YhhS Transporter Variant for Higher O-Phosphoserine Export

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing L-cysteine through O-phosphoserine (OPS) fermentation yield is limited due to inefficient export of OPS from the producing microorganism, necessitating the development of a variant with enhanced OPS exporting activity.

Innovation Solution

A polypeptide variant of the YhhS MFS transporter, specifically with substitutions at positions 241, 246, and 330, and amino acids 88 and 207, is engineered to enhance OPS export activity, accompanied by a polynucleotide encoding this variant and a vector for expression in a microorganism, allowing for high-yield OPS production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the wild-type YhhS transporter is used for OPS export, then the basic export function is maintained, but the export efficiency and productivity are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveOPS export efficiencyVSAvoidtransporter function stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying specific amino acid residues in the YhhS transporter sequence. Three specific substitutions are made: I241T, D246V, and V330I. These parameter changes at the molecular level alter the transporter's properties to enhance OPS export efficiency while preserving its fundamental transport function and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If multiple amino acid substitutions are introduced to enhance OPS export activity, then the export function is improved, but the protein structure and stability may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveOPS exporting activityVSAvoidpolypeptide sequence stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making targeted amino acid substitutions at specific positions (241, 246, and 330) within the polypeptide sequence. Rather than random mutations, the changes are localized to specific regions that likely influence OPS binding or transport. This localized modification approach enhances export activity while minimizing disruption to the overall protein structure and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12529082B2O-phosphoserine export protein variant and method for producing O-phosphoserine, cysteine, and derivatives thereof using the same
Publication Date: 2026.01.20 CJ CHEILJEDANG CORP

AI summary

An O-phosphoserine (OPS) export protein variant with increased O-phosphoserine exporting activity, and a method for producing O-phosphoserine, cysteine, and cysteine derivatives using the same. Also provided herein are O-phosphoserine-producing microorganisms, a polynucleotide encoding the O-phosphoserine export protein variant, and a vector containing the polynucleotide encoding the O-phosphoserine export protein variant.