Synthetic engineering of a new biocatalyst encapsulating [NiFe]-hydrogenases for enhanced hydrogen production. Issue 12 (8th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jiang, Qiuyao; Li, Tianpei; Yang, Jing; Aitchison, Catherine M.; Huang, Jiafeng; Chen, Yu; Huang, Fang; Wang, Qiang; Cooper, Andrew I.; Liu, Lu-Ning
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 11:Issue 12(2023)
• Page Start: 2684
• Page End: 2692
• Publication Date: 2023-03-08
• Subjects: Materials -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Biomedical materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d2tb02781j
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-750X

Abstract

Abstract : By incorporating [NiFe]-hydrogenases into a proteinaceous carboxysome shell, we generate a novel biocatalyst that has improved production of clean hydrogen, oxygen tolerance, and thermostability, highlighting its great potential in biotechnological applications. Abstract : Hydrogenases are microbial metalloenzymes capable of catalyzing the reversible interconversion between molecular hydrogen and protons with high efficiency, and have great potential in the development of new electrocatalysts for renewable fuel production. Here, we engineered the intact proteinaceous shell of the carboxysome, a self-assembling protein organelle for CO2 fixation in cyanobacteria and proteobacteria, and sequestered heterologously produced [NiFe]-hydrogenases into the carboxysome shell. The protein-based hybrid catalyst produced in E. coli shows substantially improved hydrogen production under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions and enhanced material and functional robustness, compared to unencapsulated [NiFe]-hydrogenases. The catalytically functional nanoreactor as well as the self-assembling and encapsulation strategies provide a framework for engineering new bioinspired electrocatalysts to improve the sustainable production of fuels and chemicals in biotechnological and chemical applications.