3-Hydroxypropionaldehyde: applications and perspectives of biotechnological production

3-Hydroxypropionaldehyde (3-HPA) forms, together with HPA-hydrate and HPA-dimer, a dynamic, multi-component system (HPA system) used in food preservation, as a precursor for many modern chemicals such as acrolein, acrylic acid, and 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO), and for polymer production. 3-HPA can be obtained both through traditional chemistry and bacterial fermentation. To date, 3-HPA has been produced from petrochemical resources as an intermediate in 1,3-PDO production. In vivo, glycerol is converted in one enzymatic step into 3-HPA. The 3-HPA-producing Lactobacillus reuteri is used as a probiotic in the health care of humans and animals. The biotechnological production of 3-HPA from renewable resources is desirable both for use of 3-HPA in foods and for the production of bulk chemicals. The main challenge will be the efficient production and recovery of pure 3-HPA.     

Production and stability of 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde in Lactobacillus reuteri

3-Hydroxypropionaldehyde (3-HPA) is considered as a potent antimicrobial substance. Exploration of its application as a food preservative or as a therapeutic auxiliary agent has been documented in the literature. In the present work, factors that may impact on 3-HPA accumulation by Lactobacillus reuteri and on the stability of 3-HPA were investigated. Three media - H(2)O, milk and MRS broth - were chosen as test systems. Data indicated that 3-HPA accumulation in resting cells of L. reuteri in a two-step fermentation is greatly affected by temperature, pH, cell age and biomass as well as components in the test system. Within 2 h of incubation, 170 mM 3-HPA could be produced with a cell dry weight of 30 g/l, representing 85% of the glycerol supplied (200 mM) in H(2)O. The presence of glycerol during cell growth increased the productivity of 3-HPA by resting cells. In general, 3-HPA is much more stable in H(2)O than in milk and MRS. Factors that enhanced accumulation of 3-HPA did not simply show the same positive impact on the stability of 3-HPA. Thus, for defined applications, factors affecting production and stability of 3-HPA should be evaluated separately.     

Effect of glucose on glycerol bioconversion by Lactobacillus reuteri

The impact of glucose on glycerol metabolism, especially on 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde (3-HPA) accumulation by resting cells of Lactobacillus reuteri has been investigated. Two systems were used in the study: MRS(-) (modified MRS - omitting glucose, acetate and Tween 80) and distilled water (H(2)O). In MRS(-), addition of glucose enhanced glycerol metabolism in resting cells of L. reuteri, consequently increasing the accumulation of 3-HPA by regulating the NAD/NADH ratio. Enhanced glycerol metabolism correlated positively with the concentration of glucose. NADH produced during glucose metabolism was preferentially reoxidized to NAD by the reduction of 3-HPA to 1,3-propanediol; an adequate supply of glycerol therefore outweighed the repression of glucose on the accumulation of 3-HPA. At a molar ratio of glucose to glycerol no greater than 0.33, accumulation of 3-HPA was favored. In non-growing medium (H(2)O), addition of glucose seemed to be counter-productive with respect to 3-HPA accumulation. Lactate had a positive impact on glycerol metabolism, presumably by altering the redox flux, resulting in enhanced 3-HPA accumulation in both MRS(-) and H(2)O systems.     

The reductase of p-hydroxyphenylacetate 3-hydroxylase from Acinetobacter baumannii requires p-hydroxyphenylacetate for effective catalysis

