Engineering strategies for microbial synthesis, customized modification, and application of hemoglobin

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Biotechnology and Synthetic Biology
• Bioengineering

Background:

• Hemoglobin, a vital protein for oxygen transport and nitric oxide balance, has significant potential in medicine and biotechnology.
• Current limitations include scarce natural sources, difficult heterologous synthesis, and functional constraints hindering widespread application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review challenges and solutions in microbial hemoglobin synthesis.
• To explore engineering strategies for improving hemoglobin stability, function, and application potential.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of hemoglobin's diverse applications and future prospects.

Main Methods:

• Systematic elucidation of engineering strategies to enhance hemoglobin properties (stability, autoxidation, heme-binding, oxygen transport, NO scavenging).
• Emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for customized functional modification.
• Integration of Pareto-optimal and iterative bioengineering, deep learning, and synthetic biology for synthesis and application.

Main Results:

• Identified key engineering strategies to overcome functional restrictions of hemoglobin.
• Demonstrated the utility of AI in tailoring hemoglobin function for specific applications.
• Highlighted a broad spectrum of potential applications, including artificial oxygen carriers, medical treatments, biocatalysis, and agriculture.

Conclusions:

• Microbial hemoglobin synthesis is feasible with advanced bioengineering approaches.
• Engineered hemoglobin mutants and derivatives show promise for expanding applications.
• Integration of cutting-edge technologies will accelerate hemoglobin synthesis and overcome application challenges.