Biocatalysis on the surface of Escherichia coli: melanin pigmentation of the cell exterior.

ABSTRACT: Today, it is considered state-of-the-art to engineer living organisms for various biotechnology applications. Even though this has led to numerous scientific breakthroughs, the enclosed interior of bacterial cells still restricts interactions with enzymes, pathways and products due to the mass-transfer barrier formed by the cell envelope. To promote accessibility, we propose engineering of biocatalytic reactions and subsequent product deposition directly on the bacterial surface. As a proof-of-concept, we used the AIDA autotransporter vehicle for Escherichia coli surface expression of tyrosinase and fully oxidized externally added tyrosine to the biopolymer melanin. This resulted in a color change and creation of a black cell exterior. The capture of ninety percent of a pharmaceutical wast

SUBMITTER: Gustavsson M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5080590 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature