Regulating the molar fraction of 4-hydroxybutyrate in poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-4-hydroxybutyrate) biosynthesis by Ralstonia eutropha using propionate as a stimulator

The regulation of the molar fraction of 4-hydroxybutyrate (4-HB) in the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-4-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB-4HB)] biosynthesis by Ralstonia eutropha (formerly Alcaligenes eutrophus) was attempted by the supplemental addition of propionate. The molar fraction of 4-HB in P(3HB-4HB) was increased significantly from 12.3 to 51.8 mol% by the addition of a small amount of propionate along with gamma-butyrolactone commonly used as a precursor for the biosynthesis of P(3HB-4HB). The mechanism of regulation by propionate was investigated by measuring the variation of enzyme activities related to the biosynthesis of P(3HB-4HB) and the level of intermediate metabolite acetyl-CoA. PHB synthase activity was induced significantly by propionate, and the acetyl-CoA concentration also increased significantly due to the additional supply of propionate. The overflowing acetyl-CoA seems to cause an inhibitory effect on the ketolysis reaction catalysing the lysis of 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA to two molecules of acetyl-CoA; consequently, the 4-HB fraction available for polymerization increased. Accordingly, the molar fraction of 4-HB in P(3HB-4HB) biosynthesis seems to be regulated by both an increased 4-HB fraction and an activated PHB synthase due to the supplemental addition of propionate as a stimulator.