Development of Engineered Methylobacterium extorquens for the Efficient Co-assimilation of Methanol and Glucose

Abstract

The development of microbial platforms for the efficient production of value-added biochemicals is a key focus in modern biotechnology. Among the various microbial candidates, Methylobacterium extorquens stands out for its metabolic flexibility and resilience. As a naturally methylotrophic bacterium, M. extorquens can utilize single-carbon compounds such as methanol, making it an attractive host for C1-based biorefineries. Its native ability to assimilate C1 substrates efficiently positions it as a potential platform strain to overcome the limitations of conventional production systems, including low yields and high production costs. In this study, we engineered M. extorquens to metabolize glucose alongside methanol through targeted modifications of its metabolic network. We demonstrated the successful co-utilization of methanol and glucose, enabling the use of these cost-effective and readily available carbon sources. Our objective is to establish a robust M. extorquens chassis capable of sustainable and high-level production of industrially relevant biochemicals. This strategy not only enhances microbial enzyme production but also advances industrial biotechnology by offering a scalable, economically viable route to synthesize highvalue compounds.