Engineering Nitrogenases for Synthetic Nitrogen Fixation: From Pathway Engineering to Directed Evolution
Emily M Bennett1, James W Murray1, Mark Isalan1
1Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
Biodesign Research
|October 18, 2023
Summary
Harnessing nitrogenase enzymes for crop growth offers a sustainable alternative to industrial nitrogen fertilizers. This research explores engineering these enzymes in plants and microbes to reduce pollution and improve agriculture.
Area of Science:
- Synthetic biology
- Biotechnology
- Agricultural science
Background:
- Agriculture relies heavily on industrial nitrogen fertilizers for crop yield.
- Fertilizer production is energy-intensive and causes environmental nitrogen pollution.
- Nitrogenases, enzymes converting atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia, offer a sustainable alternative.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in engineering nitrogenase enzymes for heterologous hosts.
- To explore strategies for improving nitrogenase activity and oxygen tolerance.
- To investigate the potential for synthetic symbiotic relationships between engineered microbes and crops.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on nitrogenase gene expression and function.
- Analysis of strategies for heterologous expression in plants and bacteria.
- Examination of approaches to enhance enzyme activity and oxygen tolerance.
Main Results:
- Understanding the functional requirements for nitrogenase expression is crucial.
- Engineering nitrogenase expression in heterologous hosts shows promise for improved activity.
- Strategies for enhancing oxygen tolerance are key to practical application.
Conclusions:
- Engineering nitrogenases presents a viable strategy to reduce reliance on industrial fertilizers.
- Further research into optimizing nitrogenase function and oxygen tolerance is needed.
- Synthetic biology approaches hold potential for developing sustainable agricultural practices.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation
22
Nitrogen is an essential element in biological systems, forming a crucial component of proteins, nucleic acids, and other cellular constituents. Many bacteria and archaea acquire nitrogen in the form of nitrate (NO₃⁻) or ammonia (NH₃), which are then assimilated into biomolecules through specific enzymatic pathways.Assimilatory Nitrate ReductionWhen nitrate enters the cell, it undergoes a two-step reduction process known as assimilatory nitrate reduction. Initially, the enzyme...
22
01:20Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism
8.1K
Nitrogen is a very important element for life because it is a major constituent of proteins and nucleic acids. It is a macronutrient, and in nature, it is recycled from organic compounds and stored in the form of ammonia, ammonium ions, nitrate, nitrite, or nitrogen gas by many metabolic processes. Many of these metabolic processes are carried out only by prokaryotes.
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this...
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this...
8.1K
02:55Synthetic Biology
4.8K
Synthetic biology is an interdisciplinary science that involves using principles from disciplines such as engineering, molecular biology, cell biology, and systems biology. It involves remodeling existing organisms from nature or constructing completely new synthetic organisms for applications such as protein or enzyme production, bioremediation, value-added macromolecule production, and the addition of desirable traits to crops, to name a few.
Golden rice
Golden rice is a genetically modified...
Golden rice
Golden rice is a genetically modified...
4.8K
01:28Carbon-dioxide Fixation
19
Carbon dioxide fixation in prokaryotes enables the assimilation of inorganic carbon into organic molecules, supporting biosynthetic pathways, sustaining ecosystems, and contributing to the global carbon cycle. It also has industrial applications in carbon capture and bioproduct synthesis. Autotrophic organisms rely on this process to utilize CO₂ as a carbon source in diverse environments.The Calvin CycleThe Calvin cycle is the most widespread carbon fixation mechanism, primarily used by...
19
01:29Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways
18
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...
18
01:24Biosynthesis in Bacteria
21
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,...
21