Semester of Graduation
Summer 2019
Degree
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME)
Department
Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
In E. coli, fatty acid synthesis is catalyzed by the enzyme acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), which converts acetyl-CoA into malonyl-CoA. Malonyl-CoA is a major building block for numerous of bioproducts. Multiple parameters regulate the homeostatic cellular concentration of malonyl-CoA, keeping it at a very low level. Understanding how these parameters affect the bacterial production of malonyl-CoA is fundamental to maximizing it and its bioproducts. To this end, competing pathways consuming malonyl-CoA can be eliminated, and optimal nutritional and environmental conditions can be provided to the fermentation broth. Most previous studies utilized genetic modifications, expensive consumables, and high-cost quantification methods, making unfeasible the development of an economically-attractive process with high product yield. In this work, we propose a low-cost, simple, and effective method to maximize and quantify malonyl-CoA production in E. coli. The enzyme, 1,3,6,8-tetrahydroxynapthalenesynthase (THNS) catalyzes the condensation of five molecules of malonyl-CoA forming 1,3,6,8- tetrahydroxynaphthalene (THN), which is auto-oxidized into flaviolin. Flaviolin can be measured spectrophotometrically, meaning that direct quantification of malonyl-CoA is accomplished by measuring the absorbance of flaviolin. Results showed that the main parameters associated with malonyl-CoA maximization are the use of rich medium supplemented with glucose and metals, the incubation temperature of 37C, the inoculum incubation time, and the use of lactose as an inducer. Moreover, a kinetic model of the bacterium metabolism was built in order to guide the maximization of malonyl-CoA. By performing a stability analysis and a metabolic control analysis, the system was determined to be stable and flux controlled by phosphoglucose isomerase. This suggests that this enzyme should be modified to optimize the production of malonyl-CoA.
Recommended Citation
Mello, Tatiana Thompson Silveira, "Maximizing and Modeling Malonyl-CoA Production in Escherichia coli" (2019). LSU Master's Theses. 4945.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/4945
Committee Chair
De Queiroz, Marcio
DOI
10.31390/gradschool_theses.4945
Included in
Acoustics, Dynamics, and Controls Commons, Biochemical and Biomolecular Engineering Commons, Biochemistry Commons, Biological Engineering Commons, Biotechnology Commons, Control Theory Commons, Dynamic Systems Commons, Ordinary Differential Equations and Applied Dynamics Commons