Microorganisms engineered to use unconventional sources of nitrogen
Disclosed are genetically engineered organisms, such as yeast and bacteria, that have the ability to metabolize atypical nitrogen sources, such as melamine and cyanamide. Fermentation methods using the genetically engineered organisms are also described. The methods of the invention are robust processes for the industrial bioproduction of a variety of compounds, including commodities, fine chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
1. A genetically engineered organism, wherein the genetically engineered organism has been transformed by a nucleic acid molecule; the nucleic acid molecule comprises the non-native gene cah and the non-native gene DUR1,2.
2. The genetically engineered organism of claim 1 , wherein the non-native gene cah is cah from Fusarium oxysporum Fo5176, cah from F. pseudograminaearum CS3096, cah from Gibberella zeae PH-I, cah from Aspergillus kawachii IFO 4308, cah from A. niger CBS 513.88, cah from A. niger ATCC 1015, cah from A. oryzae 3.042, or cah from S. cerevisiae FostersB; or the non-native gene DUR1,2 is DUR1,2 from S. cerevisiae.
3. The genetically engineered organism of claim 1 , wherein the genetically engineered organism is a species of the genus Yarrowia, Saccharomyces, Ogataea, Pichia , or Escherichia.
4. The genetically engineered organism claim 1 , wherein the genetically engineered organism is selected from the group consisting of Yarrowia lipolytica, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Ogataea polymorpha, Pichiapastoris , and Escherichia coli.
5. A recombinant vector comprising a gene operably linked to a promoter, wherein the gene encodes cyanamide hydratase, and the vector further comprises a DUR1,2 gene.
6. The recombinant vector of claim 5 , wherein the DUR1,2 gene is DUR1,2 from S. cerevisiae , or the gene encoding cyanamide hydratase is cah from Myrothecium verrucaria.
7. The genetically engineered organism of claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15.
8. The genetically engineered organism of claim 1 , wherein the non-native gene cah and the non-native gene DUR1,2 are expressed from a single promoter as part of a gene operon.
9. The recombinant vector of claim 5 , wherein the gene encoding cyanamide hydratase and the DUR1,2 gene are operably linked to the same promoter as part of a gene operon.