-mentioned homogeneous recombination sequences carrying ATCC13032, ATCC13869 and ATCC14067 were used. G378E The linearized vectors were then circularized and assembled. Assembly was performed using Novizan's single-fragment assembly kit. Specific instructions were found in the kit's manual. Transformants were screened on spectinomycin plates, and the resulting transformants were cultured overnight in LB broth. Plasmids were extracted the following day and sequenced. Transformants correctly sequenced and carrying homologous recombination sequences of ATCC13032, ATCC13869, or ATCC14067 were identified. G378E The plasmids were named pK18mobsacB-speC-hom respectively. G378E -1、pK18mobsacB-speC-hom G378E -2、pK18mobsacB-speC-hom G378E -3.

[0043] Example 4: Construction of three engineered plasmids with σ-factor inactivation Using the genomic sequences of Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC13032, ATCC13869, and ATCC14067 as templates, PCR amplification was performed using primers P1 / P2 to obtain upper homologous arm fragments UP-1, UP-2, and UP-3. PCR amplification was then performed using primers P3 / P4 to obtain lower homologous arm fragments DN-1, DN-2, and DN-3. The PCR products were purified by gel electrophoresis and gel extraction. The PCR products were sigH-UP-1, sigH-UP-2, sigH-UP-3 and sigH-DN-1, sigH-DN-2, sigH-DN-3, respectively, each carrying a homologous recombination sequence.

[0044] The plasmid vector was pK18mobsacB-speC, which had been pre-linearized by double enzyme digestion. The restriction endonucleases were EcoRI and HindIII from NEB. The vector was purified by enzyme digestion and then used for later use.

[0045] The sigH-UP-1 and sigH-DN-1 / sigH-UP-2 and sigH-DN-2 / sigH-UP-3 and sigH-DN-3 carrying homologous recombination sequences were circularized and assembled with linearized vectors, respectively. Assembly was performed using Novizan's multi-fragment assembly kit. Specific methods were described in the kit's instructions. Transformants were screened on spectinomycete plates, and the obtained transformants were cultured overnight in LB liquid medium. Plasmids were extracted the following day and sequenced. Plasmids correctly sequenced and carrying homologous recombination sequences of ATCC13032, ATCC13869, or ATCC14067 were named pK18mobsacB-speC-ΔsigH-1, pK18mobsacB-speC-ΔsigH-2, and pK18mobsacB-speC-ΔsigH-3, respectively.

[0046] Example 5: Construction of three engineered plasmids with weakened σ factor Using the genomic sequences of Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC13032, ATCC13869, and ATCC14067 as templates, PCR amplification was performed using primers P5 / P6 to obtain upper homologous arm fragments UP-1', UP-2', and UP-3'. PCR amplification was then performed using primers P7 / P8 to obtain lower homologous arm fragments DN-1', DN-2', and DN-3'. The PCR products were purified by gel electrophoresis and gel extraction. The PCR products were sigHr-UP-1, sigHr-UP-2, sigHr-UP-3 and sigHr-DN-1, sigHr-DN-2, sigHr-DN-3, respectively, each carrying a homologous recombination sequence.

[0047] The plasmid vector was pK18mobsacB-speC, which had been pre-linearized by double enzyme digestion. The restriction endonucleases were EcoRI and HindIII from NEB. The vector was purified by enzyme digestion and then used for later use.

[0048] The sigHr-UP-1 and sigHr-DN-1 / sigHr-UP-2 and sigHr-DN-2 / sigHr-UP-3 and sigHr-DN-3 carrying homologous recombination sequences were circularized and assembled with linearized vectors, respectively. Assembly was performed using the Novizan multi-fragment assembly kit. Specific instructions for the kit can be found in the kit's manual. Transformants were screened on spectinomyces plates, and the resulting transformants were cultured overnight in LB liquid medium. Plasmids were extracted the following day and sequenced. Plasmids correctly sequenced and carrying homologous recombination sequences of ATCC13032, ATCC13869, or ATCC14067 were named pK18mobsacB-speC-sigHr-1, pK18mobsacB-speC-sigHr-2, and pK18mobsacB-speC-sigHr-3, respectively.

