Photosynthetic fuel for heterologous enzymes: the role of electron carrier proteins

Silas Busck Mellor, Konstantinos Vavitsas, Agnieszka Janina Zygadlo Nielsen, Poul Erik Jensen

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

36 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

Plants, cyanobacteria, and algae generate a surplus of redox power through photosynthesis, which makes them attractive for biotechnological exploitations. While central metabolism consumes most of the energy, pathways introduced through metabolic engineering can also tap into this source of reducing power. Recent work on the metabolic engineering of photosynthetic organisms has shown that the electron carriers such as ferredoxin and flavodoxin can be used to couple heterologous enzymes to photosynthetic reducing power. Because these proteins have a plethora of interaction partners and rely on electrostatically steered complex formation, they form productive electron transfer complexes with non-native enzymes. A handful of examples demonstrate channeling of photosynthetic electrons to drive the activity of heterologous enzymes, and these focus mainly on hydrogenases and cytochrome P450s. However, competition from native pathways and inefficient electron transfer rates present major obstacles, which limit the productivity of heterologous reactions coupled to photosynthesis. We discuss specific approaches to address these bottlenecks and ensure high productivity of such enzymes in a photosynthetic context.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftPhotosynthesis Research
Vol/bind134
Udgave nummer3
Sider (fra-til)329-342
Antal sider14
ISSN0166-8595
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2017

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