Clostridium autoethanogenum alters cofactor synthesis, redox metabolism, and lysine-acetylation in response to elevated H:CO feedstock ratios for enhancing carbon capture efficiency.

Background: Clostridium autoethanogenum is an acetogenic bacterium that autotrophically converts carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO) gases into bioproducts and fuels via the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway (WLP). To facilitate overall carbon capture efficiency, the reaction stoichiometry requires supplementation of hydrogen at an increased ratio of H:CO to maximize CO utilization; however, the molecular details and thus the ability to understand the mechanism of this supplementation are largely unknown.

Results: In order to elucidate the microbial physiology and fermentation where at least 75% of the carbon in ethanol comes from CO, we established controlled chemostats that facilitated a novel and high (11:1) H:CO uptake ratio.

Proteomes reveal metabolic capabilities of for biological upcycling of polyethylene into high-value chemicals.

Sustainable processes for biological upcycling of plastic wastes in a circular bioeconomy are needed to promote decarbonization and reduce environmental pollution due to increased plastic consumption, incineration, and landfill storage. Strain characterization and proteomic analysis revealed the robust metabolic capabilities of to upcycle polyethylene into high-value chemicals. Significant proteome reallocation toward energy and lipid metabolisms was required for robust growth on hydrocarbons with n-hexadecane as the preferential substrate.

A glimpse into the fungal metabolomic abyss: Novel network analysis reveals relationships between exogenous compounds and their outputs.

Fungal specialized metabolites are a major source of beneficial compounds that are routinely isolated, characterized, and manufactured as pharmaceuticals, agrochemical agents, and industrial chemicals. The production of these metabolites is encoded by biosynthetic gene clusters that are often silent under standard growth conditions. There are limited resources for characterizing the direct link between abiotic stimuli and metabolite production.

LaeA-Regulated Fungal Traits Mediate Bacterial Community Assembly.

Potent antimicrobial metabolites are produced by filamentous fungi in pure culture, but their ecological functions in nature are often unknown. Using an antibacterial isolate and a cheese rind microbial community, we demonstrate that a fungal specialized metabolite can regulate the diversity of bacterial communities. Inactivation of the global regulator, LaeA, resulted in the loss of antibacterial activity in the isolate.