YjeH Variant Enhances Precursor Export for Methionine Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing O-acetylhomoserine and homoserine face challenges in achieving high yields, which are essential precursors for methionine production, a crucial amino acid used in feeds, foods, and pharmaceuticals.

Innovation Solution

A variant of the inner membrane protein YjeH, with specific amino acid substitutions at positions 92 and 351, is used to enhance the exporting activity of O-acetylhomoserine and homoserine, allowing for higher yields through microbial cultivation and subsequent conversion into methionine or glufosinate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional methods are used to produce O-acetylhomoserine and homoserine, then the production process is simple, but the yield is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveyield of O-acetylhomoserine and homoserineVSAvoidcomplexity of production process

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the amino acid sequence of the YjeH protein at specific positions (92nd and 351st positions). These sequence parameter changes result in enhanced exporting activity, thereby increasing the yield of O-acetylhomoserine and homoserine without fundamentally changing the production process complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a modified copy of the YjeH protein with specific amino acid substitutions. This copied and modified protein variant retains the basic structure and function of the original protein but exhibits improved exporting activity, leading to higher productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If the YjeH protein is used for exporting O-acetylhomoserine and homoserine, then the production yield increases, but the exporting activity is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexporting activity of O-acetylhomoserine and homoserineVSAvoidexporting efficiency of YjeH protein

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies specific parameters of the YjeH protein by substituting amino acids at positions 92 and 351. These parameter changes in the protein sequence directly improve the exporting efficiency and reliability of O-acetylhomoserine and homoserine, resolving the insufficiency of the wild-type protein

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20230340549A1Variant of inner membrane protein and method for producing target product by using same

Publication Date: 2023.10.26 CJ CHEILJEDANG CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a variant of YjeH, which is an inner membrane protein, a microorganism including the same, and a method for producing a target product using the same.