Directing cyanobacterial photosynthesis in a cytochrome c oxidase mutant using a heterologous electron sink
Directing cyanobacterial photosynthesis in a cytochrome c oxidase mutant using a heterologous electron sink
Photosynthesis holds the promise of sustainable generation of useful products using light energy. Key to realizing this potential is the ability to rationally design photosynthesis to redirect energy and reductant derived from photons to desired products. Cytochrome P450s (P450s), which catalyze a broad array of reactions, have been engineered into a variety of photosynthetic organisms, where their activity has been shown to be photosynthesis-dependent, thus acting as heterologous sinks of electrons derived from photosynthesis. Furthermore, the addition of P450s can increase the photosynthetic capacity of the host organism. In this study, we developed this technology further using a P450 (CYP1A1) expressed in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002. We show that rationally engineering photosynthesis by the removal of a competing electron sink, the respiratory terminal oxidase cytochrome c oxidase, increased the activity of CYP1A1. We provide evidence that this enhanced CYP1A1 activity was facilitated via an increase in the flux of electrons through Photosystem I. We also conducted a transcriptomic analysis on the designed strains to gain a more holistic understanding of how the cell responds to rational engineering. We describe a complex response including changes in expression of genes involved in photosynthesis and electron transfer linked to respiration. Specifically, the expression of CYP1A1 resulted in the reduction in expression of other natural electron dissipation pathways. This study emphasizes the potential for engineering photosynthetic organisms in biotechnology but also highlights the need to consider the broader impacts on cellular metabolism of any rationally induced changes.
2554-2566
Torrado, Alejandro
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Connabeer, Hannah
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Rottig, Annika
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Pratt, Nicola
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Baylay, Alison
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Terry, Matthew
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Moore, Christopher
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Bibby, Thomas
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1 August 2022
Torrado, Alejandro
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Connabeer, Hannah
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Rottig, Annika
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Pratt, Nicola
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Baylay, Alison
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Terry, Matthew
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Moore, Christopher
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Bibby, Thomas
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Torrado, Alejandro, Connabeer, Hannah, Rottig, Annika, Pratt, Nicola, Baylay, Alison, Terry, Matthew, Moore, Christopher and Bibby, Thomas
(2022)
Directing cyanobacterial photosynthesis in a cytochrome c oxidase mutant using a heterologous electron sink.
Plant Physiology, 189 (4), .
(doi:10.1093/plphys/kiac203).
Abstract
Photosynthesis holds the promise of sustainable generation of useful products using light energy. Key to realizing this potential is the ability to rationally design photosynthesis to redirect energy and reductant derived from photons to desired products. Cytochrome P450s (P450s), which catalyze a broad array of reactions, have been engineered into a variety of photosynthetic organisms, where their activity has been shown to be photosynthesis-dependent, thus acting as heterologous sinks of electrons derived from photosynthesis. Furthermore, the addition of P450s can increase the photosynthetic capacity of the host organism. In this study, we developed this technology further using a P450 (CYP1A1) expressed in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002. We show that rationally engineering photosynthesis by the removal of a competing electron sink, the respiratory terminal oxidase cytochrome c oxidase, increased the activity of CYP1A1. We provide evidence that this enhanced CYP1A1 activity was facilitated via an increase in the flux of electrons through Photosystem I. We also conducted a transcriptomic analysis on the designed strains to gain a more holistic understanding of how the cell responds to rational engineering. We describe a complex response including changes in expression of genes involved in photosynthesis and electron transfer linked to respiration. Specifically, the expression of CYP1A1 resulted in the reduction in expression of other natural electron dissipation pathways. This study emphasizes the potential for engineering photosynthetic organisms in biotechnology but also highlights the need to consider the broader impacts on cellular metabolism of any rationally induced changes.
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kiac203
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Accepted/In Press date: 30 March 2022
Published date: 1 August 2022
Additional Information:
Funding Information:
This work was supported by the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) funded project ‘Tapping the Unused Potential of Photosynthesis’ (BB/ P019331/1) to T.S.B., C.M.M., and M.J.T. H.M.C. is the recipient of a PhD funded from the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)-funded SPITFIRE Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTP) coordinated by the National Oceanography Centre Southampton Graduate School.
Publisher Copyright:
© American Society of Plant Biologists 2022. All rights reserved.
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 457716
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/457716
ISSN: 0032-0889
PURE UUID: be115836-fd77-4730-9690-1944f323c87a
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Date deposited: 16 Jun 2022 00:23
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 03:22
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Author:
Annika Rottig
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