Molecular cloning and functional analysis of two polyhydroxyalkanoate synthases from two strains of Aeromonas hydrophila spp.

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase genes (phaC) were cloned from two Aeromonas hydrophila strains named WQ and 4AK5, respectively. Both strains are able to produce PHBHHx copolyesters consisting of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) and 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx). Sequence analysis showed that there was only 2 bp difference between these two PHA synthase genes, corresponding to two-amino acid difference at positions of 437 and 458 of the two synthases. PHA productivity and its monomer content produced by A. hydrophila WQ and A. hydrophila 4AK5 were quite different. A. hydrophila WQ accumulated 33% PHBHHx of its cell dry weight (CDW) with 5 mol% 3HHx in the copolyester when cultured in lauric acid for 48 h. Yet A. hydrophila 4AK5 was able to produce 43% PHBHHx of the CDW with 14 mol% 3HHx under the same condition. Hetero-expression of PHA synthase genes of A. hydrophila WQ and A. hydrophila 4AK5, respectively, in Escherichia coli XL1-Blue led to PHBHHx accumulation of 24% and 39% of the CDW and the 3HHx content in PHBHHx were 6 and 15 mol%, respectively. This indicated that the function of these two PHA synthases were different due to these two different residues at positions of 437 and 458. Site specific mutation was carried out to change these two amino acid residues. Results showed that the changes on either of the two amino acids negatively affected the PHA productivity.