Abstract
BackgroundCO2 valorization is one of the effective methods to solve current environmental and energy problems, in which microbial electrosynthesis (MES) system has proved feasible and efficient. Cupriviadus necator (Ralstonia eutropha) H16, a model chemolithoautotroph, is a microbe of choice for CO2 conversion, especially with the ability to be employed in MES due to the presence of genes encoding [NiFe]-hydrogenases and all the Calvin–Benson–Basham cycle enzymes. The CO2 valorization strategy will make sense because the required hydrogen can be produced from renewable electricity independently of fossil fuels.Main bodyIn this review, synthetic biology toolkit for C. necator H16, including genetic engineering vectors, heterologous gene expression elements, platform strain and genome engineering, and transformation strategies, is firstly summarized. Then, the review discusses how to apply these tools to make C. necator H16 an efficient cell factory for converting CO2 to value-added products, with the examples of alcohols, fatty acids, and terpenoids. The review is concluded with the limitation of current genetic tools and perspectives on the development of more efficient and convenient methods as well as the extensive applications of C. necator H16.ConclusionsGreat progress has been made on genetic engineering toolkit and synthetic biology applications of C. necator H16. Nevertheless, more efforts are expected in the near future to engineer C. necator H16 as efficient cell factories for the conversion of CO2 to value-added products.
Highlights
CO2 valorization is one of the effective methods to solve current environmental and energy problems, in which microbial electrosynthesis (MES) system has proved feasible and efficient
Great progress has been made on genetic engineering toolkit and synthetic biology applications of C. necator H16
This review summarizes genetic tools for C. necator from four perspectives: genetic engineering vectors, heterologous gene expression elements, platform strain and genome engineering, and transformation methods
Summary
This review summarizes genetic tools for C. necator from four perspectives: genetic engineering vectors, heterologous gene expression elements, platform strain and genome engineering, and transformation methods. Many efforts have been devoted to expanding the toolkit, there remains an urgent need for more advanced methods, especially the CRISPR-based genome editing and gene regulation tools, e.g., CRISPRi [178] and base editor [179], to facilitate more complex metabolic engineering applications. This review summarizes the value-added products converted from C O2 in C. necator, including alcohols, fatty acids, and terpenoids. In addition to CO2 conversion, C. necator has been expanded for applications in new areas. Due to our limited knowledge of such a non-model microorganism, more efforts should be devoted to making C. necator as efficient cell factories for the conversion of CO2 to value-added products
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