IP Library Granted Patent US 7,326,557
Granted Patent B2
US 7,326,557 · App. 10/987,265 · Granted Feb 5, 2008

Increasing intracellular NADPH availability in

Assignee: Rice University
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,326,557
App. No.
10/987,265
Granted
Feb 5, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of increasing cellular NADPH levels by expressing one or more genes that encode a enzyme that causes the production of NADPH. The system can be combined with other enzymes that require NADPH, thus improving the overall production of the desired protein.

Claims (19)

1. A method of increasing the NADPH levels in a bacterial cell, comprising

a) providing a bacterial host cell,

b) transforming the host cell with an expression vector encoding a pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase that catalyzes the following reaction:

and,

c) transforming the host cell with one or more genes that encode at least one enzyme that uses NADPH as a cofactor,

wherein the bacterial host cell produces at least 50% more NADPH after transformation than it did prior to transformation.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one enzyme is overexpressed.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein at least one enzyme is selected from the group consisting of formate dehydrogenase, glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase, mannitol dehydrogenase, erythritol-4-phosphate dehydrogenase, glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) and NADPH forming glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the host cell is E. coli.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the genes are the PHB operon.

6. A genetically engineered cell that produces more NADPH than the same cell prior to genetic engineering, wherein said cell comprises one or two expression vectors encoding:

a) a pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase; and

b) phb operon including β-ketothiolase, acetoacetyl-CoA reductase and PHB synthase, wherein said cell increases NADPH production as measured by increased PHB synthesis.

7. The genetically engineered cell of claim 6 , that produces at least 50% more NADPH than the same cell prior to genetic engineering.

8. The genetically engineered cell of claim 6 , that produces at least 75% more NADPH than the same cell prior to genetic engineering.

9. The genetically engineered cell of claim 8 , that is a bacterial cell.

10. The genetically engineered cell of claim 9 , additionally comprising an enzyme selected from the group consisting of formate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, mannitol dehydrogenase, erythritol-4-phosphate dehydrogenase, and glucose dehydrogenase, wherein the enzyme is overexpressed.

11. The genetically engineered cell of claim 6 , comprising an E. coli cell that overexpresses pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase.

12. A genetically engineered bacterial cell, comprising overexpression of pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase so that at least 50% more NADPH is expressed in said cell as compared with the same cell prior to genetic engineering; and overexpression of one or more genes that encode at least one enzyme that uses NADPH as a cofactor.

Assignments (2)
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded May 9, 2012
From: RICE UNIVERSITY
To: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Reel/Frame 028184/0916 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 26, 2005
From: SAN, KA-YIU; BENNETT, GEORGE N.; SANCHEZ, ALLEN
To: RICE UNIVERSITY
Reel/Frame 016322/0901 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 6052054000 · Nov 14, 2003
Related Publication 20050196866A1 · Sep 8, 2005