[0049] The nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding the σ factor of the weakened ATCC13032 is shown in SEQ ID No. 25, and the corresponding amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID No. 30. The nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding the σ factor of the weakened ATCC13869 is shown in SEQ ID No. 26, and the corresponding amino acid sequence is also shown in SEQ ID No. 30. The nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding the σ factor of the weakened ATCC14067 is shown in SEQ ID No. 27, and the corresponding amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID No. 31.

[0050] Example 6: The threonine terminal pathway thrABC was introduced into the model bacteria ATCC 13032, ATCC 13869, and ATCC 14067, respectively. Competent cells of C. glutamicum model bacteria ATCC13032, ATCC13869, and ATCC14067 were prepared according to the method described in the C. glutamicum Handbook (Charpter 23) and exogenous genes were expressed.

[0051] The expression plasmid pVWEx1-thrABC was transformed into competent cells of ATCC13032, ATCC13869, and ATCC14067 by electroporation, and transformants were screened on BHI selective medium containing 25 mg / L kanamycin. The screened transformants were cultured overnight in BHI liquid medium containing 25 mg / L kanamycin at 30°C with shaking at 200 rpm. The target sequence was amplified by PCR, and nucleotide sequencing analysis was performed as the final results. The resulting modified strains were named 13032-thrABC, 13869-thrABC, and 14067-thrABC, respectively.

[0052] Example 7: lysC was introduced into 13032-thrABC, 13869-thrABC, and 14067-thrABC, respectively. T311I and hom G378E Competent cells of 13032-thrABC, 13869-thrABC, and 14067-thrABC were prepared and their genes were recombined according to the method in the C. glutamicum Handbook (Charpter 23).

[0053] The recombinant plasmid pK18mobsacB-speC-lysC was electroporated. T311I -1、pK18mobsacB-speC-lysC T311I -2 and pK18mobsacB-speC-lysC T311I Transformations were performed on 13032-thrABC, 13869-thrABC, and 14067-thrABC competent cells, respectively, and transformants were screened on BHI selective media containing 100 mg / L spectinomycin and 25 mg / L kanamycin. The selected transformants were cultured overnight in BHI liquid medium containing 25 mg / L kanamycin at 30°C with shaking at 200 rpm. During this culture, a second recombination occurred in the transformants, removing the vector sequence from the genome through gene exchange and simultaneously introducing the target mutation. The cultures were serially diluted (to 10⁻⁶ ppm). -2The diluted solution was spread onto BHI solid medium containing 10% sucrose and 25 mg / L kanamycin, and incubated statically at 30°C for 48 h. The resulting transformants should carry the target mutation and not the inserted vector sequence. The target sequence was amplified by PCR, and nucleotide sequencing analysis was performed as the final result. The resulting modified strains were named 13032-thrABC-C, 13869-thrABC-C, and 14067-thrABC-C, respectively.

[0054] Following the methods described in the C. glutamicum Handbook (Charpter 23), competent cells of 13032-thrABC-C, 13869-thrABC-C, and 14067-thrABC-C were prepared and gene recombination was performed.

[0055] The recombinant plasmid pK18mobsacB-speC-hom was electroporated. G378E -1、pK18mobsacB-speC-hom G378E -2 and pK18mobsacB-speC-hom G378E Transformations were performed on 13032-thrABC-C, 13869-thrABC-C, and 14067-thrABC-C competent cells, and transformants were screened on BHI selective media containing 100 mg / L spectinomycin and 25 mg / L kanamycin. The selected transformants were cultured overnight in BHI liquid medium containing 25 mg / L kanamycin at 30°C with shaking at 200 rpm. During this culture, a second recombination occurred in the transformants, removing the vector sequence from the genome through gene exchange and simultaneously introducing the target mutation. The cultures were serially diluted (to 10⁻⁶ ppm). -2 The diluted solution was spread onto BHI solid medium containing 10% sucrose and 25 mg / L kanamycin, and incubated statically at 30°C for 48 h. The resulting transformants should carry the target mutation and not the inserted vector sequence. The target sequence was amplified by PCR, and nucleotide sequencing analysis was performed to obtain the final results. The resulting modified strains were named SMCT301, SMCT302, and SMCT303, respectively.

