Optimizing the localization of astaxanthin enzymes for improved productivity

BACKGROUND: One important metabolic engineering strategy is to localize the enzymes close to their substrates for improved catalytic efficiency. However, localization configurations become more complex the greater the number of enzymes and substrates is involved. Indeed, optimizing synthetic pathways by localizing multiple enzymes remains a challenge. Terpenes are one of the most valuable and abundant natural product groups. Phytoene, lycopene and β-carotene serve as common intermediates for the synthesis of many carotenoids and derivative compounds, which are hydrophobic long-chain terpenoids, insoluble in water and usually accumulate in membrane compartments. RESULTS: While β-ionone synthesis by β-carotene cleavage dioxygenase PhCCD1 and astaxanthin synthesis by β-carotene ketolase (CrtW) and β-carotene hydroxylase (CrtZ) differ in complexity (single and multiple step pathways), the productivity of both pathways benefited from controlling enzyme localization to the E. coli cell membrane via a GlpF protein fusion. Especially, the astaxanthin synthesis pathway comprises both CrtW and CrtZ, which perform four interchangeable reactions initiated from β-carotene. Up to four localization strategies of CrtW and CrtZ were exhaustively discussed in this work, and the optimal positioning strategy was achieved. CrtW and CrtZ were linked using a flexible linker and localized to the membrane via a GlpF protein fusion. Enzymes in the optimal localization configuration allowed a 215.4% astaxanthin production increase. CONCLUSIONS: This work exploits a localization situation involving membrane-bound substrates, intermediates and multiple enzymes for the first time, and provides a workable positioning strategy to solve problems in similar circumstances. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s13068-018-1270-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.