Advertisement

If you have an ACS member number, please enter it here so we can link this account to your membership. (optional)

ACS values your privacy. By submitting your information, you are gaining access to C&EN and subscribing to our weekly newsletter. We use the information you provide to make your reading experience better, and we will never sell your data to third party members.

ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCES TO C&EN

Biological Chemistry

Details Emerge On Alkane Biosynthesis

LS9 scientists identify the genes and enzymes that certain bacteria use to convert fatty acids to alkanes and alkenes

by Stephen K. Ritter
August 2, 2010 | A version of this story appeared in Volume 88, Issue 31

Scientists at biotechnology firm LS9, based in South San Francisco, have pinpointed the genes and enzymes that certain bacteria use to convert intermediates of fatty acid metabolism to alkanes and alkenes (Science 2010, 329, 559). Discovery of these previously elusive genes and the enzymes they express provides a better understanding of the alkane biosynthetic pathway and should aid scale-up of microbial production of biofuels and chemicals. Bacteria build fatty acid chains using fatty acid synthase and other enzymes to add hydrocarbon units to an acyl moiety attached to acyl carrier protein (ACP). LS9’s commercial technology involves genetic alterations of the industrial workhorse bacterium Escherichia coli that selectively divert the end product of this biosynthesis, fatty acyl ACP, to alkanes, al­kenes, fatty alcohols, or fatty esters that are secreted by the bacterial cells (C&EN, June 28, page 9). LS9’s Andreas Schirmer and coworkers describe a genomic analysis of cyanobacteria leading to identification of two genes responsible for alkane biosynthesis. When the recombinant genes encoding acyl ACP reductase and aldehyde decarbonylase enzymes were overexpressed, E. coli produced C13 to C17 alkanes and alkenes.

Article:

This article has been sent to the following recipient:

0 /1 FREE ARTICLES LEFT THIS MONTH Remaining
Chemistry matters. Join us to get the news you need.