A distinct class of ferredoxin:NADP⁺ oxidoreductase enzymes driving thermophilic ethanol production.

ABSTRACT: Biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass offers a transformative solution to reduce global fossil fuel dependency. Certain thermophilic anaerobes, including Clostridium thermocellum, show promise for renewable ethanol production due to their ability to break down plant material at high temperatures. However, achieving commercially viable ethanol yields has proven challenging despite extensive engineering efforts. Here, we characterized 27 ferredoxin:NADP⁺ oxidoreductase (Fnor) enzymes for their enzyme activity, nicotinamide cofactor specificity, thermotolerance, and functional expression in C. thermocellum. We identified a subset of 10 of these enzymes as a novel class of Fnor enzymes suited for metabolic pathways aimed at high-titer ethanol production. When expressed in

SUBMITTER: Huang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12221290 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature