Post-Transcriptional Control in the Regulation of Polyhydroxyalkanoates Synthesis

Abstract

The large production of non-degradable petrol-based plastics has become a major global issue due to its environmental pollution. Biopolymers produced by microorganisms such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are gaining potential as a sustainable alternative, but the high cost associated with their industrial production has been a limiting factor. Post-transcriptional regulation is a key step to control gene expression in changing environments and has been reported to play a major role in numerous cellular processes. However, limited reports are available concerning the regulation of PHA accumulation in bacteria, and many essential regulatory factors still need to be identified. Here, we review studies where the synthesis of PHA has been reported to be regulated at the post-transcriptional level, and we analyze the RNA-mediated networks involved. Finally, we discuss the forthcoming research on riboregulation, synthetic, and metabolic engineering which could lead to improved strategies for PHAs synthesis in industrial production, thereby reducing the costs currently associated with this procedure.

A Polyhydroxyalkanoates-Based Carrier Platform of Bioactive Substances for Therapeutic Applications

“…However, the rapid development of synthetic biology enables efficient microbial cell factory engineering to create more pathways for non-PHB synthesis, resulting in various types of PHA production with tunable material properties, for instance homopolymers, random- and block-copolymers containing different monomer structures ( Chen et al, 2016 ; Peregrina et al, 2021 ; Zhang et al, 2020 ), significantly expanding the diversity and availability of PHA. According to the carbon-atom number of monomers, PHA can be divided into two categories, namely short-chain length (SCL) PHA generally containing 3-5 carbon atoms (C3-C5), such as 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB), 4-hydroxybutyrate (4HB), 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV), 3-hydroxypropoinate (3HP), etc., and medium/long-chain length (M/LCL) PHA with over 5 carbon atoms (≥C6) ( Choi et al, 2020b ; Meng et al, 2014 ; Zhang et al, 2018b ).…”

A bibliometric landscape of polyhydroxyalkanoates production from low-cost substrates by Cupriavidus necator and its perspectives for the Latin American bioeconomy

“…Furthermore, bibliometric analysis can be used to find innovative information that explains/supports recent trends in new processes or applications. In the case of PHA production, some systematic reviews are available on specific topics such as genetic engineering tools for PHA production using inexpensive carbon sources for potential large-scale applications [32], continuous cultivation processes for PHA production [33], carbon waste streams from (agro) industrial for a cost-effective and sustainable PHA production [34], regulation of PHA synthesis [35], volatile fatty acids as carbons sources for PHA production [36], lignocellulosic feedstocks for PHA production [37], rapid quantification of intracellular PHA [38], among others. However, bibliometric research analysis of studies on PHA production is still lacking.…”

Production and Characterization of Biopolymer from Food Waste Using Pseudomonas putida

“…Techniques such as genome editing have been used to enhance carbon flux into PHA biosynthesis pathways and inhibit PHA depolymerase activity, resulting in higher PHA yields. 6,9,10 These combined strategies of process optimization and genetic engineering hold great promise for improving the commercial viability of PHA production. However, despite their renewable nature and promising features, PHAs still only make up a small portion of the worldwide biopolymer market due to high production costs.…”