Technologies

Challenge

Electron flow is an important consideration when engineering metabolism for the microbial production of high value chemicals (fuels, alcohols, saturated hydrocarbons, chiral bioactive molecules, and pharmaceutical compounds), because the amount and timing of electrons transferred between different donor and acceptor proteins determine the ratio of biomass accumulation versus chemical production. However, the accumulation of reduced and oxidized cofactors in genetically-engineered microbes can result in global redox imbalances that limit chemical production. Moreover, current approaches to solve the redox imbalance are limited to regulating transcription of protein electron carriers via the “on/off” molecular switch controlled by the promoter.

Solution

Ferredoxin is one of the most intensively studies families of protein electron carriers important for transferring electrons from a wide range of donor proteins to a diverse range of acceptor proteins. This technology enhances control over the function of the protein electron carrier, Ferredoxin, via fragmentation and fusion to proteins that assist with fragment complementation upon chemical binding. The design of this technology can be used to improve the control over electron flow into and out of cells for the production of chemicals and biosensing applications, such as those found in bioelectronics.

Technology Relevant Papers and Web Links

• Atkinson, J. T., Campbell, I. Bennett, G. N., & Silberg, J. J. Cellular assays for ferredoxins: A strategy for understanding electron flow through protein carriers that link metabolic pathways.Biochemistry, 55(51) 2016: 7047-7064