Ethane-to-3-Hydroxypropionate Conversion in Engineered Microorganisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microorganisms are inefficient in utilizing ethane as a substrate to produce valuable products like 3-hydroxypropionate due to the high cost of sugar-based raw materials, necessitating the development of engineered microorganisms capable of converting ethane into 3-hydroxypropionate at a lower cost and with a reduced environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
Integration of exogenous polynucleotides encoding ethane monooxygenase, ethylotrophy pathway, and malonyl-CoA-product pathway into the genome of microorganisms, such as Escherichia coli, to enhance the production of 3-hydroxypropionate and related products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If sugar-based raw materials are used for engineered microorganisms, then product production is achieved, but production cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the substrate parameter from sugar to ethane, transforming the input material type to achieve cost reduction while maintaining product production capability through engineered metabolic pathways
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes expensive sugar-based substrates with cheaper ethane gas, using a more economical raw material to reduce production costs while achieving the same product output
2Ease of manufacture
If engineered microorganisms use ethane as substrate, then production cost is reduced, but conversion efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the conversion process into distinct enzymatic steps (ethane monooxygenase for ethane-to-ethanol conversion, followed by existing ethanol metabolism pathways), allowing each step to be optimized independently to improve overall conversion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces ethanol as an intermediate substance in the conversion pathway from ethane to 3-hydroxypropionate, using ethanol as a mediator that connects the ethane substrate to the final product through established metabolic routes
3Productivity
If exogenous polynucleotides are integrated into microorganism genome, then product production is improved, but genetic complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses universal genetic tools and standardized polynucleotide integration methods that can be applied across different microorganism hosts, reducing the overall genetic complexity burden while achieving improved product production through multi-functional pathway integration
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The engineered microorganisms significantly improve the production of 3-hydroxypropionate and related products, such as acrylic acid and 1,3-propanediol, from ethane, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to sugar-based production methods.
Implementation Method 1
The ethane monooxygenase comprises or consists of an ethane monooxygenase having an amino acid sequence that is more than about 70%, more than about 75%, more than about 80%, more than about 85%, more than about 90%, or more than about 95% identical or identical to any of SEQ ID Nos: 1-16
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are synthetic organisms and methods for the conversion of ethane and related substrates into 3-hydroxypropionate and related products.