Heterologous production of 10-methylstearic acid by cells expressing recombinant methyltransferase
AssigneeGinkgo Bioworks, Inc.
InventorsArthur J. Shaw, Hannah Blitzblau, Donald V. Crabtree
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Abstract
Disclosed herein are cells, nucleic acids, and proteins that can be used to produce branched (methyl)lipids, such as 10-methylstearic acids, and compositions that include such lipids. Cells disclosed herein comprise methyltransferase and/or reductase genes from bacteria of the class Gammaproteobacteria, which encode enzymes capable of catalyzing the production of branched (methyl)lipids from unbranched, unsaturated lipids. Saturated branched (methyl)lipids produced using embodiments of the present invention have favorable low-temperature fluidity and favorable oxidative stability, which are desirable properties for lubricants and specialty fluids.
Claims32
A cell comprising an exogenous tmpB gene encoding a tmpB protein from a bacterium of the genus Desulfobacter, Desulfobacula, Marinobacter, Thiohalospira, Thiohalorhabdus, Desulfotignum, or Halofilum and either a branched (methyl)lipid or an exomethylene-substituted lipid, wherein
- (1) the branched (methyl)lipid is a carboxylic acid, carboxylate, ester, thioester, or amide, and
- the branched (methyl)lipid comprises a saturated or unsaturated branched aliphatic chain comprising a branching methyl group;
- or
- (2) the exomethylene-substituted lipid is a carboxylic acid, carboxylate, ester, thioester, or amide,
- the exomethylene-substituted lipid comprises a branched aliphatic chain, and
- the aliphatic chain is substituted with an exomethylene group.
A nucleic acid comprising a recombinant tmpB gene encoding a tmpB protein from a bacterium of the genus Desulfobacter, Desulfobacula, Marinobacter, Thiohalospira, Thiohalorhabdus, Desulfotignum, or Halofilum and a first promoter operably linked to the recombinant tmpB gene.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.