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Engineering artificial photosynthesis based on rhodopsin for CO2 fixation

Author

Listed:
  • Weiming Tu

    (University of Oxford)

  • Jiabao Xu

    (University of Oxford)

  • Ian P. Thompson

    (University of Oxford)

  • Wei E. Huang

    (University of Oxford)

Abstract

Microbial rhodopsin, a significant contributor to sustaining life through light harvesting, holds untapped potential for carbon fixation. Here, we construct an artificial photosynthesis system which combines the proton-pumping ability of rhodopsin with an extracellular electron uptake mechanism, establishing a pathway to drive photoelectrosynthetic CO2 fixation by Ralstonia eutropha (also known as Cupriavidus necator) H16, a facultatively chemolithoautotrophic soil bacterium. R. eutropha is engineered to heterologously express an extracellular electron transfer pathway of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 and Gloeobacter rhodopsin (GR). Employing GR and the outer-membrane conduit MtrCAB from S. oneidensis, extracellular electrons and GR-driven proton motive force are integrated into R. eutropha’s native electron transport chain (ETC). Inspired by natural photosynthesis, the photoelectrochemical system splits water to supply electrons to R. eutropha via the Mtr outer-membrane route. The light-activated proton pump - GR, supported by canthaxanthin as an antenna, powers ATP synthesis and reverses the ETC to regenerate NADH/NADPH, facilitating R. eutropha’s biomass synthesis from CO2. Overexpression of a carbonic anhydrase further enhances CO2 fixation. This artificial photosynthesis system has the potential to advance the development of efficient photosynthesis, redefining our understanding of the ecological role of microbial rhodopsins in nature.

Suggested Citation

  • Weiming Tu & Jiabao Xu & Ian P. Thompson & Wei E. Huang, 2023. "Engineering artificial photosynthesis based on rhodopsin for CO2 fixation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-43524-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43524-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michael S. Guzman & Karthikeyan Rengasamy & Michael M. Binkley & Clive Jones & Tahina Onina Ranaivoarisoa & Rajesh Singh & David A. Fike & J. Mark Meacham & Arpita Bose, 2019. "Phototrophic extracellular electron uptake is linked to carbon dioxide fixation in the bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Ariel Chazan & Ishita Das & Takayoshi Fujiwara & Shunya Murakoshi & Andrey Rozenberg & Ana Molina-Márquez & Fumiya K. Sano & Tatsuki Tanaka & Patricia Gómez-Villegas & Shirley Larom & Alina Pushkarev , 2023. "Phototrophy by antenna-containing rhodopsin pumps in aquatic environments," Nature, Nature, vol. 615(7952), pages 535-540, March.
    3. Alina Pushkarev & Keiichi Inoue & Shirley Larom & José Flores-Uribe & Manish Singh & Masae Konno & Sahoko Tomida & Shota Ito & Ryoko Nakamura & Satoshi P. Tsunoda & Alon Philosof & Itai Sharon & Natal, 2018. "A distinct abundant group of microbial rhodopsins discovered using functional metagenomics," Nature, Nature, vol. 558(7711), pages 595-599, June.
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