Synthetic Carbon Fixation: Conversion of Heterotrophs into Autotrophs by Calvin-Benson-Bassham Cycle Induction

Abstract

Synthetic biology has enabled us to artificially convert heterotrophs into autotrophs. Modification of the existing metabolic circuit and induction of enzymes of the Calvin–Benson–Bassham (CBB) cycle including phosphoribulokinase (PRK) and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) allowed Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris to fix CO₂. This heterotroph to autotroph conversion technology will contribute to reductions in energy consumption and CO₂ emissions in the bioindustry.