Bacillus Licheniformis Strain Engineering for Higher Protein Secretion

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for Bacillus licheniformis strains with enhanced protein production capabilities to optimize industrial protein yields, particularly for enzymes like proteases and amylases, while avoiding toxic by-products and ensuring safety compliance.

Innovation Solution

Genetic modification of Bacillus licheniformis cells by introducing a native prsA promoter operably linked to a native prsA open reading frame, optionally with deletions or disruptions of dltA and rghR2 genes, to enhance protein production, and fermenting under suitable conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional B. licheniformis strains are used for protein production, then the production process is simple and safe (QPS/GRAS status), but the protein yield is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotein yieldVSAvoidstrain construction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying specific genetic parameters of B. licheniformis strains. It introduces a second copy of the prsA gene under its native promoter to increase protein secretion capacity, and deletes the dltA gene to modify cell wall properties for enhanced protein release. These targeted genetic parameter changes increase protein yield while maintaining the safety profile of the organism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the protein production process into distinct genetic components: the prsA gene copy for secretion, the dltA deletion for cell wall modification, and the protein of interest expression cassette. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component and simplifies the overall strain construction process through modular genetic engineering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If protein production is optimized for high yield, then industrial biotechnology applications are improved, but the complexity of strain modification increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindustrial protein production efficiencyVSAvoidstrain modification ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by systematically modifying key genetic parameters: adding a prsA gene copy to enhance secretion capacity, deleting dltA to improve cell wall permeability for protein release, and optimizing the protein expression cassette. These parameter changes are implemented using standard molecular biology techniques, making the strain modification process relatively straightforward despite the productivity gains.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the prsA gene is introduced to enhance protein secretion, then protein production increases, but the genetic modification complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotein secretion amountVSAvoidgenetic modification complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the copying principle by introducing a second copy of the native prsA gene into the B. licheniformis genome. This copy is placed under the control of the native prsA promoter, creating an additional source of the secretion protein without requiring complex heterologous expression systems. The copying approach simplifies genetic modification while effectively increasing protein secretion capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12534716B2Compositions and methods for enhanced protein production in bacillus licheniformis
Publication Date: 2026.01.27 DANISCO US INC

AI summary

The present disclosure is generally related to compositions and methods for constructing and/or obtaining B. licheniformis cells (e.g., protein production hosts) comprising enhanced protein production capabilities. Thus, certain embodiments are related to genetically modified Bacillus licheniformis strains derived from parental B. licheniformis strains producing increased amounts of one or more proteins of interest.