Efficient inducible expression of nitrile hydratase in Corynebacterium glutamicum

Nitrile hydratases are important industrial catalysts to produce valuable amides. In this study, we describe a comprehensive and systematic approach to the development of an inducible expression system for enhanced nitrile hydratase expression in Corynebacterium glutamicum. Through promoter engineering, codon optimization and design of ribosome binding site sequences, the nitrile hydratase activity toward 3-cyanopyridine was improved from 0.33 U/mg DCW to 12.03 U/mg DCW in shake-flask culture. By introduction of the novel inducible mmp expression system, the nitrile hydratase activity was further elevated to 14.97 U/mg DCW. Finally, a high nitrile hydratase yield of 1432 U/mL was achieved in a fed-batch fermentation process and used for nicotinamide production. These results provide new insights for the development of heterologous protein expression systems in C. glutamicum.