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Engineering Corynebacterium glutamicum cell factory for producing biochemicals
Kai Li1, Meng-Lin Sun1, Bing Yuan1
1State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
Biodesign Research
|December 19, 2025
Summary
Corynebacterium glutamicum is engineered as a cell factory for producing amino acids and other biochemicals. Advances enable broader substrate use and overcome challenges with non-model feedstocks.
Area of Science:
- Industrial Microbiology
- Metabolic Engineering
- Synthetic Biology
Background:
- Corynebacterium glutamicum is a key industrial microorganism with a long history in amino acid production.
- Recent advances in metabolic engineering have established it as a versatile cell factory chassis.
- This review focuses on engineering C. glutamicum for diverse biochemical synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review progress in metabolic engineering of Corynebacterium glutamicum.
- To highlight its application as a cell factory for various products.
- To discuss challenges and future directions for non-model feedstock utilization.
Main Methods:
- Metabolic engineering strategies to broaden substrate spectrum.
- Development of C. glutamicum as a cell factory for amino acids, organic acids, and terpenoids.
- Analysis of challenges in utilizing non-model feedstocks.
Main Results:
- Engineered C. glutamicum can utilize lignocellulosic sugars, glycerol, and one-carbon compounds.
- Successful production of bulk, branched-chain, and aromatic amino acids.
- Production of organic acids (succinic, lactic, shikimic acid) and terpenoids demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- Corynebacterium glutamicum is a highly adaptable chassis for producing a wide range of valuable compounds.
- Engineering efforts are expanding its capabilities with non-model feedstocks.
- Future research should address stress tolerance and multifunctional cell factory design for sustainable biochemical production.
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