Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026

06:24
Generic Protocol for Optimization of Heterologous Protein Production Using Automated Microbioreactor Technology
Published on: December 15, 2017
Ornithine cyclodeaminase-based proline production by Corynebacterium glutamicum
Jaide Vold Korgaard Jensen1, Volker Fritz Wendisch
1Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology & CeBiTec, University of Bielefeld, Universitätsstrasse 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany.
Microbial Cell Factories
|June 29, 2013
Summary
This study engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum to produce L-proline, an amino acid. By introducing a specific enzyme, researchers successfully expanded the bacterium
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Metabolic Engineering
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Corynebacterium glutamicum is a versatile soil bacterium known for glutamate production.
- Proline biosynthesis can occur via glutamate or ornithine pathways.
- An ornithine-overproducing strain (ORN1) was previously developed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer the ORN1 strain for L-proline production.
- To investigate the efficacy of heterologous ornithine cyclodeaminase (ocd) expression.
- To enhance proline yields through metabolic engineering.
Main Methods:
- Heterologous expression of ocd from Pseudomonas putida in C. glutamicum ORN1.
- Overexpression of a feedback-alleviated N-acetylglutamate kinase.
- Fermentation and analysis of proline production and by-products.
Main Results:
- Plasmid-based expression of C. glutamicum ocd did not yield proline.
- Expression of P. putida ocd resulted in proline production (0.31 g/g glucose).
- Enhanced proline yield (0.36 g/g glucose) and reduced by-products via feedback-alleviation.
Conclusions:
- The product spectrum of C. glutamicum ORN1 was successfully expanded to include L-proline.
- This engineering approach demonstrates potential for industrial amino acid production.
- Further development could enable production of glutamate family amino acids and diamines.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways
Amino acid biosynthesis is essential for cell growth, protein synthesis, and metabolic regulation. Cells generate essential and non-essential amino acids from metabolic intermediates to sustain vital biological functions. These intermediates originate from key metabolic pathways: glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and the pentose phosphate pathway. Important precursors include α-ketoglutarate, pyruvate, oxaloacetate, phosphoenolpyruvate, and erythrose-4-phosphate, which provide...
Amino Acid Catabolism
Microorganisms rely on proteins as an essential carbon and energy source, particularly in environments with limited polysaccharides or lipids. However, proteins are too large to cross the plasma membrane unaided, necessitating enzymatic degradation. Microbes secrete extracellular proteases and peptidases that hydrolyze proteins into peptides, which can then be transported across the membrane. Once inside the cell, intracellular proteases degrade these peptides into free amino acids, which...
Production of Pharmaceuticals
Industrial insulin production uses genetically engineered E. coli expressing a proinsulin gene controlled by a tryptophan promoter and containing a methionine linker for later cleavage. The cells also carry ampicillin resistance for selective growth. Seed cultures are stored at −80 °C and production begins by thawing a small amount to inoculate starter cultures, which are progressively scaled to a 50,000-L bioreactor. In the bioreactor, E. coli grow in nutrient-rich media under sterile, tightly...
Urea Cycle
The urea cycle describes how liver cells convert ammonia to urea. Ammonia is a toxic waste product of protein catabolism. Land animals must convert ammonia into the less toxic urea which can be safely eliminated by the kidneys through urine. Marine animals excrete ammonia directly, and the surrounding water dilutes the ammonia to safe levels.
Peptidoglycan Synthesis
Structure of PeptidoglycanPeptidoglycan is a vital structural component of the bacterial cell wall, providing mechanical strength and shape to the cell. It consists of repeating units of two sugars—N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM)—linked by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds. These sugar chains are cross-linked by short peptide chains, forming a mesh-like polymer that surrounds the bacterial plasma membrane.Cytoplasmic Phase – Precursor SynthesisPeptidoglycan biosynthesis begins in...
Biosynthesis in Bacteria
Biosynthesis in bacteria is a fundamental anabolic process that generates essential macromolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and polysaccharides. These macromolecules are critical for cellular growth, replication, and function. The process is tightly regulated and energetically linked to catabolic pathways to ensure optimal resource utilization.Biosynthetic pathways begin with precursor metabolites such as pyruvate, acetyl-CoA, and glucose-6-phosphate derived from glycolysis,...

