Combining biosensor and metabolic network optimization strategies for enhanced l-threonine production in Escherichia coli

Abstract l-threonine is an integral nutrient for mammals, often used in animal feeds to enhance growth and reduce breeding costs. Developing l-threonine engineered strains that meet industrial production specifications has significant economic value. Here, we developed a biosensor that monitors l-th...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Zhenqiang Zhao, Rongshuai Zhu, Xuanping Shi, Fengyu Yang, Meijuan Xu, Minglong Shao, Rongzhen Zhang, Youxi Zhao, Jiajia You, Zhiming Rao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-025-02640-7
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Summary:Abstract l-threonine is an integral nutrient for mammals, often used in animal feeds to enhance growth and reduce breeding costs. Developing l-threonine engineered strains that meet industrial production specifications has significant economic value. Here, we developed a biosensor that monitors l-threonine concentration to assist in high-throughput screening to capture high-yielding l-threonine mutants. Among them, the P cysK promoter and CysB protein were used to construct a primary l-threonine biosensor, and then the CysBT102A mutant was obtained through directed evolution resulting in a 5.6-fold increase in the fluorescence responsiveness of biosensor over the 0–4 g/L l-threonine concentration range. In addition, the metabolic network of mutant was further optimized through multi-omics analysis and in silico simulation. Ultimately, the THRM13 strain produced 163.2 g/L l-threonine, with a yield of 0.603 g/g glucose in a 5 L bioreactor. The biosensor constructed here could be employed for iterative upgrading of subsequent strains, and these engineering strategies described provide guidance for other chemical overproducers. Graphical Abstract
ISSN:2731-3654