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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Magali Roger, Tom Reed, Professor Frank SargentORCiD
This is the final published version of an article that has been published in its final definitive form by American Society for Microbiology, 2021.
For re-use rights please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions.
Escherichia coli is a Gram-negative bacterium that is a workhorse for biotechnology. The organism naturally performs a mixed-acid fermentation under anaerobic conditions where it synthesizes formate hydrogenlyase (FHL-1). The physiological role of the enzyme is the disproportionation of formate into H2 and CO2. However, the enzyme has been observed to catalyze hydrogenation of CO2 given the correct conditions, and so it has possibilities in bio-based carbon capture and storage if it can be harnessed as a hydrogen-dependent CO2 reductase (HDCR). In this study, an E. coli host strain was engineered for the continuous production of formic acid from H2 and CO2 during bacterial growth in a pressurized batch bioreactor. Incorporation of tungsten, in place of molybdenum, in FHL-1 helped to impose a degree of catalytic bias on the enzyme. This work demonstrates that it is possible to couple cell growth to simultaneous, unidirectional formate production from carbon dioxide and develops a process for growth under pressurized gases. IMPORTANCE Greenhouse gas emissions, including waste carbon dioxide, are contributing to global climate change. A basket of solutions is needed to steadily reduce emissions, and one approach is bio-based carbon capture and storage. Here, we present our latest work on harnessing a novel biological solution for carbon capture. The Escherichia coli formate hydrogenlyase (FHL-1) was engineered to be constitutively expressed. Anaerobic growth under pressurized H2 and CO2 gases was established, and aqueous formic acid was produced as a result. Incorporation of tungsten into the enzyme in place of molybdenum proved useful in poising FHL-1 as a hydrogen-dependent CO2 reductase (HDCR).
Author(s): Roger M, Reed TCP, Sargent F
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Year: 2021
Volume: 87
Issue: 21
Pages: e0029921
Online publication date: 14/10/2021
Acceptance date: 19/08/2021
Date deposited: 29/07/2022
ISSN (print): 0099-2240
ISSN (electronic): 1098-5336
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
URL: https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.00299-21
DOI: 10.1128/AEM.00299-21
PubMed id: 34647819
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