Polyprotein strategy for stoichiometric assembly of nitrogen fixation components for synthetic biology

Yang, Jianguo; Xie, Xiaqing; Xiang, Nan; Tian, Zhe-Xian; Dixon, Ray; Wang, Yiping

doi:10.1073/pnas.1804992115

Cited by 63 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…Evolutionary, genomic and mechanistic studies suggest that relatively few genetic components might be needed to confer nitrogen-fixation capabilities. In the case of transferring nitrogenase to plants, the restriction of genetic components required was achieved by concatermerizing bacterial genetic units to create a minimal set of three genes that are necessary for the transfer of nitrogen fixation 133 . Moreover, some components of nitrogenase can be stably expressed in yeast and plants 134 .…”

Section: Technologies To Reduce Fertilizer Usementioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic strategies for improving crop yields

Bailey‐Serres

Parker

Ainsworth

et al. 2019

Nature

1,018

559

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Climatic stress and disease management The increasing frequency of debilitating heatwaves , droughts, torrential rains and other weather extremes experienced across the globe negatively affects agricultural productivity, and is projected to do so 1,13 (Fig. 1). Climatic constraints can occur independently or together (as with heat and aridity), and in either case reduce the level of productivity that is predicted for a well-managed environment (the yield potential).

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Section: Technologies To Reduce Fertilizer Usementioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic strategies for improving crop yields

Bailey‐Serres

Parker

Ainsworth

et al. 2019

Nature

1,018

559

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show abstract

“…Contemporaneous with that report, the Nfixing genes (nif) of Klebsiella pneumoniae had been inserted into Escherichia coli, causing the nonfixing bacterium capable of growing in the absence of combined N (Dixon & Postgate, 1972). Since then, there has been some research and attempts on introducing N fixation in nonfixing plants and transferring nif genes into heterologous hosts (Yang et al, 2018;Good, 2018;Burén, 2018;Allen et al, 2107;Pérez-González, 2017;López-Torrejón, 2016); however, scientists still lack a comprehensive understanding of the composition of the microorganisms that carry out N fixation processes. To better understand N fixation processes and other biological functions that microorganisms provide plants or their hosts, it is first essential to determine why a microorganism or community evolved, why it persists, and what benefits it imparts to the host itself, other organisms, and the community.…”

Section: What Needs To Be Done?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Establishing BARA: Biological Nitrogen Fixation for Future Agriculture

Khan

Koizumi

Olds

2019

Preprint

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The extensive use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers implicates a paradox. While fertilizers ensure the supply of a large amount of food, they cause negative environmental externalities including reduced biodiversity, eutrophic streams, and lakes. Moreover, such fertilizers may also result in a major public health hazard: increased antibiotic resistance. This Perspective discusses a critical role of perturbations in N cycle caused by excessive use of fertilizers and resulting implications as they relate to resistance genes and biodiversity in the biosphere. While there are solutions such as cover crops, these solutions are expensive and inconvenient for farmers. We advocate the use of biological fixation for staple crops-microbiome mediated natural supply of fixed N. This would involve engineering a microbiome that can be grown cheaply and at scale (less expensive than Haber-Bosch fertilizers). We also propose a practical framework of where and how research investments should be directed to make such a solution practical. We make three recommendations for decision makers to facilitate a successful trajectory for this solution. First, that future agricultural science seek to understand how biological fixation might be employed as a practical and efficient strategy. This effort would require that industries and government partner to establish a pre-competitive research laboratory equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technologies that conduct metagenomic experiments to reveal signature microbiomes. Second, the Department of Agriculture and state governments provide research and development (R & D) tax credits to biotech companies specifically geared towards R&D investments aimed at increasing the viability of biological fixation and microbiome engineering. Third, governments and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) coordinate Biological Advanced Research in Agriculture (BARA)-a global agricultural innovation initiative for investments and research in biological fixation and ethical, legal, and social implications of such innovation.

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“…The systemw ith five giant genes showed5 1% nitrogenase activity and supported recombinant E. coli growing in the nitrogen-limited medium. [46] Also, Yang and co-workersd emonstrated that the minimal genes for synthesis of the alternative Fe-dependent nitrogenase in E. coli included the anfHDGK and nifBUSV genes. [47] Recent studies have demonstrated that certain electron-transport chains from plant organelles could functioni ne lectron transfer and provide the reducing equivalents necessary for the activityo fe ither Mo-or Fe-dependent nitrogenase in E. coli.…”

Section: Identifying the Minimal Number Of Nif Genes Required For Nitmentioning

confidence: 99%