[0056] Example 8: Shake-flask test of fermentation performance of three model strains after introduction of the threonine terminal pathway and removal of threonine feedback inhibition. The culture medium used for the shake flask test is as follows: Plate activation medium: BHI 37 g / L, 20 g / L agar powder.

[0057] Seed culture medium: peptone 5 g / L, yeast extract 5 g / L, sodium chloride 10 g / L, ammonium sulfate 16 g / L, urea 8 g / L, potassium dihydrogen phosphate 10.4 g / L, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate 21.4 g / L, biotin 5 mg / L, magnesium sulfate 3 g / L, glucose 50 g / L, pH 7.2.

[0058] Fermentation medium: corn steep liquor 50 mL / L, glucose 30 g / L, ammonium sulfate 4 g / L, MOPS 30 g / L, potassium dihydrogen phosphate 10 g / L, urea 20 g / L, biotin 10 mg / L, magnesium sulfate 6 g / L, ferrous sulfate 1 g / L, vitamin B1·HCl 40 mg / L, calcium pantothenate 50 mg / L, nicotinamide 40 mg / L, manganese sulfate 1 g / L, zinc sulfate 20 mg / L, copper sulfate 20 mg / L, pH 7.2.

[0059] Fermentation method: 1. Seed activation: Take the strain to be verified from the cryopreservation tube, streak it on seed activation medium, and incubate at 30℃ for 24h; 2. Seed culture: Pick 1 plate of activated seeds and transfer it to a 500 mL Erlenmeyer flask containing 30 mL of seed culture medium. Incubate at 30 °C and 230 r / min for 6 h with shaking. 3. Fermentation culture: Inoculate 6 mL of seed culture into a 500 mL Erlenmeyer flask containing 20 mL of fermentation medium, and culture at 30 °C and 150 r / min for 24 h with shaking. Perform 3 replicates for each strain.

[0060] 4. OD 562 Measurement: The fermentation broth was diluted 100 times, and the absorbance was measured at a wavelength of 562 nm using a spectrophotometer. Each strain was tested in triplicate, and the average value was calculated. The results are shown in Table 2, where the data represents the average of the three parallel tests.

[0061] 5. Amino acid concentration determination: Centrifuge 2 mL of fermentation broth (12000 rpm, 2 min), collect the supernatant, and detect it using Agilent high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Three replicates were performed for both the recombinant strain and the control strain, and the average value was calculated. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0062] Table 2 Comparison of amino acid yield detection results of recombinant strains The amino acid content in the fermentation broth was analyzed, and it was found that the threonine concentration of Corynebacterium glutamicum, which carried the threonine terminal pathway and removed the threonine terminal restriction, was significantly increased. Table 2 shows that compared to the wild-type strain ATCC13032, SMCT301 increased threonine production from 2.5 g / L to 7.6 g / L, an increase of 240.8%; compared to the wild-type strain ATCC13869, SMCT302 increased threonine production from 2.3 g / L to 7.1 g / L, an increase of 246.2%; and compared to the wild-type strain ATCC14067, SMCT303 increased threonine production from 2.2 g / L to 7.0 g / L, an increase of 262.3%. This indicates that opening the threonine terminal synthesis pathway significantly improves the strain's threonine production capacity. Therefore, it can be proven that after metabolic engineering modification, SMCT301, SMCT302, and SMCT303 are better threonine-producing strains.

[0063] Example 9: Inactivation and weakening of the σ factor in the model strain ATCC13032 of Corynebacterium glutamicum and the threonine-producing strain SMCT301, respectively. Competent cells of Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC13032 and threonine-producing strain SMCT301 were prepared and their genes were recombined according to the methods in the C. glutamicum Handbook (Charpter 23).

