Reaction kinetic analysis of the 3-hydroxypropionate/4-hydroxybutyrate CO2 fixation cycle in extremely thermoacidophilic archaea

• Published in: Metabolic engineering 2016-11, Vol.38 (C), p.446-463
• Main Authors: Loder, Andrew J., Han, Yejun, Hawkins, Aaron B., Lian, Hong, Lipscomb, Gina L., Schut, Gerrit J., Keller, Matthew W., Adams, Michael W.W., Kelly, Robert M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3-hydroxypropionate; 4-hydroxybutyrate; CO2 fixation; INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; Metallosphaera sedula
• ISSN: 1096-7176; 1096-7184
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2016.10.009

The 3-hydroxypropionate/4-hydroxybutyrate (3HP/4HB) cycle fixes CO2 in extremely thermoacidophilic archaea and holds promise for metabolic engineering because of its thermostability and potentially rapid pathway kinetics. A reaction kinetics model was developed to examine the biological and biotechnological attributes of the 3HP/4HB cycle as it operates in Metallosphaera sedula, based on previous information as well as on kinetic parameters determined here for recombinant versions of five of the cycle enzymes (malonyl-CoA/succinyl-CoA reductase, 3-hydroxypropionyl-CoA synthetase, 3-hydroxypropionyl-CoA dehydratase, acryloyl-CoA reductase, and succinic semialdehyde reductase). The model correctly predicted previously observed features of the cycle: the 35–65% split of carbon flux through the acetyl-CoA and succinate branches, the high abundance and relative ratio of acetyl-CoA/propionyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and MCR, and the significance of ACC and hydroxybutyryl-CoA synthetase (HBCS) as regulated control points for the cycle. The model was then used to assess metabolic engineering strategies for incorporating CO2 into chemical intermediates and products of biotechnological importance: acetyl-CoA, succinate, and 3-hydroxypropionate. •A reaction kinetics model of the 3HP/4HB carbon fixation cycle is developed.•The model correctly predicts the observed carbon flux split between two cycle branch points.•Flux control coefficients show the significance of ACC and HBCS as control points.•Metabolic engineering strategies for chemical production from CO2 are assessed.•High-productivity pathways for 3-hydroxypropionate and succinate are proposed.