Yeast surface display of dehydrogenases in microbial fuel-cells

Two dehydrogenases, cellobiose dehydrogenase from Corynascus thermophilus and pyranose dehydrogenase from Agaricus meleagris, were displayed for the first time on the surface of Saccharomyces cerevisiae using the yeast surface display system. Surface displayed dehydrogenases were used in a microbial fuel cell and generated high power outputs. Surface displayed cellobiose dehydrogenase has demonstrated a midpoint potential of −28mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) at pH=6.5 and was used in a mediator-less anode compartment of a microbial fuel cell producing a power output of 3.3μWcm−2 using lactose as fuel. Surface-displayed pyranose dehydrogenase was used in a microbial fuel cell and generated high power outputs using different substrates, the highest power output that was achieved was 3.9μWcm−2 using d-xylose. These results demonstrate that surface displayed cellobiose dehydrogenase and pyranose dehydrogenase may successfully be used in microbial bioelectrochemical systems. [Display omitted] •Yeast surface displayed CDH communicates with the anode through DET.•Yeast surface displayed CDH possesses a middle point potential of −28mV vs. Ag/AgCl.•Yeast surface displayed CDH yielded 3.3μWcm−2 in a mediator-less MFC.•Yeast surface displayed PDH yielded 3.9μWcm−2 in an air-cathode MFC.