[0064] The recombination method was the same as in Example 7, i.e., inactivated and weakened recombinant plasmids (pK18mobsacB-speC-ΔsigH-1 and pK18mobsacB-speC-sigHr-1) were transformed into ATCC13032 and SMCT301 competent cells, respectively, using electroporation. Transformants were screened on BHI selective medium containing 100 mg / L spectinomycin and 25 mg / L kanamycin. The screened transformants were cultured overnight in BHI liquid medium containing 25 mg / L kanamycin at 30°C with shaking at 200 rpm. During this culture, the transformants underwent a second recombination, removing the vector sequence from the genome through gene exchange. The culture was serially diluted (the original solution was serially diluted to 10⁻⁶ oz). -2The diluted solution was spread onto BHI solid medium containing 10% sucrose and 25 mg / L kanamycin, and incubated at 30°C for 48 h. The resulting transformants were amplified by PCR, and nucleotide sequencing analysis was performed as the final results. The modified strains with inactivated σ factor were named SMCT304 (originating strain ATCC13032) and SMCT310 (originating strain SMCT301), respectively, while the modified strains with weakened σ factor were named SMCT305 (originating strain ATCC13032) and SMCT311 (originating strain SMCT301), respectively.

[0065] Example 10: Inactivation and weakening of the σ factor in the model strain ATCC13869 of Corynebacterium glutamicum and the threonine-producing strain SMCT302, respectively. Competent cells of Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC13869 and threonine-producing strain SMCT302 were prepared and their genes were recombined according to the methods in the C. glutamicum Handbook (Charpter 23).

[0066] The recombination method was the same as in Example 7, i.e., inactivated and weakened recombinant plasmids (pK18mobsacB-speC-ΔsigH-2 and pK18mobsacB-speC-sigHr-2) were transformed into ATCC13869 and SMCT302 competent cells, respectively, using electroporation. Transformants were screened on BHI selective medium containing 100 mg / L spectinomycin and 25 mg / L kanamycin. The screened transformants were cultured overnight in BHI liquid medium containing 25 mg / L kanamycin at 30°C with shaking at 200 rpm. During this culture, the transformants underwent a second recombination, removing the vector sequence from the genome through gene exchange. The culture was serially diluted (the original solution was serially diluted to 10⁻⁶ oz). -2 The diluted solution was spread onto BHI solid medium containing 10% sucrose and 25 mg / L kanamycin, and incubated at 30°C for 48 h. The transformed strains were amplified by PCR, and nucleotide sequencing analysis was performed as the final results. The modified strains with inactivated σ factor were named SMCT306 (originating strain ATCC13869) and SMCT312 (originating strain SMCT302), respectively, while the modified strains with weakened σ factor were named SMCT307 (originating strain ATCC13869) and SMCT313 (originating strain SMCT302), respectively.

[0067] Example 11: Inactivation and weakening of the σ factor in the model strain ATCC14067 of Corynebacterium glutamicum and the threonine-producing strain SMCT303, respectively. Competent cells of Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC14067 and threonine-producing strain SMCT303 were prepared and their genes were recombined according to the methods in the C. glutamicum Handbook (Charpter 23).

[0068] The recombination method was the same as in Example 7, i.e., inactivated and weakened recombinant plasmids (pK18mobsacB-speC-ΔsigH-3 and pK18mobsacB-speC-sigHr-3) were transformed into ATCC14067 and SMCT303 competent cells, respectively, using electroporation. Transformants were screened on BHI selective medium containing 100 mg / L spectinomycin and 25 mg / L kanamycin. The screened transformants were cultured overnight in BHI liquid medium containing 25 mg / L kanamycin at 30°C with shaking at 200 rpm. During this culture, the transformants underwent a second recombination, removing the vector sequence from the genome through gene exchange. The culture was serially diluted (the original solution was serially diluted to 10⁻⁶ ppm). -2 The diluted solution was spread onto BHI solid medium containing 10% sucrose and 25 mg / L kanamycin, and incubated at 30°C for 48 h. The resulting transformants were amplified by PCR, and nucleotide sequencing analysis was performed as the final results. The modified strains with inactivated σ factor were named SMCT308 (originating strain ATCC14067) and SMCT314 (originating strain SMCT303), respectively, while the modified strains with weakened σ factor were named SMCT309 (originating strain ATCC14067) and SMCT315 (originating strain SMCT303), respectively.

