Engineering Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 for sustainable production of sucrose

Sucrose is a readily available substrate and feedstock for biotechnology, which is biosynthesized by plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Engineered cyanobacteria with enhanced sucrose production may be a viable alternative to sucrose synthesis from plants. The marine cyanobacteria which can be cultivated in seawater have the potential to provide a sustainable solution. The model marine cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 (Syn7002) has many features for a good chassis, including a fast growth rate and a wide range of stress tolerances. Syn7002 synthesizes mainly glucosylglycerol and traces of sucrose as compatible solutes under salt stress. The compatible solute glucosylglycerate was also found in small amounts in Syn7002. To enhance sucrose production in Syn7002, the sucrose biosynthesis genes and the sucrose transporter gene were overexpressed. And the competing pathway genes and the sucrose hydrolysis gene were inactivated. The sucrose production in the engineered strain can reach 2282 mg/L in 8 days under 1 M NaCl stress. With the further substitution of sucrose biosynthesis genes from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, the engineered strain can efficiently produce sucrose over a wide range of NaCl concentrations. The efficient sucrose production by marine cyanobacteria will promote the sustainable supply of sugar feedstocks for biotechnology and aquaculture.