Genome-Wide Metabolic Reconstruction of the Synthesis of Polyhydroxyalkanoates from Sugars and Fatty Acids by <i>Burkholderia</i> Sensu Lato Species

• Main Authors: Natalia Alvarez-Santullano, Pamela Villegas, Mario Sepúlveda Mardones, Roberto E. Durán, Raúl Donoso, Angela González, Claudia Sanhueza, Rodrigo Navia, Francisca Acevedo, Danilo Pérez-Pantoja, Michael Seeger
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-06-01
• Series: Microorganisms
• Subjects: polyhydroxyalkanoate; <i>Paraburkholderia</i>; <i>Burkholderia</i>; <i>Caballeronia</i>; <i>Trinickia</i>; <i>Micetohabitans</i>
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/6/1290

<i>Burkholderia</i> sensu lato (s.l.) species have a versatile metabolism. The aims of this review are the genomic reconstruction of the metabolic pathways involved in the synthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) by <i>Burkholderia</i> s.l. genera, and the characterization of the PHA synthases and the <i>pha</i> genes organization. The reports of the PHA synthesis from different substrates by <i>Burkholderia</i> s.l. strains were reviewed. Genome-guided metabolic reconstruction involving the conversion of sugars and fatty acids into PHAs by 37 <i>Burkholderia</i> s.l. species was performed. Sugars are metabolized via the Entner–Doudoroff (ED), pentose-phosphate (PP), and lower Embden–Meyerhoff–Parnas (EMP) pathways, which produce reducing power through NAD(P)H synthesis and PHA precursors. Fatty acid substrates are metabolized via <i>β</i>-oxidation and de novo synthesis of fatty acids into PHAs. The analysis of 194 <i>Burkholderia</i> s.l. genomes revealed that all strains have the <i>phaC</i>, <i>phaA,</i> and <i>phaB</i> genes for PHA synthesis, wherein the <i>phaC</i> gene is generally present in ≥2 copies. PHA synthases were classified into four phylogenetic groups belonging to class I II and III PHA synthases and one outlier group. The reconstruction of PHAs synthesis revealed a high level of gene redundancy probably reflecting complex regulatory layers that provide fine tuning according to diverse substrates and physiological conditions.