Work

Engineering a novel biosynthetic pathway in Escherichia coli for production of renewable ethylene glycol

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: Ethylene glycol (EG) is an important commodity chemical with broad industrial applications. It is presently produced from petroleum or natural gas feedstocks in processes requiring consumption of significant quantities of non-renewable resources. Here, we report a novel pathway for biosynthesis of EG from the renewable sugar glucose in metabolically engineered Escherichia coli. Serine-to-EG conversion was first achieved through a pathway comprising serine decarboxylase, ethanolamine oxidase, and glycolaldehyde reductase. Serine provision in E. coli was then enhanced by overexpression of the serine-biosynthesis pathway. The integration of these two parts into the complete EG-biosynthesis pathway in E. coli allowed for production of 4.1 g/L EG at a cumulative yield of 0.14 g-EG/g-glucose, establishing a foundation for a promising biotechnology.

Source: Biotechnology and Bioengineering

DOI: 10.1002/bit.25717

Authors: Brian Pereira, Haoran Zhang, Marjan De Mey, Chin Giaw Lim, Zheng‐Jun Li, Gregory Stephanopoulos

Institutions: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ghent University, Beijing University of Chemical Technology

Language: English

Topic: Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: U.S. Department of Energy