Publication Details |
| Category | Text Publication |
| Reference Category | Journals |
| DOI | 10.1111/1751-7915.70398 |
Licence  |
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| Title (Primary) | Microbial electrosynthesis reshapes energy metabolism and physiology in Clostridium ljungdahlii |
| Author | Al Sbei, S.; Boto, S.T.; Krüger, T.; Papenfort, K.; Westermann, M.; Jost, A.; Harnisch, F.
; Brakhage, A.A.; Rosenbaum, M.A. |
| Source Titel | Microbial Biotechnology |
| Year | 2026 |
| Department | MIBITECH |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Page From | e70398 |
| Language | englisch |
| Topic | T7 Bioeconomy |
| Data and Software links | https://doi.org/10.6019/PXD070356 |
| Supplements | Supplement 1 Supplement 2 Supplement 3 Supplement 4 |
| Keywords | bacterial microcompartments (BMCs); Clostridium ljungdahlii; cyanophycin; glycine synthase-reductase pathway (GSRP); membrane depolarization; microbial electrosynthesis (MES); Wood-Ljungdahl pathway |
| Abstract |
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) enables a variety of
microorganisms, particularly acetogens, to utilize electrical energy in
the form of electrons to produce valuable compounds from CO2. In the closely related process of gas fermentation, hydrogen gas (H2) is provided as the energy source, whereas in MES, H2
is produced in situ via water electrolysis. Despite the potential of
MES for energy and carbon storage, it still faces major limitations,
like low efficiency and low-value products. Here, we identify key
limitations of the model MES biocatalyst Clostridium ljungdahlii
through comparative transcriptomics, proteomics, and electron microscopy
in both processes. We show that cell integrity is severely impaired in
MES, consistent with membrane depolarization hampering ATP synthesis.
The struggle for ATP is compensated for by activating arginine
catabolism to produce ATP, a reaction that is likely fueled by
cyanophycin degradation. Diversion of the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway toward
the glycine synthase-reductase pathway (GSRP) resulted in a broader
spectrum of reduced products, including the two amino compounds
ethanolamine and glycine, which appeared exclusively under the
electrochemical environment. Additionally, we observed strong induction
of bacterial microcompartments, raising questions about their role
during MES. This work demonstrates that MES drives C. ljungdahlii into a distinct physiological state that challenges cellular fitness and expands our understanding of MES. |
| Al Sbei, S., Boto, S.T., Krüger, T., Papenfort, K., Westermann, M., Jost, A., Harnisch, F., Brakhage, A.A., Rosenbaum, M.A. (2026): Microbial electrosynthesis reshapes energy metabolism and physiology in Clostridium ljungdahlii Microb. Biotechnol. 19 (6), e70398 10.1111/1751-7915.70398 |
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