A Modular In Vitro Platform for the Production of Terpenes and Polyketides from CO.

A long-term goal in realizing a sustainable biocatalysis and organic synthesis is the direct use of the greenhouse gas CO as feedstock for the production of bulk and fine chemicals, such as pharmaceuticals, fragrances and food additives. Here we developed a modular in vitro platform for the continuous conversion of CO into complex multi-carbon compounds, such as monoterpenes (C ), sesquiterpenes (C ) and polyketides. Combining natural and synthetic metabolic pathway modules, we established a route from CO into the key intermediates acetyl- and malonyl-CoA, which can be subsequently diversified through the action of different terpene and polyketide synthases.

A Bifunctional UDP-Sugar 4-Epimerase Supports Biosynthesis of Multiple Cell Surface Polysaccharides in Sinorhizobium meliloti.

produces multiple extracellular glycans, including among others, lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and the exopolysaccharides (EPS) succinoglycan (SG) and galactoglucan (GG). These polysaccharides serve cell protective roles. Furthermore, SG and GG promote the interaction of with its host in root nodule symbiosis.