p-Hydroxyphenylacetate (HPA) hydroxylase (HPAH) from Acinetobacter baumannii catalyzes hydroxylation of HPA to form 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate. It is a two-protein system consisting of a smaller reductase component (C(1)) and a larger oxygenase component (C(2)). C(1) is a flavoprotein containing FMN, and its function is to provide reduced flavin for C(2) to hydroxylate HPA. We have shown here that HPA plays important roles in the reaction of C(1). The apoenzyme of C(1) binds to oxidized FMN tightly with a K(d) of 0.006 microM at 4 degrees C, but with a K(d) of 0.038 microM in the presence of HPA. Reduction of C(1) by NADH occurs in two phases with rate constants of 11.6 and 3.1 s(-)(1) and K(d) values for NADH binding of 2.1 and 1.5 mM, respectively. This result indicates that C(1) exists as a mixture of isoforms. However, in the presence of HPA, the reduction of C(1) by NADH occurred in a single phase at 300 s(-)(1) with a K(d) of 25 microM for NADH binding at 4 degrees C. Formation of the C(1)-HPA complex prior to binding of NADH was required for this stimulation. The redox potentials indicate that the rate enhancement is not due to thermodynamics (E degrees (m) of the C(1)-HPA complex is -245 mV compared to an E degrees (m) of C(1) of -236 mV). When the C(1)-HPA complex was reduced by 4(S)-NADH, the reduction rate was changed from 300 to 30 s(-)(1), giving a primary isotope effect of 10 and indicating that C(1) is specifically reduced by the pro-(S)-hydride. In the reaction of reduced C(1) with oxygen, the reoxidation reaction is also biphasic, consistent with reduced C(1) being a mixture of fast and slow reacting species. Rate constants for both phases were the same in the absence and presence of HPA, but in the presence of HPA, the equilibrium shifted toward the faster reacting species.     

Metabolic function and properties of 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid 1-hydroxylase from Pseudomonas acidovorans.

The enzyme 4-hydroxyphenylacetate, NAD(P)H:oxygen oxidoreductase (1-hydroxylating) (EC 1.14.13 ...; 4-hydroxyphenylacetate 1-monooxygenase; referred to here as 4-HPA 1-hydroxylase) was induced in Pseudomonas acidovorans when 4-hydroxyphenylacetate (4-PHA) was utilized as carbon source for growth; homogentisate and maleylacetoacetate were intermediates in the degradation of 4-HPA. A preparation of the hydroxylase that was free from homogentisate dioxygenase and could be stored at 4 C in the presence of dithioerythritol with little loss of activity was obtained by ultracentrifuging cell extracts; but when purified 18-fold by affinity chromatography the enzyme became unstable. Flavin adenine dinucleotide and Mg2+ ions were required for full activity. 4-HPA 1-hydrocylase was inhibited by KCl, which was uncompetitive with 4-HPA. Values of Ki determined for inhibitors competitive with 4-HPA were 17 muM dl-4-hydroxymandelic acid, 43 muM 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, 87 muM 4-hydroxy-3-methylphenylacetic acid, and 440 muM 4-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid. Apparent Km values for substrates of 4-HPA 1-hydroxylase were 31 muM 4-HPA, 67 muM oxygen, 95 muM reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH); AND 250 muM reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). The same maximum velocity was given by NADH and NADPH. A chemical synthesis is described for 2-deutero-4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid. This compound was enzymatically hydroxylated with retention of half the deuterium in the homogentisic acid formed. Activity as substrate or inhibitor of 4-HPA 1-hydroxylase was shown only by those analogues of 4-HPA that possessed a hydroxyl group substituent at C-4 of the benze nucleus. A mechanism is suggested that accounts for this structural requirement and also for the observation that when 4-hydroxyphenoxyacetic acid was attacked by the enzyme, hydroquinone was formed by release of the side chain, probably as glycolic acid. Only one enantiometer of racemic 4-hydroxyhydratropic acid was attacked by 4-HPA 1-hydroxylase; the product, alpha-methylhomogentisic acid (2-(2,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-propionic acid), exhibited optical activity. This observation suggests that, during its shift from C-1 to C-2 of the nucleus, the side chain of the substrate remains bound to a site on the enzyme while a conformational change of the protein permits the necessary movement of the benzene ring.     

Crystal structures of the short-chain flavin reductase HpaC from Sulfolobus tokodaii strain 7 in its three states: NAD(P)(+)(-)free, NAD(+)(-)bound, and NADP(+)(-)bound

4-Hydroxyphenylacetate (4-HPA) is oxidized as an energy source by two component enzymes, the large component (HpaB) and the small component (HpaC). HpaB is a 4-HPA monooxygenase that utilizes FADH(2) supplied by a flavin reductase HpaC. We determined the crystal structure of HpaC (ST0723) from the aerobic thermoacidophilic crenarchaeon Sulfolobus tokodaii strain 7 in its three states [NAD(P)(+)-free, NAD(+)-bound, and NADP(+)-bound]. HpaC exists as a homodimer, and each monomer was found to contain an FMN. HpaC preferred FMN to FAD because there was not enough space to accommodate the AMP moiety of FAD in its flavin-binding site. The most striking difference between the NAD(P)(+)-free and the NAD(+)/NADP(+)-bound structures was observed in the N-terminal helix. The N-terminal helices in the NAD(+)/NADP(+)-bound structures rotated ca. 20 degrees relative to the NAD(P)(+)-free structure. The bound NAD(+) has a compact folded conformation with nearly parallel stacking rings of nicotinamide and adenine. The nicotinamide of NAD(+) stacked the isoalloxazine ring of FMN so that NADH could directly transfer hydride. The bound NADP(+) also had a compact conformation but was bound in a reverse direction, which was not suitable for hydride transfer.     

Periplasmic binding protein-dependent transport systems: the membrane-associated components

Periplasmic binding protein-dependent transport systems are multicomponent, consisting of several inner membrane-associated proteins and a periplasmic component. The membrane-associated components of different systems are related in organization and function suggesting that, despite different substrate specificities, each transport system functions by a common mechanism. Current understanding of these components is reviewed. The nature of energy coupling to periplasmic transport systems has long been debated. Recent data now demonstrate that ATP hydrolysis is the primary source of energy for transport. The ATP-binding transport components are the best characterized of a family of closely related ATP-binding proteins believed to couple ATP hydrolysis to a variety of different biological processes. Intriguingly, systems closely related to periplasmic binding protein-dependent transport systems have recently been identified in several Gram-positive organisms (which lack a periplasm) and in eukaryotic cells. This class of transport system appears to be widespread in nature, serving a variety of important and diverse functions.     

Binding and transport of thiamine by Lactobacillus casei.

The relationship between thiamine transport and a membrane-associated thiamine-binding activity has been investigated in Lactobacillus casei. Thiamine transport proceeds via a system whose general properties are typical of active uptake processes; entry of the vitamin into the cells requires energy, is temperature dependent, exhibits saturation kinetics, and is inhibited by substrate analogs. A considerable concentration gradient of unchanged thiamine can be achieved by the system, although the vitamin is slowly metabolized to thiamine pyrophosphate. Consistent with these results, L. casei also contains a high-affinity, thiamine-binding component which could be measured by incubation of intact cells with labeled substrate at 4 degrees C (conditions under which transport is negligible). Binding was insensitive to iodoacetate, occurred at a level (0.5 nmol per 10(10) cells) nearly 20-fold higher than could be accounted for by facilitated diffusion, and was found to reside in a component of the cell membrane. Participation of this binder in thiamine transport is supported by the observations that the processes of binding and transport showed similarities in their (i) regulation by the concentration of thiamine in the growth medium, (ii) binding affinities for thiamine, and (iii) susceptibility to inhibition by thiamine analogs.     

3-Hydroxypropionaldehyde production from crude glycerol by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus diolivorans</Emphasis> with enhanced glycerol uptake

Background

In their quest for sustainable development and effective management of greenhouse gas emissions, our societies pursue a shift away from fossil-based resources towards renewable resources. With 95% of our current transportation energy being petroleum based, the application of alternative, carbon-neutral products—among them biodiesel—is inevitable. In order to enhance the cost structure of biodiesel biorefineries, the valorization of the crude glycerol waste stream into high-value platform chemicals is of major importance.

Results

The purpose of this study is the production of 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde (3-HPA) from biodiesel-derived crude glycerol by Lactobacillus diolivorans. Particular focus is given on overcoming potential limitations of glycerol transport into the cell, in order to use the cells’ total glycerol dehydratase capability towards the formation of 3-HPA as the main product. Recombinant overexpression of the endogenous glycerol uptake facilitating protein PduF results in a significant increase of glycerol conversion by a factor of 1.3. Concomitantly, glycerol dehydratase activity increased from initially 1.70 ± 0.03 U/mg protein to 2.23 ± 0.11 U/mg protein. With this approach, an average productivity of 4.8 g_3-HPA/(g_CDM h) yielding up to 35.9 g/L 3-HPA and 0.91 mol_3-HPA/mol_Glycerol have been obtained.

Conclusion

Lactobacillus diolivorans proves to be a valuable cell factory for the utilization of crude glycerol delivering high-value C3 chemicals like 3-HPA, 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) and 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP). Enhancing the glycerol influx into the cell by genetic engineering was successful paving the way towards the commercial production of 3-HPA.

     

Further characterization of agmatine binding to mitochondrial membranes: involvement of imidazoline I2 receptor

Agmatine, a divalent diamine with two positive charges at physiological pH, is transported into the matrix of liver mitochondria by an energy-dependent mechanism, the driving force of which is the electrical membrane potential. Its binding to mitochondrial membranes is studied by applying a thermodynamic treatment of ligand-receptor interactions on the analyses of Scatchard and Hill. The presence of two mono-coordinated binding sites S(1) and S(2), with a negative influence of S(2) on S(1), has been demonstrated. The calculated binding energy is characteristic for weak interactions. S(1) exhibits a lower binding capacity and higher binding affinity both of about two orders of magnitude than S(2). Experiments with idazoxan, a ligand of the mitochondrial imidazoline receptor I(2), demonstrate that S(1) site is localized on this receptor while S(2) is localized on the transport system. S(1) would act as a sensor of exogenous agmatine concentration, thus modulating the transport of the amine by its binding to S(2).     

Energy coupling to the transport of inorganic phosphate in Escherichia coli K12.

The nature of the energy source for phosphate transport was studied in strains of Escherichia coli in which either one of the two major systems (PIT, PST) for phosphate transport was present. In the PIT system, phosphate transport is coupled to the proton-motive force. The energy source for the PST system appears to be phosphate-bond energy, as has been found in other systems involving binding proteins. High concentration gradients of phosphate (between 100 and 500) are established by both systems.     

Effects of Mg2+ and ATP on the phosphate transporter of sarcoplasmic reticulum.

The extra uptake of Ca2+ by vesicles of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) observed in the presence of Pi, attributable to transport of Pi by the Pi-transporter, has been studied. It has been shown that the Pi transporter is stimulated by ATP. Single channel conductance measurements have shown that the Cl- channel in the SR membrane is impermeable to Pi. It is suggested that the transporter could be an ion antiporter system. Studies of uptake as a function of pH and Mg2+ concentration suggest that transport of MgHPO4 and H2PO-4 are faster than transport of HPO2-4. For oxalate and pyrophosphate, Mg2+ binding inhibits transport. It is suggested that protonation of lysine residue(s) at the anion binding site increase the rate of transport.     

Transport of gamma-butyrobetaine in an Agrobacterium species isolated from soil.

An Agrobacterium sp. isolated from soil by selective growth on gamma-butyrobetaine (gamma-trimethylaminobutyrate) as the sole source of both carbon and nitrogen has been shown to possess an inducible transport system for this growth substrate. This transport system has a Kt of 0.5 microM and a maximal velocity of 3.8 nmol/min per mg (dry weight). The influx of gamma-butyrobetaine is optimal at pH 8.5 and operates against a concentration gradient. The transport system shows a high specificity for trimethylamine carboxylic acid molecules of defined chain length. gamma-Butyrobetaine uptake was significantly reduced in osmotically shocked cells and a gamma-butyrobetaine binding activity was detected in the crude shock fluid. This suggests a transport mechanism involving a periplasmic gamma-butyrobetaine binding protein.     

