Structure-guided engineering of α-ketoisocaproate dioxygenase increases isobutene production in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.

ABSTRACT: Isobutene is a promising precursor for jet fuel due to its high energy density and favorable combustion properties. Light-driven bioproduction of isobutene has recently been investigated as an alternative strategy to crude oil refinement or fermentation-based manufacturing processes by harnessing the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and the α-ketoisocaproate dioxygenase (RnKICD) from Rattus norvegicus. However, the obtained production level was not sufficient, partially due to the promiscuous activity of RnKICD. The enzyme catalyzes both the reaction with ρ-hydroxyphenylpyruvate (HPP) for homogentisate formation, as well as the reaction with α-ketoisocaproate (KIC), the precursor for isobutene synthesis. Here, to overcome this bottleneck step in the isobutene biosynthe

SUBMITTER: Schumann C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12020224 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature