Flux Balance Analysis for Media Optimization and Genetic Targets to Improve Heterologous Siderophore Production

• Published in: iScience Vol. 23; no. 4; p. 101016
• Main Authors: Swayambhu, Girish, Moscatello, Nicholas, Atilla-Gokcumen, G. Ekin, Pfeifer, Blaine A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 24.04.2020; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological Sciences; Biotechnology; Metabolic Engineering; Metabolic Engineering; Biological Sciences; Biotechnology
• ISSN: 2589-0042; 2589-0042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101016

Siderophores are small molecule metal chelators secreted in sparse quantities by their native microbial hosts but can be engineered for enhanced production from heterologous hosts like Escherichia coli. These molecules have been proved to be capable of binding heavy metals of commercial and/or environmental interest. In this work, we incorporated, as needed, the appropriate pathways required to produce several siderophores (anguibactin, vibriobactin, bacillibactin, pyoverdine, and enterobactin) into the base E. coli K-12 MG1655 metabolic network model to computationally predict, via flux balance analysis methodologies, gene knockout targets, gene over-expression targets, and media modifications capable of improving siderophore reaction flux. E. coli metabolism proved supportive for the underlying production mechanisms of various siderophores. Within such a framework, the gene deletion and over-expression targets identified, coupled with complementary insights from medium optimization predictions, portend experimental implementation to both enable and improve heterologous siderophore production. Successful production of siderophores would then spur novel metal-binding applications. [Display omitted] •Metabolic modeling for siderophore heterologous production through E. coli•Gene deletion and over-expression targets for five siderophore compounds•Flux balance analysis and Plackett-Burman combination for media optimization•Predicted improvements for latter implementation and siderophore application Biological Sciences; Metabolic Engineering; Biotechnology