Multiplicity of leucine transport systems in Escherichia coli K-12

The major component of leucine uptake in Escherichia coli K-12 is a common system for l-leucine, l-isoleucine, and l-valine (LIV-I) with a Michaelis constant (K(m)) value of 0.2 muM (LIV-I system). The LIV-binding protein appears to be associated with this system. It now appears that the LIV-I transport system and LIV-binding protein also serve for the entry of l-alanine, l-threonine, and possibly l-serine. A minor component of l-leucine entry occurs by a leucine-specific system (L-system) for which a specific leucine-binding protein has been isolated. A mutant has been obtained that shows increased levels of the LIV-I transport activity and increased levels of both of the binding proteins. Another mutant has been isolated that shows only a major increase in the levels of the leucine-specific transport system and the leucine-specific binding protein. A third binding protein that binds all three branched-chain amino acids but binds isoleucine preferentially has been identified. The relationship of the binding proteins to each other and to transport activity is discussed. A second general transport system (LIV-II system) with a K(m) value of 2 muM and a relatively low V(max) can be observed in E. coli. The LIV-II system is not sensitive to osmotic shock treatment nor to growth of cells in the presence of leucine. This high K(m) system, which is specific for the branched-chain amino acids, can be observed in membrane vesicle preparations.     

Phosphorylation of the Periplasmic Binding Protein in Two Transport Systems for Arginine Incorporation in Escherichia coli K-12 Is Unrelated to the Function of the Transport System

In Escherichia coli K-12, the accumulation of arginine is mediated by two distinct periplasmic binding protein-dependent transport systems, one common to arginine and ornithine (AO system) and one for lysine, arginine, and ornithine (LAO system). Each of these systems includes a specific periplasmic binding protein, the AO-binding protein for the AO system and the LAO-binding protein for the LAO system. The two systems include a common inner membrane transport protein which is able to hydrolyze ATP and also phosphorylate the two periplasmic binding proteins. Previously, a mutant resistant to the toxic effects of canavanine, with low levels of transport activities and reduced levels of phosphorylation of the two periplasmic binding proteins, was isolated and characterized (R. T. F. Celis, J. Biol. Chem. 265:1787–1793, 1990). The gene encoding the transport ATPase enzyme (argK) has been cloned and sequenced. The gene possesses an open reading frame with the capacity to encode 268 amino acids (mass of 29.370 Da). The amino acid sequence of the protein includes two short sequence motifs which constitute a well-defined nucleotide-binding fold (Walker sequences A and B) present in the ATP-binding subunits of many transporters. We report here the isolation of canavanine-sensitive derivatives of the previously characterized mutant. We describe the properties of these suppressor mutations in which the transport of arginine, ornithine, and lysine has been restored. In these mutants, the phosphorylation of the AO- and LAO-binding proteins remains at a low level. This information indicates that whereas hydrolysis of ATP by the transport ATPase is an obligatory requirement for the accumulation of these amino acids in E. coli K-12, the phosphorylation of the periplasmic binding protein is not related to the function of the transport system.     

Chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics associated with hydration level in pea cotyledons

In order to study the effects of desiccation on a photosynthetic system, light harvesting and light-induced electron transport processes were examined in pea cotyledons at various moisture levels, using in vivo fluorescence excitation spectra and fluorescence induction kinetics. Water sorption isotherms yielded thermodynamic data that suggested very strong water binding between 4 to 11% water, intermediate sorption between water contents of 13 to 22%, and very weak binding at moisture contents between 24 to 32%. The fluorescence properties of the tissue changed with the moisture contents, and these changes correlated generally with the three regions of water binding. Peak fluorescence and fluorescence yield remained at low levels when water content was limited to the tightly bound regions, below 12%. Several new peaks appeared in the chlorophyll a excitation spectrum and both peak fluorescence and fluorescence yield increased at intermediate water-binding levels (12-22%). At moisture contents where water is weakly bound (>24%), peak fluorescence and fluorescence yield were maximum and the fluorescence excitation spectrum was unchanging with further increases in water content.

The state of water is an important component in the energy transfer and electron transport system. At hydration levels where water is most tightly bound, energy transfer from pigments is limited and electron transport is blocked. At intermediate water binding levels, energy transfer and electron transport increase and, in the region of weak water binding, energy transfer and electron transport are maximized.