Alka(e)ne synthesis in Cupriavidus necator boosted by the expression of endogenous and heterologous ferredoxin–ferredoxin reductase systems

To boost aldehyde deformylating oxygenase (ADO) activity in a Cupriavidus necator strain expressing a synthetic alkane pathway, the expression of two ferredoxin–ferredoxin reductase systems was tested. The genes of a native fd/FNR‐like system were identified in C. necator and expressed in a previously engineered alka(e)ne producing strain. The improved production of alka(e)nes in this Re2061‐pMAB1 strain confirmed the activity of the native Fd/FNR system in C. necator. Concomitantly, the expression of the heterologous system from Synechococcus elongatus was investigated identically, leading to a second strain, Re2061‐pMAB2. In the bioreactor, the aldehyde production was strongly reduced compared with the original alka(e)ne producer, leading to alka(e)nes production up to 0.37 and 1.48 g/L (22 and 82 mg/gCDW), respectively. The alka(e)ne production yield of Re2061‐pMAB2 accounted for 15% of the theoretical yield. We report here the highest level and yield of alka(e)nes production by an engineered bacterium to date. To boost the aldehyde deformylating oxygenase (ADO) activity in a Cupriavidus necator strain expressing a synthetic alkane pathway, the expression of two ferredoxin–ferredoxin reductase systems was tested. The genes of a native fd/FNR‐like system were identified in C. necator and expressed in a previously engineered alka(e)ne producing strain.