APPLICATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY:
Bio-derived platform chemicals for use in
- Pharmaceuticals
- Cosmetics and fragrances
- Fuels
ADVANTAGES:
- Lower cost, bio-based pathway to high value chemicals
- Reduction of intermediates within the terpene biosynthesis pathway
- Production of higher quantity of farnesyl acetate
ABSTRACT:
Researchers at Berkeley Lab’s Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) have developed geranylgeranyl reductases (GGRs) from various organisms that can reduce multiple products. This technology expands the options available to metabolically engineer terpene-based products of high value at reduced cost in common microbial hosts.
As described in the researchers’ publication, linked below, 31 putative GGRs were selected to test for potential reductase activity in vitro on farnesyl pyrophosphate, geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, farnesol (FOH), and geranylgeraniol (GGOH). Several novel GGRs were discovered the exhibited significant activity toward various polyprenyl substrates under mild conditions (i.e., pH 7.4, T = 37 °C), including the discovery of a novel bacterial GGR isolated from Streptomyces coelicolor. In addition, the team uncovered new mechanistic insights within several GGR variants, including GGR-mediated phosphatase activity toward polyprenyl pyrophosphates and the first demonstration of completely hydrogenated GGOH and FOH substrates.
Very few GGRs have been demonstrated to reduce intermediates within the terpene biosynthesis pathway. In addition to reduction activity, the Lab demonstrated that GGR can perform dephosphorylation, and can also generate farnesyl acetate in the presence of acetyl-CoA.
DEVELOPMENT STAGE: Proven principle.
STATUS: Patent pending. Available for licensing or collaborative research.
SEE THESE OTHER BERKELEY LAB TECHNOLOGIES IN THIS FIELD:
Improving Long Term Storage of Biofuels with Structure-based Engineering of Geranylgeranyl Reductases, EIB-2867
Unique Isoprenoid-like Compounds (Carbon Numbers Not in Multiples of Five), 2014-119
Engineered Biosynthesis of Alternative Biodiesel Fuel in E. Coli and Yeast, EIC-2391