Synthetic Biology Toolbox and Chassis Development in Bacillus subtilis

• Published in: Trends in biotechnology (Regular ed.) Vol. 37; no. 5; pp. 548 - 562
• Main Authors: Liu, Yanfeng, Liu, Long, Li, Jianghua, Du, Guocheng, Chen, Jian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2019; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Bacillus subtilis; Bacillus subtilis - genetics; Bacillus subtilis - metabolism; Bacillus subtilis - physiology; Binding sites; Biology; Biotechnology; Carbon; cell factories; Chassis; chassis cells; Chromosomes; E coli; Enzymes; Ethanol; gene editing; Gene expression; Gene loci; Gene sequencing; Genetic engineering; genome; Genome editing; Genome, Bacterial; Genomes; Gram-positive bacteria; Library collections; Lignocellulose; Metabolic Engineering; Metabolism; Microorganisms; Plasmids; Proteins; Synthetic biology; Synthetic Biology - methods; synthetic biology toolboxes; chassis cells; metabolic engineering; Bacillus subtilis; synthetic biology toolboxes; cell factories
• ISSN: 0167-7799; 1879-3096; 1879-3096
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2018.10.005

Based on technical advances in the sequencing and synthesis of genetic components as well as the genome, significant progress has recently been made in developing synthetic biology toolboxes and chassis for the model Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. In this review, we discuss recently developed synthetic biology toolboxes, including gene expression toolsets and genome editing tools. Next, advances in the B. subtilis chassis and its applications are discussed in comparison to those of other model microorganisms. Finally, future directions for the integrative use of B. subtilis synthetic biology tools and the development of an advanced chassis for efficient biomanufacturing are discussed. These factors are expected to become a major driving force for facilitating biotechnological applications of B. subtilis. Recent development of synthetic biology toolboxes for B. subtilis, including gene expression regulatory toolboxes and genome-wide editing tools, provides powerful tools for precise gene expression control and efficient genome editing. Advances of B. subtilis chassis and their applications help to understand fundamental cellular processes and techniques for improving production of biomolecules or heterologous enzymes. Comparing B. subtilis chassis development with E. coli and S. cerevisiae chassis may provide potential directions for B. subtilis chassis construction.