title: Engineering a non-native hydrogen production pathway into Escherichia coli via a cyanobacterial [NiFe] hydrogenase.
abstract: Biotechnology is a promising approach for the generation of hydrogen, but is not yet commercially viable. Metabolic engineering is a potential solution, but has largely been limited to native pathway optimisation. To widen opportunities for use of non-native [NiFe] hydrogenases for improved hydrogen production, we introduced a cyanobacterial hydrogen production pathway and associated maturation factors into Escherichia coli. Hydrogen production is observed in vivo in a hydrogenase null host, demonstrating coupling to host electron transfer systems. Hydrogenase activity is also detected in vitro. Hydrogen output is increased when formate production is abolished, showing that the new pathway is distinct from the native formate dependent pathway and supporting the conclusion that it couples cellular NADH and NADPH pools to molecular hydrogen. This work demonstrates non-native hydrogen production in E. coli, showing the wide portability of [NiFe] hydrogenase pathways and the potential for metabolic engineering to improve hydrogen yields.
authors.affiliation: ChELSI Institute, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, UK.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Wells
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mercer
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Mott
authors.forename: Ana G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Pereira-Medrano
authors.forename: Adam M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Burja
authors.forename: Helia
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Radianingtyas
authors.forename: Phillip C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D005561:Formates / Q000378:metabolism; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D006864:Hydrogenase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D009243:NAD / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009249:NADP / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D030781:Organisms, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D046939:Synechocystis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D005561:Formates; D009243:NAD; C030544:formic acid; D009249:NADP; D006859:Hydrogen; D006864:Hydrogenase