Dual-channel energy pathway combining energy molecule supply and electron transfer to support solar-to-chemical production in an E. coli–thylakoid hybrid
摘要
Achieving high yields of chemicals via biosynthesis is desirable but challenging because only a small amount of energy molecules (such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP), reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)) within microorganisms are utilized for target chemical production. Drawing inspiration from the ability of plant-derived thylakoid to convert solar energy into energy molecules, an Escherichia coli–thylakoid hybrid with a dual-channel energy pathway combining energy molecule supply and electron transfer was created by implanting thylakoid in E. coli. Under light, photoelectrons produced in thylakoid were directly utilized to synthesize ATP and NADPH, which were then supplied to E. coli. Photoelectrons from thylakoid can transport and be captured by redox mediators, elevating the level of ATP and NADPH by facilitating the electron transport chain of E. coli. This dual-channel energy pathway boosted the level of energy molecules, enabling the E. coli–thylakoid hybrid to achieve an impressive H2 production rate of