IP Library Granted Patent US 11,136,601
Granted Patent B2
US 11,136,601 · App. 16/530,539 · Granted Oct 5, 2021

Conversion of S-lignin compounds to useful intermediates

Inventors: Gregg Tyler Beckham (Golden, CO); Christopher W. Johnson (Denver, CO); Sandra Fabienne Notonier (Golden, CO)
Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
C12P7/22C12N1/20C12N15/78C12P5/002C12P7/42C12R1/39C12R1/40C12P2203/00C12Y114/13082C12Y301/01057
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,136,601
App. No.
16/530,539
Granted
Oct 5, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a genetically modified microbial cell that includes a genetic modification resulting in the expression of a vanillate demethylase, where the microbial cell is capable of metabolizing at least one S-lignin decomposition molecule including at least one of syringate and/or 3-O-methyl gallate, and the genetically modified microbial cell is capable of producing gallate. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the vanillate demethylase may include VanAB.

Claims (16)

1. A genetically modified Pseudomonas comprising: a genetic modification resulting in the overexpression of a vanillate demethylase, wherein: the Pseudomonas metabolizes S-lignin decomposition molecules consisting of syringate and 3-O-methyl gallate, and the genetically modified Pseudomonas produces gallate.

2. The genetically modified Pseudomonas of claim 1 , wherein the vanillate demethylase is VanAB.

3. The genetically modified Pseudomonas of claim 1 , wherein the genetically modified Pseudomonas produces at least one of 2-hydroxy-2H-pyran-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC), (1E,3E)-4-hydroxybuta-1,3-diene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid, (1E)-4-oxobut-1-ene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid, 2-hydroxy-4-oxobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid, oxaloacetate, or pyruvate.

4. The genetically modified Pseudomonas of claim 1 , further comprising a genetic modification resulting in the expression of a 3,4-dioxygenase.

5. The genetically modified Pseudomonas of claim 4 , wherein the 3,4-dioxygenase is protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase (PcaHG).

6. The genetically modified Pseudomonas of claim 5 , further comprising an endogenous genetic deletion that causes a lack of expression of a dioxygenase.

7. The genetically modified Pseudomonas of claim 6 , wherein: the dioxygenase comprises GalA, and the genetically modified Pseudomonas produces PDC.

8. The genetically modified Pseudomonas of claim 1 , wherein the Pseudomonas is P. putida KT2440.

9. A method for making at least one of 2-hydroxy-2H-pyran-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC), (1E,3E)-4-hydroxybuta-1,3-diene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid, (1E)-4-oxobut-1-ene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid, 2-hydroxy-4-oxobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid, oxaloacetate, or pyruvate comprising exposing a genetically modified Pseudomonas to a solution containing at least one of S-lignin decomposition molecules, syringate or 3-O-methyl gallate wherein the genetically modified Pseudomonas cell comprises a genetic modification that results in the overexpression of vanillate demethylase.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the vanillate demethylase is VanAB.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the genetically modified Pseudomonas further comprises a genetic modification resulting in the expression of a 3,4-dioxygenase.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the 3,4-dioxygenase comprises is protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase (PcaHG).

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the genetically modified Pseudomonas further comprises an endogenous genetic deletion that causes a lack of expression of a dioxygenase.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the dioxygenase comprises GalA, and the genetically modified Pseudomonas produces PDC.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the modified Pseudomonas produces PDC at a concentration of up to 3.38 mM.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the modified Pseudomonas produces up to 3.38 mM PDC after about 72 hours of growth at a yield of up to 68%.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 16, 2025
From: ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, LLC
To: ALLIANCE FOR ENERGY INNOVATION, LLC
Reel/Frame 073993/0276 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded May 14, 2021
From: NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 056244/0082 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 9, 2019
From: BECKHAM, GREGG TYLER; JOHNSON, CHRISTOPHER W.; NOTONIER, SANDRA FABIENNE
To: ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, LLC
Reel/Frame 050009/0773 →