Whole-cell catalysis by surface display of fluorinase on Escherichia coli using N-terminal domain of ice nucleation protein

Background Fluorinases play a unique role in the production of fluorine-containing organic molecules by biological methods. Whole-cell catalysis is a better choice in the large-scale fermentation processes, and over 60% of industrial biocatalysis uses this method. However, the in vivo catalytic efficiency of fluorinases is stuck with the mass transfer of the substrates. Results A gene sequence encoding a protein with fluorinase function was fused to the N-terminal of ice nucleation protein, and the fused fluorinase was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells. SDS-PAGE and immunofluorescence microscopy were used to demonstrate the surface localization of the fusion protein. The fluorinase displayed on the surface showed good stability while retaining the catalytic activity. The engineered E.coli with surface-displayed fluorinase could be cultured to obtain a larger cell density, which was beneficial for industrial application. And 55% yield of 5′-fluorodeoxyadenosine (5′-FDA) from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) was achieved by using the whole-cell catalyst. Conclusions Here, we created the fluorinase-containing surface display system on E.coli cells for the first time. The fluorinase was successfully displayed on the surface of E.coli and maintained its catalytic activity. The surface display provides a new solution for the industrial application of biological fluorination. Graphical Abstract

Whole-cell catalysis by surface display of fluorinase on Escherichia coli using N-terminal domain of ice nucleation protein

BackgroundFluorinases play a unique role in producing fluorinated organic molecules through a biological method. Whole-cell catalysis is a better choice in the large-scale fermentation processes, and over 60% of industrial biocatalysis uses this method. However, the in vivo catalytic efficiency of fluorinases is stuck with the mass transfer of the substrates.ResultsA gene sequence encoding a protein with fluorinase function was fused to the N-terminal of ice nucleation protein, and the fused protein was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells. SDS-PAGE and Immunofluorescence microscopy were used to demonstrate the surface localization of the fusion protein. The fluorinase-containing surface display system with improved whole-cell catalytic efficiency and stability showed low growth pressure on the protein expressing host. The conversion rate of 5′-fluorodeoxyadenosine (5′-FDA) from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) achieved 55%.ConclusionsHere, we created the fluorinase-containing surface display system on E.coli cells for the first time. The fluorinase was successfully displayed on the surface of Escherichia coli and maintained its catalytic activity. The surface display offers a new solution for the industrial application of biological fluorination.

Designed whole-cell-catalysis-assisted synthesis of 9,11-secosterols

A method for the synthesis of 9,11-secosteroids starting from the natural corticosteroid cortisol is described. There are two key steps in this approach, combining chemistry and synthetic biology. Stereo- and regioselective hydroxylation at C9 (steroid numbering) is carried out using whole-cell biocatalysis, followed by the chemical cleavage of the C–C bond of the vicinal diol. The two-step method features mild reaction conditions and completely excludes the use of toxic oxidants.