Electronic control of redox reactions inside Escherichia coli using a genetic module.

Authors
Baruch, Moshe 
Ajo-Franklin, Caroline M 

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Type
Article
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Abstract

Microorganisms regulate the redox state of different biomolecules to precisely control biological processes. These processes can be modulated by electrochemically coupling intracellular biomolecules to an external electrode, but current approaches afford only limited control and specificity. Here we describe specific electrochemical control of the reduction of intracellular biomolecules in Escherichia coli through introduction of a heterologous electron transfer pathway. E. coli expressing cymAmtrCAB from Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 consumed electrons directly from a cathode when fumarate or nitrate, both intracellular electron acceptors, were present. The fumarate-triggered current consumption occurred only when fumarate reductase was present, indicating all the electrons passed through this enzyme. Moreover, CymAMtrCAB-expressing E. coli used current to stoichiometrically reduce nitrate. Thus, our work introduces a modular genetic tool to reduce a specific intracellular redox molecule with an electrode, opening the possibility of electronically controlling biological processes such as biosynthesis and growth in any microorganism.

Publication Date
2021
Online Publication Date
2021-11-18
Acceptance Date
2021-09-26
Keywords
Electrodes, Electron Transport, Electronics, Electrons, Escherichia coli, Nitrates, Oxidation-Reduction, Shewanella
Journal Title
PLoS One
Journal ISSN
1932-6203
1932-6203
Volume Title
16
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)