Current status and future perspectives of metabolic network models of industrial microorganisms / 生物工程学报

Genome-scale metabolic network model (GSMM) is an extremely important guiding tool in the targeted modification of industrial microbial strains, which helps researchers to quickly obtain industrial microbes with specific traits and has attracted increasing attention. Here we reviewe the development history of GSMM and summarized the construction method of GSMM. Furthermore, the development and application of GSMM in industrial microorganisms are elaborated by using four typical industrial microorganisms (Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium glutamicum, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as examples. In addition, prospects in the development trend of GSMM are proposed.

Preface for special issue on industrial microorganisms: innovation and breakthrough (2021) / 生物工程学报

Industrial microorganisms and their products are widely used in various fields such as industry, agriculture, and medicine, which play a pivotal role in economy. Efficient industrial strains are the key to improve production efficiency, and advanced fermentation technology as well as instrument platform is also important to develop microbial metabolic potential. In recent years, rapid development has been achieved in research of industrial microorganisms. Artificial intelligence, efficient genome-editing and synthetic biology technologies have been increasingly applied, and related industrial applications are being accomplished. In order to promote utilization of industrial microorganisms in biological manufacturing, we organized this special issue on innovation and breakthrough of industrial microorganisms. Progress including microbial strain diversity and metabolism, strain development technology, fermentation process optimization and scale-up, high-throughput droplet culture system, and applications of industrial microorganisms is summarized in this special issue, and prospects on future studies are proposed.

Biosynthesis of some organic acids and lipids in industrially important microorganisms is promoted by pyruvate carboxylases

Pyruvate carboxylase (Pyc) catalyzes formation of oxaloacetic acid from pyruvic acid by fixing one mole of CO2. Manyevidences have confirmed that biosynthesis of some different kinds of organic acids and intracellular and extracellular lipidsis driven by Pyc and over-expression of the PYC gene in the industrial microorganisms can promote production of thedifferent kinds of organic acids and intracellular and extracellular lipids. Therefore, the Pyc from different sources isregarded as a key enzyme in microbial biotechnology and is an important target for metabolic engineering of the industrialmicrobial strains. However, very little is known about the native Pycs and their functions and regulation in the industrialmicroorganisms