IP Library Granted Patent US 8,975,049
Granted Patent B2
US 8,975,049 · App. 12/028,727 · Granted Mar 10, 2015

Biofuel production by recombinant microorganisms

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,975,049
App. No.
12/028,727
Granted
Mar 10, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided herein are metabolically-modified microorganisms useful for producing biofuels. More specifically, provided herein are methods of producing high alcohols including isobutanol, 1-butanol, 1-propanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol and 2-phenylethanol from a suitable substrate.

Claims (29)

1. A recombinant E. coli comprising:

(a) an acetolactate synthase polypeptide having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO:82 and having acetolactate synthase activity;

(b) an acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase polypeptide having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO:44 and having acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase activity;

(c) a dihydroxy-acid dehydratase polypeptide having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO:46 and having dihvdroxv-acid dehydratase activity;

(d) a 2-keto-acid decarboxylase polypeptide having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO:28 and having 2-keto acid decarboxylase activity, wherein the 2-keto-acid decarboxylase can convert α-keto-isovalerate to Isobutyraldehyde; and

(e) a NADH-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO:38 and that converts isobutyraldehyde to isobutanol,

and having a disruption of an endogenous adhE gene, or the endogenous adhE gene and an endogenous IdhA gene; and

wherein the recombinant E. coli produces isobutanol.

2. The recombinant E. coli of claim 1 , wherein said recombinant E. coli produces less than about 240 mg/L of ethanol at about 112 hrs of culture.

3. The recombinant E. coli of claim 1 , wherein said acetolactate synthase polypeptide is AIsS of Bacillus subtilis or a homolog, or variant of AIsS- having at least 98% identity to SEQ ID NO:82 and having acetolactate synthase activity.

4. The recombinant E. coli of claim 1 , wherein said acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase polypeptide is IlvC of E. coli or a homolog, or variant of IlvC having at least 98% identity to SEQ ID NO:44 and having acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase activity.

5. The recombinant E. coli of claim 1 , wherein said dihydroxy-acid dehydratase polypeptide is IlvD of E. coli or a homolog, or variant of IlvD having at least 98% identity to SEQ ID NO:46 and having dihydroxy-acid dehydratase activity.

6. The recombinant E. coli of claim 1 , wherein said 2-keto-acid decarboxylase polypeptide is KivD of Lactococcus lactis or a homolog, or variant of KivD having at least 98% identity to SEQ ID NO:28 and having 2-keto-acid decarboxylase activity.

7. The recombinant E. coli of claim 1 , wherein said_NADH-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase has at least 98% identity to SEQ ID NO:38 and converts Isobutyraldehyde to isobutanol.

8. A recombinant E. coli comprising a genotype for overexpressing:

(a) a naturally occurring bacterial gene encoding an acetolactate synthase or variants of a Bacillus subtilis AlsS having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO:82 and having acetolactate synthase activity;

(b) a naturally occurring bacterial gene encoding an acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase or variants of a E. coli ilvC having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO:44 and having acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase activity;

(c) a naturally occurring bacterial gene encoding a dihydroxy-acid dehydratase or variants of an E. coli ilvD having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO:46 and having dihydroxy-acid dehydratase activity; and

(d) a Lactococcus lactis gene encoding a 2-keto-acid decarboxylase or variants of a Lactococcus lactis KivD having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO:28 and converts α-keto-isovalerate to Isobutvraldehyde;

(e) a Saccharomyces cerevisiae ADH2 gene encoding a NADH-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase that converts isobutyraldehyde to isobutanol or variants of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae adh2 having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO:38 and that converts Isobutyraldehyde to isobutanol;

wherein the recombinant E. coli comprises reduced expression or activity of an endogenous adhE gene or the endogenous adhE gene and an endogenous IdhA gene, and

wherein the recombinant E. coli produces isobutanol.

9. A recombinant E. coli that produces isobutanol, wherein isobutanol is produced from a metabolite comprising a 2-keto acid and wherein said 2-keto acid is converted to isobutanol by a 2-keto acid decarboxylase and a NADH-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase; wherein said 2-keto acid decarboxylase is encoded by a Lactococcus lactis KivD gene or variants of a Lactococcus lactis KivD having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO:28 that converts α-keto-isovalerate to Isobutyraldehyde; and wherein the NADH-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase is encoded by a Saccharomyces cerevisiae adh2 gene or variants of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae adh2 having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO:38 and converts Isobutyraldehyde to isobutanol; and wherein the recombinant E. coli has been engineered to disrupt an ethanol dehydrogenase encoded by an endogenous adhE gene or the endogenous adhE gene and an endogenous IdhA gene.

10. A recombinant microorganism designated SA237 and having ATTC Patent Deposit Designation PTA-8945.

11. A method for producing isobutanol, the method comprising:

a) providing a recombinant E. coli of any one of claims 1 and 8 ;

b) culturing the E. coli of a) in the presence of a suitable substrate or metabolic intermediate and under conditions suitable for the conversion of the substrate to isobutanol; and

c) substantially purifying the isobutanol.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the substrate or metabolic intermediate comprises 2-ketoisovalerate.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 6, 2021
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
To: GEVO, INC.; GEVO DEVELOPMENT, LLC; AGRI-ENERGY, LLC
Reel/Frame 054912/0709 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 14, 2020
From: GEVO, INC.; GEVO DEVELOPMENT, LLC; AGRI-ENERGY, LLC
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
Reel/Frame 051591/0697 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 13, 2020
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
To: GEVO, INC.; AGRI-ENERGY, LLC; GEVO DEVELOPMENT, LLC
Reel/Frame 051497/0560 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Apr 5, 2018
From: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 045847/0928 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 21, 2017
From: GEVO, INC.; GEVO DEVELOPMENT, LLC; AGRI-ENERGY, LLC
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
Reel/Frame 042940/0103 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 21, 2017
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
To: GEVO, INC.; GEVO DEVELOPMENT, LLC; AGRI-ENERGY, LLC
Reel/Frame 042940/0081 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 4, 2016
From: TRIPLEPOINT CAPITAL LLC
To: GEVO, INC.
Reel/Frame 040219/0177 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 31, 2008
From: LIAO, JAMES C.; ATSUMI, SHOTA; SMITH, KEVIN M.; CANN, ANTHONY F.; CONNOR, MICHAEL R.; SHEN, ROA PU C.
To: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
Reel/Frame 021771/0530 →