Manipulation of Ralstonia eutropha carbon storage pathways to produce useful bio-based products

Subcell Biochem. 2012:64:343-66. doi: 10.1007/978-94-007-5055-5_17.

Abstract

Ralstonia eutrophais a Gram-negative betaproteobacterium found natively in soils that can utilize a wide array of carbon sources for growth, and can store carbon intracellularly in the form of polyhydroxyalkanoate. Many aspects of R. eutrophamake it a good candidate for use in biotechnological production of polyhydroxyalkanoate and other bio-based, value added compounds. Manipulation of the organism's carbon flux is a cornerstone to success in developing it as a biotechnologically relevant organism. Here, we examine the methods of controlling and adapting the flow of carbon in R. eutrophametabolism and the wide range of compounds that can be synthesized as a result. The presence of many different carbon utilization pathways and the custom genetic toolkit for manipulation of those pathways gives R. eutrophaa versatility that allows it to be a biotechnologically important organism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biological Products / metabolism*
  • Biotechnology
  • Carbon / metabolism*
  • Cupriavidus necator / genetics*
  • Cupriavidus necator / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Genetic Engineering / methods*
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways / genetics
  • Polyhydroxyalkanoates / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Biological Products
  • Polyhydroxyalkanoates
  • Carbon