[0069] Example 12: Shake-flask test of the fermentation performance of the above-mentioned *Corynebacterium glutamicum* model strain and threonine-producing strain after σ factor inactivation and attenuation modifications. The culture medium and fermentation method used in the shake flask test were the same as in Example 8, and the test results are shown in Table 3.

[0070] Table 3 Comparison of amino acid yield detection results of recombinant strains The amino acid content in the fermentation broth was tested, and it was found that the threonine concentration in the culture medium of strains with inactivated and weakened σ factor was increased to varying degrees, suggesting that the efficiency of bacterial synthesis or secretion of threonine was improved.

[0071] These results demonstrate that the σ-factor inactivated and weakened strains provided in this invention promote both the yield and efficiency of threonine in Corynebacterium. σ-factor inactivation is more conducive to the synthesis of threonine or promotes its secretion into the extracellular space. Furthermore, the modifications are universally applicable and can improve the synthesis efficiency of various amino acids.

[0072] Although the present invention has been described in detail above with general descriptions and specific embodiments, modifications or improvements can be made to it, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, all such modifications or improvements made without departing from the spirit of the present invention fall within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

Claims

1. A recombinant microorganism, characterized in that, Compared to the starting strain, the activity of the σ factor is reduced or inactivated, and the gene encoding the σ factor is sigH.

2. The recombinant microorganism according to claim 1, characterized in that, Compared with the original strain, the recombinant microorganism showed that the feedback inhibition of the key genes lysC and hom for threonine synthesis was relieved, and the gene thrABC for the threonine terminal synthesis pathway was expressed. Preferably, compared with the starting strain, the recombinant microorganism has a threonine mutation at position 311 of the lysC protein sequence to isoleucine, and a glycine mutation at position 378 of the hom protein to glutamic acid. And / or, the starting strain is a Corynebacterium that can ferment to produce threonine, preferably Corynebacterium glutamicum.

3. A method for constructing recombinant microorganisms, characterized in that, The recombinant microorganism, compared with the starting strain, has reduced or inactivated activity of the σ factor, the encoding gene of which is sigH.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The activity of the σ factor is reduced or inactivated by one or more base mutations or deletions in the coding region, or by replacing the weak promoter. Preferably, compared with the starting strain, the recombinant microorganism has the feedback inhibition of the key genes lysC and hom for threonine synthesis relieved and expresses the thrABC gene for the threonine terminal synthesis pathway. And / or, the starting strain is a Corynebacterium that can ferment to produce threonine, preferably Corynebacterium glutamicum.

5. A DNA molecule, characterized in that, The nucleotide sequence is shown in any one of SEQ ID No. 25-27.

6. A biological material containing the DNA molecule of claim 5, wherein the biological material is an expression cassette, a vector, or a host cell.

7. A σ-factor mutant, characterized in that, The amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID No. 30 or 31.

8. The use of the recombinant microorganism of claim 1 or 2, or the DNA molecule of claim 5, or the biological material of claim 6, or the σ factor mutant of claim 7, in any of the following aspects: (1) L-threonine fermentation production; (2) Genetic breeding of microorganisms for L-threonine fermentation production; (3) Increase the fermentation yield of L-threonine.

9. The application of reducing or inactivating the σ factor in microorganisms in increasing the yield of L-threonine produced by microbial fermentation, wherein the gene encoding the σ factor is sigH; Preferably, the feedback inhibition of the key genes lysC and hom for threonine synthesis in the microorganism is further relieved, and the gene thrABC for the threonine terminal synthesis pathway is expressed; And / or, the microorganism can ferment to produce threonine, preferably Corynebacterium glutamicum.

10. A fermentation method for producing L-threonine, characterized in that, Fermentation production using the recombinant microorganisms described in claim 1 or 2.