MetA Polypeptide Resistant to Methionine Feedback Inhibition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing O-succinylhomoserine face challenges due to feedback inhibition by methionine, which limits enzyme stability and productivity in microorganisms, as wild-type homoserine O-succinyltransferase has low stability and introducing mutations for feedback inhibition release worsens instability.

Innovation Solution

A novel isolated polypeptide with homoserine O-succinyltransferase activity and resistance to methionine feedback inhibition is developed, encoded by a specific polynucleotide sequence, and expressed in microorganisms like Escherichia sp. to produce O-succinylhomoserine with enhanced stability and yield.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wild-type homoserine O-succinyltransferase (metA) is used for O-succinylhomoserine production, then the enzyme can catalyze the reaction, but the enzyme stability is low and feedback inhibition by methionine limits productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveO-succinylhomoserine production yieldVSAvoidenzyme stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the amino acid sequence of the homoserine O-succinyltransferase enzyme through site-directed mutagenesis. Specific amino acid residues are changed to alter the enzyme's properties, achieving both resistance to methionine feedback inhibition and improved thermal stability, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a modified copy of the wild-type metA gene with specific mutations introduced. This copied and modified enzyme retains the catalytic function while gaining resistance to feedback inhibition and improved stability, allowing high-yield production without sacrificing enzyme reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If mutations are introduced to release feedback inhibition of metA, then methionine feedback inhibition is reduced, but enzyme stability is aggravated and worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback inhibition releaseVSAvoidenzyme stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simultaneously optimizes multiple parameters of the enzyme through rational design and site-directed mutagenesis. By carefully selecting specific amino acid substitutions, the enzyme achieves both feedback inhibition release and enhanced stability, turning the trade-off into a dual benefit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If L-methionine is added to the medium for strain cultivation, then the strain can grow, but homoserine O-succinyltransferase activity is inhibited by feedback inhibition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrain growthVSAvoidO-succinylhomoserine production
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a modified metA gene that creates an enzyme copy resistant to methionine feedback inhibition. This allows the microorganism to grow in medium containing L-methionine while the modified enzyme continues to produce O-succinylhomoserine at high levels without being inhibited by the methionine present in the medium

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 microorganism expressing the novel polypeptide achieves high-yield production of O-succinylhomoserine, overcoming the limitations of feedback inhibition and enzyme instability, thus effectively utilizing O-succinylhomoserine as a precursor for methionine production.

Implementation Method 1

O-succinylhomoserine is produced by homoserine O-succinyltransferase (MetA) which conjugates the succinyl group of succinyl-coA to homoserine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme catalysis: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentUS10221434B2Microorganisms for production of O-succinyl homoserine and method for production of O-succinyl homoserine using the same
Publication Date: 2019.03.05 CJ CHEILJEDANG CORP

AI summary

The present invention relates to a polypeptide which is resistant to feedback inhibition by methionine and has an activity of homoserine O-succinyltransferase, a microorganism for producing O-succinylhomoserine which expresses the polypeptide, and a method for producing O-succinylhomoserine using the same.