Kinetic modeling of riboflavin biosynthesis in Bacillus subtilis under production conditions

Biotechnol Lett. 2014 May;36(5):919-28. doi: 10.1007/s10529-013-1435-8. Epub 2014 Jan 18.

Abstract

To study the network dynamics of the riboflavin biosynthesis pathway and to identify potential bottlenecks in the system, an ordinary differential equation-based model was constructed using available literature data for production strains. The results confirmed that the RibA protein is rate limiting in the pathway. Under the conditions investigated, we determined a potential limiting order of the remaining enzymes under increased RibA concentration (>0.102 mM) and therefore higher riboflavin production (>0.045 mmol g(CDW)(-1) h(-1) and 0.0035 mM s(-1), respectively). The reductase activity of RibG and lumazine synthase (RibH) might be the next most limiting steps. The computational minimization of the enzyme concentrations of the pathway suggested the need for a greater RibH concentration (0.251 mM) compared with the other enzymes (RibG: 0.188 mM, RibB: 0.023 mM).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacillus subtilis / metabolism*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Kinetics
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways
  • Models, Biological*
  • Riboflavin / biosynthesis*
  • Riboflavin / chemistry
  • Riboflavin / metabolism

Substances

  • Riboflavin